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September 9, 2008

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News for the advertising, media, and marcom industries

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Google to sell some ads for NBCU cable networks
In a move meant to broaden its work in the business of selling TV advertising, Internet search giant Google will sell an unspecified number of commercials during shows on NBC Universal cable networks. The networks involved in the revenue-sharing pact include Sci-Fi, Oxygen, MSNBC and CNBC and, according to Michael Steib, the director of the growing Google TV Ads, "NBC Universal is a big win for us in terms of distribution growth." The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (9/8), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (9/9)

Holiday Marketing Secrets of the Fortune 100
We invite you to discover the new mediums, strategies and promotions that retailers and agencies are using to create sales in this tough holiday season. Get FREE access to this webinar. Click here now.

Agency News

Report: Finalists named in Interpublic's media processing review
Donovan Data Systems and Media Bank are said to be the finalists in Interpublic Group's review of vendors to process its reported $25 billion in media transactions. A decision is likely in the next few weeks, according to this article. MediaPost Communications (9/8)

Creative

Citi's sports marketing banks on the future
In an effort to spotlight its role as a trusted adviser, Citigroup is kicking off a sports marketing program centered on a theme of mentoring. Ads centered around golf feature established pros Nick Faldo and Paul Azinger mentoring a quartet of young players. The theme of helping up-and-comers to succeed also will be applied to stock car racing, baseball, college football and to cricket in India and soccer in the U.K. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (9/8)

Indian regulators bite back at Axe ad
A Unilever advertisement for Axe deodorant showing a man transformed into chocolate and licked and bitten by women has been ordered off the air by the Indian government. Increasingly, risque ads are making their way into the Indian market, as marketers look to reach young, less socially conservative consumers, according to this article. The Wall Street Journal (free content) (9/9)

"Got milk?" campaign brings in new faces, new pitches
The new "Got milk?" campaign is touting the effectiveness of milk in helping fitness buffs rebound from a tough workout. A 25-city "Refuel Your School" tour will feature NBA all-star Dwight Howard, tennis star Ana Ivanovic and teen soccer star Jozy Altidore. Brandweek (9/8)

P&G puts Mr. Clean to work in new Magic Eraser ads
In 50 years, Mr. Clean advertisements never showed the iconic genie actually cleaning anything. That's changing with the brand's Magic Eraser television spots that show Mr. Clean scrubbing countertops, stoves and floors. Brandweek (9/8)

Media

Esquire goes back to future with electronic ink cover
For its 75th-anniversary issue, Esquire is showing its commitment to its print edition with an issue whose cover and an inside cover ad for the Ford Flex Crossover offer small flashing displays using electronic ink. The technology for the displays, which reportedly have helped generate a stronger ad response for the October issue, was developed by E Ink Corp., which also provided the "electronic paper technology" for the screen of Amazon's Kindle reader. Forbes/Associated Press (9/8)

Trends & Research

Networks roll online video for content, marketing
The five broadcast TV networks have "matured" in their approach to online video, taking advantage of the platform both to air their shows and to market them, according to this article. "Video online has become a really important part of what we do -- and what consumers want," said Michael Benson, EVP of ABC Entertainment. "But it has also become an incredibly important part of our marketing program." Mediaweek (9/8)

Google at the top of Digital Hot List
Google has made its debut on Adweek's Digital Hot List in the No. 1 spot, with Facebook, iPhone, Hulu and Glam rounding out the top five. Adweek (9/8)

Marketer News

Everyday brands hit Fashion Week
At New York's Fashion Week, Kraft is promoting its Le Petit Ecolier cookies and Procter & Gamble is touting its Tide and Oral-B brands. Some experts are suggesting that the inclusion of non-fashion brands could diminish Fashion Week's cache as an exclusive event. Brandweek (9/8)

Technology

AT&T phones ready for Yahoo! search debut
AT&T is set to begin a key element of its revised partnership with Yahoo! -- search services to the cell phone provider's 70 million users through its mobile Web portal, the companies said today. Besides Web searching, the Yahoo! oneSearch services will include weather, news, financial data and Flickr photos while local search information will be provided by AT&T's Yellowpages.com. Reuters (9/8)

Association News

RETIREMENT PLAN MYTH: "Only financial institutions are able to administer 401(k) plans."
There are other vendors who can administer 410(k) plans. However, the more important issue may be the relationship of the administrator with the investment manager. How are sales loads and broker commissions affecting your plan's net expenses? While many financial institutions offer retirement plan programs, your retirement plan needs may be better served through AAAA Benefits which operates independently. With our program, our independent investment advisor guides us with the selection of the mutual funds offered by the retirement fund program. Not only are our funds diversified in investment style but they are diversified among different mutual fund companies as well. For more information or a review of your current Retirement Plan, please contact Tom Kennedy at tkennedy@aaaabenefits.com, or Elyse Congdon at econgdon@aaaabenefits.com.

Professional Development Seminar: Speak to be Heard, Communications Strategies That Get Results
Whether you're preparing for a high-stakes presentation, sales call or meeting, honing your communication skills, or getting people to listen and take action, how you communicate is your ticket to success.
Communicating to achieve results is a process. It's one of the most powerful tools you can use to distinguish yourself and your peers from the competition. When you need to say something important, you need access to the best tools to deliver your message.
This highly interactive American Association of Advertising Agencies workshop, Sept. 17 in Dallas, will be led by one of the leading presentation skills coaches in the United States, Stacey Hanke, and will focus on the essentials to business excellence through professional communication, including preparation, influence, leadership characteristics, structure, delivery and consistency.
Learn more and register online today at the AAAA Web site.

Invitation from the Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Relations
The ANA/AAAA Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Relations (JPC) is the multi-employer bargaining group that negotiates the collective bargaining agreements with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) that govern the employment of actors who perform in television and radio commercials. In its role, the JPC represents the interests of advertisers and advertising agencies throughout the United States. SAG and AFTRA represent the interests of the actors.
The JPC invites you to take part in a very important online survey that will assist in determining which provisions in the current collective bargaining agreements are of most concern to the people who work with and under the agreements day to day. It is the JPC's hope that there will be widespread participation in the survey across all aspects of commercial production, from casting to trafficking. This is the first time the JPC has sought such information so everyone's participation is extremely valuable.
AAAA Members can learn more and sign up at the AAAA Web site.

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Legislative & Regulatory

Report: Justice Dept. staffing up for possible antitrust battle with Google
A former federal antitrust chief and onetime Walt Disney Co. vice chairman, litigator Sanford Litvack has been retained by the U.S. Justice Department in advance of a possible challenge to the search advertising deal between Yahoo! and Google. Reports indicate that the U.S. is researching a possible case against Google, but there is no word on whether the preparations will lead to an actual lawsuit. The Wall Street Journal (free content) (9/9)

SmartQuote

Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule."

--Stephen King,
American novelist

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