General Motors Corp. is reviewing its estimated $700 million media planning and buying account across Europe, a threat to Universal McCann and Initiative Media, the Interpublic Group of Cos. media networks that control most of the business.

To introduce a raspberry-flavored version of its flagship brand, the Absolut Spirits Company will boldly go where no Absolut vodka has gone before in the United States: onto television.

With their conventions behind them, Senator John Kerry and President Bush will turn to the paid airwaves to get their messages across, each beginning a barrage of commercials next week that hit strikingly similar themes about the economy and jobs

Kobe Bryant will have to make do with his newly signed seven-year, $136 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, at least for a while.

Six agencies, including incumbent Leo Burnett, are going forward in the review for the U.S. Army's $180 million ad account, according to sources.

Granted, it's a beer commercial, not a blockbuster. But a new ad campaign for Guinness shot by Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella seems like a big-budget film at a cost of almost $27 million.

The race for the White House is turning into a brandapalooza for marketers as products and ad slogans assume increasingly prominent roles in the campaign - almost as if this were the first officially sponsored presidential election.

John Kerry, seeking to shift the presidential campaign focus to the economy, pledges to "stand up for the middle class" and suggests President Bush "sides with the special interests" in new ads that are part of a $50 million post-Labor Day blitz starting in seven key states.

Newsday lifted an advertising ban on a group of Long Island car dealers suing the paper over its rates.

The media company is prepared to pay about $4.5 billion for the film studio, sources say.