AP News, January 23rd, 2007
FILM FAN: Instead of better films, moviegoers want cheaper seats, according to one recent survey.
In a survey from PA Consulting Group, more than four out of five respondents said they were at least content with the quality of Hollywood films. However, most would prefer a more first-class theater experience that goes easy on the wallet.
Eighty-six percent would like to see ticket prices reduced substantially, while six out of ten would like the theater to offer reserved seating. Sixty-three percent would prefer more food options beyond the typical movie fare of popcorn, soda and candy.
"This research reveals that Hollywood should reconsider how the movie-going experience is sold to the consumer," said Mike Hunter of PA Consulting Group. "We may be entering an era where consumers want the movie-going experience to be more of an event rather than an occurrence."
PA Consulting Group, a management and market research firm, polled 2,028 people in seven American cities and three European ones.
MAKING THE GRADE: Connecticut and Delaware take top honors for economic development, according to a recent study, while West Virginia languished behind.
The two states earned straight A's in business vitality, performance and development capacity in Corporation for Enterprise Development's annual state report card. CFED is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that promotes economic opportunity.
Business vitality factored in new business and job creation, industry strength and diversity; performance was measured by employment, income and quality of life. Development capacity was gauged by a state's infrastructure, financial resources, education and research and development investment.
"A strong economy is not measured only by good jobs and good business," said CFED President Andrea Levere. "There must also be in place necessary resources that enable businesses, communities and individuals to compete and win over the long haul."
Other strong overall performers included Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah and Wisconsin, which earned all As and Bs. West Virginia was the only state to flunk each category.
DANGEROUS DRIVERS: Do you watch the road when you drive? Not as much as you may think, a recent survey from Nationwide Mutual Insurance suggests.
More than four of five drivers believe they're safe drivers and 59 percent believe they aren't distracted drivers. However, nearly three-fourths admit to talking on a cell phone while driving and 38 percent said they have driven a certain distance without any recollection of doing so.
"Our culture of multitasking has really taken to the roads, extending beyond changing the radio station and getting worse with each generation," said Bill Windsor of Nationwide.
Younger drivers are the guiltiest. Thirty-five percent of Generation Y drivers admit to multitasking while driving, whereas 30 percent of Generation X and 21 percent of Baby Boomer drivers do.
Technology and food are the biggest distractions for Generation Y drivers. Thirty-seven percent text or IM while driving, and 29 percent would like Internet access in the car. Nearly three out of four eat snacks in the car, while almost half eat full meals while driving.
Some of the kookiest distractions included killing a spider in the back seat, painting toenails, urinating out the window and engaging in a staring contest with a passenger.
"The bottom line is, if it should be done in the kitchen, bathroom, office or bedroom, then it probably shouldn't be done while driving," Windsor said.
Nationwide collected 1,200 surveys online in November.
