Advertising Age articles from April 2003

Advertising Age archives from April 2003

As McD's contest opens, the big idea is everything; Tensions high as 10 vie to make chain 'forever young'.(News)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Kate MacArthur McDonald's plan to revitalize the maturing fast-feeder hits a pivot point late this week as 10 of its agencies present new marketing themes to management around the notion that the chain is "forever young." Two...

McDonald's looks to revamp Disney deal; 10-year, $750 mil pact.(News)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Wayne Friedman and Kate MacArthur McDonald's Corp. wants to renegotiate or renew its troubled $750 million, 10-year entertainment marketing alliance with Walt Disney Co. The unprecedented agreement links the fast-feeder to the...

The Ad Market.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... turn signals Advertisers say their actions in wartime will depend on consumers' attitudes. So far, 76% of consumers polled say they're being careful about their spending in the next three months and 41% say they plan to spend less than...

Top Spots; #1: Chrysler.(Briefs)(commercial for Chrysler Sebring convertible tops brand recall index)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... A spot for Chrysler's Sebring convertible featuring Celine Dion was the No. 1 most-remembered ad of the period. Of note, Kia is also generating top viewer recall with an ad from its Sedona minivan effort, while McDonald's makes early headway...

Voted & Quoted.(Viewpoint)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... 81%...of the 4,082 readers who responded to our weekly online poll say that CNN has lost its crisis news network crown to Fox News. But of those offering further comment, not all were impressed by Fox. "CNN still has the most objective...

Heat Index.(Media Works)(multiple articles)
April 7, 2003... WEEKLY RATING (0-10) OF SIZZLE & FIZZLE 8 Howard Stringer Chairman-CEO of Sony Corp. of America becomes first executive outside of Japan and first head of its movie and music business to hold the title of corporate vice chairman. 4...

Global Players.(Special Report)(section introduction)
April 7, 2003... The flavor of modern marketing U.S. is taking a more global perspective. Ad Age searched the world for individuals who are changing the industry in this first Global Players report. They include stars from the marketing giants, such as Unilever...

China warms up to P&G; Laurent Philippe, President-Greater China, Procter & Gamble Co.(Special Report: Global Players)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Normandy Madden [Guangzhou, China] Laurent Philippe, 51, is one of Procter & Gamble Co.'s leading experts on developing markets, following stints in North Africa, Eastern Europe and now China. His skills and experience are...

Mother watches closely; Robert Saville, Partner, Mother.(Special Report: Global Players)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Emma Hall [London] If you're looking for an easy life, don't hire Mother. At this city's hottest ad agency, clients are constantly challenged, and creativity is built into the DNA. Robert Saville, 42, a former creative director,...

SARS strikes blow to Hong Kong travel; Cathay Pacific, Singapore Air cut many flights.(News)
April 7, 2003... Byline: NORMANDY MADDEN [hong kong] Hong Kong's travel and tourism industry, already suffering from a recession and fallout from the war in Iraq, has been hit with yet another crippling blow. The SARS virus has hit the Chinese territory...

Big ideas for big brands; Mercedes Erra, President, BETC Euro RSCG, and chairman, Euro RSCG France.(Special Report: Global Players)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Laurel Wentz [Paris] Mercedes Erra's management style is to inspire and delegate, freeing her up to think, study consumers and sell big ideas to Havas' Euro RSCG clients in France. Her special talent is reorienting huge brands. A...

Adages: Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it's business as usual.(advertising news )(Column)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Richard Linnett While the world is preoccupied with news of war, here at Adages we struggle mightily to focus on issues of marketing. And it's been tough sledding. Why? The business just seems so banal considering the turmoil out...

Survey: Brand origin not major factor for most Asians.(News)
April 7, 2003... Byline: NORMANDY MADDEN [hong kong] In a five-country Asian survey, 24% of respondents said they reject U.S. brands, but a majority liked brands regardless of national origin. Publicis Groupe's Leo Burnett Worldwide asked 1,000...

Late News; 'Catfight' ad pulled from Final 4 telecasts.(The National Collegiate Athletic Association said it forced Viacom's CBS to pull a Miller Lite ``Catfight'' sequel commercial)
April 7, 2003... [NEW YORK] The National Collegiate Athletic Association said it forced Viacom's CBS to pull a Miller Lite ``Catfight'' sequel commercial from its April 5 telecast of the ``Final Four'' NCAA men's basketball semifinals and from tonight's...

Work 4.07.03.(Work)(Versache ad)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Images of the week VERSACE shows off its short tank-top and shorter skirt with this in-house ad. Creative director: Donatella Versace. STELLA McCARTNEY is just a shade above, as the designer collaborated with Peter Saville Studio for a...

Harness the tension; At Madison + Vine, economic-creative friction shouldn't be an obstacle, it should be an asset.(Viewpoint)(ad conference)
April 7, 2003... Byline: JIM WIATT A little more than 10 years ago, Jeffrey Katzenberg issued a clarion call for change in an industry renowned more for acquiescence than action-especially when it came to meddling with the ``blockbuster'' formula so...

San Fran shops look to long form; Red Ball Tiger hitches hopes for rebirth to TiVo, new ad models.(News)(four-minute ad slots)
April 7, 2003... Byline: ALICE Z. CUNEO ``Everyone thinks TiVo is advertising's anti-Christ,'' said Greg Wilson, founder of agency Red Ball Tiger. ``We think it's the renaissance.'' It's also a rebirth for the San Francisco independent and a handful...

The Buzz; What we're talking about.(Media Works)(Time Inc.'s Parenting)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: edited by Ann Marie Kerwin, contributing: jon fine MOMS AWAY: Time Inc.'s Parenting, effective with the May issue on newsstands this week, goes for a cleaner look and a refocused edit approach. In sum: more mom. ``It's no longer...

Astro Boy preps for takeoff in U.S. Film, TV series in works for Japanese hero.(News)
April 7, 2003... Byline: CAMPBELL GRAY [Tokyo] Sony Pictures Entertainment is betting that Astro Boy, an animated boy-robot superhero, will be Japan's next big cultural export, following the trajectory of Pokemon and Power Rangers. A feature film and...

Naked's risk, reward huge; John Harlow, Partner, Naked.(Special Report: Global Players)(Naked ad agency)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Jonah Bloom [London] ``We had nothing to lose but our livelihoods, our houses and everything,'' says John Harlow, reflecting on the decision he and his partners made to found London hot shop Naked back in August 2000. Prior to...

Emerging media giant; Peter Brack, Chairman-CEO, Redgate Media.(Special Report: Global Players)(Redgate Media)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Normandy Madden [Hong Kong] Peter Brack was one of AOL Time Warner's rising stars before he decided to strike out on his own with Redgate Media, which is tapping China's lucrative media market. China's participation in ``the...

Alternative feminine care Instead plans relaunch; Buoyed by loyal users, brand gets $13M push.(News)
April 7, 2003... Byline: JACK NEFF Despite the marketing miscues and bankruptcy of its original owner, a coterie of loyal consumers won't let feminine-protection brand Instead die. So the brand is hoping for a new lease on life with a $13 million relaunch...

Public service ads pulled: FCC drug office rule challenged.(News)(Federal Communications Commission)
April 7, 2003... Byline: IRA TEINOWITZ Some congressional leaders are moving to overturn a Federal Communications Commission ruling, four months after it forced public-service groups into a Hobson's choice of either not getting assured airing of their ads...

DuPont calls creative auction; Agencies fret that focus on price turns service into a commodity.(News)
April 7, 2003... Byline: LISA SANDERS DuPont will ask contenders for its global account to compete in an online reverse auction in which they will have to submit bids to service the account. A handful of marketers have used online auctions in media...

British Airways set to raise budget in U.S. Efforts go on in face of war and industry slump.(News)(British Airways)
April 7, 2003... Byline: CLAIRE ATKINSON The International Air Transport Association predicts overseas travel will be down between 15% and 20% because of the war in Iraq, but at least one major foreign carrier is continuing to commit to new U.S. marketing...

Garfield's AdReview: Budweiser's latest 'True' spot proves advertising can be art.(News)(McDonald's ads)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Bob Garfield Advertising is not art. Advertising is not art. Advertising-though it employs artistic tools-is commerce, not art. Except sometimes, when it is. The vaunted ``1984,'' for example, with its riveting allegorical...

Brady's Bunch.(People & Players)(Longtime Ad Age Publisher Ed Erhardt now at Disney Sports)
April 7, 2003... Byline: James Brady I've seen gutless wonders before, but that Dodger pitcher, Mota, may be laughed out of the league. L.A. visits Shea May 6, get your tickets early. Longtime Ad Age Publisher Ed Erhardt feeling his oats these days at...

Savvy in any culture; Fumio Oshima, Exec VP-international division, Dentsu.(Special Report: Global Players)(Dentsu)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Campbell Gray [Tokyo] Fumio Oshima is a key player in Dentsu's bid to evolve into a global powerhouse. The 66-year-old agency executive is also among the candidates who could slide into the chairman's seat at Japan's largest...

Occupancy falls: Luxury hotel chains target niche visitors.(News)(Rosewood Hotels and Resorts)
April 7, 2003... Byline: RICH THOMASELLI Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, Dallas, broke a $2 million print campaign last week for its 13 luxury hotels, which include The Carlyle in New York, The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas and Badrutt's Palace in St....

P&G to launch SK-II in U.S.(News)(Procter and Gamble Co.)
April 7, 2003... Byline: JACK NEFF Procter & Gamble Co. is planning to bring its ultra-prestige SK-II skincare brand to the U.S., according to executives familiar with the situation, in a bid to extend a trend-defying run that has seen the brand grow at...

Spots: Orbitz.(News)(Young and Rubicam)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Marionettes personifying the Orbitz travel experience are on a mission to care for consumers in ads breaking today on national cable and online. Three spots from Y&R Advertising, Chicago, address customer care, hotel savings and Orbitz...

Creative rep rebuilding plus; Ramiro Agulla, President, Agulla & Baccetti.(Special Report: Global Players)(Agulla and Baccetti)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Charles Newbery [Buenos Aires] Ramiro Agulla saw business at his ad agency in Argentina plummet last year as clients slashed spending during the country's economic collapse. Now, though, he's busy again, handling assignments from...

Editorial: CEO can't duck when ads flop.(Viewpoint)(Levi Strauss and Co.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... More CEOs need to be like Phil Marineau. Only there's a catch. What's good about Mr. Marineau, CEO of Levi Strauss & Co.? Answer: He is involved with his company's advertising. If the ads don't work, he says so-plainly, and in Mr....

No mystery if the ad flops; 'reality check' was missing.(Viewpoint)(Levi Strauss and Co. Super Bowl ad flopped)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Rance Crain Why does it always come as such a shock to companies when their advertising lays a big fat egg? What would have been very evident to you or to me, or, for that matter, to the consumers to whom the ad was directed,...

MLB Advertising: A's and Jays pick on Yanks to draw fans.(News)
April 7, 2003... Byline: ALICE Z. CUNEO The newest marketing play in Major League Baseball appears to be trashing the New York Yankees. The Oakland A's ballclub has been running a spot showing a crowd outside a sports bar. As the camera follows the...

Euro RSCG, BBDO sprout health units; Shops flock to DTC despite flat biz.(News)
April 7, 2003... Byline: RICH THOMASELLI A slowdown in new pharmaceutical product sales and ad spending hasn't deterred agencies big and small from establishing separate health-care units in a bid to win DTC assignments. Within recent weeks, Omnicom...

People.(People & Players multiple records)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Eric Steinhauser, Jon Krevolin, 37, Richard Sabean, Jeff Watzman, 36, Chris D'Rozario, 44, Ed Evangelista, 41, Larry Silberfein, 44, Alex Wilcox, 36, and Michael Hart, 53, all to exec VP-executive creative director from senior partner-creative...

Zenith elevates forecast for '03.(News)(ZenithOptimedia is upgrading its U.S. ad-spending forecast for 2003)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: LAUREL WENTZ ZenithOptimedia is upgrading its U.S. ad-spending forecast for 2003, a year marked by a struggling economy and war. The quarterly update of Zenith's global ad-expenditure forecast issued in December 2002, to be...

A firm Grip for beer exec; Charles Oliver, VP-marketing, Labatt Breweries.(Special Report: Global Players)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Gail Chiasson [Toronto] Charles Oliver, VP-marketing of Labatt Breweries, was born a few blocks from a Labatt brewery in London, Ontario. That perhaps has nurtured a passion for quality beer. But Mr. Oliver, 43, credits earlier...

Interpublic, Omnicom keep '02 spending under control; Staff cut or flat; less is lavished on acquisitions.(News)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: MERCEDES M. CARDONA Two of the largest agency holding companies spent 2002 in a fairly conservative way, according to reports submitted to federal regulators. In 10-K annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange...

As recession lingers, shakeout fears grow; Independent magazines seen as most vulnerable.(News)
April 7, 2003... Byline: JON FINE For most of the current recession, the magazine industry has largely avoided massive shakeout. But back-to-back restructurings at Worth and Gear have revived fears that independents and marginal titles could still fall...

The Week.(Briefs)
April 7, 2003... Taylor Nelson targets IPG's NFO Taylor nelson sofres last week said it is in discussions with Interpublic Group of Cos. to acquire the holding company's NFO WorldGroup unit. Interpublic put the market-research firm up for sale in late...

The Biz: Will Time Inc.'s AOL strategy pay?(Media Works)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Jon Fine and Tobi Elkin Last week Time Inc. embarked, without much fanfare, on the most radical reworking of a magazine company's online offerings since... well, since Time Inc. submerged all of its brands under the ill-fated...

P&G warns Pringles, Sunny D to shape up.(Procter & Gamble Co.'s Pringles and Sunny Delight brands risk divestiture)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: JACK NEFF Faced with a serious-if delayed-challenge from PepsiCo's Lays Stax and a deadline to hit turnaround targets or face possible divestiture, Procter & Gamble Co.'s Pringles is thinking outside the can. An executive...

Redefining Asia for Ogilvy; Khai Meng Tham, Regional creative director and co-chairman, Asia/Pacific, Ogilvy & Mather.(Special Report: Global Players)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Normandy Madden [Singapore] As an Asian and a creative, Khai Meng Tham, 42, jumped two hurdles when he was promoted to co-chairman of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide's operation in Asia/Pacific last January. Although he retains his...

Motivation works at Philips; Amalia Sina, Senior VP-domestic appliances and personal-care products, Latin America, Royal Philips Electronics.(Special Report: Global Players)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Claudia Penteado [Sao Paulo] Amalia Sina felt right at home when Royal Philips Electronics sent her on a world tour to become familiar with more than 150 key people and their leadership styles after she joined the company in...

Steve Berman hears music in alliances with advertisers.(Viewpoint)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Scott Donaton Are you ready to go to the next level?'' That's the question a hyperactive record exec asks as he waggles an action figure in the face of rapper Common in a comic scene from the launch spot for Coca-Cola Classic's...

Far-flung units connected; Simon Clift, President-marketing, home/personal care, Unilever.(Special Report: Global Players)
April 7, 2003... Byline: Laurel Wentz [LONDON] When Simon Clift became Unilever's first president of marketing two years ago, it wasn't clear exactly how many home and personal-care brands the marketing giant had. Names and advertising often varied wildly....

The Player: Orzio aims to get creative with a difference at BBDO; Exec charged with raising shop's profile.(People & Players)
April 7, 2003... Byline: KATE MACARTHUR As Marty Orzio settles in as creative chief of BBDO Worldwide, Chicago, the onetime English teacher gets his first solo shot at running a creative department and testing some long-brewing theories about creative...

International: Labatt brings media planning in-house; Brewer says move firms up link between strategy and brands.(News)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2003... Byline: GAIL CHIASSON [Toronto] Following years of buying and planning being housed at specialist media-buying services, there's increasing debate in the U.S. and U.K. about whether to bring media planning back to ad agencies. But Labatt...

Survival of the Fittest.(Automotive Marketing)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Auto industry incentives have reached new highs. Competition is intense. Consumers are skittish due to the sluggish economy and uncertainty over the war with Iraq. The industry's plants were already at overcapacity. Yet this year and next, new...

The Ad Market.(News)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Mercedes M. Cardona Turn Signals After dropping in January, agency employment seemed to stabilize in February, rising slightly to 181,700 nationwide. But with most agency companies expecting a weak first quarter as a result of...

Voted & Quoted.(Viewpoint)
April 14, 2003... 71%...of readers say it was a mistake for the government to end its run of anti-drug spots linking illegal drugs to terrorism. The remaining 29% thought the ONDCP was right to terminate the campaign. "McCann Erickson's office carries the...

People & Players.(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... New Orleans The American Association of Advertising Agencies holds its 85th annual Management Conference at the Ritz- Carlton, where, among other developments, Ken Kaess was elected to his second term as chairman. (From l.) Tim Clarity,...

Heat Index.(Media Works)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... WEEKLY RATING (0-10) OF SIZZLE & FIZZLE 9 The Gourmet Cookbook Conde Nast's Gourmet Editor in Chief Ruth Reichl signs $1 million book deal with Houghton Mifflin for what it hopes will become a kitchen-shelf staple. 7 'Malcolm in the...

Asian consumers watch SARS news.(The World: Ad Age Global News & Data)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Normandy Madden [Hong Kong] More than 85% of Asian consumers surveyed said they follow closely news about the SARS outbreak, compared to 75% who pay close attention to news of the war in Iraq, according to a survey conducted April...

Coca-Cola picks 'Coke Light Man'.(The World: Ad Age Global News & Data)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Dagmar Mussey [Essen, Germany] Reflecting the universal popularity of reality shows, star searches and Internet voting, Coca-Cola Co. in Germany selected from more than 10,000 contenders a Coke Light Man who will star in a TV spot...

Egypt group taps Weber Shandwick.(The World: Ad Age Global News & Data)(Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Trade)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Claire Atkinson [New York] The Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Trade hired New York public relations firm Weber Shandwick Worldwide, part of Interpublic, for a global advertising, PR and trade mission assignment to promote Egyptian...

Japanese shops christen joint effort.(The World: Ad Age Global News & Data)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Normandy Madden [Tokyo] Hakuhodo, Daiko Advertising and Yomiko Advertising are naming their new joint holding company Hakuhodo DY Holdings, with a media subsidiary to be called Hakuhodo DY Media Partners. The three Japanese...

FYI . . .(The World: Ad Age Global News & Data)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Edited by Laurel Wentz Paris-based consulting company Cap Gemini Ernst & Young named Havas' Euro RSCG Worldwide to its $20 million international account after a final pitch against Interpublic's McCann-Erickson Worldwide.......

From cult to phenom - Fowl play: Leagues laud Celebriducks.(News)
April 14, 2003... Byline: RICH THOMASELLI Sixteen months ago, Craig Wolfe was floating along with his sports-collectibles business, making annually about 20,000 rubber ducks bearing an uncanny likeness to the various athletes and celebrities they were...

Spots: Reese's.(News)(Reese's Pieces commercial)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... A single Reese's Pieces travels through a fast-changing bizarro world as imagined by a child in an animated spot from Omnicom Group's DDB Worldwide, New York, touting Hershey Food Corp.'s relaunch of the chocolate-peanut butter candies....

Senior marketing executive exits VW.(The World: Ad Age Global News & Data)(Robert Buechelhofer, Volkswagen)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Dagmar Mussey [Wolfsburg, Germany] Volkswagen's most senior marketing executive, Robert Buechelhofer, has left the German carmaker over disagreements about distribution systems. Mr. Buechelhofer, 60, was a member of the Volkswagen...

Scotts buys abandoned spots; Spoils of war: $80M gets more time.(News)
April 14, 2003... Byline: JACK NEFF Taking advantage of cut-price airtime abandoned by advertisers at the start of the Iraq war, Scotts Co. has upped its media buy at the height of its heaviest advertising and selling season. The marketer of Scotts,...

Wendy's, ESPN ink promo; Jocks vie for desk jobs in cross-platform deal.(News)
April 14, 2003... Byline: KATE MACARTHUR Wendy's International is partnering with Walt Disney Cos.' ESPN for a co-branded, cross-platform promotion deal that turns accomplished athletes into aspiring anchors. Called ESPN's ``Road to Bristol,'' the...

$2.50 a gallon gas? Not a problem; What a difference a year makes as buyers dump their gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient hybrids.(Automotive Marketing)
April 14, 2003... Byline: LILLIE GUYER Some automakers see hybrid vehicles as the bridge to a fuel cell-powered future coming in the next decade or so. But Toyota Motor Sales USA sees hybrids as here to stay. ``Today customers pick their accessories....

To survive, carmakers think young; Scion, Element reshape what's cool for the savvy 1st-time car owner.(Automotive Marketing)
April 14, 2003... Byline: JEAN HALLIDAY Automakers are reaching out to Generation Y, which will grow to a bigger pool of customers as they age. Marketers are increasingly adding Gen Y into strategic planning. Nearly 10% of households headed by a Gen Y...

$6.6B DirecTV Purchase: Murdoch move ups ante in share battle.(News Corp. acquires DirecTV)
April 14, 2003... Byline: RICHARD LINNETT The battle has just begun. News Corp.'s agreement to acquire DirecTV for about $6.6 billion is expected to accelerate a struggle for the eyes and pocketbooks of TV viewers. The acquisition ushers in News Corp....

The Buzz; What we're talking about.(Hearst Magazines stops production of Victoria decorating magazine)(Brief Article)(Column)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Jon Fine In a move certain to inflame fears of an accelerated shakeout at the newsstand, on April 7 Hearst Magazines shuttered its decorating title Victoria. Its June issue, out in mid-May, will be its last. Victoria staffers,...

Work: Gatorade.(launches first global TV campaign)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Omnicom Group's DDB Worldwide, Hong Kong, is behind Gatorade's first-ever global TV campaign, breaking this month, after DDB offices in Hong Kong, Madrid, Rio and Mexico City pitched against each other for the assignment. ``UV-Lab Rats''...

WB wins big in Pepsi-Cola $1 bil sweeps.(News)
April 14, 2003... Byline: TOBI ELKIN The WB is betting Pepsi-Cola's ``Pepsi Play for a Billion'' summer promotion is a win/win, boosting ratings and driving viewers to WB's crop of new fall shows while getting Pepsi's brands in front of its key demographic....

Karmazin's View.(interview with Viacom President/Chief Operating Officer Mel Karmazin)(Interview)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Lisa Sanders [New Orleans] Viacom President-Chief Operating Officer Mel Karmazin has acquisitions on his mind. In a Q&A conducted by Advertising Age's Scott Donaton at the 4A's management conference last week, Mr. Karmazin said...

The Biz: L'Oreal exposed on 'Full Frontal'.("Full Frontal Fashion" television show launches on WE Network)
April 14, 2003... Byline: RICHARD LINNETT Product placement is so ubiquitous that the term is now part of marketers' everyday vocabulary, and has infiltrated almost every form of entertainment-TV programs, movies, you name it. So it's not too surprising to...

Gone From Home Push: Clear Channel jumps into the upfront fray; Plans to cut in on, draw from packed TV field.(News)
April 14, 2003... Byline: HANK KIM Clear Channel worldwide is looking to participate in the upfront with its first annual Gone From Home presentations in New York May 12, the same week as the broadcast TV networks trot out their 2003-04 wares to media...

Life on a budget: Dot-coms rebound; Smarter spending fuels growth.(News)
April 14, 2003... Byline: BRADLEY JOHNSON Stamps.com topped the list of dot-com irrational exuberance in 1999 by plowing $98 into marketing for each dollar of revenue. Last year, it spent 150 on marketing for each dollar of revenue-leaving enough money to...

Reporter's Notebook.(overview of American Association of Advertising Agencies conference)(Column)
April 14, 2003... Byline: Claire Atkinson [New Orleans] Even with a high profile speaker like Viacom Chief Operating Officer Mel Karmazin, the 4A's did little to attract agency world bigs. Though the association would argue that spin-off conferences have...

People.(People & Players)(personnel appointments)
April 14, 2003... Stacey Kogler to senior VP-manager, new business, Interpublic Group of Cos.' Campbell Ewald, Detroit, from VP-account director, Doner, Southfield, Mich. She succeeds Lorraine Brogan, who is now senior VP-management supervisor. Also: Leslie Racy...

The Player: Comstock took the PR path to reach top destination at GE; Marketing chief leads company's integrated push.(People & Players)(Beth Comstock)(Interview)
April 14, 2003... Byline: CLAIRE ATKINSON Personally appointed by former General Electric Co. Chairman Jack Welch in August 1998, Beth Comstock is a rare breed of marketing chief. Ms. Comstock oversees marketing strategy at the company, and she climbed into...

People.(The World: Ad Age Global News & Data)(Eddie Gonzalez, Christ Hirst, Robin Chen appointments)(Brief Article)
April 14, 2003... Eddie Gonzalez, 49, to Miami as chairman of WPP Group's Y&R/Wunderman Alliance for Latin America, from president-CEO of Y&R Spain, Madrid. He succeeds Guillermo Diego, who is leaving the company. Dario Straschnoy, president-Young & Rubicam...

Motorcycle makers face aging clientele; BMW, others launch efforts to lure young.(News)
April 14, 2003... Byline: JEAN HALLIDAY Motorcycle buyers have gone from ``Easy Rider'' to ``Nice `N Easy.'' While the popular image of motorcycle riders is young and male, in reality riders are getting older, and more women are buying bikes. Between...

Brady's Bunch.(Hearst and Disney launch new magazine)(Column)
April 14, 2003... Byline: James Brady In a continuing down ad market and with a war raging, Hearst and Disney are rather gutsily doing a major magazine launch next week. On sale will be the premiere issue of Lifetime, edited by Sally Koslow, with an opening...

New plea: Where's the incentive? Tool to keep sales during hard times now bites backas shoppers expect more.(Automotive Marketing)
April 14, 2003... Byline: FRANK S. WASHINGTON Incentives have propped up car sales, but analysts say the fire sale atmosphere is tearing down automotive brands. ``When you've got multiple thousands of dollars of incentives on a particular model or...

EXCERPT: Shot heard 'round the world.(American Association of Advertising Agencies meeting)
April 14, 2003... Opening the American Association of Advertising Agencies meeting, President-CEO O. Burtch Drake recalled the landmark-and prescient-address to the group in 1994 by then-Procter & Gamble Chairman-CEO Edwin L. Artzt. Below is an edited excerpt of...

Quaker bets $66M on breakfast bars; Granola growth prompts focus on health.(News)(Quaker Foods & Beverages advertising)
April 14, 2003... Byline: STEPHANIE THOMPSON Quaker Foods & Beverages plans to spend an unprecedented $66 million against its more wholesome and convenient breakfast offerings this summer in a bid to take on fast-growing competition from General Mills and...