U.S. ad spending in the first half fell 0.3% to $72.6 billion, the first time it has dropped two quarters in a row since 2001, according to TNS Media Intelligence. And things could get even worse in the future, notes the CEO of the ad-tracking outfit: "While the protracted downturn in automotive spending has been a prime contributor, the overall results reflect weakness across a wide range of industries and advertisers," says Steven Fredericks. "Given the uncertainties about near-term economic growth and consumer spending, we expect core ad spending will continue to face challenges during the second half of the …

Boston Globe Media is rolling out Lola, a new compact lifestyle magazine targeted at women. The free mag will be available at about 800 locations in and around Beantown starting in mid-November, and plans to go monthly early next year. "Created as a trusted friend for women, Lola will be informing, entertaining, and inspiring," says Lucy Bartholomay, managing director of product innovation at The Boston Globe. "She'll have plenty to say about local restaurants and shopping as well as healthy living, relationships, things to do and think about." The Globe will distribute 45,000 copies of Lola in cafes, bookstores, …

There is more bad news for the New York Times Co., as the company says ad sales from continuing operations fell 3.2% last month due to weakness in retail and classifieds. But ad sales at the New York Times Media Group edged 0.2% higher on the back of growth in international fashion, technology, packaged goods, corporate and hotels--while retail took a hit on a pullback by national chain store advertising, and classified suffered from the slump in real estate, help wanted and automotive. Things were even worse at its New England Media Group, where ad revenue fell 9%, and at …

Wal-Mart is breaking a new ad campaign that dumps its nearly two-decade-old slogan of "Always low prices," replacing that staple with "Save Money. Live Better." The move comes as the world's largest retailer tries to put a bit more emotion into its marketing in an attempt to get sales growth moving again here in the U.S. Back-to-school spots feature actors--posing as customers--who talk about how Wal-Mart helps them save a few bills during this period of high gasoline prices. The smiley-face character flying around slashing prices is nowhere to be seen. The company says the spots are about "how saving …

Cruise line Royal Caribbean has put its $75 million ad account into review, insiders say, threatening a long grip on the account by Arnold and MPG. The account is one of the former's biggest, and Arnold isn't talking. Ditto Royal Caribbean and MPG, but it is likely the incumbents will try and keep the business. Arnold has done well retaining accounts of late, hanging onto business from Amtrak, the American Legacy Foundation and Fidelity Investments, among others. Arnold got the business after a 1999 review, toppling McKinney, and the company's ads have typically featured an Iggy Pop song, "Lust for …

A racy new TV campaign for acne medication Clearasil is raising a stir. In one spot in the effort tagged "May Cause Confidence," a teen apparently gains so much confidence he hits on his friend's mother. In another execution, a teen is being shown naked baby pictures of his girlfriend, who then says, "You should see me now." The ads are a break for the company, which has long tried to foster a wholesome image. Clearisil says its customers see the ads as humorous and unrealistic presentations of awkward family events. But to keep up with the times, …

AT&T is roiling out a new corporate ad campaign, with creative aimed at showing the younger, edgier style of its wireless services. The effort, themed "Your Seamless World," wants to speak to the on-the-go lifestyle of today's consumers and businesses. It includes six TV spots from Wes Anderson, director of films including "Rushmore" and "The Royal Tenenbaums." The company says it will now use orange as its primary corporate color with a color makeover in store for ads, signage and online. "The new initiatives are designed to highlight how AT&T helps connect people to their worlds wherever they …

In its challenge to the $550,000 fine levied by the FCC for the infamous 2004 Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction," CBS is telling a federal court it took all kinds of precautions and should not be held liable. Tiffany Network lawyer Robert Corn-Revere says the company chose Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake over more provocative performers, reviewed the script, cautioned about any ad-libbed remarks and applied an audio delay. "I think the precautions CBS took even satisfied the FCC's standards," he says. But FCC lawyer Eric Miller counters that CBS ignored the risk of "a highly sexualized performance." He …

Kathy Griffin, who won a creative arts Emmy for her reality show "My Life on the D-List" will have her acceptance speech censored when it airs Saturday on E! "Kathy Griffin's offensive remarks will not be part of the E! telecast on Saturday night," says the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. In her bit, Griffin said that "a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus." She then held up her Emmy and proclaimed: "This award …

Last Friday night, MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" was the highest-rated cable news show among viewers 25-54, topping out Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" in the key demographic for the first time. And the win come as no surprise to Phil Griffin, an NBC News vice president who manages MSNBC and the "Today" show. "The real insight I had was over the summer," he says. Olbermann "maintained his core audience, so when the mass viewers came back after Labor Day...it's just surprising it happened so quickly." While O'Reilly and all other Fox News prime-time programs are still on …