Lest you focus just on the more serious stories in the financial press, such as the threat to Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) from rising postage costs, or the disappointing sales at Zumiez (NASDAQ:ZUMZ), here's a recap of some of the more unusual financial news out there.
- Innovative marketing ideas can bring controversy. McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) has arranged with schools in Seminole County, Fla., to have kids with good grades and good attendance get Happy Meals. Report-card jackets will also sport McDonald's branding. When such gambits work, they can be powerful, giving a generation fond childhood memories of french fries. But they can backfire, too, drawing anger from parents.
- Meanwhile, the folks at Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) are dealing with their own controversy. A blogger has created a website called ComcastMustDie.com, featuring lots of bad press about the company. The person behind the website is noted media columnist Bob Garfield, whose aim is to convince Comcast's CEO that "if Comcast were to become the Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN) of cable and telecom providers (in providing excellent customer service), then the rewards would far exceed the cost."
- Carmakers, be warned -- there's a new auto-theft risk out there: flower pots. In Berlin, a man got out of his Porsche to remove a flower pot that had been jammed against his tire, only to be shoved out of the way by a person who then stole his car.
- What motivates armed robbers? It isn't always mindless greed. Two robbers and kidnappers recently sentenced to 20 years in prison explained that they were just trying to pay for their college educations. (Should've checked our College Savings Center and Motley Fool Green Light newsletter instead, to gather lots of tips on affording college.)
Enough silliness, though. We at the Fool aim to "educate, amuse, and enrich." We've given you the amusement. Now I invite you to read any other article in Fooldom for a little education and perhaps some enrichment, too.
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