Business Gazetter

Paris may be canned as she fails to sparkle

PROOF that not all the best marketing ideas bear fruit.

News comes in that Austrian businessman Guenther Aloys, who has spent millions using Paris Hilton to promote his new canned sparkling wine, may have to reconsider after reports that the promotion was a huge flop.

Journalists at the respected Austrian business daily Der Standard visited dozens of stores and clubs in the country, and, with just one exception, failed to find it on sale anywhere. Hilton was signed by Aloys after he saw her as the perfect representation of everything his RICH Prosecco drink offered.

A few dusty cans were on display on the bottom of a shelf in a Vienna high-priced gourmet supermarket - the sales assistant claimed nobody had ever asked for it, and could never remember selling one, adding: "I doubt we will order any more if we get rid of these."

Killer Quote

SOME people might not like where it's trading, but it's my job to support and fight for free competitive markets, and I believe that the yen is trading in a competitive marketplace based upon underlying economic fundamentals."

United States Treasury secretary Henry Paulson

Good day

• Regent Inns

THE owner of the Walkabout and Jongleurs brands said yesterday that its pubs were trading positively after a strong festive period.

Like-for-like sales in the six weeks to 6 January rose by 3.4 per cent over the previous year.

Fact of the day 25%

CAR makers could be forced by the European Commission to cut emissions by this amount from new cars by 2012. Better motor technology would account for the majority of the cuts with the rest achieved by measures such as greater use of biofuels and better tyres. Industry sources say the proposals would push up the cost of a new car by 2,500 (1,640). Details of the plan will be unveiled today.

Bad day

Poland and Slovakia

THE two countries are engaged in a European Union row over the right to register a traditional smoked cheese, called oscypek. Poland had wanted it added to the EU's protected list this month. But Slovakia has objected, so neither country can lay claim to it.