On Wall St., Keeping a Tight Rein on Twitter

That dash of market analysis on Twitter wasn’t an impromptu thought from an investor. It was a prewritten post, taken from a library of 140-character messages that had been approved by the compliance department of Morgan Stanley and sent out by financial advisers at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. This article was written by William Alden. 

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/on-wall-st-keeping-a-tight-rein-on-twitter/?scp=50&sq=marketing&st=cse

Morning Take-Out

With sales under pressure, traditional retailers, which have struggled to establish a unique online identity, are trying to tap into the innovative, fast-paced start-up mentality. At the other end of the spectrum, young Internet companies, facing fierce competition and the limits of their growth, are warming to deals with industry giants that have substantial resources and significant distribution outlets. This article was written by William Alden.

Guillen Era Begins in Earnest

It is the official kickoff of the Miami Marlins’ Ozzie Guillen era because Guillen really hasn’t arrived somewhere until he irks large amounts of people. Everyone knew this would happen. Even the Marlins’ owners knew this would happen as they were handing him a four-year, $10 million contract in the off-season. But they will tell you today they never expected this to happen. Pledging allegiance to Fidel Castro? In Miami? Guillen might as well have taken the Marlins’ marketing plan and set it on fire. Or stood at the door to the new stadium before the home opener spitting at the fans as they entered. This article was written by Lynn Zinser. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/sports/ozzie-guillen-speaks-apology-to-follow-leading-off.html?scp=48&sq=marketing&st=cse

Etch A Sketch Starts Its Own Campaign

The maker of Etch A Sketch is trying to put a positive spin on its status as a political insult with a new advertisement campaign. “Etch A Sketch is a lot like politics,” reads one ad. “There’s a lot of gray area.” This article was written by Sarah Wheaton. 

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/etch-a-sketch-starts-its-own-campaign/?scp=44&sq=marketing&st=cse

Parents’ Fight With Apple Over ‘Bait Apps’ Moves Forward

Is Apple doing enough to protect parents’ wallets from their own children? That seems to be the debate that has been brewing in a year-old lawsuit related to iPhone apps and the purchasing mechanisms inside them. In the latest episode of the case, a federal judge denied Apple’s request for a dismissal of a class-action lawsuit filed last April by parents concerned about “bait apps” — apps that are free downloads but include their own ministores to buy virtual goods. This article was written by Brian Chen. 

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/13/apple-bait-apps/?scp=42&sq=marketing&st=cse

A Look at Why Consumers Are Using Prepaid Debit Cards

In 2009, consumers loaded roughly $29 billion on such cards, which are especially popular with young adults and those considered underbanked — meaning they have little access to mainstream financial institutions like banks. But by next year, that amount is expected to reach $202 billion, according to an estimate cited in a report from an arm of the Pew Charitable Trusts. Even the budgeting guru Suze Orman is marketing a prepaid card. This article was written by Ann Carrns. 

http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/12/a-look-at-why-consumers-are-using-prepaid-debit-cards/?scp=41&sq=marketing&st=cse

Denny’s Uses Web Series to Speak to Young Adults

The commercials showing now for Denny’s depict homey restaurants where waitresses call customers “Hon” and feature the slogan “America’s Diner Is Always Open.” The campaign, by Gotham, New York, part of the Interpublic Group of Companies, is humorous but far from edgy, befitting a family restaurant. But in an effort to pitch Denny’s to consumers aged 18 to 25, the company is producing a Web series that strikes a decidedly more provocative tone. This article was written by Andrew Newman.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/business/media/dennys-uses-web-series-to-speak-to-young-adults.html?scp=38&sq=marketing&st=cse