Crain's New York Business articles from December 2006

Crain's New York Business archives from December 2006

Highlights reel.(In the Markets)
December 4, 2006... -1.2%: The Bloomberg/Crain's New York index fell 1.2%, to end the week at 367. The S&P 500 Index fell 0.3%, closing at 1397.

hard landing for landlines.(By the Numbers)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... ma bell is rolling over in her grave. Given the proliferation of cell phones and the advent of telephone service over the Internet, millions of Americans are calling their regional phone companies to cut off their landlines. Verizon customers...

Economic Spotlight.(Week in Review)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Construction contracts fall The New York metropolitan area saw construction contracts decline in October, although they remained higher for the year, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. Figures are in millions of dollars Economy...

Chart: CoStar's Most Active Manhattan Office Buildings; Based on square feet leased in 2006.(CoStar Group Inc.)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Data are as of Nov. 14. Square feet leased covers both direct space-including renewals-and sublet space. CoStar Group Inc., a provider of information services to the U.S. and U.K. commercial real estate industries, offers customers access via...

DAVID BURKE FROMAGERIE.(Business Lives: Table Talk)
December 4, 2006... DAVID BURKE FROMAGERIE 26 Ridge Road Rumson, N.J. (732) 842-8088 *** Cuisine: Modern American Wines: 325 choices, 21 by the glass Dress: No code Noise Level: Moderate Price Range: $24-$39; ...

NY builders cash in big overseas; Foreign developers tap city firms for construction projects.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Andrew Marks nicholas billotti, chief executive of Turner International, is willing to do just about anything--for some people. Case in point: When Russian developer Sergei Polansky hit town two months ago, Mr. Billotti met him...

Firm toys with success via licensing; Sababa scores big by reviving lagging brands of game companies; nose for hot trends.(Sababa Toys Inc.)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Gwen Moran Stone newman has a soft spot for SpongeBob SquarePants. He certainly ought to. The ubiquitous yellow cartoon character has played a pivotal role in catapulting Mr. Newman's Sababa Toys Inc. to sales of $15 million in...

TIPS FOR THE OVERSTRESSED.(Business Lives)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Schedule all social events and activities with parents, kids and others on shared scheduling software. Force yourself to take mini-breaks--go out for lunch or take an overnight shopping trip. Go mobile with a BlackBerry or other...

Remembering the extraordinary.(Viewpoint)(In memoriam)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Alair Townsend New york lost some remarkable people in 2006. I salute them. Business: John Weinberg's name was synonymous with Goldman Sachs, which he led for years. His style of relationship banking and customer focus served...

Colleges cram to cope as costs take off; School executives fit more buildings into tight budgets.(Report: Real Estate)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Steve Weinstein life used to be fairly easy for a big spender like Sean Joyner. The associate vice president for capital project management at Columbia University would put out a request for proposals, and the responses would come...

Jonathan Hochwald: Rockettes wrangler; MSG Entertainment's new production head focuses on Christmas; more projects on way.(Business Lives: Corporate Ladder)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Samantha Marshall Watching leggy dancers strut while a chorus belts out "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing'' under a shining Star of Bethlehem is all in a long day's work for Jonathan Hochwald. The executive vice president of...

Holiday stress tests; Busy New Yorkers find ways to cope with December time crunch.(Business Lives)
December 4, 2006... Byline: TOM FREDRICKSON 'Tis the season to be jolly. No, 'tis the season to be stressed. Ask Jennifer Abelson. She and her husband celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah and have a slew of family birthday parties to attend. In...

CNBC bringing up the rear with business news site; CNBC.com aims to beat rivals with bells and whistles, high-end audience.(CNBC.com L.L.C.)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Matthew Flamm in the heady days of the Internet bubble, day traders, venture capitalists and Wall Street brokers all seemed to own televisions that only showed CNBC. Those days are over, but executives at the NBC-owned cable...

Hospitals seek refuge from Berger verdicts; Facilities cited by closing commission mull Ch. 11, lawsuits.(News)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Gale Scott now that Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer has joined Gov. George Pataki in endorsing the Berger commission's report, the odds are high that its recommendations on restructuring the state's health system will become law on...

UNDER PRESSURE; Percentage of people stressed by causes.(Business Lives)
December 4, 2006... 61% - Lack of money to buy gifts 42% - Pressure of giving & getting gifts 34% - Lack of time to shop & celebrate 24% - Pressure of family gatherings 23% - Dealing with credit card debt 19% - Staying on a sensible diet ...

Executive moves.(Business Lives)(appointments)
December 4, 2006... Byline: adrianne pasquarelli accounting & consulting Deloitte & Touche USA: Bryant Huber, 33, was promoted to partner from senior manager. John Jacob, 34, was promoted to partner from senior manager. Christopher Monteilh, 38,...

The weeks ahead.(Calendar)
December 4, 2006... Byline: adrianne pasquarelli this week's events december 5 Metro New York Toastmasters Club holds public speaking workshop. 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Time & Life Building, 1271 Sixth Ave., second-floor conference room. Free. (212)...

Big NY firms seen as LBO candidates; Over a dozen local companies are likely targets of private equity buyers.(leveraged buyouts)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Aaron Elstein more than a dozen New York area companies, including such big names as Marsh & McLennan, Liz Claiborne, Avis Budget and Vornado Realty Trust, are increasingly being seen as likely candidates for leveraged buyouts. ...

TIMING IS EVERYTHING.(construction firms)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... The huge expansion seen by many firms in their export work has been perfectly timed. It began in earnest in 2002, when many New York-based building-related firms were suffering in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, and...

Deals.(Report: Real Estate)
December 4, 2006... Fashion label from Japan lands in Manhattan; Evisu plans flagship store in SoHo; Queens fabric firm relocates its HQ Japanese fashion firm Evisu plans to open a handful of U.S. stores, starting in SoHo. The company, now headquartered in...

Stocks to Watch; Foul weather, rising oil prices put Hess shares back in the market's fast lane.(Hess Oil Virgin-Islands Corp.)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Last week, with blizzards blanketing the West and temperatures plummeting in much of the nation, investors decided that maybe, just maybe, there's money to be made in owning stock in oil companies such as Hess. Less than a month after Hess had...

TOP PROPERTY MANAGERS: HAVES AND HAVE-MORES.(Report: Real Estate)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... five firms dominate crain's top 25 list of commercial property managers. They manage 202 million square feet of New York City commercial space, more than half of the total managed by firms on the list. Brookfield Properties posted the largest...

Rare species: tech workers; Software, financial firms desperately pursue talented system designers.(News)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Amanda Fung Talented computer programmers are at the top of companies' wish lists this holiday season. Executives from companies of all sizes are hard-pressed to fill empty workstations as demand for information technology...

Fashion favorites; Department store holiday shoppers expected to snap up Polo and PVH.(Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., Polo/Ralph Lauren L.P.)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Elisabeth Butler shoppers stormed department stores last week, scrambling for holiday bargains and checking off their Christmas lists. Now, with 20 shopping days left, executives at Manhattan-based apparel firms are waiting to see...

Whole Foods Brooklynizes new store; Market makes effort to stock local goods; movie studio has long-term plan.(Whole Foods Market Inc.)
December 4, 2006... When upscale grocer Whole Foods Market opens its first Brooklyn outpost in the spring of 2008, shoppers won't be the only ones with a reason to cheer. A host of local food companies will be the beneficiaries of the Texas-based chain's efforts...

Eating out; Family fare.(Business Lives)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Bob Lape Bob lape offers a quintessentially New York dining quintet for times when family or friends are in town and you don't feel like cooking. THE SEA GRILL, 19 W. 49th St. (above). While watching ice skaters in the glow of...

New Jersey boy returns to roots; David Burke revamps high-end spot where he was an underling; takeout for the Boss.(Business Lives: Table Talk)(Company overview)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Bob Lape David burke's autograph may well be David Burke Inc. To think that we worried when he parted company with Alan Stillman's Smith & Wollensky Group a few years back. Burke now runs full-throttle through all aspects of the...

Mayor needs to think tax cuts.(Viewpoint)
December 4, 2006... Since michael bloomberg became mayor, city revenue has soared by 49%. That's an astonishing number, and the mayor should post it above his desk as he begins putting together the next budget. It will remind him that he should make tax cuts a key...

New York, New York.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Edited by Valerie Block Refurnishing Apartment Campbell apartment, the posh lounge at Grand Central Terminal, will soon become a little more luxurious. The hangout for commuters and celebs like heartthrob George Clooney and Sex...

The Insider.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Erik Engquist and Anne Michaud Uncertainties over West Side bonds The city will sell its first bonds to finance development of the far West Side this week amid ratings agency concerns. Moody's Investors Service assigned an...

MAJOR REFORMS Rangel's agenda.(The Insider)
December 4, 2006... Rep. Charles Rangel, expansive in his new role as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said last week that he wants to tackle deadlocked issues over the next two years and reopen the House floor to spirited debate. Speaking at a...

At deadline.
December 4, 2006... The city's Independent Budget Office is expected to issue a report this week comparing the tax burden in New York to that in other major cities. The IBO study is a more comprehensive version of one issued in the mid-1990s, which found that New...

STORIES CAN BE REPRINTED, POSTED ONLINE; crain's articles.(Business Lives)
December 4, 2006... Crain's offers reprints of published articles, which can include photos. To obtain an estimate, contact Lori Noffz at Reprint Management Services, (717) 399-1900, ext. 104, or lnoffz@reprintbuyer.com. Readers wishing to make their own...

New products, cost fix to cure Pfizer of its ills; Drugmaker shares get boost from salesforce cuts; patent losses hurt.(In the Markets)
December 4, 2006... Byline: Aaron Elstein It's been a long time since Pfizer Inc. gave investors much reason to feel good. Sales have slumped over the past two years as patents on several top-selling drugs expired, and management didn't seem to have a clue...

real estate on new york business.com.(Report: Real Estate)
December 4, 2006... Breaking news: E-mail alerts keep you up-to-date about commercial and residential real estate. Company alerts: Visitors to the site can sign up for e-mail alerts that provide news about a particular real estate brokerage or firm. ...

CORRECTIONS.(Correction notice)
December 4, 2006... Barry Gosin is chief executive of real estate brokerage Newmark Knight Frank. His title was misstated in the Nov. 27 story "Firms may leave city as tax breaks expire.'' Minneapolis-based Manhattan Toy sells about 90 different items from...

Hot Jobs.(Business Lives)
December 4, 2006... Byline: amanda fung WANTED: president and ceo ORGANIZATION: Better Business Bureau of New York JOB DESCRIPTION: Overseeing the privately funded nonprofit and its Education and Research Foundation MOST IMPORTANT TASKS: Ensuring...

Nerds No. 1 for jobs; Math-savvy engineering grads fill finance, biotech posts.(News)
December 4, 2006... Byline: SAMANTHA MARSHALL the last thing ebele emelumadu will have to worry about when she graduates from The Cooper Union in June is finding a job. The electrical engineering student's talents are in such demand that she's had her first...

Week in review.
December 4, 2006... Byline: from staff and bloomberg news reports Manhattan Mall shopped Vornado Realty Trust agreed to buy the struggling Manhattan Mall, located at Sixth Avenue and West 33rd Street, for $689 million. The deal would extend Vornado's...

FREE TRIALS OF CRAIN'S ONLINE NEWSLETTERS.(News)
December 4, 2006... Crain's offers readers free two-week trial subscriptions to its online newsletters, Crain's Health Pulse and The Crain's Insider. Pulse deals with the business of health care. It supplies information on mergers, contracts, executive...

Possible litigants.(News)
December 4, 2006... Institutions considered likely to file suit to fight the Berger commission's recommendations: * Ordered to close ** Ordered to restructure Metro New York: * Cabrini Medical Center, Manhattan ** New York Downtown Hospital,...

CRAIN'S STORIES AVAILABLE ON DATABASES.(News)
December 4, 2006... Crain's is available on several electronic databases for readers wishing to locate published stories. Full text can be found on Nexis and Dialog. Dow Jones also carries Full text on Dow Jones Interactive, Newsbank CD-ROM products and Profound....

Major Projects.(Report: Real Estate)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... HOK, Architects The Brigade Gateway Location Bangalore, India Description Self-sustaining city on 45 acres, including 1.2 million square feet of offices, 600,000 square feet of retail, housing for 10,000 people, plus hotel,...

CRAIN'S ONLINE POLL.(Viewpoint)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... DO YOU AGREE WITH THE BERGER PANEL'S RECOMMENDATIONS TO CLOSE OR RESTRUCTURE A NUMBER OF HOSPITALS? Nearly two-thirds of the 165 participants in a Crain's poll back the panel's report, with 39% saying that New York's health care system...

at a glance: sababa toys inc.(Small Business)
December 4, 2006... founded August 2000 headquarters Manhattan number of licenses 33 employees 27 retailers Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority, Yankees Clubhouse stores and others best-selling game SpongeBob SquarePants UNO, retailing at...

TIMING IS EVERYTHING.(Report: Real Estate)(Brief article)
December 4, 2006... ***** Correction: Robert Descenza is an executive vice president at Thornton-Tomasetti. His title was misstated in the Dec. 4 article "Timing is everything'' in the real estate report. ***** The huge expansion seen by many firms...

IN THE VISA TRENCHES.(Business Lives)(Column)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Samantha Marshall I can relate to the experiences of the people I write about this week, because I'm an expatriate. I arrived from Canada in May 2001, sponsored for an H1B visa by Crain's. I wasn't thinking about a green card back...

CUNY's new lesson plan; Proposal would help community college students graduate while keeping jobs.(City University of New York)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Samantha Marshall Administrators from the City University of New York are meeting with Mayor Michael Bloomberg this week to garner support for a proposal that could transform the city's community colleges, sources close to the...

TV cameos boost NY companies; Use shows like `Queer Eye' to pump up sales; benefits of exposure can last for years.(Small Business Report)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Steve Garmhausen The timing couldn't have been better for high-end shaving products company eShave: Its shaving kit was prominently featured on an episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy smack in the middle of the 2003 Christmas...

Developers abandoning condo deals; Flagging market has owners converting to hotel projects as demand soars.(News)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Julie Satow For the past two years, the Chetrit Group has been moving full-steam ahead with plans to convert the Empire Hotel into 125 luxury condominiums. But now that fast-paced condo sales have braked, the developer is switching...

Hot Jobs.(Aeropostale Inc. searching for chief merchandising officer)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Byline: kira bindrim WANTED: chief merchandising officer COMPANY Aeropostale JOB DESCRIPTION Overseeing clothing design and marketing at the teen apparel retailer MOST IMPORTANT TASKS Keeping up with the latest fashion trends...

Ugly legal battle burns landmark restaurant; Fight is over; One if by Land must restore reputation.(News)
December 11, 2006... Byline: LISA FICKENSCHER One if by land, two if by sea, the storied Greenwich Village restaurant where marriage proposals are popped more often than champagne corks, is gearing up for its 35th anniversary. But far more important to its...

A wartime focus on holiday frenzy.(Viewpoint)(Viewpoint essay)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Valerie Block As the sharp elbows come out this holiday season and shoppers cram department stores seeking that perfect something for that special someone, they might take a moment to think about those who won't be hitting the...

Trader's big exchange; NYSE veteran leaves for archrival Nasdaq; will use his knowledge to boost share listings.(Robert McCooey joined The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. leaving New York Stock Exchange Inc.)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Aaron Elstein The career change Robert McCooey just made is tantamount to a Coca-Cola salesman swearing fealty to Pepsi. Or a General Motors executive buying a Ford Mustang. Simply put, New York Stock Exchange floor traders...

Young Turk educates NY; Pera's specialties are meats, mezes, salads; table spices range from mild to whoops!(Business Lives)(Company overview)
December 11, 2006... Pera mediterranean Brasserie is an eye-catching newcomer deserving a spot on your must-try list. Its forte is the friendly service of Turkey's delicate grilled meats, mezes and salads. This is modern Turkish cuisine, simple, flavorful and...

America's comic-book kingpin defies odds with Marvelous results; `Thanks, Spidey'.(Marvel Entertainment Group Inc.'s shares)(demand for filtration equipment)(G-III Apparel Group Ltd.'s shares)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... Talk about incredible feats. Shares of Marvel Entertainment have shrugged off three quarters of double-digit profit declines, and the prospect of at least one more to come. While they rose only modestly last week, they are up 29% over the past...

New York, New York.(Nerve.com Inc. introduced Nerve Media)(eateries and their management)
December 11, 2006... Byline: edited by Valerie Block Guardian Angel finds safe haven A street crawling with undercover cops might not lure most New Yorkers seeking a condo, but for Guardian Angel and WABC radio show host Curtis Sliwa (above), the added...

Should cell phone service be permitted on subway trains and on platforms? Crain's online poll.(Viewpoint)
December 11, 2006... Nearly half of the 161 respondents to a Crain's online poll support wireless providers that want the MTA to allow them to offer service in subway tunnels and on train platforms. Twenty-six percent of respondents support the MTA's plan to wire...

USA Network's cliff-hanger; Pulls out programming stops to beat TNT, grab No. 1 spot.(News)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Matthew Flamm On dec. 22, usa network will present an attention-grabbing edition of Monk, showing an episode in black and white, followed by the same one in color. USA will also add an hour to its regular two hours of wrestling...

At Deadline.(residential foreclosures)
December 11, 2006... The number of residential foreclosures in New York City increased to 2,143 in October, a 28% rise over September, according to data provider RealtyTrac. The sharpest jump occurred in Brooklyn, where 815 homes were in foreclosure, a 62% change....

Making the numbers work; Spitzer appointee Paul Francis must find state money to fund new agenda.(The Spitzer Transition)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Anne Michaud For much of his life, Paul Francis has been the brainy one behind the scenes, hammering out the details of the big idea. In the business world, he advised Ann Taylor Stores on its initial public offering and helped...

The Weeks Ahead.(Calendar/Datebook)
December 11, 2006... Byline: adrianne pasquarelli this week's events december 12 U.S. Department of Commerce and Baker & McKenzie hold seminar on global taxation. 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 1144 Sixth Ave. Fee: $75. (212) 809-2685 or...

Executive Moves.(Business Lives)
December 11, 2006... Byline: adrianne pasquarelli Accounting & consulting BBK: Tim Hassenger, 50, joined as managing director. He was formerly a partner at Nightingale & Associates. BDO Seidman: Ralph M. Fatigate, 58, joined as director, litigation...

Rivals, rates chase Commerce Bank onto tightrope; Fast-growth strategy threatened by low yields, copycats with similar services.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Tom Fredrickson Commerce Bank invaded New York in September 2001. It planted its big red C's on spanking new branches and popularized radical ideas such as free checking and Sunday hours. Commerce made it look easy, going from zip...

Corrections.
December 11, 2006... The name of Nina Campbell, the designer for The Campbell Apartment, was misstated in the Dec. 4 "New York, New York'' column. The name of accounting firm Rothstein Kass was misspelled in the Dec. 4 Business Lives feature, "Holiday stress...

Innkeeping nets cash, fills empty nests; B&B owners relish the company of strangers; demand grows in city.(Business Lives)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Margaret Jaworski Almost every morning, Mervyn Rampaul has breakfast with a bunch of strangers. For Mr. Rampaul, the owner of Staten Island's Harbor House Bed & Breakfast, the morning meal is his time to mingle with and get to know...

Should I give up my iPod for a Microsoft Zune?(Business Lives)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... If you have an iPod, there's very little incentive to switch to Zune. The price and capacity are the same, and the iPod offers better features, like the ability to download TV shows, music videos and games. Certain types of "cool'' transcend...

Hedge fund invests in bigger offices; Laurus relocates to Madison Avenue; retailer Ricky's gears up for Halloween.(Real Estate)
December 11, 2006... Laurus Capital Management is nearly quadrupling the size of its midtown offices. The hedge fund, which has $1.6 billion in assets under management, has signed a six-year sublease for the entire 10th floor, or 38,300 square feet, at 335 Madison...

Miserly regulators chill Wall St. favors; Firms limit client entertainment; no more coffee cups?(News)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Aaron Elstein Even though Wall Street is finishing one of its most bountiful years ever, Erik Marshall detects a miserly air. "Across the board, brokerage firms are spending less on client parties than they did a year ago,''...

Brooklyn tries pre-made housing; Novel project rises overnight on plot; Queens area gets its first credit union.(Neighborhood Journal)
December 11, 2006... An unusual affordable housing plan in Brooklyn calls for hundreds of units to go up literally overnight. The floors, ceilings and walls of more than 800 multifamily homes are being assembled in a factory at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Starting...

DEEP THINKING.(TargetCast Total Communications Management Inc.)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... December is the month for analysis and reflection. Look over results. Is the company making its sales goals? Are margins meeting expectations? What services, products, customers and vendors are working out? Which aren't? What does performance...

Viacom focuses on Internet comedy; Aims to monetize video, challenge YouTube with ad-friendly content.(News)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Abbey Klaassen Viacom is getting serious about its online-video strategy--by betting heavily on comedy. Atom Films, relaunched last week, will be a playground for aspiring video producers hoping for the next big Comedy Central...

NASD RULE 3060(a).(National Association of Securities Dealers)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... No member or person associated with a member shall, directly or indirectly, give or permit to be given anything of value, including gratuities, in excess of $100 per individual per year to any person, principal, proprietor, employee, agent or...

Best of Bob Lape.(Picholine, Dona, Trotters, Ithaka, Parea and Pylos )(Restaurant review)
December 11, 2006... Following are other recently reviewed Mediterranean restaurants. Picholine (4 stars) 35 W. 64th St. (between Broadway and Central Park West), Manhattan. (212) 724-8585. An elegant redesign, exciting new menu and reinvigorated spirit...

State energy panel eyes tough policies; Advisory committee may set new standard on environmental issues; antibusiness slant?(The Spitzer Transition)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Erik Engquist A committee advising Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer is likely to push for the adoption of the most aggressive energy and environmental policies in the nation. Its recommendations, due before the holidays, will include...

Tips for taking stock at year-end; Closing out the books also means assessing and planning for the future.(Small Business Report)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Tina Traster Lynne lambert spent much of last year just trying to keep up with burgeoning demand for the "Manhattan map'' shirt sold by her clothing and paraphernalia company, NYC Subway Line. It was only after she finally took...

PAY AS YOU CLICK.(News)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... The boom in Web shopping is expected to help Google Inc. gain traction for its new online payment service, Google Checkout, which the Silicon Valley-based search giant developed at its New York office. Google Checkout, launched in June to...

GRIDLOCK ALERT Who is driving.(traffic jams economic conditions)(Brief article)
December 11, 2006... The Partnership for New York City argued in a report issued last week that traffic jams in Manhattan impose enormous costs on the economy. The business advocacy group called for more study of the issue. One possible solution would be to deter...

Clearing air on traffic problem.(Viewpoint)
December 11, 2006... The mere suggestion last week that New York impose a daily fee on cars that enter the central business district south of 60th Street created enough political smog to obscure an important issue. Before it envelops the entire city, it's time to...

Growth Tales; key strategies used by young firms.(Small Business Report)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Lisa Goff Free press lifts clothing boutique Many startups are hobbled by their tiny to nonexistent marketing budgets. But as Kate McGregor learned, it's possible to mount a great marketing campaign without spending a dime. ...

Firms expand into MySpace; Find customers, make contacts; some `friends' in name only.(contracts with Hot 97)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Karen J. Bannan Radio station hot 97 plays hip-hop and rap music. Its DJs are themselves stars, regularly rubbing elbows with the likes of Beyonce, Ludacris, Diddy, and Busta Rhymes. As the producer of Whatz Going On, a...

The Insider.(Continental Airlines Inc.)
December 11, 2006... Byline: erik engquist and anne michaud Continental waylaid on Shanghai road Continental airlines has mobilized much of the city's business community and political establishment behind its bid to run nonstop service between Newark...

Nascar's S.I. bid crashes.(Staten Island)
December 11, 2006... Byline: from staff reports and bloomberg news reports Nascar's S.I. bid crashes International Speedway Corp. scrapped a $550 million plan to build an 82,500-seat Nascar racetrack on Staten Island, citing a lack of political support....

2 sites aim to ring up sales during e-shopping season; Pronto, ShopWiki enter field dominated by Shopzilla, others; will traffic rise?(Pronto.com and ShopWiki)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Amanda Fung Two fledgling New York technology companies, Pronto.com and ShopWiki, are hoping to cash in on what is likely to be a record-setting holiday season for e-commerce. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, U.S. consumers...