Media Advertising

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - KFC Corp. here is pulling its highly publicized new ad campaign that touted its chicken as being healthy.

NATICK, Mass. - BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. here said this week its earnings dropped 13 percent in its latest quarter amid higher costs. The company's revenue, however, rose 18 percent.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The Sam's Club division of Wal-Mart Stores here is hoping to get a jump start on the Christmas shopping season -- and the competition -- by holding an "open house" in its membership clubs this weekend.

LOS ANGELES - A federal mediator is expected to meet today with leaders of the union representing 70,000 Southern California grocery workers and executives from three supermarket chains in their first talks since the beginning of a month-old strike and lockout, Reuters reports.

NEW YORK - NetRatings, provider of Nielsen/NetRatings, and ACNielsen U.S., an operating unit of ACNielsen, a VNU business, have announced the launch of Homescan Online, a new service designed to improve the effectiveness of online marketing for consumer packaged goods marketers and Web publishers.

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Shaw's Supermarkets Inc. on Friday announced the launch of "ducklings," a program that provides pregnant women and moms with children up to five years old coupons and valuable information. The program is available to Shaw's Rewards Card holders.

DETROIT -- A Kroger supermarket here this morning became one of the first establishments in the country to accept the new $20 bill. The bill was introduced by the U.S. government and local leaders.

CLEVELAND -- Supermarket competitors Giant Eagle and Tops Friendly Markets launched a price war this week, but many customers failed to notice, according to a story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.