Michael Wright, head of original programming for TNT and TBS, has been tapped as senior vice president of a reorganized and renamed "Content Creation Group," giving him responsibility for Turner Classic Movies as well. He will continue to run all original programming for TBS and TNT, while adding responsibility for original content for the digital extensions of TNT, TBS and TCM. Wright says it is still to be determined if that means new original series for TCM, documentaries or specials -- or some combination. Wright arrived at TNT in 2002, adding development and production of original programming for …

Interpublic Group's McCann Erickson has snared the creative part of Weight Watchers' $70 million account, insiders say. In the process, it beat out DDB and BBDO in the final round of a review. Deutsch also reached the last stage, but withdrew before the shops were told about their ultimate assignments. WPP Group's Young & Rubicam had held the business for three years and the decision to hold a review was motivated by client-side management changes. CEO David Kirchoff, North American communications head Cheryl Callan and director of advertising Carl Swedberg are all new, having joined the company in …

A CBS affiliate in Wichita, Kansas, has declined to run a pro gun control TV spot, claiming the ad is misleading. The effort is part of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ant-firearm campaign, and his people are questioning the station's objectivity in the wake of the decision. The ad pushes repeal of a law that bars the Feds from sharing some gun data with local law enforcement. The National Rifle Association says the legislation protects privacy, but Bloomberg argues it hurts law enforcement's chances of tracing illegal weapons and their sellers. The spot was set to run …

CBS Radio has suspended two hosts on a New York FM station following complaints from an Asian-American group about a prank phone call to a Chinese restaurant. The call, played on WFNY's "The Dog House With JV and Elvis" the day after Don Imus made his now-infamous remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team on another CBS-owned station, was later replayed a week after Imus was canned. In it, unsuspecting employees of a Chinese restaurant are berated by a caller. He tells one woman he would like to see her naked and also attempts to order "flied lice." …

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the celebrity face of Stetson fragrances, signing a two-year-plus deal to be the brand's spokesperson and appear in a new campaign. Stetson is made by Coty and is the company's big men's fragrance brand. Brady defines the passion, pride and masculine spirit of the Stetson man, Coty says. "His allure extends off the football field, and he is widely known for his distinctive masculinity and irresistible character," notes Chief Executive Officer Bernd Beetz. TV spots will hit the air in September, with print ads in support of the campaign. Financial terms …

Cox Communications is going after an international crowd in its northern Virginia market, touting a free package of global channels on its digital cable system. Available this summer to current subscribers, the new tier will include three Korean programmers: panAsian channel ImaginAsian; Chinese CCTV-4. The other nets in the package are Dutch, Russian and French. The channels will be available to 250,000 customers, and Cox points out that while similar fare is available via DirecTV, it costs $25 a month. In tandem, the company will also launch a new international-calling plan under which, for a $1.99 monthly fee, …

NBC has cut a deal with U.S. Figure Skating that will have the Peacock Network covering the organization's championships for the next three years. The pact includes Saturday night prime-time coverage of the women's free skate competition, which is probably the biggest draw of the event. It features 10 hours of coverage, including international competition Skate America and extends through the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, which NBC also airs. Also part of the agreement: The format has been remade for TV, with all finals on weekends and aired live, but with none scheduled opposite pro football. NBC Sports …

Chili's has said goodbye to a top marketing exec and should soon announce it has also parted ways with GSD&M on its $125 million account. Chili's has been through a rough sales patch, recently reporting the sixth consecutive month of decline. Gone is Ken Thewes and insiders say GSD&M will be right on his heels. While some blame Chili's results on the weather, most of the evidence points to segment declines, and Chili's relative lack of promotion, despite a new menu in January. The company spent diddly on ads in January and February, but went back on air last …

HBO has yet to seal a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the red-hot mixed-martial-arts organization that has been pulling huge ratings with both its pay-per-view and free TV -- on Spike -- offerings. While UFC president Dana White was quoted as saying he had finalized a pact to bring the UFC to the pay cable net this summer, HBO spokesman Ray Stallone says it has "nothing to announce" regarding a deal. He does, however, confirm there have been discussions. Meanwhile, HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg says the UFC has a great fan base and is …

Oliver Stone will direct a new TV spot from MoveOn.org and VoteVets.org that is aimed at getting U.S. troops out of Iraq. Stone, an award-winning director and Vietnam vet, has a 30-second ad that will air next month on national TV. It features a veteran of Iraq -- or his or her family -- discussing the impact of the increasingly bloody and unpopular conflict. "They're giving it from their personal experience, either being on the ground or being at home waiting for their mother, father, husband to come home," says MoveOn.org spokesman Alex Howe. Stone is not charging for …