AS LONG AS IT ALL ADDS UP IN THE END - The Riff has heard a lot of rationalizations about the accuracy of ad spending predictions over the years, but we were especially tickled Monday morning when Universal McCann's Bob Coen attempted to put a positive spin on missing the national and local ad spending marks for 2003. With a surprising upsurge in national TV ad spending, Coen conceded, "We underestimated national advertising growth by a full percentage point.

CLASSY ACTION SEEMS TO SUIT INTERPUBLIC - Online investor message boards were oddly silent today following Interpublic's announcement of a settlement of its contentious shareholders suit. And the Riff takes that to be a good thing.

HOLD THE MUSHROOMS, PLEASE - Just when the Riff was getting a little down about all the doom-and-gloom (you know, the still lagging job market, terrorism and the war in Iraq) the culture buffs at Euro RRSCG Worldwide have turned up some surprisingly upbeat consumer insights. To be sure, the agency says new research has identified a "planetwide outbreak of pleasure seeking", including flash picnics to psychedelic mushrooms, raunchy fashion to 'smirting' (smoking and flirting) on sidewalks.

ABC'S HOLIDAY BASH WAS FESTIVE, IF A BIT RESTIVE - The Riff has been to more than its fair share of network holiday press events, but was it our imagination or did the folks at ABC's pre-Christmas party last night at New York's Reebok Club look especially distracted? Perhaps it was the CNBC news crew parked outside on Columbus Avenue? Or maybe it was the behind-the-scenes meeting transpiring among high-level ABC and ESPN executives in an adjoining room. Nah, the Riff thinks it was the high-level hijinks taking place with parent Walt Disney Co.

"AGENCY BIG SHOT TO JOIN A&E" - The Riff teased you with that headline on Nov. 24 and now we can tell you who it is and why there was so much intrigue surrounding the move.

PRIMETIME'S STILL PRIME -- Despite all the talk and stories about what a lousy season the major broadcast networks are having, 2003-04 is proving to be an especially strong one. Well sure, we are seeing some erratic viewing patterns and some significant declines in primetime viewing among young adults, but much of that could have - indeed, should have - been expected based on the methodological improvements that were instituted by Nielsen Media Research this season.