Hotlines

Morningstar Plans Ad Push
CHICAGO–Morningstar Inc. here will use part of a $91 million investment from Tokyo-based Softbank Corp. to launch a major ad campaign. The mutual fund research firm is holding reviews for online marketing, branding and public relations responsibilities in an effort to promote Morningstar.com, a merger of the company’s two investment information Web sites. Morningstar representative Nick Bothfeld said spending will likely reach $20 million. Rubin Postaer and Associates, Chicago, is expected to handle the branding portion, sources said.