While it rarely comes close to the kind of ratings enjoyed by even the weakest broadcast shows, cable TV is actually among the hotter segments of the media business these days. Several reports show cable's ad growth outpacing the broadcast nets. One from TNS predicts the medium will gain 5.9% this year, compared to just 1.3% for national network. "Increasingly, ad-supported cable networks are getting a bigger share of prime-time ratings," says Brad Adgate, senior vice president of corporate research for Horizon Media. "And the ad dollars do follow the eyeballs." He says cable will probably continue …

Fruit of the Loom will be the only sponsor in Life & Style's June 22 edition, the title's first single-advertiser issue. The underwear maker will use its free hand to boost its image with young women and promote its Fit For Me and Fresh Collection lines. "They see this as a perfect fit for their brand, and the idea of taking over a whole issue makes it impactful," says Ian Scott, president of advertising sales for the magazine's parent, Bauer. Apart from pages and advertorials, Fruit of the Loom will also supply a contest prize and sponsor the …

Quincy Jones has teamed up with the Robert Thorne Co. to develop a new brand and digital media platform based on his career -- and the new joint venture has hired a management agency to pursue film and TV projects. Quincy Jones Enterprises has signed up Brand Central as licensing agent to help develop merchandise, including consumer audio and apparel that will tie into Jones' "well-regarded style, taste and panache." Also on tap are men's grooming products, home furnishings and books. "My initiatives in lifestyle branding and digital media will be the next chapter, along with …

Burger King has rolled out a new TV ad that features Sean "Diddy" Combs late-night snack search and visit to the mansion of Burger King's chief executive, who greets him in robe and pajamas. In it, the CEO (played by an actor) takes Combs and Co. to a Burger King and opens it up for them. The spot is meant to illustrate some of the changes -- such as staying open late -- that the fast-food chain has made to help the brand overcome years of weak results. "We've cleaned up a lot of issues and really built …

John Landgraf, head of cable net FX, can talk about the relationship between Shakespeare, Updike and his channel's programming -- known for bucking many current trends. With its low-cost production model, FX will bring out eight original series this year, more than any net has ever tried on basic cable. Ranking among the top 10 in basic cable prime-time among adults 18-49, FX goes with daring programming at a time when other channels have stuck with more broadcast-like fare. Among the standouts is "The Riches," which features a family trying to swindle its way to the American …

Jack Daniel's has signed a product-integration deal with AMC original series "Mad Men" and the net is working on several other similar deals as well. Arlene Manos, president of Rainbow National Network Advertising Sales, says AMC is working on two other pacts: "We have to make something happen in the next couple of weeks," she says. "The show is coming together rapidly." As part of the deal with Brown-Forman's Jack Daniel's, the spirit will be incorporated by name and placement in three episodes this season. And Matt Weiner, the show's creator, writer and executive producer, says he …

The Wall Street Journal and USA Today are working on glossy magazines to distribute with their flagship papers, say various executives and media buyers. If they do, the projects will point to one of magazines' advantages in the digital age: beauty, fashion and other lifestyle advertisers are happier to spend money if their ads appear on thick, glossy pages. While the Journal's development process hasn't reached presentations or proposals, ideas now under consideration include Saturday delivery with the current weekend product. USA Today is farther along and is planning a fall rollout for a monthly to focus on active …

MTV Networks has launched a global, youth-focused climate-change campaign called MTV Switch featuring 35 PSAs on television, along with online and mobile components. The effort, aimed at 15-25 year olds, promotes more environmentally friendly lifestyles with tips on how viewers can help cut down on carbon emissions. With programming in 162 countries, MTV says the campaign has the potential to reach nearly 1.5 billion people worldwide. Plus, all of the PSAs are available rights-free and cost-free to everyone in the world. More than 25 broadcasters have already signed on to run some of them.

It was a horrible May for Media General as the company reported monthly ad revenue at its newspapers fell almost 15% in May, fueled by a big swoon at the Tampa Tribune. An economic downturn in Florida cut into the numbers, says CEO Marshall Morton, and the company was also hit by "significant weakness" in classified. "We were very disappointed to see the retail category decline, a reflection of major retailers holding back on spending in virtually every market," Morton says. "We saw a few bright spots in May, including increases in real estate classified advertising in Richmond, …

Kellogg plans to phase out advertising to kids under 12 unless the touted products meet specific nutrition guidelines for things like calories, sugar, fat and sodium. And the food behemoth will also stop using licensed characters or branded toys to promote their food -- unless it meets the same rules. The changes are set to roll over the next 18 months and will apply to about half the products that Kellogg sells to children worldwide, including Froot Loops and Pop-Tarts. But Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies with Real Strawberries still make the nutritional cut, although too much salt …