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Ghost of Christmas future
SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Toy makers must be freaking out. As their biggest time of the year for sales approaches, toy makers are dousing themselves to quell the flames of the Mattel scandal that has scorched the entire industry. Moreover, retail sales have just been reported "soft" and that's no big lead in to the holiday sales rush.
Through the 20-20 hindsight lens, much of this could have been avoided. But Mattel has damaged its brand, as have others, and now it will have to rebuild its reputation.
Companies don't seem to get the fact that rebuilding a brand is more expensive that enacting corporate social responsibility programs to begin with. In other words, ethical considerations are more effective before rather than after a crisis
Hot for Halloween - putting pets in costumes
Among the most popular Halloween costumes this year is a simple devil's outfit - for dogs.
"Everyone thinks their dog is a little devil," said Rashell Cooper, who oversees dog fashion for the PetSmart retail chain.
Cooper's job is serious business. Pet owners - "pet parents," as Cooper calls them - pour staggering amounts of money into services and products for their animals. Statistics on the Web site of the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association (www.appma.org) project almost $41 billion in U.S. spending on pets this year.
That includes essential services such as veterinary care, but there's plenty of discretionary and luxury spending as well. Cooper, a former children's wear expert with a degree in fashion merchandising, had that market in mind when she worked with PetSmart's suppliers to develop an "over-indulgence" theme for her fall dog-apparel collection.
What does that mean? One example is a faux fur dog coat in the color ivory, with a satin ribbon and pearl buttons.
Empire State Building seeks Valentine's Day brides
The annual contest has begun for couples who want to get married on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day.
This year the contest (14 couples only) can include those who are merely renewing their vows. The event is co-sponsored by Conde Nast's Brides.com, which helps with the planning, fashion and beauty needs.
According to the rules, each couple needs to "submit their personal love stories, photos and reasons for wanting their special day to be held at the Empire State Building. Winners will be selected based upon the originality and distinctiveness of their submissions and their connections to America’s favorite building."
The deadline to apply for the 2008 Valentine's Day slots is October 31.
Dr Who mask tipped to hit the top of Christmas wish-lists
A DOCTOR Who "talking mask" was today tipped as one of the biggest hits among children's toys this Christmas.
Technology is expected to dominate youngsters' wish-lists, experts predicted today.
The Toy Retailers Association said modern youngsters want to see more interactive items filling their stockings.
The voice changer mask inspired by the Doctor Who series is on the 12-strong "dream toys" list for this Christmas.
The Optimus Prime toy inspired by Transformers The Movie is also on the list, along with a Flytech Dragonfly remote-controlled flying insect.
A hand-held electronic device which plays word games called Say What? is another of the hi-tech items on the list. Even Mattel's Barbie Girls assortment can connect to a website and play music.