Stacey Vanek Smith

Reporter, Marketplace

SHORT BIO

Stacey Vanek Smith is a former senior reporter for Marketplace.

Latest Stories (1,138)

High-end retail hit by downturn

Jun 4, 2008
Bad news in the housing market means a bad quarter for the sale of home accessories at Williams-Sonoma and even the summer wedding season may fail to stop the bleeding. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
A Williams-Sonoma store on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Barbie in a Bratz fight

May 27, 2008
Barbie is taking major doll rivals Bratz to court on claims that the Bratz's creator was working for Mattel when he drew up the idea. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports no matter who wins, both companies are struggling.
Bratz dolls
John D. McHugh/AFP/Getty Images

Seeing crisis as opportunity

May 23, 2008
Nonprofit aid organizations and governments usually take the lead in providing assistance in times of crisis, but these days they're increasingly being helped by businesses, big and small. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Boys drink through Lifestraws
Courtesy of Vestergaard Frandsen

Cell-phone sales quiet down a bit

May 20, 2008
Cell-phone sales have fallen for the first time in a couple of years. The number of new customers signing up has taken a double-digit dive, too. Market saturation is one reason. The slowing economy is another. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Cell phone
IStockphoto

Marketing engine in 'Speed Racer' stalls

May 19, 2008
The movie 'Speed Racer' was supposed to be a blockbuster. Warner Bros. put $250 million into making and marketing it. But so far it's earned less than $30 million at the box office. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports on the economics of a flop.
Image from the movie 'Speed Racer'
Warner Bros.

A booster shot for Health.com?

May 19, 2008
Upping the competitive ante on sites like WedMD, Time Incorporated is relaunching Health.com. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports the new site will try to gain an edge by giving users the ability to compare hospitals and doctors.
A stethoscope sitting on a laptop
istockphoto

With CNET, CBS eyes big Web audience

May 15, 2008
CBS is paying $1.8 billion for CNET, the Internet icon that's run into some trouble of late. What's in the deal for CBS? Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
CBS, CNET logos
CBS/CNET

A low life for high ratings

May 15, 2008
Riding the trend of feel-good reality TV shows, Fox is set to unveil a riches-to-rags story. Stacey Vanek-Smith has more on the "Secret Millionaire" who must find a worthy beneficiary while living amongst the needy.
Terry George from Fox's new reality show "Secret Millionaire" reflects upon the difficulty of choosing a beneficiary.
Fox

Get your fast-food freebies

May 14, 2008
Tomorrow, Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's will be handing out freebies, part of a marketing trend to draw cash-strapped customers into stores. It works, apparently. Customers think it's fun and come back. Stacey Vanek-Smith has more.
Dunkin' Donuts coffee
daylife.com

Prime time ad spots on sale this week

May 12, 2008
The big broadcast networks put on their annual dog and pony show this week in New York City. It's called "the upfront" and is the time when networks unveil new shows for advertisers, who then pre-buy commercial time. Stacey Vanek Smith reports.
Man watching static on TV
iStockPhoto