Tampa Bay could soon have another TV station competing for local advertising money, but with twist -- this one will be run by the local government. As part of a revenue-raising drive, Hillsborough County commissioners are thinking of selling commercials during cable TV broadcasts of their meetings, a la the sponsorships that some companies buy on public broadcasting programming. Hillsborough County broadcasts its meetings, seminars and other shows on an exclusive cable TV channel. But part of the reason is the cost of running the station, known as HTV. It has 21 employees and a $1.9 million budget …

Christina Norman, president of MTV since 2005 and a top protege of former Viacom Inc. Chief Tom Freston, will leave the company at the end of the month. Explains Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks and Logo Group, Norman -- a 17-year veteran of MTV and VH1 -- wants "to explore something new." Norman isn't talking, but under Freston, who left Viacom in 2006, she was elevated from the promotion department in 2002 to become general manager of VH1 and eventually its president. She was widely credited with turning around the network with a dose of creativity …

Fox has sold out its Feb. 17 telecast of Nascar's marquee Daytona 500 race, with 30-second spots selling for $550,000 each, up from $475,000 last year, according to insiders. Further, the net sold about 90% of its ad inventory for all Nascar race telecasts through the end of March. In total, for its 17 race shows into June, Fox is close to 85% sold, more than 20% ahead of last year's pace. And time is going for about $200,000 per 30-second spot, a 14% rise over 2007. Among the top categories buying in are prescription and over-the-counter …

In a major commitment to the emerging field of neuroscience media research, Nielsen Co. this morning said it has made a strategic investment in NeuroFocus, a company specializing in the science of brainwave research, especially as it relates to measuring the effectiveness of advertising, programming and other forms of media messaging.

7-Eleven, which already sells a million cups of coffee a day, is joining the Java Wars in a big way this month with a new multimillion-dollar ad campaign themed "freshness guaranteed." With tags that include "Our coffee's fresher than your average Joe" and "Guaranteed fresh or we'll brew it new," the convenience store chain is seeking to convince coffee drinkers it has a commitment to quality. The new effort includes radio, outdoor and transit executions, along with signs at more than 5,500 U.S. 7-Eleven stores telling customers they can ask for a fresh pot on the spot. Local …

For the second year in a row, some advertisers made plays for violence toward the gay community and stereotypes during the Super Bowl, paying a record $2.7 million per 30 seconds for the privilege. In one spot, for Bridgestone Americas, a man swerves on a dark road to avoid hitting a deer and rocker Alice Cooper but tries to hit -- and nearly misses -- flamboyant aerobics instructor Richard Simmons exercising in a rhinestone-adorned tank top. It is the first time the tire company ran an ad during the Super Bowl, and just year after a spot …

To celebrate its centennial, Converse Inc. has popped open the archives to reissue some classic sneakers, while giving new twists to its older styles. The unit of Nike was founded in 1908 as the Converse Rubber Shoe Co. will tout its centennary with a new Century footwear collection, advertising and Web site that tell the stories of some of those who have elevated its status over the years. For instance, a new global advertising campaign for its Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers touts their connection to pop-culture icons in sports, music, fashion and art since their introduction in …

A federal appeals court has ruled that American Express has the legal right to use its "My life. My card" tagline, rejecting a plea by one Stephen Goetz, who says he proposed the slogan to the company years ago. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit holds that Amex did not infringe on the rights of Goetz, who mailed a proposal to the company in July 2004 that included the slogan: "My Life, My Card" American Express delivers personalized cards to its cardholders!" At that time, Goetz was working as a consultant for a company …