Anheuser-Busch InBev is huddling with its global media agencies to hammer out standard practices for media buying across the globe. Observers see the talks as a precursor to a large-scale media review. The company spends more than $1 billion globally each year on media advertising and sports sponsorships Involved in the talks are IPG's' Universal McCann and Publicis' Starcom MediaVest, who both handle A-B InBev media business outside the U.S. IPG took the unusual step of notifying a major U.S. client -- A-B rival MillerCoors -- about the discussions. Agency sources say the client is "conducting an …

Pharma giant Bayer has begun a review of media-buying duties in several major markets across the globe, as part of a consolidation effort. The review isn't expected to impact the company's U.S. media-planning and -buying account, which is run by Initiative. Bayer's media-buying assignments in the U.K., France, Spain, Germany and Brazil and other global markets are handled by a host of local agency players, and are expected to be part of the review. All told, those chunks of business are worth several hundred million dollars. Bayer's consumer brands include Bayer Aspirin, Aleve, One-A-Day, Midol and Alka Seltzer. …

Much of the talk in the sports media world last fall centered on whether an effective competitor would step up to compete with ESPN. But a year later, most network and league executives are skeptical that anyone will come forward to compete head-to-head with ESPN. Instead of single rival, ESPN should expect to see lots of pressure from various entities, including the broadcasters, national cable networks, regional sports networks and league-owned networks. John Skipper, ESPN executive VP, says there is more competition in the sports media space, but he says the added competitors are not causing ESPN …

CBS has set up a new management structure for its local TV and radio broadcast operations and named Anton Guitano to the new position of COO of CBS Local Media The new local broadcast organization combines TV and radio into one segment. Guitano, a 31-year veteran of CBS, has managed the finances for both the TV and Radio divisions, most recently serving as CFO for CBS Radio. In his new position, he will oversee the TV and radio divisions' financial and strategic operations. He'll also lead the company's efforts to leverage the company's portfolio of local news and Internet …

Comcast and GE have agreed to put NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker in charge of their proposed joint venture, but the structure of a new board is still being negotiated. Under the terms being discussed, Zucker will lead the new entity, with no clauses for him to leave after a specific period, say sources. In the new role, Zucker would have oversight over all of Comcast's cable networks. As part of the proposal, NBC Universal would become a joint venture, 51% owned by Comcast and 49% by GE. Comcast would contribute around $4 billion to $6 billion in …

The weekend firings of executives at The Washington Times and the possible exit of its top editor are apparently being driven by last month's transfer of power of the Unification Church and its business empire from Rev. Sun Myung Moon to his children. At the root of the shakeup at the D.C. newspaper is a feud between Hyung-jin Moon, 30, and Hyun-jin Moon, 40, also known as Preston, both U.S.-educated sons of Rev. Moon, say insiders. Internal church memos confirm a power struggle between Preston and Hyung-jin. Preston is chairman of News World Communications, the church-owned parent of …

Discovery Communications is launching a new Web site dedicated to reporting science and technology news. The news site will focus on archaeological discoveries and fresh theories about the workings of theuniverse, just as Discovery's television shows sometimes cover the latest scientific findings around the globe. As mainstream news publications trim their budgets and cut back on science and technology news, the new Discovery site will seek to fill that gap. The site's reporting will also be the central attraction of a new 99-cent iPhone application launched by the company. The Discovery News app became available at the iTunes …

BBDO, conceding that it has been unable to negotiate new contract terms with Chrysler, told staffers the agency would close its Detroit Jan. 26, 2010. The action throws into doubt the future of 485 staffers in Troy, Mich.; Windsor, Ontario; and some Canadian field offices. Chrysler has been a BBDO client since 1944 when the agency handled DeSoto. In 2000, Omnicom Group bested True North Communications in a global consolidation of Chrysler marketing duties, which were then valued at $1.8 billion. Through July of this year, Chrysler spent $82 million in measured media, per Nielsen. At its peak, …

At a time when cuts are digging deep at Condé Nast in the U.S., the company is looking to China. Executives say the success of Condé magazines in China, which include Vogue, Self, Modern Bride and GQ, have boosted the company's global circulation over the past five years. On the downside: the pace of the expansion will likely be slowed by the need for approval from China's central government for each title it adds. And so far, there's not a lot of money to be made. "We are looking at five to 10 years down the road" before …

Jim Larkin, CEO of Village Voice Media, offers a look inside his company at a time when it seems to be doing much better than its industry. Collecting niche Web partners is Larkin's main profit strategy. The Internet side of the business pulled in $12 million last year, but that was up 75% from the previous year. In June, the company launched the "Voice Local Network," partnering to sell ads on Web sites that focus on food, shopping and entertainment, such as Urbanspoon.com, and Racked.com, aimed at the 18-34 set. Last year, Village Voice Media pulled in …