American Express Publishing will fold Travel & Leisure Family magazine, a quarterly stand-alone since June 2006, back into the main book. The spring 2008 issue will be its last on its own. In a memo to staff earlier this month, Amex Publishing CEO Ed Kelly says the move means an adjustment to the title's business model and includes plans to strengthen its Web site. "This decision was made after much consideration and analysis," he says. "We believe that better integration between the print and online platforms will be a more effective and efficient way to provide timely content …

In one of the latest prime-time product integrations, a recent episode of NBC's "30 Rock," Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, in character, tout the merits of Verizon Wireless. Theen Fey asks, " Can we have our money now?" The scene features Baldwin talking about how popular the phones are, while Fey calls the service "just unbeatable." Verizon isn''t saying how much it forked over for the placement, but "we talk with NBC on a consistent basis about opportunities," says Lou Rossi, director of media and sponsorships at Verizon Wireless. He did say that in addition to fees, Verizon …

MSNBC has lined up a slew of lurid documentary fare just in time for the holidays, when the cable net rolls out a dozen new programs on topics ranging from sex slaves to supermax prisons for its prime time "Doc Block" in December. Among the premieres next month will be ""Conviction," "MSNBC Undercover: Sex Slaves in America"" and ""Journey to the Center of the Brain." "It is also bringing back ""Lockup: Holman -- Extended Stay." while debuting ""Gladiator Days: Anatomy of a Prison Murder." ""Sex Slaves"" will be hosted by Meredith Vieira and premieres Dec. 3 at 11 …

Apparel retailer Talbots has tapped Publicis for its brand account following a two-month review that left Boston-based Arnold Worldwide, - agency of record for a decade, -out in the cold. "We are pleased to be working with Publicis, as we believe they will provide a new and innovative approach to marketing Talbots strong classic brand image," says Andrea McKenna, senior vice president of marketing and catalog development at Talbots. "Publicis has a significant track record in marketing to the baby boomer customer, which will be instrumental in helping us build on our legacy as the retail destination for the …

Bad enough their sales are in the sewer, U.S. automakers couldn''t even keep up with their Japanese rivals in reaching U.S. consumers via TV and radio advertising, according to new research from Integrated Media Measurement Inc. (IMMI). Carmakers whose ads reached the most American buyers in late summer were Honda, Toyota, and Nissan; the Japanese reached on average 22% more audience than U.S. automakers and 27% more than European manufacturers. Among the findings of the study, based on the number of times car ads were seen by consumers in New York, Houston, Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami: …

Advertising time in TV shows that are also streamed online was a hot commodity in the upfront, but some nets seem to have underestimated just how many people would log on and watch. And when they had streamed the number of promised spots, they had to switch with promos while trying to find new online-only advertisers. The tight market makes it hard to buy time in top-rated shows, but spots in them are still available online. For instance, during one episode of the sitcom "Samantha Who?" on ABC.com, the pods were filled with promos for other ABC shows. …

The U.S. media industry could be on the brink of its second big downturn in a decade -- and that is likely to accelerate the split between fast-growing targeted ads and traditional media aimed at mass audiences. Since the last ad bust in 2000-2002, Big Media has been trying hard to work with technological changes, including the rise of high-speed Internet and the growth of portable digital media players like the iPod. But the housing market crash is raising worries about an economic recession that could also hit media. Some industry watchers say advertisers have to remain …

A new campaign for New Mexico has sparked a clash with tourism officials divided over taxpayer-funded spots that feature twisted aliens from outer space talking about their personal lives. The ads, which are tagged "the best place in the Universe" are provocative and funny, but some detractors say they are a threat to the state's $5.1 billion tourism industry. "New Mexico has a lot to offer--we don't need to bring our standards down," said Ken Mompellier, head of the convention and visitors bureau in Las Cruces, the state's second-largest city, which refuses to use the alien ads. "What does this …

Cable net Lifetime is jumping deeper into reality fare, greenlighting a U.S. version of BBC hit "The Week the Women Went," along with other non-scripted offerings. "The Week the Women Went," is going into production right away and will join Lifetime's Friday night reality lineup if it eventually picked up. The show revolves around a trio of neighbors who go on strike, leaving their husbands to run the households. They also challenge their spouses to do their fair share of the housework, and the hubby who improves the most gets to join his wife and family on vacation. …

Some Senate Republicans are expressing concerns over Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin's hopes to slap new regulations on cable TV operators. "It is clear to us that it was Congress' intent that the marketplace, and not regulatory fiats, should govern wherever possible," the lawmakers said in a recent letter. "If there is to be a fundamental shift or adoption of new regulatory policies, it is up to Congress, not the [FCC], to implement it," says the Commerce Committee, which oversees the FCC. Among other plans, Martin wants the FCC to force cable operators to reduce per subscriber charges …