Interpublic Investigated by SEC

Kinda hard keeping good books after all those aquisitions, eh?

Boston Globe: SEC Opens Formal Investigation of Interpublic's Earnings Restatement, Company Says
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Media Predictions for 2003

Among the more interesting 2003 predictions:

• Most technology publications will cease their print versions by July and move to the web.


• Lead time between major news event and made for TV movie will collapse to 3-4 weeks.


• Reality programming to be supplanted by fantansy programming. (thank God)

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Accepting Tivo/PVR Ad Skipping and Moving On

There has been so much whining and complaining among television executives about these new technologies that allow viewers to skip commercials. What these executives fail to understand is there is nothing they can do about it. The landscape is changing. Video On Demand, anything on demand for that matter, is upon us and is growing fast. Clinging to old business models will simply be the death of media companies.

Here is a good article about this very topic.

MediaLife: Friday
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NFL Refuses Las Vegas Superbowl Spot

The Mayor of Las Vegas is "hotter than finger grease" mad over the NFL's decision not to air a spot promoting Las Vegas. The NFL has an agreement with ABC and can veto any spot having to do with sports betting.

"The league office decided that the commercial was not in our best interest," said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy . "The NFL has a long-standing policy that prohibits the acceptance of any message that makes reference to or mention of sports betting."

However, people who have seen the spot claim there is no reference to gambling and cannot understand the decision.

ESPN: ESPN.com: NFL - Vegas mayor talks litigation after Super Bowl ad rejected
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Magazines Extend Brands to Television

More and more magazines are taking their brands to television in an effort to increase brand awareness and circulation. Car and Driver has had a television show on TNN for three years and Maxim announced plans to air television specials. Other magazine taking to the airwaves are Woman's Day, Vogue, Esquire, Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal, and Road and Track.

MediaDailyNews: Magazines Extending Brands to TV
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Cybill Shepard to Play Martha Stewart

Remember Cybill Shepard? She was on 'Moonlighting' with Bruce Willis and on some other sitcom, whose name I can't remembner, with Alicia Witt. She is going to play crusty Martha Stewart in an NBC movie.

Hollywood Reporter: Shepherd adopts Stewart lifestyle for NBC telefilm
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Richard Parsons is New Chairman of AOL

Richard Parsons, current AOL CEO, will assume the position of Chairman, formerly held by Steve Case.

MediaWeek: AOL Board Makes Richard Parsons Chairman
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G.E. Launches $100M "Imagination at Work" Ad Campaign

BBDO will launch a new ad campaign this weekend changing its familiar "We Bring Good Things to Life" slogan to a new "Imagination at Work" slogan. The account has been handles since 1920 by BBDO, a practically unheard of length of time in this fast changing industry but one that is highly commendable.

" 'We bring good things to life' is a great line and speaks to the benefits we bring, and I was hesitant to move away from it," said Judy L. Hu, general manager for corporate advertising and marketing communications, who joined G.E. last summer from General Motors. "But we needed a new articulation that is part mission, part vision and part strategy."

The slogan is changing because research has shown that audiences identify G.E. too closely to its lighting division and does no convey the strengths G.E. has in other areas such as medical technology, robotics, media and financial services.

Changing the theme of a campaign that has been so deeply embedded is highly risky yet the company feels they must do so to correctly represent the brand.

I wish them the best.

NYT: G.E. to Spend $100 Million Promoting Itself as Innovative

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Advertising Legends Elected to Advertising Hall of Fame

Hall Adams, former Leo Burnett Chairman and CEO; Phil Dusenberry, former Chairman of BBDO; John Johnson, Publisher and Chairman of Johnson Publishing; David Sarnoff, former President and Chairman of RCA; and Dave Thomas, Founder of Wendy's have been elected into the Advertising Hall of Fame.

Yahoo Business Wire: Diverse Group of Industry Legends to Become Newest Members of Advertising Hall of Fame
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Tidal Wave of Reality Televison on its Way

If you or your clients are part of the group that loves reality programming then ABC is the network for you. ABC will be filling Wednesday and Thursday nights with the drivel launching 6 new shows.

Among ABC's upcoming reality slate, there's "Are You Hot: The Search for America's Sexiest People" (premiering Feb. 13), a six-episode show "where intelligence and achievement have absolutely no bearing," Lyne says. Feb. 19 marks the 15-night consecutive run of "I'm a Celebrity -- Get Me Out of Here!" A new season of "The Bachelor" begins March 26, with a star ABC described in a statement as "the son of one of America's most affluent and prominent families." And "Extreme Makeover" returns with more televised plastic surgery for six episodes starting April 3.

Thank God I have cable.

Entertainment Weekly: ABC binges on reality shows
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