Even if Rush Limbaugh's personal brand survives the uproar over his sexist remarks — which is looking perilous as even Republicans back away from him — advertisers are continuing to pull out and boycott his radio show, with AOL becoming the ninth sponsor to withdraw its advertising today.

For those just catching up, the polarizing conservative pundit's attack last week on a law student named Sandra Fluke over the red-hot contraception issue has caused a political, consumer and advertising firestorm, even after Limbaugh issued a formal apology to his listeners and advertisers.

Commenting today that his apology was "sincere," Limbaugh also said on-air today that the advertisers who dropped out made a "business decision" and will be replaced, so his listeners shouldn't "worry."

"They decided they don't want you or your business," Limbaugh stated about the advertiser protests. "This show is about you, not advertisers."Continue reading...

Last August, to mark its first year in downtown Detroit, Quicken Loans took to the streets to ask local business owners and downtown Detroit leaders why the Motor City is a great place to live and work, even if it's still struggling (which it is) to rebound to what it once was. 

Now one of downtown Detroit's biggest business boosters is proving there's more than one way to bring retailing back to the heart of America's most distressed big city. If you can't fill vacant storefronts with actual retail stores and shoppers on foot, Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert figures, why not try a new form called "virtual retailing"?Continue reading...