Interpublic's Initiative has snared the $735 million media account of car makers Hyundai and Kia, ousting incumbent Aegis Group's Carat and Havas Media, according to insiders. Publicis Groupe's Optimedia also pitched the business, but was cut before the final round. The review, as handled by Roth Associates, does not affect creative duties for the two brands, which are handled by Goodby Silverstein & Partners and independent David & Goliath. The review was announced in October, just after Hyundai Chief Operating Officer Steve Wilhite abruptly left the company, and U.S. sales projections were reduced.

"Dexter," one of cable net Showtime's most popular shows, will make its debut on CBS next month, the first time a full season of a cable program jumps to network television. CBS will air the whole run -- albeit heavily edited -- on consecutive Sundays. The move is a direct result of the writer's strike, which has left the nets scrambling for ways to fill airtime. "We're excited to work with our corporate cousins at Showtime on this unique programming opportunity," says Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment. "Dexter is a high-quality, compelling series that will be new …

With few stars willing to cross the picket lines, NBC and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have pulled the plug on any full-scale broadcast of the Golden Globe Awards. The network will instead air a night of related programming, including clip packages, a press conference and the after-parties. The ax fell after Globes producer Dick Clark Productions could not reach an interim agreement with the striking Writers Guild of America. Then the Screen Actors Guild announced that its members would not cross picket lines, meaning no top celebs would show. NBC is also likely to air …

A record $27.5 billion in ad and media business was in play last year, handily surpassing the previous record of $22 billion set in 2005. According to an Adweek analysis, the total amount of client dollars that moved or went into review in 2007 represents a 57% increase over the $17.5 billion logged in 2006. Further, based on a study of accounts with more than $20 million in billings, the number of clients that switched shops was up 20% to 153, compared to 128 in 2006. "Clients continue to look for fresh ideas and remain less than …

U.S. TV broadcasters will be up and ready to begin sending signals to portable electronic devices like cell phones by next year, according to the developers of the technology. LG Electronics Inc. and Harris Corp., say the new technology will give broadcasters the chance to compete with cell-phone companies, which have so far pretty much had the market to for mobile TV to themselves. "This is going to let broadcasters get back in the game," says Howard Lance, chairman and chief executive of Harris, which makes broadcasting equipment. But is unsure whether the Mobile Pedestrian Handheld, or …

The CW is rejiggering its schedule, putting a Monday comedy block back on Sundays and dramas "Gossip Girl" and "Reaper" on new nights. Further, reality show "Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious" is set to debut Feb. 18, while "Beauty and the Geek" comes out on March 11, leading into "One Tree Hill" on Tuesdays. "We are really trying to take advantage of admittedly a very changed schedule now because of the strike," says Kelly Kahl, senior executive vice president of program operations at CBS, who oversees scheduling for both CW and CBS. "With the strike, we have an …

WPP's Group M is predicting another banner year for Web advertising with the medium passing TV in terms of spending in at least one European country -- and possibly as many as three. A new from the agency predicts spending on Internet ads will surpass TV in Sweden this year -- and it may do the same in the U.K. and Denmark. If Internet spending in the U.K. grows at a projected 30.8% while TV rises just 1%, that would put the numbers at $6.7 billion and $7 billion respectively. About two-thirds of total spend is expected …

Footwear and apparel retailer Timberland and agency Arnold, Boston, are parting ways after three years, and the company is putting the business into review. Both sides confirm the split, but cite different reasons for it. Arnold blames marketing budget cutbacks, while Timberland says it is looking for "fresh thinking." Timberland consolidated its global business account at Arnold in 2004, and the shop gave it the "Make It Better" tagline and pushed its environmentally-friendly manufacturing practices. "From our perspective as a company and as a brand, we were interested in pursuing some new directions and fresh thinking, and …

As Nascar teams get ready for their upcoming circuits, cable network Speed is revving up 22 days of coverage from four locations staring on Jan. 7. Speed will begin its "Nascar Preseason Thunder" this week, with testing runs from the Sprint Cup, Craftsman Truck Series and Nationwide Series. The coverage will take Speed to Daytona, Charlotte, Las Vegas and Fontana. "This season opens with quite a few questions to be answered," says Speed president Hunter Nickell in a statement. "There will be a lot of interest in seeing Nascar back on the track for the first time …

If you thought that the series "How to Look Good Naked," which premieres tonight on Lifetime, was simply another "The Biggest Loser"-type makeover show, think again. Instead of passing on lessons in counting calories and sit-ups, host Carson Kressley "advances beyond his role as stylist and wit to serve as something like a mental-health professional determined to get one new woman a week not merely to stop hating her body but to regard it as if it belonged to Maud Adams in 'Octupussy'... by providing [her] with tangible evidence of [her] flawed perceptions," writes Ginia Bellafante in her New …