PBS to Accept 30 Second Ads

In an intruiging move, PBS will now accept 30 second underwriting announcement from sponsors who spend at least $2.5 million annually with the network in prime time.
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Porsche's Rich Media Spot Makes Good Use of Eyeblaster Technology

Porsche recently introduced the Cayenne, a neat looking car/mini-SUV vehicle, with a television spot. Porsche has since converted that spot into an Eyeblaster spot and has placed it on Yahoo and other sites. Joe Jaffe reviews the spot on iMedia Connection and I will agree with him that it is a nice use of the technology. It's not intrusive. After an initial expanded introduction, it becomes a small banner that the user can then click on to play the full 30 second spot.

Take a look at it. I think it's a great execution.
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Selling Car Insurance to Teenagers

Here's a great spot that uses humor to connect with something we have all experienced in highchool: the awkward moment in front of the one we have a crush on. So, here, we have a beautiful girl strolling down the hallway making eyes at the hottie she dreams of being seen with when suddenly, well...just click the image and watch for yourself. [via AdAge]

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'US' Magazine Circulation Up 19%

After almost one year on the job, Bonnie Fuller, Editor in Chief of US Magazine, has revitalized the magazine and the numbers are beginning to show it. Paid circulation grew to 1.1 million which is an increase of 19% over last year. In addition, single copy sales are up 55.2% to 505, 005.
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Dawson's Creek Cancelled

Put out of it's ratings misery, Dawson's Creek has been cancelled announced the WB on Sunday. No longer will we be able to enrapture ourselves in the trivialities of Dawson and his group of young, nubile whiners.

The last episode will air May 14.

Will anyone even notice that it's gone?

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Questions Surround 'Carson Daly Most Requested' Syndication

'Carson Daly Most Requested' is syndicated on 140 stations across the country. Eleven of those stations receive a customized feed developed in Carson's studio that makes his show appear to be a local broadcast. He records music commentary and station ID which is then digitally shipped off to the stations. He does this not even knowing which songs will be played on each station.

Opponents say that this approach goes against regulations stipulating that local stations serve local audiences.

More here.

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Advertisers Hop on the Reality TV Bandwagon

Not wanting to risk losing reach the the important 18-34 and 18-49 target, major advertisers such as Burger King, Visa, Chrysler, Coke, and Pfizer have placed ads in Fox's 'Joe Millionaire'.

ABC is selling reality show package deals too:

ABC is selling advertisers on the concept that reality shows can add reach to their buys. For example, a three-show buy of ABC's According to Jim, Life With Bonnie and The Bachelorette increases an advertiser's adults 18-34 reach by 36 percent over a package that includes the first two shows, plus George Lopez and The Practice. "That's a pretty big deal," said Mike Shaw, ABC Sales President.

"Reality shows are bringing in more 18-34 viewers, who are light TV viewers and may not usually be watching TV at all," said one media buyer. That fact isn't lost on Shaw. "This is a big opportunity for the networks to get these younger viewers to sample some of our other shows," said the ABC sales chief. "They are tomorrow's viewers."

Will the fad continue?
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Ever Feel Like This at an Industry Event?

Radio Up 6% in Revenue for 2003

�This was a hard-fought, in-the-trenches, hand-to-hand guerilla combat 6%. The year did not start that strong,� he observed. �It gained momentum throughout the year and you people made it grow. Bringing it up to 6% makes for a very powerful year. When you get forward momentum and you keep pushing and make something happen, you should be very proud.�

So said Gary Fries, President and CEO of the Radio Advertising Bureau at the RAB2003 Conference.

The year was up sharply in Q4 with an increase of 11% over the three month period with each month posting strong gains: October 13%, November 10%and December 9%.

�Fourth quarter was where it happened,� he added. "The most important part of that is that we�re going into �03 with a strong, strong foundation.�

Radio made up 8.2% of the $260 billion advertising pie in 2002.
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Interpublic Group to Receive Bids Today

Reported in a Boston Globe article via Reuters, Interpublic Group is expected to receive four bids today up to $575 million for the market research division, NFO.
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