Q&As

The Coca-Cola Co. reported revenue of $5.55 billion for fourth-quarter 2005, up from $5.2 billion during fourth-quarter 2004. But the Atlanta-based beverage company’s net income slipped from $1.2 billion to $864 million during the same period, in part due to increase direct marketing expenditures.

John T. (Tom) Wyatt has resigned as president and CEO of golf products marketer Cutter & Buck Inc. to join GapBody, the women’s lingerie, fragrances and personal care products line. Wyatt will serve as GapBody’s president.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? Not necessarily. One participant chasing down clues in the latest Harrah’s Operating Co. Treasure Hunt promotion will take home $1 million.

Paramount Pictures is building buzz around the latest installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise with an online scavenger hunt that gives fans clues to story lines in the film.

Hasbro’s iconic Play-Doh brand is celebrating 50 years with a yearlong “birth-doh” party, dangling a chance for consumers to win $50,000 through an instant-win promotion.

Using text messaging could land one Sprint customer in front of 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart at the 2006 NFL Draft.

Verizon Wireless made marketing history last night with the first-ever live concert on the corner of Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles.

One of the characteristics of a socially responsible government is that it protects the unprotected. This past week saw the abuse of one such group — the 231 individuals who serve as Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives. What makes this all the more galling is that their persecution came at the hands of a rogue telemarketer who happens to be one of their own.

The violations occurred when Missouri Republican Roy Blunt solicited his fellow GOP members during the Republican Party’s recent majority whip post election. According to the Washington Post, “Blunt bombarded Republicans with phone calls using a database of home, cell and vacation numbers…He had a system: A couple of staffers would dial numbers on the list, and as they reached members they would patch them through to Blunt or ask them to stand by for a call back.”

Harry & David Holdings generated $362.4 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2006, up from $334.9 million in fiscal 2005. But the fruit and gourmet foods gift marketer’s net income between the quarters dropped, from $69.6 million to $49.1 million.

The Sharper Image Corp generated $253.9 million during its 2005 fourth quarter, compared with $291.9 million a year ago. For the year, the San Francisco-based retailer reported $648.9 million in sales, down from $740 million. The quarter and year ended Jan. 31.