Elaborate campaigns to promote the action-adventure film "Sahara" represent what could be called a second take in efforts by Jeep and Paramount Pictures to market through the multiplex.

Dan Rather, one of the three leading U.S. news anchors for the past two decades, signed off from CBS News for the last time on Wednesday but tributes were mixed with sniping after his final months were marred by a scandal that tarnished his reputation.

A week after Mark Burnett Productions filed suit against it, Madison Road Entertainment has countersued for $20 million, charging that Mr. Burnett's company is making false accusations in an attempt to "quash the competition" in the rapidly expanding branded-entertainment business.

Revlon has awarded creative and media duties to Publicis Groupe's Kaplan Thaler Group and Aegis Group's Carat, respectively, for its Revlon cosmetics brands as well as a new fragrance, according to executives familiar with the matter. Today's decision follows a review that began in November. Other agencies competing for the business included the incumbent, Interpublic Group of Cos.' Deutsch, New York, and WPP Group's Berlin Cameron/Red Cell, with sibling media agency MindShare.

Michael D. Gallagher, a senior official in the Commerce Department, and Kevin J. Martin, a commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission, have emerged as the top contenders to become the next chairman of the F.C.C., administration officials said on Wednesday.

McDonald's has a suggestion for Americans, who are becoming obese in alarming numbers: get some exercise. The company, under fire from those who say its food plays a role in the nation's obesity problem, introduced a marketing campaign yesterday promoting physical activity as part of a balanced life. The theme: "It's what I eat and what I do ... I'm lovin' it."

A resolution asking the National Collegiate Athletic Association to end alcohol advertising on radio and television broadcasts during college athletic events will be introduced today in the House of Representatives.

Omnicom Group's BBDO Worldwide, New York, has resigned the ad account for carpet brand Stainmaster, which the agency helped launch nearly 20 years ago.

When Dan Rather steps down as anchor of the "CBS Evening News" tonight, immediately at least he'll be remembered as much for the events of the past six months as the five decades of distinguished reporting that led up to what's known today as "Memogate."

Have I gotten so jaded that I can't distinguish parody from product placement? I took Sunday night's programming lineup on Fox to task yesterday for what seemed like a night of sponsored pitches wedged into the corresponding storylines. It's a real epidemic out in Tinseltown these days.