NEW YORK CITY — Consumers can now charge their cellphones, PDAs and MP3 players on the fly and in a flash through a new line of Automated Charging Machines (ACMs) from Hercules Networks. The company recently began rolling out its charging stations in malls nationwide and aligned with its first vending operator partner who’s placed units in hospitals, colleges and universities throughout New York City…

ST. LOUIS — Coin Acceptors Inc. introduced the Vantage Series of bill acceptors for vending at the 2008 National Automatic Merchandising Association National Expo here. Vantage technology emphasizes increasing revenue while reducing service and operating costs…

TEMECULA, CA — Mad Dog Energy is building on the success of its flagship energy chew vending program with a new line of liquid energy shots and a branded machine dedicated to vending them. The company also has severed its relationship with Vroom Foods and is now manufacturing energy chews under its own brand in four novel flavors…

WEST CHESTER, PA — New from MEI is a bill validator and add-on recycling module designed to increase vending sales by enabling acceptance of the higher-denomination banknotes typically dispensed by automated teller machines…

CHICAGO — The National Automatic Merchandising Association is expanding its ethics campaign to help operators who conduct business honestly and ethically, according to an open letter from NAMA. The letter about industry ethics was released on September 26 and signed by NAMA’s top executives. Campaign elements to be discussed at next week’s National Expo…

PURCHASE, NY — PepsiCo Inc. reported a 9.6% decline in third-quarter net income, citing weak U.S. beverage sales, and lowered its profit forecast for the year as a result of the rebounding dollar. Year to date, PepsiCo's net revenue was $30.52 billion, versus $27.13 billion during the comparable period in fiscal 2007. Net income was $4.42 billion, up slightly from $4.40 billion a year earlier.

BERKELEY, CA — The Vending Marketing Institute, Cantaloupe Systems and Sprout are working together to embed technology, improve operational efficiency and develop interactive consumer programs for unattended retail locations. VMI members will deploy telemetry and cashless services across their; Cantaloupe’s Seed will support these deployments…

NEW YORK CITY (Oct. 2008) — This week’s turmoil in the credit and financial markets will have a lasting effect on coin-op concessions, especially equipment financing. Betson’s Bob Geschine and Firestone Financial’s David Cohen see challenges ahead, but say the industry’s top lenders are prepared. VT’s financial editor Allan Gilbert talks about the vending operator…

NEW YORK CITY (Sept. 2008) — A special Rock The Vote playlist went live on TouchTunes jukeboxes today, six weeks before the general presidential election. It features music from the music provider’s DemROCKracy band competition – Jackie V. (Austin, TX), Otep (Los Angeles) and Mae (Norfolk, VA) – along with major artists Good Charlotte, Wyclef Jean and Christina Aguilera…

SAN FRANCISCO –– Ecast is offering a new digital media product to boost its presence in markets outside the coin-op realm. The Ecast IQ is based on the large-screen format of the EQ jukebox (see story here), but does not incorporate music and payment components…

SALEM, NH — Fantasy Entertainment reports that all backorders for its Eventure photobooth have been shipped and the portable model designed for the rentals and events market is now available. The photobooth company announced general availability for the machine during last month’s PDN PhotoPlus International Conference and Expo in New York City...

KINGSTON, MA (Oct. 2008) — New from Global Coin-Op Equipment is an upgrade that enhances the functionality of quick-coin devices operating in gamerooms using cashless payment systems. Called the “GCE Universal Hopper Kit,” the new option allows cards and other stored-value media to be swiped at the machine, which then dispenses coins or tokens used for play. The solution also permits quick-coins to run in ticketless mode…

NEWTON, MA — In an open letter to operators, distributors and factories, Firestone Financial chief David Cohen warns that the industry is likely to experience a slowdown in the fourth quarter of 2008. He also said Firestone has money to lend and will not be impacted by the credit crunch. He cautioned, however, that loans everywhere will cost more; while the Federal Reserve cut its interest rate today, the LIBOR market has increased 150 basis points in the past several weeks. As a result, the industry’s biggest commercial finance company will be raising its rates on new loans. Read Cohen’s letter here.

MELROSE PARK, IL — Stern Pinball Inc. is streamlining its workforce amid rising concerns about the global economic slowdown. The strengthening dollar is among the forces hurting the bottom line of the storied pinball maker, which exports half its new machines to overseas markets…

ORLANDO, FL (Oct. 2008) — The U-Profit Amusement and Entertainment Business Success 2008 educational conference has been cancelled to avoid conflict with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ annual convention and trade show. Owned and organized by Bill Carlson of Bill Carlson Cos., U-Profit was scheduled for November 16-17 at the Holiday Inn Universal here. IAAPA’s Attractions Expo is set for November 17-20 at the Orange County Convention Center…

WASHINGTON, DC — Though world-class experts in their own fields (such as vending), American small business owners typically lack the management expertise needed to see them smoothly through rough economic times. Howard Svigals is an expert and counselor in the SBA’s Score program. He offers advice to small vending operators facing a tough business environment…

NEW YORK CITY — In a slow economy, credit is an important cashflow tool that can help small businesses cover temporary cash shortages and emergency expenses, as well as invest in growth opportunities. But as useful as credit is, it’s critical to make it part of a complete cash management plan. Otherwise, you may be prone to overusing or misusing credit, instead of making it work for your business… By RAYMOND JOABAR, American Express OPEN

Allstar leverages Hispanic TV sensation “Lola” in new tat series for girls; A&A Global highlights extraterrestrial toy mix. TNT/CEI and VenDynamics introduce their latest flat vending products…