Influx

market for virtual gaming objects reaches $100million

Almost un-noticed by the mass media, online role-playing games have become a mass phenomenon. The individuals who create objects to be used in these virtual worlds are making significant money. Is the virtual world a second alternate market for brands?

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996601

saturn tries to cash in on the car-tuner market

Prior to the big-relaunch, Saturn tries to gain some credibility with the young adult market.

http://www.autoblog.com/entry/5337880577833191/

luxury and pet ownership collide

A new magazine for a different class of dog owner.

http://moderndog.ca/

starck’s luxury housing

Influx first wrote about the plans a few month back, now the units are available for purchase. Phillipe Starck’s lifestyle is now availiable for habitation at around $1million+.

http://www.curbed.com/archives/2004/10/18/inside_philippe_starcks_downtown_insanity_palace.php#more

yahoo over-extends brand?

In the 1970s and 1980s, fashion brands like Gucci and YSL suffered brand dillution problems because they over-extended, granting licensing rights for everything. Is Yahoo going the same way with its recent move into consumer electronics?

http://news.designtechnica.com/article5689.html