• by September 10, 2003

The Riff isn't exactly what ZZ Top might consider a "sharp-dressed man." Indeed, we've come out in favor of a constitutional amendment banning the tucking-in of shirts. Thus the recent news that our pinstriped brethren who shop at Barneys New York will be treated to Bloomberg TV while they shop took us somewhat aback. I mean, what about the financial-news needs of the more slovenly-dressed? Will there be Bloomberg monitors near the undershirt racks at Sears? The strategy, though, makes a lot of sense for both parties. It can't hurt for Bloomberg to seize eyeballs wherever it can, especially in an environment frequented by the affluent males who fuel the company's growth (none of the six TV sets are positioned on women's floors, it should be noted). And clearly type-A business personalities who tend to patronize the venerable Barneys won't object to an additional flow of information, even as they are confronted with dreaded inseam measurements. Everybody wins, and that's never a bad thing.

Take One Tablet And Call Us In The Morning: Talk about your point-of-purchase sampling initiatives. Beginning this week, Microsoft will begin a series of product demos to promote its new Tablet PC line in places where most of its prospective customers are most apt to think about one, their office buildings. In a promotion developed by brand communications agency Jack Morton Worldwide, workers in six major office buildings in New York and 12 in Chicago will have the chance to get their hands on Microsoft's new Tablets. Other potential sampling venues may include airports.