Business in brief: Super Bowl ads are cheaper now

The economic slump appears to have taken a toll on Super Bowl ads, pushing the price down for only the second time in the game’s history, though they’re still the most expensive on television.

What’s more, Pepsi won’t advertise its drinks for the first time in 23 seasons, joining FedEx and GM, which dropped out last year. In their absence, newcomers and smaller companies have snatched up slots in advertising’s biggest showcase.

TNS Media Intelligence said Monday that a 30-second commercial during next month’s Super Bowl on CBS are selling for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million, down from an average of $3 million last year.

Associated Press

Delta raises fees for bag check-in

ATLANTA – Delta Air Lines Inc. is raising its fees to check your first bag on a domestic flight by $8 and the second bag by $7. That will mean $23 for the first bag and $32 for the second.

It will continue to cost you even more if you don’t pay the fees in advance on the airline’s Web site. Delta is calling that add-on a surcharge – $2 for the first bag and $3 for the second. You will have to pay the surcharges if you check your bags at an airport ticket counter, kiosk or curbside.

The new fees are for travel beginning today on tickets purchased on or after Jan. 5.

Associated Press

Expo will focus on environment

The Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce will hold an expo Wednesday at the Coeur d’Alene Resort on environmentally friendly business practices.

Matt Miller, communications director for The Nature Conservancy in Idaho, will give a keynote speech at an 11:30 a.m. luncheon, which costs $25 to attend. Free workshops are planned from 1-5 p.m., with a free trade show until 7 p.m.

Workshop topics include energy and water conservation, recycling, office practices and construction.

Becky Kramer

Bank of America back in court

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators have expanded their charges against Bank of America Corp. over billions in bonuses paid at Merrill Lynch, accusing the bank of failing to disclose mounting losses at Merrill before a shareholder vote approving the combination of the two firms.

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Monday it asked a federal judge in Manhattan to allow it to file the new civil charges against the biggest U.S. bank. Individual Bank of America executives, directors and attorneys are not alleged to have “deliberately concealed” information or otherwise acted with intent to mislead.

Associated Press