Total worldwide net TV ad revenue will swell increase almost 6% to $123 billion this year, according to one new forecast, riding out -- at least temporarily -- the current economic downturn in some top markets. A study by industry analysts Informa says that growth will be led in part by the Olympic Games in Beijing, one factor that will help revenue top the 2007 growth rate of 3.5%. But while North America has the largest share of the total TV advertising market -- 62% -- that is expected to fall while other regions rise. The robust …

Starting at the end of the month, HGTV and Food Network will be offering HD simulcasts of their standard channels, a break from the past year, during which the two cable nets have run dedicated high-def channels with different programming. Now, parent Scripps Networks, says it wants viewers to be able to see shows in high-def at the same time. "We are moving from a wheel format to a full-blown simulcast because of affiliate and viewer demand," says Hal Rosenberg, senior vice president at Scripps. "The programming simulcast is not only great news for Food Network-HD and …

Nevada tourism is rolling out a $12 million ad campaign to lure visitors and conventioneers to Sin City and its environs amid the pressures of high gasoline prices, a slip in consumer confidence and the global credit crunch. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which represents area governments and the top Strip and Downtown casino/hotels, is pushing a new "Vegas Right Now" campaign set to run through June. The goal, the LVCVA says is to get more trips out of what it calls "enthusiasts" of the destination. The LVCVA, famous for its "What Happens Here, Stays …

Fernando Rodés Vilà, appointed as chief executive of Havas two years ago after helping Vincent Bolloré gain control of the company, rejects any suggestion that his current position is some kind of reward for services rendered. "I never wanted this job," he says. "I had other things to do at the time. I'm pleased I now have the job, but it was never a trade-off situation." His family has a 3% stake in Havas, gained after it sold its Spanish media business to the French conglomerate. Rodés Vilà brings a cautious approach to Havas, particularly when compared to …

When CBS does its annual "upfront" presentation to advertisers in May, the company will be showcasing the whole of CBS Corp. rather than just the Tiffany Network. "We're going to sell advertising," says CEO Leslie Moonves. "We're going to sell outdoor. We're going to sell radio in all its forms. We're going to sell television stations. We're going to sell syndication. We're going to sell network. And we're going to sell the fall schedule. It's going to be a very different look than we've ever had before." While the nets typically sell much of their ad time for …

The American Family Association has called off a two-year boycott of Ford after the automaker caved to the conservative pressure group's demands that it stop advertising in gay media or giving money to gay organizations. The group says that Ford has met all of the conditions it presented in 2005, shortly before the boycott began over the company's practice of offering benefits to same-sex couples and marketing efforts in the gay community. Some Ford dealers, particularly in the South, say the boycott hurt sales and while AFA chairman Donald Wildmon declines to be interviewed, he says Ford …

FremantleMedia North America is readying a new live music competition series for MTV in which the kids of famous musicians battle it out to see who got the best genes. Set for an April 3 premiere, "Rock the Cradle" will feature Bobby Brown's son, MC Hammer's daughter, Olivia Newton John's daughter and Kenny Loggins's son. The competitors will work with producers, songwriters and choreographers to create acts for a live audience and panel of judges. One will be eliminated each week, with the winner getting a recording contract. "These kids are the offspring of some of the …

Sprint Nextel Corp. is overhauling its marketing message again as it tries to give cell phone customers a new reason to switch to the troubled carrier. Speaking to Wall Street analysts this week, Chief Network Officer Kathy Walker says the No. 3 wireless provider is moving away from a focus on the speed of its network to how customers can use it to quickly access data services and other features. "It centers around big and fast and immediacy and being able to do things now," she says. Many have blamed the company's marketing for its inability to keep …

With the next big Democratic primary set for Pennsylvania next month, a new analysis of ad spending in neighboring Ohio may offer the candidates a few insights. The two Democrats -- Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama -- spent about $8 million TV alone in the Buckeye State, although 15% of that total came from outside groups like labor unions and 527s. The Wisconsin Advertising Project, using information from TNS Media Intelligence Campaign, found that Obama spent almost twice as much as his rival, laying out $4.4 million more than 10,000 spots, compared to her $2.3 million for more than …