Marketers are rethinking endorsement deals using baseball players in the wake of new reports linking stars such as Alex Rodriquez, Manny Ramirez and Roger Clemens to the use of banned substances, Barry Janoff reports. Working with agent Scott Boras, Ramirez was quick to admit responsibility, apologizing to his teammates and fans. He also distanced himself from the "steroid" cloud hanging over some of the game's top players, saying the medication he took was prescribed to him by a doctor for a "personal health issue." Because of his quirky personality, Ramirez only earns about $4-5 million in endorsements, but …

"The combination of free food and Oprah is a tsunami," says crisis expert Robbie Vorhaus after KFC found both its Web site and stores under siege by customers responding to a free-coupon offer on UnThinkKFC.com for its new grilled chicken product touted by the TV host. The site was overwhelmed by downloads, and bloggers report that some stores were turning coupon holders away, Emily Bryson York writes. The coupons announced on Oprah's show were good for two pieces of chicken, two sides and a biscuit, but they had to be downloaded before Wednesday. They can be redeemed anytime before May …

Columnist Michael Hiltzik says that he divides the fast-food universe into two solar systems: In-N-Out and everybody else. The Southern Californian chain has developed a cult following, he says, because of its simple menu and "sedulous devotion to fresh, high-quality ingredients." That means that they're diligent in what they do. They're also a bit quirky. There are, for example, the "biblicalcitations" printed on the edges and seams of its burger wrappers and disposable cups, a practice started by the born-again younger son but now deceased heir apparent to In-N-Out's founders, Harry and Esther Snyder. …

Nissan says it could sell an electric car as soon as fall 2010 with fuel-economy rating equivalent to 367 miles per gallon and a range of 100 miles on a charge, James R. Healey reports. The mpg equivalent is calculated using a federal formula that takes into account the fuel an electric utility would use to charge the car. Nissan says the car will be priced about the same as a conventional midsize sedan. It hopes to sell a few electrics in 2010 where cities and counties are aggressively installing recharging stations, accelerating to tens of thousands a year …

About six months ago, we reported that Miami Breach's refurbished Fontainebleau Hotel was reopening with "splash and panache" in a sexy ad campaign that was hard to miss in several popular magazines. Among the featured attractions was a secluded ''European'' pool for topless bathers. Well, now the hotel is peddling a more wholesome image, Douglas Hanks reports. The subhed says it all: "Hello, Regis and Kelly -- and so long, sexy and steamy." In short, the Fontainebleau is shifting its marketing strategy to court families. Kelly Ripa and Regis Philbin opened their live morning show from …

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) has introduced a bill in Congress that would prevent erectile dysfunction and male enhancement ads from appearing on radio and television between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., Charles Riley reports. The "Families for ED Advertising Decency Act" currently has only one co-sponsor, Rep. Robert Brady (D-Penn.), and there are no hearings scheduled on the issue. But a Moran spokesman said the congressman is actively seeking more support. "I understand there is a limitless market to deal with male insecurity, and its fine for drug companies to make a profit on that," …