U.S. Supreme Court rules corporations and unions can spend freely to shape future elections

WASHINGTON DC - Bitterly divided, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that big business can spend its millions to directly support or oppose candidates for president and Congress, a decision that sharply reverses a century-long trend to limit the political influence of corporations and labor unions. It remakes the political landscape just as crucial midterm election campaigns are getting under way.

The court, in a 5-4 split, overturned two earlier decisions and threw out parts of a 63-year-old law that said companies and unions can be prohibited from using money from their general treasuries to produce and run their own campaign ads. The decision threatens similar limits imposed by 24 states.

It leaves in place a prohibition on direct contributions to candidates from corporations and unions.  More

ATLAS WHOLESALE FOOD COMPANY RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARDS

Detroit-based Atlas Wholesale Food Company has received two awards from Golbon, a national purchasing and marketing group for independent foodservice distributors. The awards were presented last month at the Golbon’s Fall Partners Conference in Jacksonville, Florida.

Atlas Wholesale Food Company received both the 2009 Golbon Logistics Services Award and the 2009 Distributor of the Year Award. Chief Operating Officer Mike Kotsis accepted the awards for his third generation family business. “We are honored to win these awards over the 160 Golbon members from across the country,” said Kotsis. “It’s great to be recognized for all the hard work we’ve done over the past few years, even in a very tough economy.”   More

FORMER NEW BALANCE PRESIDENT JIM TOMPKINS TO LEAD PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AT SPIRA FOOTWEAR

EL PASO, TEXAS -- El Paso-based Spira Footwear announces the hiring of Jim Tompkins, the former President and Chief Operating Officer of New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc., in an advisory role to direct the development and expansion of the patented WaveSpring-inspired Spira brand.

In 25 years at New Balance, Tompkins' unique leadership delivered positive results in numerous executive positions, both in the United States and Europe. He served the past nine years as President and Chief Operating Officer until stepping down in June 2009. When Tompkins took the helm in December of 1999, New Balance employed more than 2,000 people and reported worldwide sales in 1998 of $630 million. Under Tompkins' leadership, New Balance doubled its global workforce and reported worldwide sales in 2008 of $1.63 billion.   More

THE WESTIN BOOK CADILLAC DETROIT CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY

DETROIT, MI – Just over one year ago, on October 6, 2008, The 453-room Westin Book Cadillac Detroit opened its doors following a two year, $200 million redevelopment to bring back one of the city’s iconic landmarks. Over the last year the hotel has been lauded with awards for historic preservation and development along with praise from the metro Detroit community and worldwide hotel guests. The hotel was developed and is owned by The Ferchill Group, Cleveland, Ohio. November will mark 85 years since the original hotel opened on Washington Boulevard.  More

PRODUCTIONS PLUS PURCHASES THE TALENT SHOP
Strategic Acquisition Strengthens National Presence

BINGHAM FARMS, Mich. - Productions Plus Talent Management Agency, an international company with offices in Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles, has acquired Bingham Farms, Michigan-based The Talent Shop. The company will now operate as Productions Plus – The Talent Shop. Margery Krevsky, owner and CEO of Productions Plus, made the announcement today. Krevsky will continue in her management role as full owner of the combined company.

With this acquisition, Production Plus – with current revenues of $20 million – will become the largest, premier full-service talent management agency in Michigan and one of the largest in the nation. The expanded entity projects a 30 percent growth with the addition of The Talent Shop’s holdings and seasoned performers.

“Positioning Productions Plus for future growth and maximizing our national potential is what this acquisition is all about,” explained Krevsky, who co-founded Productions Plus in 1981. “Having the strength of three regional offices means our talent now has an agency with a broader scope of contacts and wider professional opportunities. “  More

 MICHIGAN BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL WOMEN BUSINESS LEADERS IN MICHIGAN WHO HAVE EXCELLED IN THEIR PROFESSION

The Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) is seeking nominations for exceptional professional women to be honored at its 14th Annual “Women and Leadership in the Workplace” Symposium and Awards Luncheon. The MBPA is dedicated to recognizing women who have attained significant achievements, peer recognition and are committed to the advancement of issues related to women in the business world. The major Women’s event will be held March 4, 2010 at The Fairlane Club in Dearborn.

Awards will be presented to women in seven categories including business, professional, civic affairs/government, media, human service/philanthropy, education and small business achievement. Nominations should be submitted by Friday, Dec. 11, 2009.

This event is held to promote high professional standards, encourage leadership, provide education through workshops and assure equal advantages for women. For more information, call 888.277.6464 or visit www.michbusiness.org. Send nominations to MBPA Awards Committee, 27700 Hoover Road, Warren, MI 48093

Merger milestone: Northwest WorldPerks give way to Delta SkyMiles

ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines Inc. has completed the integration of its frequent flier program with that of its subsidiary, Northwest Airlines, Chief Executive Richard Anderson said.

The combined program has more than 70 million members.

Separately, another airline executive said that about half of the old Northwest Airlines planes that will get Delta's colors have been repainted, and the rest will be finished by mid-2010.

Atlanta-based Delta, which became the world's biggest airline operator with its acquisition in October 2008 of Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest, remains on course to obtain a single operating certificate by the end of this year.

Career Transition: A New Beginning

The current economic downturn is forcing many people out of jobs and careers they have held for years. Others have seen employment in their industry dwindle and are looking for opportunities in new arenas. Navigating the transition to a new career can be made successfully with proper planning and preparation.

Building your professional brand: Your personal brand tells the world who you are, what you want people to think when they think of you. Your professional brand is what matters to an employer, networking contact, or anyone who can help you find a job or grow your career. It includes your skills, interests, and expertise.  More

ADVERTISING MOGUL OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS

Donald A. Coleman, Chairman of GlobalHue, Continues Scholarship for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Southfield, Mich. — Donald A. Coleman, Chairman of GlobalHue, the nation’s largest minority-owned, full-service marketing communications agency, today announces the Coleman Entrepreneurial Scholarship program. In its second year, the program provides scholarships to deserving African-American and Hispanic college students majoring or concentrating in entrepreneurship.

Coleman Entrepreneurial Scholarship was established as a testament to the importance of education, especially amongst ethnic youth in the United States. Furthermore, the program strives to promote entrepreneurship as a career choice amongst ethnic college students.  More

Mich. residents may see lower heating, gas costs

FLINT, Mich. (AP) -- The Michigan Public Service Commission says Michigan residents could be in store for a cost-efficient winter.

The Flint Journal says the commission estimates that home heating costs will decline by as much as 16 percent compared with last year due to a mild winter forecast and adequate supply.

The panel says last winter was 4.8 percent colder than normal and a return to normal temperatures could reduce monthly heating bills by tens of dollars.

The outlook for motorists appears equally favorable.

GasBuddy.com says gas prices across the Midwest are expected to continue to decrease closer to $2 per gallon over the next month, due to ample supply and less demand.

Black, Hispanic  joblessness expected to spiral in 2010

The recession has compounded a decades-long problem for black and Hispanic workers, who began the downturn facing a far higher jobless rate than the general population and have fared worse since.

WASHINGTON – Unemployment for blacks is projected to reach a 25-year high this year, according to a study by an economic think tank, with the national rate soaring to 17.2 percent and the rates in five states exceeding 20 percent.

Blacks as well as Hispanics were far behind whites in employment levels even when the economy was booming. But throughout the recession, the unemployment rate has grown much more quickly for blacks and Hispanics than for whites, according to the study the Economic Policy Institute released this month. Moreover, the unemployment gap between men and women has reached a record high – with men far outpacing women in joblessness.

Blacks, Hispanics and men have suffered the most mainly because they have been disproportionately employed in sectors hardest hit in the recession – manufacturing and construction. For instance, the unemployment rate for blacks is expected to reach 27 percent in Michigan, which has been shedding auto industry jobs. Other states with jobless rates higher than 20 percent for blacks are Alabama, Illinois, Ohio and South Carolina.

The rate for Hispanics is projected to reach 22.2 percent in Nevada, which has experienced a dramatic slowdown in construction.  More

Sun sets on Saturn: GM kills fading star brand


(AP) - For those who expected General Motors' once-funky Saturn brand to live on with a new owner, there has been a sad twist. Saturn, once billed as a different kind of car company, appears as dead as Pontiac and Oldsmobile.

At the brand's 350 remaining dealers around the country, there were high hopes that a deal would be announced for GM to sell the brand to former race car driver and auto industry magnate Roger Penske.  More

Minority Car Dealers On the Verge of Extinction



Can minority auto dealers nationwide survive as U.S. carmakers struggle to remain solvent through bankruptcy and economic recession? With the announced bankruptcy of Chrysler, 80% of their minority dealer network is at risk of going under says Desmond Roberts, Chairman, National Assoc of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD). And with the elimination of Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer, approximately 58% of General Motors dealers overall are facing closure.   More

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