Q&As

It must have been quite the Memorial Day for the 26.5 million veterans whose personnel files were stolen as a result of a government employee’s negligence. Nothing makes beer and hot dogs go down smoother than the prospect of having to spend months, and thousands of dollars, trying to clear up one’s credit history.

Last year’s Congressional data theft hearings set expectations for what some members view as the steps private firms should take to correct data breaches. Yes, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will spend $25 million notifying veterans via traditional mail and telephone. But will it provide the level of credit monitoring and other restitution members of Congress had previously demanded of private companies that experienced similar breaches?

Various studies have shown that, on average, only 11% of business-to-business leads made a purchase within three months of their inquiry. Another 42%, however, made a purchase within 4-12 months.

A Canadian telemarketing operation that allegedly defrauded businesses on both sides of the U.S. border is now in trouble on both sides of that border.

Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. has retained Goldman, Sachs & Co. to explore a possible sale, the company announced yesterday.

PepsiCo. is rolling out a mega promotion tied to Warner Bros. Pictures’ Superman Returns, dangling a cash prize of $1 million.

Taubman Centers will reward consumers visiting select shopping centers and area events over the Memorial Day weekend with sweet treats, including free ice cream and T-shirts as part of a new guerilla marketing campaign.

Lionsgate Entertainment has been asked by The Children’s Advertising Review Unit to refrain from advertising one of its DVDs during times when children’s program is on television.

Owners of an Xbox 360 car-racing game can now download free content that puts high performance vehicles from Cadillac on the racetrack.

Is it a bid against Dunkin’ Donuts? An effort to muscle in on Starbucks? McDonald’s is trying its hand at some new products, testing specialty iced coffees and bakery goods (think muffins and scones) in a limited number of restaurants in the Northeast.

Ben & Jerry’s is launching its newest ice cream novelty, The Cone, with a contest that rewards consumers for their good deeds.