Bruce Horowitz does a round-up of financial services ads and discovers the unfortunate obvious: there's not much to boast about nowadays besides one's experience and longevity. Presumably no institutions are blatantly reminding consumers that a rosy past doesn't guarantee future survival. Crisis consultants, of course, have a bunch of divergent opinions about what banks should do, thus perpetuating their own survival as a species. Some say, "do nothing." Others say, "don't wait until you're in a crisis." "I don't envy anybody in a communications role right now," says Lynn Kettleson, a crisis communications specialist. "These …

Concerned attorneys general in 25 states have asked MillerCoors to drop plans to introduce Sparks Red, its new high-octane malt beverage laced with caffeine. On Wednesday, attorneys general from 25 states sent a letter to Leo Kiely, MillerCoors CEO, saying the introduction of Sparks Red, slated for Oct. 1, "mocks [Miller's] oft-stated goal of promoting safe and responsible enjoyment of its products." The group claims that drinks like Sparks appeal to young people and underage drinkers, and says suing MillerCoors is an option. The Center for Science in the Public Interest sued the company last month, claiming stimulants …

An increasing number of wholesale companies are turning to the Web to hawk their products -- at wholesale prices -- directly to consumers. The hope is that consumers who are hesitating to, say, buy that new tile in the home-improvement store will be enticed to do so when they see it for substantially less online. The biggest obstacle for wholesalers is dealing with nettlesome customers. Before, interacting with customers mainly meant receiving orders from repeat retail clients and setting up delivery, says Eli Mechlovitz, co-owner of GlassTileStore.com. Now, workers must interact daily with individual consumers, helping them with tile …

Columnist Stuart Elliot looks at the new wave of Microsoft ads that will hit the airwaves starting today. Jerry Seinfeld is gone for now, but a bunch of other celebs -- Eva Longoria, Deepak Chopra and Pharrell Williams among them -- will make cameos with Bill Gates. A look-alike for comedian Bill Hodgman, who plays the stodgy PC in Apple's comparison ads, will play a stereotype-busting role. Apple may be feeling somewhat besieged in the coming weeks. T-Mobile has formally invited reporters to a press conference on Sept. 23. It is widely reported to be unveiling …

In these bleak days for finances, we could all use a perky percolation story, right? I think we excerpted a similar piece a few months ago, but NPR has discovered the bikini baristas in Seattle. And in case you were wondering if everything has gone topsy-turvy, it hasn't. Sex still sells. "Baristas in spike heels, lingerie, fish nets and other skin-revealing attire are attracting long lines -- and large tips," sayeth NPR.

Kroger -- which operates more than 2,400 supermarkets under banners such as Smith's and King Soopers -- says sales of store brands accounted for a record 26% of its grocery revenue in the quarter. Store brands are generally cheaper than national brands but carry higher profit margins for grocers. "In this economy, customers are much more willing to try a private-label item, and we're seeing signs that this is happening more and more as the year progresses," says Kroger CEO David Dillon. Kroger posted a 3.4% increase in its fiscal second-quarter profit. In another sign of how the …

Dell's stock price fell to levels it hasn't seen in more than a decade Tuesday -- a fresh reminder of the growing pains that the company faces as it expands beyond Michael Dell's innovative direct model. A decade ago, the business model and the company were darlings of Wall Street but the model has run out of steam in the past three years, largely because of the rising popularity of notebook computers and increasing sales to home users and customers in emerging markets such as China and India. Those new growth engines of the PC industry have lessened …