Leading media buyer GroupM's Marc Goldstein praised NBC's gamble to put a Jay Leno-fronted show weeknights at 10 p.m. Critics, he said, say NBC is making the move due to declining ratings and network economic models in flux. But Goldstein called it a "stunningly innovative step" and added it "remains an original and potentially game-changing move." Some $9 billion was spent in last year's prime-time upfront market, and Goldstein said the Leno initiative could represent a seminal moment for broadcast TV going forward -- and by extension the upfront. "If the definition of that market is changing, …

Marc Goldstein -- the head of the 4As Media Policy Committee and CEO of GroupM North America -- said the ad industry needs an inspiring leader the likes of Barack Obama to help pull it out of these tough times. Goldstein said he felt "a ray of hope" when Obama was sworn in -- that a new leader, new team and new ideas would bring better times. “Our industry doesn't have a Barack Obama that can provide us with that kind of … inspiration, at least that I know of,” he said.

Nancy Hill, CEO of the AAAAs, asked the industry to stop debating the issue of whether agencies should go through a rebundling process, where media and creative agencies would re-combine. "Let's agree to disagree ... that ship has sailed and there is no going back," she said. She also suggested the divide between digital and traditional agencies is becoming outdated. And the lines between them are "blurred to such an extent that it's probably erased." Hill also thanked the attendees -- the number is down considerably from a year ago -- for coming despite their strained budgets. …

The head of the New Orleans tourism bureau is giving a quick intro to welcome attendees. Perhaps he’ll thank them for coming to the “City That Care Forgot” as the economy is never far from their minds. But his speech offers an entrée to dish out some random musings about the city. ---The New Orleans Police Department continues to recruit officers in the wake of Katrina. And former “Roseanne” star John Goodman, a long-time NOLA resident and booster, is helping by starring in radio ads asking people to come serve. Not sure how many in the 18-to-24 …