Advertiser Perceptions, which conducts an array of research about media buying trends, has released its annual study on the impact of upfront and NewFront presentations. Buyers didn't offer much in the way of ringing endorsements for networks and digital media vendors. In fact, no matter how great a presentation is, buyers may make decisions based on price above all other factors. So, why should sellers bother spending the money to host these annual galas? Could a big game of chicken be at play?

Some might say with so much media research promising improved insight into ROI, the role of marketing mix modeling (MMM) has been overlooked. Recently, though, the trade's complicated work has received some criticism and come under increased attention, largely through a report by an industry group. Art Thomas, who leads the advanced analytics group at Universal McCann, offers thoughts on the current state and future of MMM.

It seems all that's left to make TV Everywhere a viable growth engine for programmers is awareness. Somehow, networks need to make people hyperconscious that instead of checking email repeatedly on a smartphone or going to bed playing "Words With Friends" on a tablet, they can easily tee up an episode of a favorite show.

If it hasn't happened already thanks to "Arrested Development," Netflix can probably get ready for a flood of emails and letters from people begging it to remake their beloved TV shows. The deluge likely won't come from fans of "ER" or other shows that ran their course, but those feeling their favorites were brilliant and cancelled prematurely.

It would be curious to know how much Toyota is spending to link with a Los Angeles TV station's weather reporting. It's certainly a clever promotion, but will it sell any vehicles?

It's been a tough stretch for Fox. Network chief Kevin Reilly conceded this past season was lackluster at best, while upfront deal-making saw dollar commitments decline markedly. Yet, even with the rockiness, Fox again finished the season as the top-rated network in a notable metric: C3 ratings excluding sports and specials.

Perhaps more than anything, a signal how much interest the Aaron Hernandez case has generated came Wednesday in an interview highlighted by what the former New England tight end would have for dinner. Every detail in the case, where Hernandez is charged with murdering a friend who talked to the wrong people, provides abundant drama.

Bill O'Reilly appears to have won. Same for Keith Olbermann. Arguably the two seminal drivers of the fiercely partisan programming that fills prime time on Fox News and MSNBC have received an endorsement from CNN -- the network that had maintained a holier-than-thou approach to unabashed advocacy. Of course, the nod to their success also holds for their bosses who let them run with it: Roger Ailes at Fox and Jeff Zucker at NBCUniversal.

If Don Draper is right, Apple is wrong. The "Mad Men" character uses the creative strategy that "if you don't like what's being said, change the conversation." Apple has been under siege, but isn't following the Draper mantra in a new ad campaign.

As high school and college kids settled into summer jobs last July, the unemployment rate among 16-to-24 year olds was the lowest in several years. Still, some 50% in the demo weren't working. To be sure, some were in school or doing other things deemed productive. But how many had parents saying quit with the video games and get out of the house? So, to any of the badgered this summer, a job awaits allowing one to become an instant small business owner: cord-cutter.