Stacey Vanek Smith

Reporter, Marketplace

SHORT BIO

Stacey Vanek Smith is a former senior reporter for Marketplace.

Latest Stories (1,140)

The USA label doesn't play around

Dec 11, 2007
Concerns over the safety of China-made toys have made business boom for toy makers who can brandish a "Made in the USA" label. Stacey Vanek-Smith has the story of one company entering a busy season.
Wooden color trains from toy maker Maple Landmark. The company touts a "Made in the USA" label on its products.
www.maplelandmark.net

When Oprah chooses sides

Dec 7, 2007
Celebrity endorsements of political candidates are nothing new. But we all know Oprah's more than just another celebrity. So we asked Stacey Vanek-Smith to take a look at what happens when brand Oprah picks a candidate.
Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey
Getty Images

25 years and still a 'Thriller'

Dec 7, 2007
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" debuted this week in 1982, and it still holds the title of best-selling album of all time. Stacey Vanek-Smith shows us how the album and video raised the bar for what we expect from artists today.
Michael Jackson's famous "Thriller" look
YouTube

Newspapers profit despite slow sales

Dec 6, 2007
The newspaper industry may be struggling, but newspapers are still managing to turn a profit. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports why it may be a bit hasty of editors and publishers to start making cutbacks.
Newspapers displayed on a news stand
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Santa's high-ranking retail helpers

Dec 5, 2007
To give the elves an extra hand, or maybe just to boost their reputations, CEOs of big retailers have been joining the ranks with their staff, answering phones and working the floors. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Ring bell for service
iStockPhoto.com

Talk-show host Daly to cross picket line

Nov 28, 2007
Late-night talk show host Carson Daly is breaking ranks with Jay, Dave, and Conan on the Writers Guild Strike. He's going back to work on Monday -- deal or no deal. And he's asked non-union writers to give him material. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Late-night talk show host Carson Daly
Chad Buchanan/Getty Images

Frequent fliers aren't going as far

Nov 28, 2007
Discount carriers have made it tougher for frequent fliers to cash in on their miles. Stacey Vanek-Smith explores how far those benefits will take you now, and whether frequent-flier programs build customer loyalty.
An airplane
Getty Images

Canada welcomes medical tourists

Nov 28, 2007
Canada is getting in on U.S. "medical tourism," making it easier for Americans looking for more affordable health care to visit the country for treatment. Stacey Vanek-Smith looks into the trend's growing profitability.
Stethoscope and $5 bills
iStockPhoto

Few are getting refinancing help

Nov 21, 2007
Congress and state officials are trying to help homeowners facing foreclosure by offering alternatives to borrowers and lenders. But for all the good intentions, not much is changing. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
A foreclosure sign hangs in front of a home in Miami.
Joe Raedle, Getty Images

Strike dims lights beyond Broadway

Nov 21, 2007
The Broadway stagehands' strike is costing New York City millions of dollars a day. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports the effects are also being felt by local businesses, and even charitable organizations.
A Broadway stagehand pickets in front of "A Chorus Line" during a union strike.
Stephen Chernin/Getty Images