Week of April 21st, 2014

Dove's most recent ad campaign has been called "patronizing" and "hypocritical".

For less than the price of a cup of coffee, you can send a letter halfway across the globe. How?

Oregon waves the white flag and turns its exchange over to the feds, because fixing it would be just too expensive.

Kai Ryssdal talks with Catherine Rampell of the Washington Post and Sudeep Reddy of the Wall Street Journal.

If a financial aid package looks too good to be true, it probably is.

It was reported that Alibaba would be adding new shares to an impending deal that would push its IPO to $20 billion making it the largest IPO- ever. Marketplace’s Sabri Ben-Achour picks apart why Alibaba might be worth this much. Plus, there’s growing criticism over the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. A recent ad has been called “patronizing” and Dove’s “most bulls**t ad yet.” Mitchell explains the controversy, and looks at whether Dove/Unilever expected – and will even benefit from – this outrage. Then, Oregon waives the White Flag and turns its exchange over to the Fed model, because fixing it would be just too expensive.  Maryland is also a mess, so it’s taking the Connecticut model.  And you thought Healthcare.gov was the problem. We look at the states which are running their own exchanges going into year two.  

This week on Marketplace Money, host Lizzie O’Leary and personal finance expert Liz Weston discuss what parents should know about financial aid offers from colleges and universities, and what to look out for to make sure they’re making the right decision when it comes to loans. Weston and O’Leary also take a few questions from listeners on navigating 0% credit offers and how to best handle unexpected medical expenses. Psychology professor Ryan Howell explains how spending money on the right things could lead to happiness, and actress Annabelle Gurwitch tells us what she learned about money from her family growing up.

While Yelp says :-), Skype says 🙁

Marketplace Datebook for the week of April 28, 2014

Middle-skill jobs can support middle-class lives, but our education system isn’t getting people ready for them.

Mortgage lending this winter fell 58 percent from a year ago to the lowest level in 14 years. A report says dentists see more Medicaid patients without increasing wait times for existing patients.

"Even the Russians are admitting that they are having an impact," Secretary Jack Lew said.

With Mark Zuckerberg as their model, how could they go wrong?

If you download a coupon for Yoplait or for any of General Mills food products, you can still sue the company.

Northwestern football players are scheduled to vote on whether they want to be represented by a union.

A new report suggests that dentists have found a way to see more Medicaid patients without increasing waiting times for their existing patients. They do so by relying more on dental hygienists. What lessons might doctors – dealing with an influx of new patients under the ACA – learn from dentists, and what are the limits in trying to copy that approach? Plus, Northwestern University football players are scheduled to vote today on whether they want to be represented by a union. The National Labor Relations Board ruled in February that Northwestern’s football players on athletic scholarships are university employees, setting the stage for the election. 

A report says dentists see more Medicaid patients without increasing wait times for existing patients.

With the FCC’s announcement, we look at Net Neutrality and who would pay for an internet “fast lane.” Plus, more on the technology behind Disney’s Audio-Animatronics exhibits at the 1964 World’s Fair. Also, Farhad Manjoo, tech columnist for the New York Times, joins us for Silicon Tally, our quiz on the week in tech news.

Play Silicon Tally to find out how well you've kept up on this week's tech news.

…via an earnings call in which the entire editorial staff was fired.

The NCAA and big-time football colleges have been rethinking the way they treat athletes.

"Super-utilizers" are one of the most pressing healthcare policy questions. And there is a striking lack of research.

The FDA proposes a ban on the sale of e-cigs to minors and the FCC proposes new internet rules.

The FDA proposed new rules on e-cigarettes, extending its reach to a fast-growing industry which has so far had no oversight. Among the new regulations comes a ban on the sale of e-cigs to minors, but not on internet advertising. So what’s next for the industry that’s already lobbying hard to soften the most restrictive/ costly regulations.  The FCC aill also be proposing new rules on Internet traffic that would allow broadband providers to charge companies a premium for access to their fastest lanes. Where are we in the process of addressing this problem and how will the money likely shift as a result of the proposals? Plus, as Northwestern University football players wait to vote for or against a union tomorrow, the pending vote and other factors are already forcing the NCAA and big-time football colleges to rethink the way they treat scholarship athletes whose performance brings them billions in revenue.

Research says spending on experiences over material goods leads to higher rates of joy.

Air Jordans started a sneaker collecting culture.

Marketplace Datebook for Friday, April 25, 2014

The kid you're trying to "help out" may be an underage decoy.

Improving factories has been slow for Bangladeshis and their international trading partners.

This morning brought a bit of a reversal fortune for tech companies that have been getting pummeled in recent weeks. The FCC is expected to introduce new rules today that will allow broadband providers to charge companies for faster internet service. Colleges are growing their wait lists and using them in some surprising ways.

The Federal Communication Commission is expected to introduce new rules today that will allow broadband providers to charge companies for faster internet service.

Most people learn lessons about money through their family. Annabelle Gurwitch is not one of those people.

Should the government encourage more college students to enter work study programs rather than apply for large financial aid packages?

GM has replaced some senior executives and established a new engineering division devoted to safety and quality.

Talking about global warming makes people's heads explode. It's a tough subject.

The iconic New York restaurant Tavern on the Green is reopening Thursday under new ownership after being shut down for years.

How I learned to stop worrying and love the numbers.

With Airbnb defending its sharing economy, some believe the site's model is a sign of things to come.

General Motors is out with its quarterly earnings — its first report since a February recall over faulty ignition switches. Earlier this week, the automaker said it would restructure its engineering division and add new safety investigators. We look at the other hirings and firings that are expected in the wake of the recall. Plus, an iconic New York restaurant in Central Park reopens tomorrow after being closed for four years. Tavern on the Green had a long history as a famous event space – but was beset by financial problems before its closure. The new owners want to put its ‘tourist trap’ days behind them. 

Colleges are growing their wait lists and using them in some surprising ways.

Anticipation has been building around new Open Internet rules from the Federal Communications Commission. The new set of rules are set for discussion by the FCC on May 15. And the latest reports about those new rules don’t look good for Net Neutrality. Reports suggest that while they will ban internet companies from blocking content… the new rules don’t protect against so-called pay-to-play deals. Pay to play, also called interconnection, could allow some companies to pay Internet Providers in order to have their data delivered faster than the data of others. Also, Jeremy Rifkin, author of “The Zero Marginal Cost Society,” join us to talk about why the sharing economy is here to stay. Plus, more on the upcoming Nokia/Microsoft deal.

With several HBO series made available to Amazon Prime customers, how long will it take you to watch all of it?

Valeant’s acquisitions have a focus: Companies that produce “medical aesthetics” products to smooth and clear facial skin.

In their words: "It's hard not to feel some sympathy for him, while also wishing that someone or something would make him stop."

Thousands of IRS workers got rewards despite being disciplined for misconduct.

The Twitter hashtag #MyNYPD backfired spectacularly – when the public can so easily hijack your hashtag, how do you get social media right?

A new government report reveals that thousands of employees of the Internal Revenue Service got bonuses or time-off awards despite being disciplined for misconduct – including tax compliance problems. How could this happen and what are the criteria  for determining awards for government employees? Should they be revised? Plus, Valeant’s acquisitions have had a particular focus: companies that produce “medical aesthetics” products that smooth and clear facial skin – Botox and similar paralyzers, Restylane and similar fillers, and lasers. This care is a fast-growing business, and Valeant now has one sales force to sell all these products. Also, the NYPD’s newly created Twitter hashtag #MyNYPD has backfired spectacularly – as New Yorkers have used it to tweet about police brutality and misconduct.  Why do organizations/ companies fail to tame Twitter in these instances? And when the public can so easily hijack your hashtag, who’s managed to get it right?

Amazon takes a page out of the Zappos playbook and offers employees cash to quit their jobs.

Of the world's 20 biggest megachurches, only one is in the U.S.

There’s a growing movement afoot to return Pabst from LA to Milwaukee.

Marketplace Datebook for Thursday, April 24, 2014

It’s the first time HBO has made its shows available to an online-only subscription streaming service.

New details emerge behind the William Morris Endeavor – IMG Worldwide merger.

Because more economic terms should be explained with pets.

Apple is expected to report mostly flat revenues from a year ago. One famed activist investor says there is a tech bubble and he's betting against it. And, film and TV production flee LA for big tax subsidies in states like Georgia and New York.

One famed activist investor says there is a tech bubble and he's betting against it.

There’s a huge demand for pilots at the nation’s regional airlines.

Film and TV production flee LA for big tax subsidies in states like Georgia and New York.

Rick Warren is opening up a satellite church in LA that will hold services at the Hollywood Palladium (capacity 3,000). Warren’s is one of the few churches that has capitalized on creating smaller satellite churches as a way to increase membership for people who want a more intimate church home vs large megachurch experience. Rick Warren knows he can’t be everywhere to preach. Warren himself said “Los Angeles is one of the most strategically important cities in the world, why not start a campus there?” How does he stand to profit, beyond increasing membership? Plus, we take a closer look at the evolution of Apple ahead of Apple Earnings. Has the company that used to be known as innovative, lost some of its luster?

The Supreme Court has heard arguments in a case that may impact both how we watch television in the future and how we use cloud computing. The case, ABC vs. Aereo, has broadcasters arguing about a violation of copyright. But Aereo, which rents you an antenna so you can watch and record broadcast television on your devices, argues it’s just a rabbit ears rental company in a startup’s body. Plus, Apple gets on the phone to tell investors about just how well it’s last quarter went.

A ruling in the case against Aereo could have a lot of larger implications in the tech world.

People will do almost anything to get fit, including using these unconventional fitness apps and wearable tech.

Hospice care is now a $17 billion industry, and everybody is getting in the game

Apple is expected to report mostly flat revenues from a year ago.

Nike is reportedly making layoffs in its FuelBand manufacturing plant, and might be exiting the wearable tech market.

Maybe you want to put down that money now.

Marketplace’s David Gura sums up the case between braodcasters and the firm Aereo and explains why it threatens to upend the way people consume television. Plus, the world’s greatest football team, Manchester United (which is listed on the NYSE and will report earnings Friday) has sacked its brand new manager after less than a season. David Moyes  performed so poorly, and pissed off shareholders, supporters and players so effectively that he had to go. Why don’t companies move with this kind of alacrity against executives who fail to perform? Sabri Ben-Achour reports. Also, there are reports that Nike is making layoffs in its Fuel Band manufacturing plant, and might be exiting the wearable tech market – but shifting its focus to fitness software instead. We look at where that’s going in the ultra-competitive world of wearable tech. Then, CVS says it will take customers’ health insurance payments at its more than 7,000 locations. We explain how much the chain stands to gain and what’s at risk as it diverges from its core business and into payment processing.

The soccer team Manchester United sacked its manager after less than a season. How does business operate?

The Supreme Court heard arguments about the legality of broadcast TV streaming operator Aereo.

Sarah Lawrence College rolls out its own way of measuring value.

Why one resident of Lincoln County, Tenn. says: "We're lucky, I guess."

CVS says it will soon process health insurance payments at its more than 7,000 locations.

Marketplace Datebook for Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Netflix is planning to raise prices on new members. And Earth day, at 44, may be a little tired.

The streaming video announces a price hike coming off a better-than-expected earnings report.

The FICO credit score is one of the most significant numbers we live with. Turns out it's only 25 years old.

Americans worry less about the environment than scientists say we should

President Obama travels to Japan on the first leg of his Asia tour.

Sherpas who work above base camp earn money on a bonus system.

President Obama travels to Japan on the first leg of his Asia tour. How have Abenomics — the policies of Japan’s Premier, Shinzo Abe — transformed the country. Plus, Earth Day isn’t what it used to be. Does that hold true for Americans’ concern about the environment, too? Does Earth Day hitting middle age affect the environmental groups that rallied troops and fundraising around it?

A new study says activist investors generated 48 percent average gain for companies they targeted.

Who would have guessed that the title of America’s Funniest City would be determined with the help of a humorless algorithm? Researchers at the University of Colorado’s Humor Research Lab pulled data on comedy club locations, birthplaces of famous comedians and where funny people live. And Chicago took the cake. But can an algorithm really identify what’s funny…even crack a joke? Plus, how OpenSSL became one of the internet’s most important building blocks.

What warm weather Chicago lacks, it makes up for in humor

Sherpas in Nepal consider a strike following last week's avalanche. We look at the influence of money on the most dangerous climb of all.

Meb Keflezighi ran more than 26 miles in 2:08:37. Wearing Skechers.

Farmers say railroads' shipments of crude oil are crowding out the fertilizer they need for spring planting.

Is modular construction poised to take off in the U.S.?

The President will visit East Asia this week – stopping in Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea.

President Obama will visit East Asia this week – stopping in Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea. All these nations have territorial disputes with China. The president has repeatedly promised a military and diplomatic shift of focus to the region. How much has been spent so far on the “pivot” and is it real? Plus, last week, the deadliest avalanche to rip through Mount Everest killed 13 sherpa guides. It’s prompted the sherpas to ask for better compensation, and threaten a strike, just as the climbing season begins on the mountain. Krissy Clark looks at the central role of the Sherpas in Mount Everest’s climbing industry. Then , two railroads are scrambling to comply with a federal order to get fertilizer to Midwestern farmers in time for spring planting. Shipments of crude oil have squeezed out other freight, so much that farmers were being told they wouldn’t get full orders of fertilizer in time. How does oil trump other freight?

And other workday-maximizing advice from Quartz's Rachel Feltman.

Pondering the etymology, imagery and poetry of the Fed and its friends.

Marketplace Datebook for Tuesday, April 22, 2014

We look at Japan's surging trade deficit. And, for the past few weeks, God has quietly been ruling the box office.

Movies you've never heard of make a fortune at the box office.

Commissary prices have some wondering if stocking generics is a solution.

We’ve heard a lot, lately, about rising income inequality. Some people at the top of the heap are paid way more than the “99 percent.” New research shows that inequality in wages isn’t the only thing growing. There’s also a growing divide in wealth. Plus, Netflix earnings are out on Monday. The earnings come on the heels of  a study that shows more people are cutting off their cable cord and turning to instant video streaming services like Netflix. And finally, a Christian movie made for a puny $1.5 million has quietly brought in more than $40 million at the box office with little promotion. More and more theaters across the country are adding “God’s Not Dead,” which has mostly been a top five movie, coming out ahead of far more expensive and lavishly promoted rivals. We look at the modern history of targeting Christians as a box office moneymaker, from “Passion of the Christ” to now.

Cutting cable for streaming video has worked in the company's favor.

Wireless carriers are preparing to battle for airwaves