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Test Drive: Mazda6 looks good, drives great

James R. Healey driving with new Mazda 6.(Photo: Erich Schlegel for USA TODAY)Story HighlightsStyle: Eye candy by family sedan standardsHandling: Oh so rightGaffes: Small navi screen, hidden ignition, smaller trunkAUSTIN -- Mazda, a tiny company in a land of auto industry giants, knows it must offer something special to survive against the Toyotas, Hondas, Fords and Volkswagens of the world.Its MX-5 Miata (evaluated here last week) has been a signal of that: a pure, two-seat, convertible-top, rear-drive, affordable sports car that's unique in the market.But small sales of specialty models can't cover the rent, and Mazda needs bigger players in larger segments. Thus, the makeover of its midsize Mazda6 sedan.Judged by specifications, its direct rivals are the likes of Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Cruze, Nissan Altima.Judged by driving feel, it has no direct rivals. Not that the 2014 Mazda6, on sale since last month, is an easy champion in that fierce field of highly competent sedans. Rather, it's the most palatable overall blend of sporty, comfortable and fuel-efficient.Its styling gives it the most sex appeal, too.A very brisk run through the Texas Hill Country around here left two very positive impressions:Handling is commendable.The Mazda6 gracefully saved the day a number of times when a corner was much sharper than even the alarmist road signs warned.In those "oops" situations, just a little more steering and, bingo, a little more turning. No heavy understeer, no wrestling match with the squirming, squealing, almost-sliding of most family sedans in similar circumstances.The 6 is a dancer.Mazda's Skyactiv mojo seems on-target for good mileage.We kicked the car hard, often using full-throttle, because the 2.5-liter engine is delightfully lively when spurred, and frequently using the manual-shift mode of the six-speed automatic to hold the lower gears. Good control in those very tight corners and…
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McDonald's puts 'Fish McBites' in Happy Meals

A McDonald's Happy Meal with chicken nuggets. The chain is now offering Fish McBites.(Photo: BILL PARRISH PHOTOGRAPHY PR NEWSWIRE)Story HighlightsMcdonald's creates a Happy Meal with Fish McBitesThe option runs through March, to coincide with LentThe company uses limited-time offers to try to boost businessNEW YORK (AP) — McDonald's says it is offering its first new Happy Meal in a decade: Fish McBites.The world's biggest hamburger chain said Fish McBites will be widely available at U.S. restaurants starting this week through March, to coincide with Lent. The Happy Meals will come with seven pieces of Fish McBites, French fries, apple slices and a drink.The company announced last month that Fish McBites would be sold on the standard menu in three sizes — snack (10 pieces), regular (15 pieces) and shareable (30 pieces).Fish McBites, which are fried pieces of fish, will use the same Alaskan cod used in the fast-food chain's Filet-O-Fish sandwich.The launch marks the start of what McDonald's says is a bigger pipeline of new limited-time offers for the year ahead.By adding more variety to its menu, the company is hoping it can fend off intensifying competition and tempt customers to eat out more at a time when many are being more careful about their spending.Brian Irwin, director of marketing for McDonald's USA, said Fish McBites are a twist on the popular Chicken McBites that were introduced as a limited-time offer last year. He said the company thought they would work well in Happy Meals because there's a "fun, poppable" aspect to them. McDonald's sells more Happy Meals with Chicken McNuggets than hamburgers or cheeseburgers, he said — because there's something about dipping the nuggets in sauces that kids like.Additionally, Irwin said the company's internal research showed that moms wanted more seafood options on the menu.Although the Fish McBites will…
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Unlikely stars emerge from Super Bowl ads

Alyssa Campanella plays a robot in a Kia ad who takes down a car-smudging guy. Campanella would love to have a Food Network show.(Photo: Kia)Story HighlightsNobodies can become somebodies in Super Bowl adsThe geek who kisses Bar Refaeli wants to be in a TV seriesThe sexy Kia robot wants to star on a Food Network showBesides the endless hype, one thing, for sure, emerged from Sunday night's Super Bowl commercials: unlikely stars. Such as the pudgy geek who locks lips with the Go Daddy supermodel. Or the super-friendly, super-happy white dude who fast-talks Jamaican dialect for Volkswagen. Or the sexy robot who beats the stuffing out of the guy who touches her Kia. SEE ALL THE ADS: Those you missed, those you like [1]AD METER: Budweiser's Clydesdale wins USA TODAY ad contest by a nose[2]For each of these stars — mostly unknown nationally before Sunday night's game watched by 108.4 million viewers — life may be forever changed. And they know it.Many of the non-celebrity actors and actresses who starred in Super Bowl spots share a common dream: individual fame beyond the moment of Super Bowl glory."Appearing in a successful Super Bowl spot can definitely get an unknown's career rolling," says Noreen Jenney Laffey, president of Celebrity Endorsement Network, which links celebrities with marketers. "The Budweiser Clydesdale spot[3] is getting tons of press — and that stars a horse."Equine fame aside, several humans have rocketed from obscurity to stardom on the backs of successful Super Bowl spots. After little-known model Farrah Fawcett starred with playboy quarterback Joe Namath in a Noxzema Super Bowl ad in 1973, she became a top model, a hot name in Hollywood and ultimately one of the stars of the hit TV series Charlie's Angels. AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsFullscreenLast SlideNext Slide[4][5]And after Cedric the Entertainer (Cedric Kyles)…
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Gannett revenue rises, profit beats forecast

Gannett and USA TODAY headquarters in McLean, Va.(Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, AP)Story HighlightsGannett posted earnings of 44 cents a share, vs. 49 cents a year earlierExcluding special items, earnings were 89 cents vs. 72 centsRevenue was $1.52 billion, vs. $1.39 billion in the quarter in 2011Gannett, the media and marketing company that owns USA TODAY, said Monday that greater broadcasting and digital ad sales drove its revenue higher, and reported fourth-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street expectations.The company, based in McLean, Va., said it earned $103.1 million, or 44 cents per diluted share, in the quarter, vs. $116.9 million, or 49 cents, a year earlier. Excluding special items, the company said fourth-quarter profit amounted to 89 cents a share vs. 72 cents a year earlier, up 23.6%. Wall Street had expected 88 cents.Net operating revenue totaled $1.52 billion, vs. $1.39 billion in the 2011 quarter.Shares of Gannett closed Monday at $18.51, down $1.33, or 6.7%. "For the year, we achieved our first year-over-year increase in companywide revenue since 2006," Gannett CEO Gracia Martore said. "During the fourth quarter and for the full year, our broadcasting business delivered record revenue and profitability."Local publishing circulation revenue in the U.S. also increased for the third-consecutive quarter, she said.For all 2012, Gannett earned $1.79 per diluted share, vs. $1.89 in 2011. Revenue rose 2.2% to $5.35 billion.Quarterly operating revenue for the publishing unit - the company's largest business segment - rose 3.7% to $1.04 billion. Higher circulation revenue - up 16.8% - stemming from the rollout of the "all access content subscription model" helped offset a decline in advertising revenue. Advertising revenue fell to $657.5 million from $670.7 million in the fourth quarter a year earlier.Benefiting from higher political ad spending, the broadcasting unit's operating revenue jumped 43.9% to $287.5 million in the quarter. Television…
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Netflix stock pole vaults 42% on earnings glee

A woman holds up a Netflix envelope in front of a Netflix application on a television in East Derry, N.H.(Photo: By Charles Krupa, AP)Story HighlightsStock climbed $43.60 to close at $146.86Biggest single-day gain since Netflix went publicStock hit 52-week low of $52.81 just five months agoSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Netflix's rollercoaster ride on Wall Street surged to new heights Thursday.The company's stock climbed $43.60 to close at $146.86 as investors celebrated a fourth-quarter earnings report highlighted by accelerated growth in Netflix's Internet video service.The 42% increase in Netflix's market value marked the stock's biggest single-day gain since Netflix went public more than a decade ago when investors were still shunning Internet businesses in the wake of the dot-com bust.The last time Netflix's stock came close to soaring like this came in October 2002 when the shares rose nearly 36% in a single session. That gain, though, wasn't quite as impressive because Netflix's stock closed at a split-adjusted $3.55 that day. The meager valuation reflected widespread doubts about a quirky company trying to make money renting DVDs with a monthly subscription service that delivered the discs through the mail.Although it still operates its shrinking DVD-by-mail rental service, Netflix Inc. is now leading the way into a new era in home and mobile entertainment. The company's main subscription service now streams movies and TV shows to any device with a high-speed connection, freeing consumers from the shackles of conventional television viewing.Netflix's early success in Internet video enthralled Wall Street until its CEO, Reed Hastings, irked subscribers 18 months ago by announcing the company was ending its practice of allowing them to get DVD rental and streaming services in a single package. Customers who wanted to keep both options were hit with price increases of as much as 60%, triggering a customer backlash…
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Just-in-time-for-Super Bowl TV deals: Real or hype?

Target is discounting Sharp's 70-inch LED Smart HDTV in select stores and online starting Sunday for $1,999.99, down from $2499.99(Photo: Sharp Electronics)Story HighlightsThe big game leads to big TV salesNot all sets are bargain-pricedConsumers opting for bigger screensConsumers making a play for a new TV in advance of the Super Bowl will need to be as savvy as a quarterback.Commercials and newspaper ads touting big screens for the big game began even before the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers earned their way into the Feb. 3 matchup in New Orleans. The week before the Super Bowl is the third most popular for TV buying — behind Black Friday week and the week following Black Friday.Yes, there are bargains to be had, but TV buying is a different game than during the annual Black Friday deal deluge. Some models may actually be priced higher than they were weeks or months ago. "The ads are so prevalent and eye-catching it seems that everything is on sale. What was really surprising was that there are more products that actually increase in price" leading up to the Super Bowl, says Andrew Mahon, vice president of marketing for buying assistance site ShopAdvisor. REVIEWED.COM: Is TV quality surpassing human appreciation?[1]REVIEWED.COM: 4K TVs - to love or hate?[2]Using ShopAdvisor.com[3]'s price watchlist functions, Mahon tracked 18 popular TVs from a variety of manufacturers, sizes 32 inches to 65 inches. The prices on five sets have dropped since December, but seven went up, he says. ShopAdvisor's smartphone app helps you track prices of products such as TVs.(Photo: ShopAdvisor)Users can set price alerts on various models using the ShopAdvisor website or smartphone apps. "If you just want a big TV and you are not particular about the model, then you are going to get a good deal. If you…
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