Inspired by decades of consumer complaints, Congress is possibly days away from passing legislation that would ban TV ads that blare louder than the programs they're on. The Commercial Advertising Loudness Mitigation, or CALM, Act follows rules on how to measure and clip broadcast volumes. Up to now, broadcasters mandated that ads should not exceed the "peak" loudness of the program being interrupted. Often, that "peak" was a mere spike such as a gunshot or a scream. Ad producers crank the noise level to just below that peak. Result? Viewers being driven nuts. Of course, industry officials says this isn't …

Joining other insurers that use multiple characters in their ad campaigns, Progressive plans to introduce one known for now as the "Messenger" on Sunday. He joins the brand's familiar Flo and, in fact, appeared with her in an early ad. The mysterious man is played by John Jenkinson in outfits and a mustache that evoke sleazy films of the 1970s. While Flo continues as a spokesperson for the brand, the Messenger's message will be somewhat askew and targeted to people who are not yet shopping for insurance. Jenkinson appeared with Flo, played by Stephanie Courtney, in a Progressive commercial …

Ads reminding people to "stop drinking while you're still thinking" are going up in the city's subways during the holiday season. The city's health department says there were more than 70,000 emergency-room visits last year due to binge drinking.

Cracker Barrel, modeled to represent a slower time of rocking chairs on old wooden porches, will soon feature a very modern technology -- electric vehicle chargers. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has launched a pilot project in which it will install Blink electric vehicle chargers, provided by Ecotality, at 24 restaurants across Tennessee. The pilot is part of a broader effort by Ecotality, based in Tempe, Ariz., to get charging stations in more places across the country. About 40% of Cracker Barrel guests are travelers.