An Italian company specializing in coffins has come up with anovel idea of selling its products by unveiling its 2008 calendar with scantily-clad models posing behind its caskets. Maurizio Matteucci, owner of Cofanifunebri, said his calendars are available at his company outlets for $14. 23.

After being named the hot dog king, 23-year-old Joey Chestnut proved Sunday that he is also hungry for hamburgers. Chestnut gobbled down 103 small hamburgers in just eight minutes, going home not only with a full stomach but also $10,000 richer. More importantly, he set a new world record.

Two Jewish congregants who work in advertising and marketing came out with an idea to auction on EBay two lifetime front-row seats to services at a synagogue in time for the Jewish high holidays. The initial bidding starts at $1. 8 million. The winning bidder will have the privilege of getting up front with the rabbi. Their family name will be engraved on Seats 1 and 2 of Row 1, Section DD, at Temple Emanu-El. In addition to that, the winning bidder will get two free parking slots, two custom-made prayer shawls and yarmulkes and a big tax write-off. Also, the lucky winner can pass the seats on to his or her children and grandchildren.

Some 1,000 amorous Thais volunteered to test condoms for customer satisfaction Wednesday. At least 500 positions were available as part of a campaign to promote safe sex in the region. According to Durex, a Thai marketing firm for condoms, "We are surprised to see huge interest in our campaign with almost 1,000 applicants wanting to take part. "

Though many women would agree that they are obsessed about clothes without any argument, now there is a survey to prove the fact. A recent poll conducted by a Canadian marketing company has found that women are far more clothes-conscious than men are. Almost 40 percent of the women questioned agreed they own five or more pairs of black shoes and considered it "OK," while only 15 percent of men agree. When the women were asked about the number of outfits they would need for a weekend away, sixty-seven percent of them said they would pack three or four, matched by 44 percent of men.