Brian Tierney, the (relatively) new owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philly.com says that his goal is to attract new readers online and to be "realistic" about print demos, which aren't about young people. "We're targeting women 35+," he says. "We're being very, very tactical" with beach promotions and the like. He adds, in remarks to the National Newspaper Association's annual convention, that "No other industry kicks itself in the rear end more than newspapers... Newspapers magnify their own problems to their audience." Further, "we don't talk about the good things. The conversion from print to online at …

Credit agency Experian has charged identity-theft insurance company Lifelock in a lawsuit that charges it with "misleading advertising and fraud." Experian claims that Lifelock has illegally put fraud alerts on credit files it manages that "have caused damage to both Experian and consumers and threaten to degrade the effectiveness of fraud alerts over time." So far, more than 720,000 people have signed up for Lifelock's service and the company is currently running a $50 million ad campaign in which the CEO hands out fliers with his Social Security number to people on the street. A mobile billboard …

Clear Channel Communications will cut the price of its television group by $100 million to hang on to deal with a private-equity firm, according to insiders. Clear Channel and Providence Equity Partners, which controls the buyer for the 56 stations, have in principle an agreement to cut the price on a deal valued at $1.2 billion. But that could cause problems as one of the banks financing the original deal -- Wachovia Corp. -- which sued Providence last week, saying any new pact would void its commitment. Providence has been trying to renegotiate as the television advertising has …

With their Army counterparts struggling mightily to meet recruiting targets, the Navy thinks it may have hit on a powerful pitch to help fill its own ranks: A new multimillion-dollar television, radio and online ad campaign presents the service as a humanitarian rather than a combat organization, with spots emphasizing its ability to deliver relief supplies. TV ads include footage of Navy helicopters dropping aid to survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and picking up residents from rooftops after Hurricane Katrina. "Young people today are interested in being able to do something with a broad-based impact," …

Proponents of "congestion pricing," a plan to make motorists pay extra for the privilege of driving on some of Manhattan's most crowded streets, have launched a new $500,000 advertising campaign today to urge millions of riders who use trains, buses and subways to support the idea. A coalition of congestion pricing advocates includes more than a 100 business, civic, labor and environmental organizations. "These ads have a powerful message for riders: Speak up for congestion pricing now or pay later, with more delays...and decaying transit infrastructure," says Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign, one member of the group. …

In an attempt to improve sales, General Motors' Hummer brand has rolled out a new ad campaign that touts the utility and capability of the super-sized gas-guzzling SUVs in place of its "quirky cool" image spots of the past. The move comes as Hummer sales slumped 21% last year, amid widespread weakness in the category. GM is now adding a pick-up version of the H3, and trying to position the brand as the right choice for big jobs." CNBC thinks it's smart move, says its reporter: "Hummers are incredible vehicles, take it from someone who has tried …

Drug giant Pfizer Inc. is canning that ad campaign for anti-cholesterol pill Lipitor that features Robert Jarvik, the inventor of an artificial heart, as Congress probes whether the commercials are misleading. Pfizer is "committing to ensuring greater clarity in the roles and responsibilities of its spokespeople in consumer advertising and promotion," company says. Legislators began looking into the ads last month when it came out that Jarvik, who appears to be giving medical advice, isn't licensed to practice medicine. said Representatives John Dingell and Bart Stupak, Michigan Democrats. "The way in which we presented Dr. Jarvik in these …