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Digest

Talk of the bay

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 15, 2007

AS OFFICE SPACE GETS SPARSE, RENTS ELEVATE

YOUR HOME MIGHT NOT BE SELLING, BUT AT LEAST YOUR OFFICE IS OUTPERFORMING. IN WHAT'S THE BEST RATE SINCE 1999, THE REGION'S OFFICES STOOD 10.1 PERCENT VACANT AS 2006 ENDED. TAMPA'S WESTSHORE LED WITH A VACANCY OF 7.6 PERCENT. DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG REPORTED 7.9 PERCENT, A NUMBER ARTIFICIALLY HIGH SINCE IT COUNTS SOON-TO-BE-FILLED OFFICES IN THE NEW PROGRESS ENERGY TOWER ON FIRST AVENUE. OWNERS OF TOP-NOTCH OFFICES DEMANDED AVERAGE RENTS ABOUT 10 PERCENT HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR. DATA WAS COMPILED BY THE REAL ESTATE FIRM COLLIERS ARNOLD.

Disney vacates brochure strategy

Questioning the cost effectiveness of rack brochures distributed everywhere Florida tourists gather, Walt Disney World has stopped distributing its pamphlets through thousands of racks deployed in restaurant and hotel lobbies across Florida. The move stunned many hoteliers who were surprised Disney gave up on a standard marketing tactic for all Florida attractions for decades. Disney will stay in brochure racks at AAA, travel agencies and state and local welcome centers. Disney redirected marketing to multiday park visits from hotel guests while prodding Florida residents to spring for discounted multiday passes. The entertainment giant said rack brochures aimed at day trippers no longer fit the strategy. Several studies confirm most Florida visitors now use the Internet to plan their trip.

Professor's promos his claim to fame

It may not have the cache of the Baseball Hall of Fame, but the Promotional Hall of Fame has just tapped University of South Florida professor Dan Bagley III as a new member. Bagley gets credit for helping build promotional products (think pens and key chains, business gifts and advertising premiums) into an $18-billion business. He created the industry's first audio and video sales training programs and has written extensively about the industry.

Allegiant flies past a la carte champ

Allegiant Air has outdone the champion of airline a la carte pricing. European discounter Ryanair is credited with pioneering barebones fares that include just a seat and charging passengers for everything from checking a bag to soft drinks. But Allegiant, which landed at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in November, takes in more nonflying revenue at $13.58 per passenger vs. $9.77 for Ryanair, shows a report by branding consultant Idea Works. Las Vegas-based Allegiant charges for checking a bag ($4 per one-way trip), a seat assignment ($11) and booking a flight online ($7.50). Passengers apparently don't mind. Flights are regularly running full, say local airport officials.

Broker info

Check out your broker on NASD's new Arbitration Awards Online Database. For more, see blogs.tampabay.com/money.

[Last modified January 14, 2007, 20:07:32]