Video game developer THQ Inc. has hired Double Fusion to represent three of its upcoming titles to advertisers and agencies. “In-game advertising opens up new revenue opportunities for the company, and helps us deliver an exceptionally strong communications channel to our brand and marketing partners,” said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing for THQ.

Salem Communications said that decreased business across the radio industry and a lack of political advertising throughout the year combined to send its fourth quarter profit down 11 percent. The company reported fourth-quarter earnings of $3.3 million, or $0.13 per share, on revenues of $54.5 million, compared with earnings of $3.7 million, or $0.14 per share, on revenues of $51.7 million in the same period last year. For the full year, income was $12.7 million, or $0.49 per share, on revenues of $201 million, compared with earnings of $7.3 million, or $0.29 per share, on revenues of $196 million in 2004.

Palladeo, a Glendale-based designer and builder of retail environments, has won an award from Chain Store Age magazine. Palladeo won the annual Retail Store of the Year award for its work with The Shave in Beverly Hills. The design of The Shave incorporates the look of an old-fashioned barber shop with modern conveniences and includes retail space to display imported grooming products. “The judges were impressed with how the design married the retail aspect with the service aspect it was a seamless integration of the two,” said Marianne Wilson, senior editor of Chain Store Age, in a news release. “The Shave is a handsome space in a new, growing category of men’s upscale grooming services.

The trailer for the much anticipated Walt Disney Co. and Pixar film “Cars” takes to the streets Friday via Disney company-owned television and cable stations and theme parks. “Cars,” featuring the voices of Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt and Michael Keaton, is the first film from Emeryville-based Pixar since the announcement in January that Disney was buying the animation company. “Audiences are in for a real treat this summer when the film arrives, and this new trailer provides a generous look at some of the thrills they have in store,” said Oren Aviv, president of marketing for Buena Vista Pictures Marketing. The trailer will be broadcast on Disney Channel, Toon Disney, ESPN, Starz, and ABC Family; online through the AOL Network; in hotel rooms and retail outlets at Disney Theme Parks and resorts around the world “Cars” premieres in theaters June 9.

North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, Health & Wellness Networking Cluster 7 a.m. Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 19310 Business Center Dr., Northridge Contact (818) 349-5676 North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, Special Events & Entertainment Networking Cluster 5:30 p.m. North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, 9401 Reseda Blvd. Ste. 100, Northridge Contact (818) 349-5676

Rising construction materials and land costs could hamper much needed development in the area, according to a study just released by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. The study found 252 major expansion projects underway in the five-county region during 2005, 27.5 percent fewer than the active projects in 2004. At the same time, the research found declining office and industrial vacancy rates in the region, an indication that the market is ready to absorb additional development. While the study’s authors noted that the slowdown in development as compared with 2004 indicates a more conservative approach by developers, it also suggested that rising costs could derail some of the needed investment. “A growing challenge and concern for the area is that there is not enough land available for new commercial development to accommodate business growth,’ said Jack Kyser, chief economist and a senior vice president of the LAEDC. “Exacerbating the situation has been the run-up in construction material costs.”

IHOP gave away nearly one million pancakes at over 1,200 restaurants on February 28 in order to raise money for several charities. The effort prompted customers to donate more than $300,000, which went to First Book, a non-profit group that gives new books to children from low-income families, and other local charities.

MannKind Corporation in Valencia is enrolling patients in two twelve-month Phase 3 clinical trials for its Technosphere Insulin product. Technosphere, a form of inhalable insulin, would compete with a similar product designed by Pfizer which was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The potential inhalable insulin market is estimated to be billions of dollars. The last remaining major trial for Technosphere is scheduled to begin this coming summer.

The Foundation for California Community Colleges received a $15 million endowment from WellPoint Inc. to support the expansion of nursing programs at California Community Colleges. The endowment established with WellPoint’s donation will provide matching funds to Governor Schwarzenegger’s Nursing Education Initiative grants awarded last year. Brenda Epperly, director of health care programs at the foundation, said that 32,000 students across the country were turned away from nursing programs last year because there was not enough capacity to accommodate them. California, according to the foundation, ranks 49th in the ratio of registered nurses per population, and by 2006 will need 46,000 additional nurses.

K-Swiss Inc., an athletic footwear company in Westlake Village, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2006. The dividend is payable on April 14, 2006 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2006.