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“Rightsizing” the Jonas Bros.?
You know times are tough when teen pop idols risk getting the axe. Check out this funny “column” on Disney’s plans to streamline expenses by laying off the least-cute Jonas Brother.

Marketers leverage docs’ referring power
While direct-to-patient marketing efforts are important for healthcare organizations, the fact is that most people go where their doctors tell them to go. This article takes a look at how actively hospitals and other healthcare organizations are marketing to their true customers: physicians.

Stimulus bill allows government to compare medical treatments
Although the government currently regulates drugs and medical devices for safety and effectiveness, the economic stimulus bill includes $1.1 billion to allow federal regulators to comparison-shop. Regulators can study competing procedures, drugs or devices to determine which is the better and more cost-effective alternative. Read more in this New York Times piece.

Selling out
This New York Times story highlights people who agreed to become human billboards by having ads tattooed on their bodies. One group of people agreed to display airline ads on the backs of their shaven heads in exchange for a round-trip ticket to New Zealand. Another had beauty product ads tattooed on their eyelids and agreed to wink at strangers on the street.