DineEquity is looking for ways for the newly acquired Applebee's to emulate the success of its International House of Pancakes, which has experienced 21 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth. In an interview, CEO Julia Stewart talks about the brand strategy it put in place for IHOP in 2002 that was designed to do three things: re-energize the brand, maximize development and substantially improve operations. Stewart pins IHOP's success on "better ads that resonate with the guest, media buying that has really made a difference, a marketing strategy using limited time offers, and then literally having better food …

Stride Gum gets a credit at the end of a popular video posted on the Web about a month ago that features thirty-something Matt Harding doing a rendition of what Midwesterners might call a "farmer's jig" -- pumping elbows, high knees and insistent bouncing -- in locations around the world. Stride supports the sponsorship by way of a "Dancing Matt" microsite attached to the brand's main page. GoldNFish, a promotion agency, first spotted Harding in 2005 "when we were looking for a fun way to get the word out about Stride gum," says Emily Liu, senior brand manager …

Working with the premise that shoppers typically are creatures of habit and that the economy's doldrums offer an opportunity to change those habits, some retailers are plowing money into standing out from the crowd, hoping to grab market share and emerge from the economy's slump in better shape than their rivals. Some -- like home-improvement giant Home Depot -- are sprucing up their stores and investing more in customer service. Others, like discounter Wal-Mart and consumer-electronics specialist Best Buy, are touting their commitment to low prices or promoting special deals to help strapped consumers stretch their dollars. …

The only hint that Ford owns Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers -- which service all makes and models -- is that they are likely to be at or near a Ford dealership. But faced with slumping new-vehicle sales and declining warranty work (a consequence of higher-quality vehicles), Quick Lane is becoming an increasingly important venture for Ford and its dealers. In the past four years, Ford has doubled the number of Quick Lane centers nationwide -- to 500 -- and last month it opened more than two dozen stores through its existing network of more than 4,000 …

Florida's Attorney General has struck settlements with 10 phone card companies accused of such practices as false advertising and assessing hidden fees that will force vendors to overhaul everything from fee structures to marketing methods. In a survey of 45 prepaid cards conducted last November by Washington, D.C.-based Network Analytics, card companies delivered only 60% of the minutes they promised in voice prompts. And, according to critics, many fees are hidden -- leaving customers feeling they get more minutes than they really do. Companies can charge "connection" and "hang-up" fees as high as $2, and some round up calls …