If media coverage is any indication, Oprah Winfrey's media star is definitely falling, according to an analysis of the past five years of coverage surrounding Oprah Winfrey by HighBeam Research. The analysis indicates that Oprah’s popularity peaked in 2009 with 23,188 media hits.

Spanish-language broadcaster Azteca America says its upfront advertising business for the current TV season has been way up. For the 2011-2012 season, upfront sales were 33% higher over the same period of a year ago. The network, owned by Mexico's TV Azteca, says these results are as of December. It didn't disclose specific financial advertising revenues. Some 17 new national accounts have been added -- including ACH Foods, Chrysler, …

The New York Times Co. this afternoon disclosed that it is in "advanced discussions" to sell its Regional Media Group, consisting of 16 regional newspapers, other print publications and related businesses, to Halifax Media Holdings.

VivaKi Nerve Center CEO Curt Hecht Has joined the Mobile Marketing Association's global board of directors. Other new directors include Tobin Ireland, group director, commercial development, Vodafone Group; and Joe Kennedy, CEO & President of Pandora.

Just days after the surprise announcement that CEO Janet Robinson is stepping down at the end of this year, the New York Times Co. revealed that it is in advanced negotiations to sell its Regional Media Group, consisting of 16 local newspapers in Flordia, California, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina, to Halifax Media Holdings. The newspapers to be sold include the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Sarasota, Florida and The Tuscaloosa News in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In the first nine months of 2011, the NYTCO Regional Media Group had total revenues of $190.5 million, down 6.7% from the same period in 2010. …

Drug giant Novartis has awarded its $600 million plus media account to Publicis Groupe's Starcom, after a review, the client has confirmed. The company began the search process a year ago when it began talking to search consultants and then kicked off the review formally in the early spring. The incumbent was WPP's MEC. It's been an active year for big pharmaceutical reviews. Bayer, GSK and Pfizer also held reviews.

The Mobile Marketing Association Monday announced three additions to the MMA Global Board of Directors including Curt Hecht, CEO of Publicis Groupe's VivaKi's Nerve Center; Tobin Ireland, group director, commercial development, Vodafone Group; and Joe Kennedy, CEO & President of online radio service Pandora. They join other newly named MMA board members Jack Haber of Colgate-Palmolive and Bob Liodice of the Association of National Advertisers. Read more here.

It's kind of like Patch.com for foodies and shop-a-holics: Here's Your Neighborhood, Inc., a local-area and neighborhood web portal, has launched in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the Klondikes of food and boutiques. The sites, www.HeresWilliamsburg.com and www.HeresGreenPoint.com carry local-focused reviews of stores and restaurants, and offer online coupons for same.

It's kind of like Patch.com for foodies and shop-a-holics: Here's Your Neighborhood, Inc., a local-area and neighborhood web portal, has launched in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the Klondikes of food and boutiques. The sites, www.HeresWilliamsburg.com and www.HeresGreenPoint.com carry local-focused reviews of stores and restaurants, and offer online coupons for same.

It's kind of like Patch.com for foodies and shop-a-holics: Here's Your Neighborhood, Inc., a local-area and neighborhood web portal, has launched in Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the Klondikes of food and boutiques. The sites, www.HeresWilliamsburg.com and www.HeresGreenPoint.com carry local-focused reviews of stores and restaurants, and offer online coupons for same.