Sharp Electronics Corp. is about to move its global ad business for Aquos TVs to Interpublic's' Lowe Worldwide form independent Wieden & Kennedy, according to insiders. If true, the switch would be a big win for Lowe, which has been struggling here in the U.S. Sharp spent about $70 million on domestic measured media last year, according to TNS Media Intelligence, $59 million of which was behind the Aquos brand. The company has been using the tagline "More to See" to try and to position itself as a leader in liquid crystal display TVs, with Wieden offices in …

USA Network has renewed its deal with World Wrestling Entertainment for "Monday Night Raw," extending the contract for tow more years and keeping the show at least through 2010. WWE will also continue to provide NBC with special programming for late-night Saturdays twice a year and its weekend program "A.M. Raw" for USA along with a Spanish-language version for Telemundo and mun2. "Raw" is one of cable's top-rated programs and got its start on USA before moving to Spike TV in 2000 and then returned to USAtwo years ago. Since coming back, the show has averaged 5.1 million …

Coca-Cola is cranking up its relationship with Nascar with a 10-year sponsorship extension that continues to position it as the exclusive non-alcoholic beverage sponsor, while giving Coke and its other brands a broader position in the sport. Coke Zero is one of those set to play a bigger role with Nascar-related advertising in 2008, track signage and driver appearances, while Glacéau vitamin water, the company's newest brand, will continue expanding its presence. "Over the past 10 years, we've built a deep connection between our brands, Nascar and its fans, and by extending our Nascar partnership, we will intensify …

Total political ad spending could jump 43% to an all-time high of $4.5 billion in the coming election cycle, according to research firm PQ Media. Record fund raising, a plethora of presidential hopefuls and the "acrimonious political environment will fuel the projected surge. A key trend driving growth is that this is the first election since 1928 without a current member of the executive branch running for office, which has resulted in an unusually high number of presidential candidates participating in the primary season," says Patrick Quinn, CEO of PQ. Across all media, spending is projected to reach …

McDonald's has found a new way to reach youngsters as its TV options shrink -- and it's drawn some fire. The Golden Arches is looking to report cards to reach students and, presumably, their parents, picking up the modest cost of printing report-card jackets for the 2007-2008 school year in Seminole County, Fla., in exchange for slapping a Happy Meal coupon on the cover. Some 27,000 elementary school kids take their cards home to be signed three or four times a year, for a very low cost impression. Youngsters who earn all A's and B's, have two or …

Azteca Amercas has inked a deal with Budweiser that will make the brew the presenting sponsor of upcoming reality show ""Retador,"" which features eight Mexican and eight American boxers competing for a title. Hour-long episodes are set to air Sundays at 8 p.m. starting Jan. 27, and the winner will fight his way through 18 installments to a May 25 finale and take home $50,000. "Retador" is also apt to garner other sponsorship, as it goes well beyond boxing. "Half of the show will be about the boxers, their families, their homes and how they got where they …

Audi will be back during Fox''s broadcast of Super Bowl XLII after a 20-year absence. The company will tout its $100,000-plus R8 roadster in a 60-second spot set to air in the first quarter. "We are going to keep our cards close to the vest until Super Bowl day actually arrives, because I think we have a dramatic message," says Scott Keogh, CMO of Audi of America. He adds the creative, from Venables Bell & Partners, will "grab into the heart and soul of the American struggle and the American entertainment business." It will be the spot''s only broadcast TV …

One New York grocer ended up embarrased after its ads touted hams as "Delicious for Chanukah." The eight-day Jewish holiday began earlier this week,-- but pork products are verboten under Judiasm's dietary rules. A woman who saw the ad for Balducci's took pictures of the ad and promptly posted them online. Jennifer Barton, director of marketing for the store, says the pitch was changed as soon as they found out about the snafu and apologized on the company's Web site, adding it would soon review its employee training.

Korean electronics-maker LGis expected to tap WPP Group's MindShare to handle its $350 million media account, insiders say. That's just days after it consolidated creative at Bartle Bogle Hegarty, a move that led the latter to part with vacuum cleaner maker Dyson. "The relationship has come to an end as a result of LG," says one executive familiar with the matter, adding that the decision was mutual. Dyson spent $45 million on U.S. measured media in 2006, and $37 million through September 2007, according to TNS. No one is talking on the record but Publicis' MediaVest was …

Despite its ratings freefall, advertisers are still shelling out big bucks for integration fees on NBC's "The Apprentice," sometimes as high as the $2 million an episode it commanded when at its peak. However, the Peacock Network is now getting a piece of that revenue for the first time. Brands signed up this season for "Celebrity Apprentice" include Kodak, Crocs, Dial Yogurt Body Wash, Quiznos, QVC, and Pedigree. "We have a lot of really good sponsors, and traditionally "The Apprentice" has been a tremendous show for selling products,' says Donald Trump, star of thes how. Trump …