Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.trends From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: trends Wed, Jul 15 1992 Date: Wed, 15 Jul 92 05:08:08 EDT Message-ID: 07-15 0000 DECISIONLINE: Trends & Marketing USA TODAY Update July 15, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network RECESSION BREEDS SCAMS: Fraud in the auto repair business is on the rise. It was cited as the No. 1 consumer rip-off, says a poll of consumer protection agencies. The rest of the top five: Home repairs, mail order sales, auto sales and telemarketing scams. The agencies noted a big jump in frauds that prey on victims of the recession. Phony service firms that promise to fend off mortgage foreclosures are also up. RJR HAS NEW PRODUCTS: The increasing number of health-conscious consumers has RJR Nabisco, the king of the cookie and cracker world, shoring up its throne. It's launching nine low-fat and fat-free snacks. SnackWell's, six fat-free or reduced-fat cookies and crackers, will be available nationwide by early next month and a trio of low-fat Mr. Phipps Tater Crisps potato chips will come out in September. AGENCIES RESPOND TO DRUG NEED: Labor officials say the drug problem confronting small business is staggering and the businesses are ill-equipped to detect the problem. Of the estimated nine million employed substance abusers, more than five million work at small businesses. The Small Business Association is now developing a self-help kit to show small-business owners how to spot and treat problems. PROGRAM SPARKS RESULTS: Local and state programs are forming to help small-business owners set up testing and employee-assistance programs. Maryland began a Drug-Free Workplace program targeting 3,400 businesses in 1990. One year later, 40% of the companies saw a reduction in workers' compensation claims and 34% established drug-testing programs, says coordinator Joann Levy. CONVENTION TV TIME TUMBLES: The three major networks are covering less of the Democratic National Convention than they used to cover. In 1960, ABC, CBS and NBC covered more than 85 hours of the convention. Nielsen Media Research shows that number tumbled to 53 hours in 1980. This year, the networks are expected to cover only 14 hours of the Democratic National Convention. GLAMOUR SEES CHANGING TIMES: Used to be that diaper changing tables were found only in womens' public rest rooms. No more: August's Glamour magazine surveyed 80-plus men's rooms in airports, train and bus terminals, arenas, zoos and museums across the USA. Results: One-third now have at least one facility for dads to change their kids. Best: D.C's Union Station, Seattle's Kingdome and Atlanta's Georgia Dome. AUTO INDUSTRY HURT BY HEALTH: Auto industry leaders at a Democratic National Convention conference Monday said health-care costs are making their business noncompetitive. American automakers spend $1,080 per car on health-care costs, compared to $300 in Canada, $400 in Japan and $500 in West Germany. If that trend continues, they say, more auto industry jobs will be forced out of the country by the competition. CABLE REVENUE UP AND AWAY: Total national spot cable TV advertising reached $41.1 million for the first six months of 1992, says Cable Networks Inc. That's an increase of 13% as compared to the same period's total of $36.4 million one year ago. Looking at the third quarter '92, CNI expects total national cable spot advertising revenue to grow by 32%, to $26.2 million, as compared to the third quarter of 1991. ECONOMY TO STAY IN DUMPS: Get ready for a year or more of unemployment running above 7%, say experts surveyed by USA TODAY. Expect two or three years of growth in gross domestic product - the output of goods and services - no better than the current weak annual rate of 2% to 3%. And be happy if interest rates on savings accounts and certificates of deposit outpace inflation. ADVERTISERS SEE GOOD TREND: Women and men in the advertising and marketing business see some favorable changes in the portrayal of women in advertising and predict the trend toward more positive and less stereotypical images will continue over the next 10 years. Marketing to Women reports the biggest exception to the overall positive trend is in women's sexual portrayal - women's sexiness is often emphasized. GUIDE TO MARKETPLACE OUT: The Official Guide to the American Marketplace by Margaret Ambey and Cheryl Russell (New Stategist Publications and Consultations, New York) is now on bookshelves. The book is organized into chapters examining the major factors driving consumer markets and gives statistical information on a wide variety of topics affecting consumer spending patterns. Trends & Marketing Editor: Michele Coleman. (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