Even in tough times, you can’t keep the American entrepreneur down. Take the example of Sean O’Connor who has already tasted success from pancake batter in a can and is now cooking up a retro TV ad campaign to expand his reach, and profits. I’m going to have to track down these ready to cook all organic pancakes and try them. After all, who isn’t a sucker for alphabet or animal shaped pancakes during the holidays? (more…)  UPDATE: On our second can of Batter Blaster.  Can’t decide how I feel about this product but I will say it was a huge hit Saturday morning after a rowdy tween girl sleepover.

Cash was king for consumers who shopped over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to survey results released on Sunday, and that factor could have cost retailers additional sales. Only 26 percent of people who shopped over the weekend said they used credit cards for their purchases, according to a poll conducted for Reuters by America’s Research Group. ”That’s an amazing shift in consumers’ habits,” said Britt Beemer, founder of America’s Research Group.  (more…)

”Costco is committed to carrying name brand merchandise at the best possible prices. At this time, Coca-Cola has not provided Costco with competitive pricing so that we may pass along the value our members deserve,” said a message on the company’s Web site labeled ”Price Alert!” Ouch. Playing hardball with a beloved brand that is readily available to your customers at competitive pricing is a bold move. Who will win? Don’t bet against that famous logo. ”This is not going to bully Coke into changing its pricing strategy,” said John Sicher, editor of Beverage Digest. ”I think Coke is going to basically be focused on the right price and right market for its products, no matter what.”I love my Costco but I think they have finally have lost their way.  (more…)

The dreaded OOS. Kellogg Company said that due to “a confluence of events” — including flooding at its Bucknell Drive manufacturing facility — Eggo brand frozen waffles will be in short supply for some time to come. Grocery store inventories, the company said, are expected to remain limited through the first half of 2010. The company reports that the shortage is nationwide. Brings new meaning to the famous tagline and another reason to be cranky about the great flood of 2009. (more…)

The good news: Magazine ad pages are actually up in the fourth quarter for the first time in a dog’s age. The bad news:Metropolitan Home won’t be around to enjoy it. Hachette Filipacchi Media just announced that it’s shutting down the shelter title following publication of its December issue, choosing to focus its limited resources on Elle Decor, its last remaining home-design magazine.  (more…)

I do hope Disney knows what it is doing. In a complete turnaround from the absurd princess mania that has taken over their Disney themeparks, Mickey is going rogue.  That’s right. Mickey is about to go postal in an attempt to improve his relevancy.  (more…)

From Buffalo, NY to San Diego, CA tailgating rules. “Tailgating is the only gathering place of a community of its kind, like walking through thousands of backyards. It’s where the happy people are,” says Commissioner of Tailgating, Joe Cahn. “Tailgating creates the perfect American neighborhood.” Having spent 13 NFL seasons on the road, Commissioner Cahn knows firsthand what’s necessary to create a fantastic tailgating scene. “Parking space, tradition, and family are three of the top four ingredients,” Cahn says. “The first two are obvious. Family is a lot else—especially for kids, because sports is the only thing where a kid can argue toe-to-toe with an adult and get away with it.” The fourth main ingredient is great food. Cahn can rattle off a list of magnificent dishes he’s had across the country—bratwursts, chili, gumbo, homemade tomales, and Maine lobster—and remember the place where he ate each one. “It’s an honor to be invited into someone’s home to eat, and the tailgate is the home brought to the parking lot,” he says.  For the top 10 tailgating cities….