Here's music to advertisers' ears: Over three-quarters of consumers of audio content via cell phone or other mobile device prefer free, ad-supported audio to subscription or fee-based services.

If you thought Kevin Federline's branded search engine was just a flash in the digital pan, guess again. The chance to join K-Fed for his birthday bash in Las Vegas may have passed, but the company behind the site says the online party goes on.

In its latest bid to win over the Facebook generation, Pepsico is letting consumers create can designs for a chance to win $10,000.

Contrary to popular belief, the college-age crowd still does watch TV. That's good news for ABC, whose lineup has shown gains since Nielsen launched new ratings in January that include college students.

If you've ever fumbled while trying to figure out the tip at a restaurant, you can see why people might want a calculator at the table. And if it's one with room for branded advertising - all the better.

Captive. That's how After Dark Films may feel its upcoming release is being held after the Motion Picture Association of America recently suspended rating of the film, Captivity. The MPAA halted the ratings process following outcry over billboards promoting the movie, which showed the abduction, torture and killing of a young woman, played by actress Elisha Cuthbert, in four separate frames.

If it's May, it must be upfront season, when the broadcast networks try to woo media buyers with filet mignon and sushi, parties at Lincoln Center and wisecracks from Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel. While the upfront market has been bashed by critics as a bloated old-media anachronism, few would question the central role it still plays in deciding how billions of dollars in TV advertising are spent each year.

Over the past couple of years, we've refocused one of our print publications, Media magazine, on the assumption that we are in an epic period in which the role of media is being redefined, and the function of media practitioners is evolving along with it. One of the ironies is that we have been telling this story via a medium that has been undergoing change even as we've been telling it.

By the time you read this article, my sparkly diamond engagement ring will have been sent special delivery via FEDEX. Given the popularity of BlueNile.com and the underground following of UnionDiamond.com, our jeweler of choice, this purchase may not be revolutionary. But Robert, my fiancé, knows that for me, a recovering technology laggard (in other words, one of the folks who are still jamming to portable CD players at the gym), this is mind-blowing. Okay, I'm not that bad - I do own an iPod shuffle.

Ah, the perils of a monthly column. As usual, the things that I'm reacting to in early March will seem like ancient history by the time you read this. But, at the risk of seeming redundant, I was struck by Procter & Gamble exec Jim Stengel's keynote speech at the 4A's media conference this spring.