Toaster giveaways are toast
The old toaster gifts are a thing of the past, as banks today offer more sophisticated promotions, from iPods to George Foreman grills to sweepstake drawings. To stay competitive, incentives are being used for everything, including new checking accounts, credit card rewards, and tell-a-friend referral programs.
Branding matters to affluent investors
Just over half of investors with at least $2 million in investable assets say they believe a brand is “extremely important” in choosing a financial services firm. And over half of that group are with high-profile financial institutions, revealed a survey by market research and consulting firm Prince & Associates.
Telcos hope: I want my IPTV
Competing with cable and satellite, telephone companies like BellSouth and SBC Communications are quickly developing Internet Protocol TV systems. IPTV uses less bandwidth than traditional cablecasts, which frees up capacity for more features like multiple pictures-in-picture, video conferencing and personalized news right on the TV screen.
Worker insecurity calls for education
In a poll of more than 1,400 U.S. workers with employer-sponsored health plans,
60 percent reported having negative feelings about their overall healthcare
experience, especially fear about their ability to make informed decisions.
Workers with access to online healthcare information and coverage decision support tools were more likely to report positive consumer behaviors (56 percent) than those who don’t (30 percent).
Industry unveils new DTC guidelines
Responding to political and consumer backlash, the Pharmaceutical Research
and Manufacturers of America (PHRMA) released a set of “Guiding Principles”
intended to self-regulate direct-to-consumer advertising. Principles include submitting ads to the FDA for review,
and clearly outlining the risks of taking prescription drugs. The principles take effect in January 2006. |
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Physicians seek chronic disease assistance
Increases in chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes are putting a strain
on primary care physicians. A recent Duke University Medical Center study calls for
alternatives to encourage preventative care, like disease management education through
videos, online support and print materials. Researchers suggest informed patients
would help ease time constraints of a typical office visit. |
“For the physician who thinks she is overwhelmed,
and for the patient who feels like he hasn’t had enough time with his doctor, we’re here to say, ‘You’re right.’”
— Kimberly Yarnall, M.D. Duke University
Medical Center |
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