Craig Douglass Communications Inc.

Five current trends in packaging in soft drinks may be measuring up for shoppers. You no doubt have noticed a relatively new Coca-Cola can, much smaller than the 12-ounce package. That’s the size consumers became used to as the result of a 1955 test-market program for export to American military personnel stationed overseas. read more >

The highest average recorded price of regular gasoline at the pump in Arkansas is $3.97. That pinnacle was reached in July 2008. More important, however, is the fact that only one year ago, the average price was $3.09. And today, the average at-the-pump price of regular is $1.90. There exists in the Arkansas economy today a gas price dividend. And that means weekly consumer savings of at least $15.25. So how are you spending the extra money? Or how should you? read more >

A $300,000 investment by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery to promote scholarship beneficiaries, including on-field promotions at college football games this fall, appears to have had little impact on sales. read more >

November is finally here. The can’t-end-soon-enough political advertising, polls and phone calls are coming to an end. Congratulations to the political winners. It’s now your job to be the kind of stewards of public policy that give consumers the very best opportunities to participate in a growing Arkansas economy — and spend. read more >

I’m not so sure about this. Consumers who smoke, some who don’t and others who would like to quit are experimenting with new e-cigarettes. An ever-growing number of smokers, or former smokers, are just outright switching to the new electronic smoking device that delivers nicotine but emits no smoke, only vapor. read more >

Having long been a supporter of state lotteries for the funding of public programs, I’m compelled to admit the promotion of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery continues to be a puzzlement. By promotion I mean the marketing communications strategy targeting Arkansas consumers. read more >

How close to the edge will you go? And will simply the prospect of falling off the “fiscal cliff” prevent you from holiday shopping? read more >