• Libyan Crisis, Rising Commodity Costs May Cool Upfront Market
    As trivial as it seems in light of his grisly lunacy, Gadhafi's continuing impact on the oil market might trickle down and impact the TV upfront market. So could the Japanese tsunami and higher cotton and other commodity costs.
  • Comedy Central's New Top Marketer Is No Joke
    It quickly becomes clear that Walter Levitt is way too nice to be working in television. He's Canadian, after all. Still, the new top marketer at Comedy Central has a penchant for pushing boundaries, which should help drive viewing for "South Park" and Jon Stewart.
  • White House Gives In to Networks on Matter of National Importance
    Where have you gone Walter Cronkite? Time was, the White House would request that networks give it a prime-time spot for a Presidential address -- perhaps with a topic as critical as, say, launching missiles in a distant land to prevent genocide. ABC, CBS and NBC would always say yes. No longer is it a sure bet.
  • CNN Documentary Points Out Fear of Muslim Neighbors, Politicians Should Help Breed Unity
    It would be extraordinary leadership on President Obama's part to try and dissolve fears some Americans have about their Muslim neighbors by using himself as a vessel. The need for such bold action comes to light during the top-notch documentary, "Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door," that debuted Sunday on CNN.
  • The Hub Hits Pay Dirt With Warren Buffett
    There's a battle shaping up this fall between The Hub, a fledgling kids' network, and CNBC. Yes, Warren Buffett can do that. When Buffett speaks, investors probe his every word, seeking tips on which stocks to short or precious metals to buy or CEOs to trust. Even with the likelihood all he'll say is "buy low and sell high," they don't want to risk missing a morsel.
  • Comcast Pathetic in Looking to Rig Ballot in 'Worst Company in America' Vote
    Comcast has engaged in chicanery to avoid again being tabbed the "Worst Company in America." It encouraged its employees to rig a Consumerist.com vote - to take some power away from a public still frustrated with the cable operator's customer service. An internal memo detailed how to turn on the trickery and invoke Chicago-style politics and vote early and often.
  • Census Chief Might Help Networks With Research Knowledge
    At some point after all the results come in from the 2010 Census, Robert M. Groves will transition out of his post as Census Bureau chief. Should he shun a return to academia, he'd be a darn good hire for a TV network.
  • Neuroscience Offers Advertisers Promise But More Time Needed
    Wherever the burgeoning excitement around how neuroscience can improve advertising effectiveness leads, NeuroFocus CEO A.K. Pradeep looks to remain a leading navigator. To hear him tell it, that's all because of an in-flight conversation he had after a meeting with an Atlanta-based beverage client that he won't name.
  • PBS Trade Campaign Might Be Better Tabled For Now
    At a time when PBS is under siege by members of Congress looking to eliminate its federal funding, an ad campaign it is associated with might be smart business, but it is ill-timed. While PBS makes the case that government dollars are crucial for its viability, the drawing of attention to other funding streams might be better shelved until the NPR-fueled, anti-public broadcasting tide ebbs.
  • Networks Set to Down Pepsi Dollars
    Forget champagne glasses. Networks had to be toasting with Pepsi cans this week. It's always welcome when a wealthy marketer hits a trouble spot and tries to spend its way back to a recovery. With word that Diet Coke had passed Pepsi to become the number-two soft drink, Pepsi executives are set to follow that playbook.
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