Business Briefcase: VW returning to Super Bowl

VW returning to Super Bowl

Volkswagen of America will advertise during the Super Bowl for the third consecutive year, premiering a 60-second spot at the beginning of the third quarter.

The spot will feature the all-new Beetle, which arrived in dealerships in September. The 2012 Beetle was teased as a silhouette in last year’s advertisement, but the iconic redesign is now ready for its Super Bowl close-up.

“The Super Bowl is the perfect platform to feature the bold, dynamic, and sportiest Beetle ever made,” said Tim Mahoney, chief product and marketing officer of Volkswagen of America.

VW’s spots in last year’s Super Bowl were “The Force” and “Black Beetle.” “The Force” featured the 2012 Chattanooga-made Passat and mini Darth Vader.

Schools to look to sun for power

Anderson County schools may get a boost from a partnership that seeks to turn their rooftops into a solar farm.

Under the proposal, the power generated by the panels will be sold to the Tennessee Valley Authority. The school system is expected to receive about $118,000 a year, according to a Lightway North America Inc. memo to the school board. The school board will take a final vote on the proposal next week.

Lightway also plans to help the schools develop a curriculum about solar power. And the firm is donating solar panels for a zero-energy classroom at Clinton High School.

Amazon donating to foundation

Amazon, the world’s No. 1 Internet retailer, is donating $20,000 to the Books from Birth Foundation for its chapters in Hamilton, Bradley, Wilson and Rutherford counties.

Books from Birth is a nonprofit organization committed to helping preschool children develop their love of learning and reading.

Amazon earlier this year opened $139 million distribution centers in Hamilton and Bradley. Next year, it has announced plans for new facilities in Wilson and Rutherford.