Daniel Hesse has so much to do to repair a tattered corporate culture that executives made bets he would not even show up his first day as Sprint's CEO in December. Reeling from an ill-fated merger with Nextel, the company's customers were leaving in droves. They'd grown tired of years of inattentive customer service and a lackluster array of cell phones. Hesse's first order of business was to order new commercials that he ended up starring in. Hesse, who once ran AT&T's wireless unit, is featured in the spots asking customers to e-mail him with complaints and to …

Procter & Gamble is looking to unload its ThermaCare heat wraps brand, sources say. Launched in early 2002, ThermaCare has estimated U.S. sales of $80 million. Sales in four European countries likely bring the total to more than $100 million. A P&G spokesman declines comment. ThermaCare's first-of-its-kind self-heating, disposable pain-relief wraps have spawned numerous copycats in recent years, cutting into sales. With limited extension potential and a relatively hefty price of around $2 for eight to 12 hours of pain relief, ThermaCare appears to have topped out well short of the billion-dollar threshold P&G ultimately wants its brands …

The options are narrowing for Steve & Barry's University Sportswear. Credit and liquidation sources say that, unless a white knight can be found, liquidation is a distinct possibility for the once red-hot chain specializing in trendy sportswear at big-box prices. Sources say that Steve & Barry's was in discussions with a retailer over the weekend regarding a possible acquisition. It could not be learned definitively what terms were being discussed, or how a deal would be structured, but Sears Holdings Corp. was mentioned as a possible suitor. Steve & Barry's, some suggest, could be positioned as …

While other retailers are slogging through the triple whammy of an economic downturn, rising gas and food prices and a deep housing slump, Wal-Mart has benefited by drawing in shoppers who previously spurned the retailer and retaining the business of those who say they dislike shopping there. Its share price is up and same-store sales, a key measure of a retailer's health, have improved. Simply put, a weak economy may turn out to be Wal-Mart's strong suit. Wal-Mart spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien says the retailer has "absolutely" benefited from the fact that more Americans need to pinch pennies. But …

Do people love Scrabble so much that they don't care whose version they play, or will they boycott the game in solidarity with two developers in India? We may soon find out, writes Erick Schonfeld of TechCrunch.com. Scrabulous -- the unofficial version of Scrabble developed by two brothers in India that has become one of the most popular apps on Facebook -- was almost shut down earlier this year because Hasbro claims that it infringes on its trademarks. Hasbro and Electronic Arts, however, realized that they would suffer an extreme backlash if they took away everyone's favorite Facebook …

Discussions among top General Motors executives about the number of brands it should have in its stable have intensified in recent weeks, signaling a potential major shift in thinking by the company -- especially by CEO Rick Wagoner. As top executives review future cars and trucks earmarked for various brands, "nothing is off the table," several people say. For decades, GM has believed that a key to making money in North America was maintaining market share. Many executives feel that having different brands (GM currently has eight)helps the company reach more potential customers and gives it more tools in …

Discussions among top General Motors executives about the number of brands it should have in its stable have intensified in recent weeks, signaling a potential major shift in thinking by the company -- especially by CEO Rick Wagoner. As top executives review future cars and trucks earmarked for various brands, "nothing is off the table," several people say. For decades, GM has believed that a key to making money in North America was maintaining market share. Many executives feel that having different brands (GM currently has eight)helps the company reach more potential customers and gives it more tools in …