Anheuser-Bush Uses Kids in Ad Campaign

Anheuser-Busch has revived its "Family Talk About Drinking Campaign" in a print campaign featuring children of the brewer's employees. Breaking in the Reader's Digest September issue, the ads, with headlines like, "In your kid's eyes, you still have all the answers" and "Preventing underage drinking is easier than you think. Talk now," aim to encourage discussion between parents and children.

Kirstie Alley Get Un-Fat, Promotes Jenny Craig

After spending several month filming her failed Showtimes series Fat Actress, Kirstie Alley has lost 50 pounds and will appear in an print and TV ad campaign for Jenny Craig. Ads will appear on A&E, E! Entertainment, Oprah and in People and Self.

Talent Zoo Appeals to Industry On Behalf of Katrina Victims

Talent Zoo has launched a campaign to offer assistance to Katrina victims in the communications industry. The company is asking every professional in the communications industry to donate $5 to this relief effort. Talent Zoo says one hundred percent of the money raised will go toward helping professionals in the advertising, marketing, and public relations industries who have been affected by this tragedy. Talent Zoo is kicking off the effort by donating $10,000. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit this page to donate.

Lotteries, Internet Access, Katrina Themed Campaigns Break

Amy Corr of MediaPost has rounded up several recent campaigns for her weekly Out to Launch column. First, Tom Brady appears in a Visa commercial, created by BBDO, called Metaphors in which he educates consumers about credit card security. Desperate Housewive's Marcia Cross and Nicollette race through a grocery store in a commercial, created by Y&R SF, to see who can fill their carts with the most 7UP Plus. La Agencia de Ocri & Associates has created a Hispanic campaign for Verizon to promote broadband services. Draft New York has created another Verizon campaign promoting DSL. The Minnesota State Lottery is running a horror-themed Powerball campaign created by Coll + McVoy. MDB Communications has launched an outdoor campaign for DC Lottery's game, DC Daily 6. And GSD&M worked with the Advertising Council and the American Red Cross to quickly create a PSA for Katrina victims.

Court TV 'Parco's Watching' Campaign Expands

Accompanying the recently launched online game for the upcoming Court TV show Parco's Watching, San Francisco-based Venables Bell has created additional campaign elements including posting on ATM machines, in laundromats, on bathroom mirrors and on bar coasters along with taxi tops, bus posters and wild postings. The phone kiosks have slogans that say "Because Vinnie Parco was watching, I went from successfully cheating on my wife to living with my mom." The bar coasters say things like "Would you want this conversation you are having to be overheard?" The work can be viewed here.

Motorola Pays Madonna $8 Million For Ad

The New York Daily News has been informed Madonna was paid $8 million by Motorola for appearing in an ad for the company's new Rokr phone. For the $8 million, which Motorola paid because it was rumored Motorola was fearful Madonna would back out, the star spent ten hours filming the ad last week in London. That's a pretty good hourly rate.

Paul McCartney to Appear in Fidelity Ad Campaign

Former Beatle Paul McCartney will appear in an ad campaign for Fidelity Investments and the mutual fund company will sponsor McCartney's 11-week U.S. concert tour which kicks off September 16 in Miami. With McCartney at age 63 and many Beatles fans at that age too, Fidelity is capitalizing on the rock star's appeal to a generation approaching retirement. Personal footage of McCartney's life will be used in the ads.

'Real' Sport Ad Says Wrestling Fake, McMahon Pissed

Apparently the only human alive who still believes professional wrestling is real, World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman Vince McMahon is upset over an ad for Spike TV's Ultimate Fighting Championship which says, "What's real? Pro wrestling? No. Boxing? Not anymore. The UFC is real!" The ad aired during a Spike TV broadcast of WWE RAW angering McMahon. Perhaps to save itself from the wrath of McMahon, Spike TV removed reference to pro wrestling from ads aired during WWE RAW but left the reference in ads aired during other programming.

Restaurant Chain Marketed With Chili Freaks

In the just plain weird category, Southeastern restaurant chain Krystal is promoting its line of Chili Cheese items with a cheesy promotion called "Chili-Cheesification." The promotion includes a series of "copy free" television commercials and a special Chili-Cheesification website, featuring "Krystal Lovers" who are so insanely in love with Krystal and its chili, they have slathered themselves in chili for the the greater good or marketing. On the website, you can watch videos of these "Krystal Lovers" showing their love for chili with a chili slip and slide, a chili-filled pool and a game of chili twister.

Mena Suvari Fronts Anti-Smoking Campaign

American Beauty, American Pie and Six Feet Under actor Mena Suvari will become the new face for non-profit, anti-smoking group Circle of Friends. Suvari, a former smoker and whose aunt died from smoking, will appear in ads for the group.

Explaining her decision, Suvari said, "One of the things you learn being in the public eye is that you have the ability to raise awareness about serious issues, and, in the process, really help people. I've chosen to get the word out to women, especially young women that tobacco is not glamorous - it's addictive and smoking takes a serious toll on your health."