• by John Gaffney , September 15, 2002

Rosebud: Great quote this weekend in the Boston Globe. Jeffrey Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy said: ''The logical conclusion of what Michael Powell is unleashing will mean ... a handful of mega-Citizen Kanes.'' Chester is exaggerating, but only time will tell how much. FCC chairman Michael Powell presiding over a re-write of the media ownership rules, and everybody in and outside the Beltway full expects that whatever chains that bind the Viacoms, Disneys and Gannetts of the world will be unleashed. If history is a teacher, we should have learned already that this will quickly become and anti-competitive situation. Consumers rarely win from deregulation. Look at airlines, telecom and energy and please tell me that deregulation works for the consumer. In fact, this deregulation will lead to a media consolidation that will make the jobs of every planner and buyer tougher. If you buy media what’s your strength? Knowledge of the market is one. Knowledge of consumer behavior is two. But if negotiation skills aren’t a strong number three, go become a media analyst somewhere. When you need to place a new car campaign, and five companies control or your choices, who you gonna call? How are you gonna negotiate? Don’t ask Michael Powell.

Rolling FHM: Even a racy, lacy photo of Jennifer Love Hewitt on the cover of Rolling Stone couldn’t stop my heart from dropping when I saw it. I bailed on Rolling Stone two years ago when they named Backstreet Boys band of the year. But I feel like this is like a great house that was burned down and replaced with a cottage.

Parting Shot: I hope next Sept. 11 we’re debating what kind of volunteer work to do instead of what we’re going to watch on TV.