Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.trends,americast.usa-today.trends From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: trends Mon, Sep 14 1992 Date: Mon, 14 Sep 92 04:32:03 EDT Message-ID: 09-14 0000 DECISIONLINE: Trends & Marketing USA TODAY Update Sept. 14, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network CNN REPORTERS ARE CELEBRITIES: Today's celebrities may be news personalities in this information-hungry decade. According to the September Marketing to Women, The Ladies' Home Journal September issue debuts a hotline news report in partnership with Cable News Network. CNN reporters will write about such topics as food, health and politics. "Topicality is the star of the '90s," says LHJ's Myrna Blyth. BABY NETWORK IS DUE IN OCTOBER: Niche marketing has gotten yet another slot. Following a network for science-fiction fans and a coming Cartoon Network - is one for new parents. The Newborn Channel is scheduled for an October birth in maternity rooms. The 24-hour network featuring programs on child development and infant care has been tested in three hospitals for two years and reached 82% of maternity patients. TOLL-FREE NUMBERS STILL GROWING: AT&T launched toll-free 800 numbers 25 years ago to let large companies pay for long-distance calls from their customers and suppliers. AT&T says it had 7 million calls in 1967, its first year. By 1980 that was up to 1.4 billion. Last year, 10.2 billion 800 calls were made through AT&T. WE'RE DRINKING LESS: Drinking appears to be falling out of favor. Numbers reported in a recent Maritz AmeriPoll survey show that 40% of all Americans drink less today than they did five years ago. Among baby boomers, that figure jumps to 47%, and among men, 44% drink less today than they did five years ago. COOKING SHOWS HEAT UP: Cooking shows may be elbowing reality television for the genre of the '90s. Jeff Smith, the Frugal Gourmet, attracts men as well as women, 54% women to 46% men. Julia Child reruns (she no longer tapes shows) still are popular. "People are very interested in ... seeing how things get done," says Marjorie Poore for San Francisco public television KQED. HEALTHY FOOD IS A WINNER: Martin Yan, who hosts "Yan Can Cook," may be on the cutting edge of increasingly popular cooking shows: He emphasizes low fat and convenience in Chinese food. Another winner is Master chef Jacques Pepin, who pitches low-fat French cooking. "I suspect (some viewers) leave their TV sets turned on Saturday morning when all the cooking shows are on," says KQED TV's Marjorie Poore. SKIN PEELS COME ON STRONG: A mild chemical peel called alpha hydroxy is "the hottest thing in skin care since Retin-A," according to the September issue of allure magazine. It also is a "marketing gold mine." Chemical peeling has traditionally been a medical treatment, but it's crossed over to cosmetics. Chanel and La Prairie have creams out in September and Avon is adding a neck and chest peel. TREATMENTS ARE A MIRACLE: Reports on the hot new alpha hydroxy skin treatments "have all the earmarks of a cosmetic miracle," according to allure magazine. Experts say that by removing old skin, the peels can reverse a number of problems such as fine wrinkles, rough skin and blotchy pigment spots. The new creams are gentler than traditional medical methods. YELLOW POWDER HOLDS ITS OWN: It used to be hard to find yellow-based face powder, the alternative to pink and preferred by models and makeup artists. But many cosmetics companies now are producing it. The shade looks more natural because "almost everyone has yellow in their skin," according to makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin. Asian-oriented Kayla Beverly Hills sells its yellow-based powders to non-Asians too. RAPE REPORTINGS INCREASE: Whether it's because violent crimes are on the rise or women are more likely to report them - reported rapes rose 12% between 1986 and 1990, according to Uniform Crime Reports. The number of reported rapes as compared to the number of rapes per 100,000 women was equal in 1986. But by 1990, the reported rapes per 100,000 women was up about 9%; reported rapes was up 12%. MAGAZINE IS RED, WHITE AND BLUE: The buy American craze that's gotten consumers stirred up has a chronicle of its own. Events USA travel guide targets the millions who prefer the passport-free lifestyle. The design positively perks with patriotism and garish colors. It's published in Manhattan. BOOK IS REALITY FOR CHILDREN: Combining the interest in reality programming with the spate of shows for children is a "Rescue 911" TV show book for children. "Rescue 911: Kid Heroes" is out in November from the Trumpet Club book club. A second book is planned for April. The series is hosted by former "Star Trek" leader William Shatner. Trends & Marketing Editor: Beth Mann. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM