Demand seems to be plummeting for television ad time sold close to the actual air date. TV ad execs report that their phones are eerily quiet during a normally a busy time of the year. "The [scatter] marketplace is dead. There is no new business or additional ad categories coming in," says one cable sales exec. The economic downturn has clobbered major ad categories, including automotive, financial services, retail and real estate. In contrast, last year's scatter market was so hot that prices were 30% more than those set during the "upfront" market.

In a bid to promote their medium by spreading good will after a contentious presidential race, the nation's largest out-of-home companies are launching the medium's first digital public service announcement. Designed pro bono by marketing agency Taxi for the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, the campaign, "VS/US" is designed to help unify the country. "This campaign succeeds by influencing the public with a positive message and by illustrating out-of-home's capacity as a national medium," says Paul Lavoie, TAXI chairman. Among the companies participating in the PSA, which runs through Nov. 12, are Clear Channel, Lamar Advertising and …

New York has long prided itself on being the country's media capital. Because of that, the Bloomberg administration is launching a study to boost the bleeding media industry. First step: The New York Economic Development Corp. will hire a consultant to produce a report and recommendations on how to help the industry grow. EDC envisions the study as a yearlong effort that would include CEO round tables, workshops with industry professionals and suggested policy actions. The focus is on helping the old, "traditional media" companies heal their wounds and better adapt to the digital world, while also attracting …

USA Weekend, the weekly companion to USA Today, will alter its blue-and-white logo on a special cover that will promote the movie premier of "Twilight." The cover, which runs Nov. 16, will be the second time in a decade that USA Weekend has changed its logo. The issue's cover story introduces "Twilight," a film based on the vampire novel series by Mormon stay-at-home mom Stephenie Meyer. The magazine's logo will use black lettering (instead of white) surrounded by a foggy background. The issue will also feature a poster for the film signed by lead actors Robert Pattinson …

In the economic downturn, magazine advertisers seem to be turning away from complicated custom ad programs in favor of simpler ads supporting traditional edit packages. "In a really bad economy, everyone has gone back to the traditional forms of media that they know," says MaryAnn Bekkedahl, Rodale group publisher, explaining why the editorial side was largely spared during layoffs at Men's Health. Of the 111 cuts, only seven came from edit. Bekkedahl says that since August, advertisers have been asking for off-the-shelf sales packages across print, digital and events businesses, rather than custom programs for each campaign.

Last night, MSNBC, Fox News and CNN all aired the big finale to the most-watched serial drama on their networks. But unlike other series, this one won't be back for another four years. So what now for the networks that have fared so well during the presidential election? According to Nielsen Media Research, all three major cable news networks posted collective gains of 49% over last year. That's added up to big advertising dollars, as well. Research firm SNL Kagan expects Fox News' net advertising revenue will round out the year at $539 million, up 17% year over …

It's been only a few months since U.S. News and World Report announced it would cut its publishing frequency from weekly to twice a month. But that apparently didn't do the trick, so the once formidable title is doing it again, this time going to monthly, according to published reports. Other sources said the magazine was turning its focus to the Web, emphasizing topics such as education, health and news. The title had already announced a refocus on "service journalism" alongside the original frequency cut, building on its popular "Best Colleges" rankings franchise. The problem is …

Is it the fault of TV networks when an actor or musician lets an F-bomb slip while accepting an award at live ceremony? In 2004, the FCC said yes, announcing it would toss out historical precedent and begin fining broadcasters for airing live, unplanned or "fleeting" expletives. But now, the Supreme Court is considering whether that ruling overreached. So far though, the case isn't focusing on First Amendment concerns so much as procedural issues. Broadcasters argued the FCC didn't give an explanation for changing its policy on fleeting expletives in 2004. "There seems to be very little rhyme …

Experts, pundits and gasbags of every stripe turned to all sorts of data to predict the outcome of swing states in the days leading up to the election. But E&P, doing what has worked for the publication before, made its predictions based entirely on newspaper endorsements. And it did pretty well. Using the number, circulation and influence of newspapers endorsing the different candidates, E&P managed to get 10 of 11 swing states right. The magazine wrongly called Virginia for McCain, but explains the misstep by saying it underestimated the impact of The Washington Post on the northern …

The battle between cable and telecom companies is getting nastier, evidenced by a new ad campaign from regional provider Qwest that targets companies like Comcast and Cox Communications. A new ad launched Nov. 3 features a man who appears to be trapped in an elevator for 52 hours and slowly loses his mind (a scenario that references the recent real-life ordeal of a Conde Nast employee). In the documentary-style ad, the elevator victim tells a faux interviewer: "it was kind of like waiting for the cable guy." "We were trying to find ways to talk [customer] experiences …