Advertising Age back issues from June 1998:
F.Y.I.
Jun 01, 1998 ... CBS Corp. reached an accommodation with affiliates last week about how to finance the network's $500 million a year National Football League deal. The pact's advertising inventory exchange means the stations get back a 30-second spot every night in prime time during the NFL contract; the ...
DISNEY EYES STAKE IN EXCITE AS PART OF BOLD WEB STRATEGY
Jun 01, 1998; ... Walt Disney Co. is in talks to acquire up to a 40% stake in the Internet search company Excite Inc., said an executive familiar with the discussions.The talks are part of a larger Web strategy being considered at Disney that would make virtually all the Disney-related Web sites ...
Toyota asks 7 shops to work on Euro launch
Jun 01, 1998 ... [brussels] Toyota Motor Europe Marketing & Engineering is asking its seven ad agencies for creative ideas for the $70 million launch of the Yaris, a small car for Europe. In the new Toyota Advertising Network, the ...
SPRINT JOINS AT&T WITH ALL-DAY DIME RATES
Jun 01, 1998 ... [kansas city, mo.] Sprint Corp. is expected to unveil all-day, 10 cents a minute long-distance pricing this week, supported by a big-budget, aggressive ad campaign created by J. Walter Thompson USA, San Francisco. The campaign features clocks and ...
DDB Needham realigns duties for 4 in global management
Jun 01, 1998 ... [new york] DDB Needham Worldwide, in efforts to bring management closer to global regions, has shifted several key positions. Among the changes: USA President Ken Kaess to president of U.S. and Canada; and South America President ...
Ford touts 'Experience' as dealership brand
Jun 01, 1998 ... [dearborn, mich.] Ford Motor Co. will brand its new consolidated dealerships under the "Experience" name, Automotive News reports today. A $5.2 million TV and print push starts July 1 in Tulsa, Okla., for the nine combined Ford, Lincoln ...
Zenith said to be near upfront deal with ABC
Jun 01, 1998 ... [new york] Zenith Media Services last week was said to be near closing a prime-time upfront deal with ABC, while executives said prime-time pacts between Zenith and the other broadcast networks were close as well. The ...
SPIKE DDB PURSUES PATH TO MAINSTREAM: IN BLACK & WHITE: AMID CRITICISMS FROM BLACK AND GENERAL SHOPS ALIKE, SPIKE LEE'S AGENCY ABANDONS URBAN MARKETING NICHE
Jun 01, 1998; ... If you want to know what Charles Hall and Jeff Marshall are up against at Spike DDB, consider some of the phone calls Mr. Hall has received -- like the one from a young creative person who wanted to send in his book. "He said, 'Um, do you guys hire white people over there?"' Mr. Hall ...
SPRITE LIGHT TEST AIMS TO BOOST BRAND: COCA-COLA TO DROP 'DIET' TAG IN LATIN AMERICA FIRST
Jun 01, 1998; ... Coca-Cola Co. is restaging Diet Sprite as Sprite Light in a test in Latin America that could lead to a similar change in the U.S.The test comes amid flagging sales for diet soft drinks in the U.S., and is being made a year after the global beverage giant transformed Diet Coke in ...
Sprint joins AT&T with all-day dime rates
Jun 01, 1998 ... [KANSAS CITY, MO.] Sprint Corp. is expected to unveil alt-day, 10 a minute long-distance pricing this week, supported by a big-budget, aggressive ad campaign created by J. Walter Thompson USA, San Francisco. The campaign features clocks and ...
Spike DDB pursues path to mainstream
Jun 01, 1998; ... In black & white: Amid criticisms from black and general shops alike, Spike Lee's agency abandons urban marketing nicheIf you want to know what Charles Hall and Jeff Marshall are up against at Spike DDB, consider some of the phone calls Mr. Hall has received--like the one from a ...
Sprite Light test aims to boost brand
Jun 01, 1998; ... Coca-Cola to drop 'diet' tag in Latin America firstCoca-Cola Co. is restaging Diet Sprite as Sprite Light in a test in Latin America that could lead to a similar change in the U.S.The test comes amid flagging sales for diet soft drinks in the U.S.. and is being made a ...
Disney eyes stake in Excite as part of bold Web strategy
Jun 01, 1998; ... Pat Riedman.Walt Disney Co. is in talks to acquire up to a 40% stake in the Internet search company Excite Inc. said an executive familiar with the discussions.The talks are part of a larger Web strategy being considered at Disney that would make virtually all the ...
BERLIN'S SHOP SEEKS ENTREE TO GM VIA OLYMPICS WORK: CLIENT NBC PROVIDES PATH TO AUTOMAKER
Jun 01, 1998; ... Berlin, Cameron & Partners, New York, is believed to be developing ideas for General Motors Corp. that could lead to an assignment for the upstart shop from the auto giant.Berlin Cameron's GM relationship came about through the agency's Olympics assignment for NBC; GM is an ...
NBC OPENS ONLINE REVENUE STREAM: GIFTSEEKER SERVICE WILL BE PROMOTED IN TV SPOTS
Jun 01, 1998; ... NBC is launching a new online feature, GiftSeeker, which could lead to significant transactional revenue for the network.NBC Interactive is partnering with Lands' End; Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co.; American Greetings Corp.; Crutchfield Corp.; Amazon.com; iMall.com; Service ...
Toyota asks 7 shops to work m Euro launch
Jun 01, 1998 ... [BRUSSELS] Toyota Motor Europe Marketing & Engineering is asking its seven ad agencies for creative ideas for the $70 million launch of the Yaris, a small car for Europe. In the new Toyota Advertising Network, the ...
Ford touts 'Experience' as dealership braid
Jun 01, 1998 ... [DEARBORN, MICH.] Ford Motor Co. will brand its new consolidated dealerships under the "Experience" name, Automotive News reports today. A $5.2 million TV and print push starts July 1 in Tulsa, Okia., for the nine combined Ford, Lincoln ...
Berlin's shop seeks entree to GM via Olympics work
Jun 01, 1998; ... Client NBC provides path to automakerBerlin, Cameron & Partners, New York, is believed to be developing ideas for General Motors Corp. that could lead to an assignment for the upstart shop from the auto giant.Berlin Cameron's GM relationship came about through the ...
NBC opens online revenue stream
Jun 01, 1998; ... GiftSeeker service will be promoted in TV spotsNBC is launching a new online feature, GiftSeeker, which could lead to significant transactional revenue for the network.NBC Interactive is partnering with Lands' End; Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co.; American Greetings Corp.; ...
KRAFT, BK LINK WITH NICKELODEON FOR $20 MIL KID-ORIENTED PROMO
Jun 01, 1998; ... Kraft Foods and Burger King Corp. are tying in with Nickelodeon for an estimated $20 million integrated promotion for a new kids TV programming block.The promotion for the 8 p.m.-9 p.m. Nickel-O-Zone block is one of the largest yet for the cable network. As part of it, Nickelodeon ...
MICROSOFT TO REFOCUS ITS ADVERTISING: WIEDEN CAMPAIGN WOULD BROADEN TO INCLUDE PEOPLE BEHIND PRODUCTS
Jun 01, 1998; ... Microsoft Corp. is rushing development of an ad campaign to show that what's good for Microsoft is good for customers.The campaign, the next phase of an ongoing brand effort from Wieden & Kennedy, Portland, Ore., probably will take several months to develop, though "we'd definitely ...
DISNEY, TIME INC. START-UPS BOAST OF STRONG EARLY GAINS: 'TEEN PEOPLE,' 'ESPN' POST RAPID INCREASES IN CIRCULATION IN FIRST MONTHS
Jun 01, 1998; ... Two of the magazine industry's most high-profile start-ups are off to strong starts.Time Inc.'s Teen People and Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN Magazine are each crowing about soaring circulation bases and strong reader response just months after first hitting newsstands.DEEP ...
Microsoft to refocus its advertising
Jun 01, 1998; ... Wieden campaign would broaden to include people behind productsMicrosoft Corp. is rushing development of an ad campaign to show that what's good for Microsoft is good for customers.The campaign, the next phase of an ongoing brand effort from Wieden & Kennedy, Portland, ...
Disney, Time Inc. start-ups boast of strong early gains
Jun 01, 1998; ... 'Teen People,' 'ESPN' post rapid increases in circulation in first monthsTwo of the magazine industry's most high-profile start-ups are off to strong starts.Time Inc.'s Teen People and Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN Magazine are each crowing about soaring circulation bases and ...
Kraft, BK link with Nickelodeon for $20 mil kid-oriented promo
Jun 01, 1998; ... Kraft Foods and Burger King Corp. are tying in with Nickelodeon for an estimated $20 million integrated promotion for new kids TV programming block.The promotion for the 8 p.m.-9 p.m. Nickel-O-Zone block is one of the largest yet for the cable network. As part of it, Nickelodeon ...
DAIRY QUEEN TOUTS HOMETOWN FEELING IN $25 MIL CAMPAIGN: 'MEET ME AT DQ' THEME REPLACES 'HOT EATS' LINE
Jun 01, 1998; ... International Dairy Queen is jumping off its promotion treadmill with a new $25 million ad campaign breaking today in select markets in the U.S. and Canada.The advertising aims to reinforce the 58-year-old restaurant chain's heritage as a place to linger for an ice cream or a ...
MARKETERS CELEBRATING THE EVERYDAY IN BRANDS -- CARPE DIEM: TOYOTA, CARVEL, DIXIE ADS MAKING THE DAY-TO-DAY SPECIAL
Jun 01, 1998; ... If marketing has a current mantra, it's seize the day. Every day.Elevating or celebrating the commonplace has become a recurring theme in advertising for products from Dixie paper plates to home products from Martha Stewart, who presumably wouldn't be caught dead using disposable ...
Marketers celebrating the everyday in brands
Jun 01, 1998; ... Carpe diem: Toyota, Carvel, Dixie ads making the day-to-day specialAlice Z. Cuneo, Louise Kramer.If marketing has a current mantra, it's seize the day. Every day.Elevating or celebrating the commonplace has become a recurring theme in advertising for products ...
Dairy Queen touts hometown feeling in $25 mil campaign
Jun 01, 1998; ... 'Meet me at DQ' theme replaces 'Hot eats' lineInternational Dairy Queen is jumping off its promotion tread-mill with a new $25 million ad campaign breaking today in select markets in the U.S. and Canada.The advertising aims to reinforce the 58-year-old restaurant chain's ...
FRITO, PEPSI TEAM UP BRANDS AT BBDO: AGENCY WINS SNACK GIANT'S CONSOLIDATED $200 MIL ACC'T
Jun 01, 1998; ... It was the "Power of one" that helped swing Frito-Lay's $200 million-plus global advertising consolidation to BBDO Worldwide.That term is the rallying cry for parent PepsiCo's -- and Chairman-CEO Roger Enrico's -- plan to harness the power of its soft-drink and snack brands by ...
Frito, Pepsi team up brands at BBDO
Jun 01, 1998; ... Mercedes M. Cardona, Laura Petrecca.Agency wins snack giant's consolidated $200 mil acc'tIt was the "Power of one" that helped swing Frito-Lay's $200 million-plus global advertising consolidation to BBDO Worldwide.That term is the rallying cry for parent ...
Annual report has something to say
Jun 01, 1998; ... Open Saatchi & Saatchi's new annual report, and you'll hear the voice of CEO Kevin Roberts talk shop. "Welcome to the first annual report from Saatchi & Saatchi, the ideas company," Roberts intones in his New Zealand accent. "We're driven by the conviction that there is always a better way ...
JORDAN MCGRATH BUYS MEDICAL AGENCY: TOLTZIS COMMUNICATIONS IS SHOP'S FIRST ACQUISITION
Jun 01, 1998; ... Hoping to expand beyond its existing business in the booming healthcare market, Jordan McGrath Case & Partners has acquired medical ad agency Toltzis Communications and its partner company Medical Education Group.This represents the first acquisition by New York-based Jordan ...
AT&T PUTS $35 MIL BEHIND DIGITAL ONE RATE SERVICE: FLAT-RATE BILLING IS TOUTED AS THE TURNING POINT FOR WIRELESS PHONES
Jun 01, 1998; ... AT&T Corp., jockeying to make a comeback as the sole telecommunications provider in homes and offices, is putting an aggressive $35 million campaign behind its new one-rate digital phone service.A key feature to the new AT&T Digital One Rate offering is an extended-life Nokia ...
Hal's cache, Goodby's pacts
Jun 01, 1998; ... Hal Riney sold to Publicis for $41 million, a payout that could jump to $55 million if the agency performs according to plan. Elsewhere in SF: Hal's pals at Goodby Silverstein sold out years ago to Omnicom. End of story? ...
CABLE GUY ON SEAGRAM, DISNEY
Jun 01, 1998; ... What about Hollywood whisperings that Barry Diller is in cahoots with DreamWorks to take over Universal Pictures? Diller already controls most of Universal's TV biz, but confidant John Malone doubts Diller is eyeing a movie deal. "I'd be very surprised if Barry did much in the movie area in ...
AT&T puts $35 mil behind Digital One Rate service
Jun 01, 1998; ... Flat-rate billing is touted as the turning point for wireless phonesAT&T Corp., jockeying to make a comeback as the sole telecommunications provider in homes and offices, is putting an aggressive $35 million campaign behind its new one-rate digital phone service.A key ...
Jordan McGrath buys medical agency
Jun 01, 1998; ... Toltzis Communications is shop's first acquisitionHoping to expand beyond its existing business in the booming healthcare market, Jordan McGrath Case & Partners has acquired medical ad agency Toltzis Communications and its partner company Medical Education Group.This ...
Adages
Jun 01, 1998; ... Bradley John son with news from Alice Z. Cuneo, Ann Marie Kerwin, Chuck Ross, Beth Snyder and Laurel Wentz.Cable guy on Seagram DisneyWhat about Hollywood whisperings that Barry Oilier is in cahoots with DreamWorks to take over Universal Pictures? Diller already controls ...
COMPUTER CITY SHOWS STORE, BRAND RENOVATION
Jun 01, 1998; ... Computer City last week launched the first stage of a $100 million brand repositioning with the opening of its first revamped stores, in the Washington area.Washington is the first market in a staggered rollout of a new brand identity for the retailer and provides an early look at ...
NIKE 'FUN POLICE' TV SPOT PUTS REFEREES ON DEFENSE: NBA STARS POKE FUN AT OFFICIALS IN NEW COMMERCIAL
Jun 01, 1998; ... Nike's Fun Police soon will take aim at one of basketball's least favorite characters: the referee.The No. 1 athletic footwear marketer will conclude its "Fun Police" ad campaign with a 60-second commercial slated to break during the first game of the National Basketball ...
Nike 'Fun Police' TV spot nuts referees on defense
Jun 01, 1998; ... NBA stars poke fun at officials in new commercialNike's Fun Police soon will take aim at one of basketball's least favorite characters: the referee.The No. 1 athletic footwear marketer will conclude its "Fun Police" ad campaign with a 6o-second commercial slated to break ...
Computer City shows store, brand renovation
Jun 01, 1998; ... Bradley Johnson. Ira Teinowitz.Computer City last week launched the first stage of a $100 million brand repositioning with the opening of its first revamped stores, in the Washington area.Washington is the first market in a staggered rollout of a new brand identity for ...
SEARCH ENGINE HOTBOT PUSHES E-COMMERCE: WIRED CREATES SHOPPING DIRECTORY
Jun 01, 1998; ... Wired Digital today announces aggressive plans for electronic commerce that include a first push to build its HotBot search engine brand and $20 million in commitments from retailers on a new e-commerce offering.Wired Digital is positioning HotBot as the "premium portal for power ...
VIDEOGAMES OF YORE GET ANOTHER TURN
Jun 01, 1998; ... Pop culture's rampaging retro virus has spread to electronic games.Activision, Hasbro Interactive and Microsoft Games are among the software publishers resurrecting popular videogames of yesteryear, updating them or keeping their seemingly outdated looks and game play intact. ...
BREAKING: SOUTHWESTERN BELL: HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Jun 01, 1998 ... Once upon a time, Southwestern Bell Wireless used fairy tales to promote its wireless communications services. In three 30-second spots, Jack Horner builds his business, the old woman moves out of the shoe and Jack ...
Search engine HotBot pushes e-commerce
Jun 01, 1998; ... Wired creates shopping directoryWired Digital today announces aggressive plans for electronic commerce that include a first push to build its HotBot search engine brand and $20 million in commitments from retailers on a new ecommerce offering.Wired Digital is positioning ...
Videogames of yore get another turn
Jun 01, 1998; ... Pop culture's rampaging retro virus has spread to electronic games.Activision, Hasbro Interactive and Microsoft Games are among the software publishers resurrecting popular videogames of yesteryear, updating them or keeping their seemingly outdated looks and game play intact. ...
'GOLF' AND 'GOLF DIGEST' VIE TO LEAD HOT SPORT SPURS COMPETITION, SMALLER RIVALS
Jun 01, 1998; ... The leading golf magazines are taking new swings at each other as competition heats up in the booming category.Times Mirror Magazines' Golf Magazine passed its archrival in ad pages in the first four months of this year and is boasting about being the "new leader" in the field. ...
TRUE NORTH UNITES MODEM, POPPE INTO DIGITAL FORCE
Jun 01, 1998; ... After months of trying to maintain two distinct interactive agencies, True North Communications finally will merge Modem Media and Poppe Tyson.Analysts estimate the combined company has almost $60 million in annual billings, almost twice as big as its nearest competitors. ...
'Golf' and 'Golf Digest' vie to lead hot category
Jun 01, 1998; ... <Pre> Title Publisher Golf Digest New York Times Co. Magazine Group Golf Magazine Times Mirror Magazines Sports Illustrated Time Inc. Golf Plus Golf for Women Meredith Corp. Golf IllustratedNatCom Inc. Golf Tips ...
True North unites Modem, Poppe into digital force
Jun 01, 1998; ... After months of trying to maintain two distinct interactive agencies, True North Communications finally will merge Modem Media and Poppe Tyson.Analysts estimate the combined company has almost $60 million in annual billings, almost twice as big as its nearest competitors. ...
MEDIA BUYERS LIKE FOX, WB MOVES FOR FALL TV SEASON: NBC'S SHIFTING 'FRASIER' TO THURS. SEEN AS SMART IN AA SURVEY
Jun 01, 1998; ... The buzz on the new fall TV season, after Madison Avenue media managers agreed the shift of "Frasier" to Thursdays at 9 p.m. (ET) was the only move NBC could have made, was mostly about Fox and the WB.Most agency media executives interviewed for Advertising Age's annual survey of ...
Media buyers like Fox, WB moves for fall TV season
Jun 01, 1998; ... <Pre> SUNDAY 7 p.m. (ET) 8 p.m. 9 p.m. Wonderful World of Disney 12 60 Minutes Touched by An Angel 24 23 VariousDateline ...
UNILEVER MARKS FIRST IN U.K. WITH GAY COUPLE IN AD: IMPULSE SPOT IS A NEW TWIST ON ORIGINAL IDEA
Jun 01, 1998; ... [london] Unilever has become the first major advertiser in the U.K. to break a commercial featuring an overtly gay couple, with a new TV and cinema spot for Elida Faberge's Impulse body spray.The commercial also is likely to air elsewhere in Europe, and in Australia and Latin ...
Unilever marks first in U.K. with gay couple in ad
Jun 01, 1998; ... Impulse spot is a new twist on original idea[LONDON] Unilever has become the first major advertiser in the U.K. to break a commercial featuring an overtly gay couple, with a new TV and cinema spot for Elida Faberge's Impulse body spray.The commercial also is likely to air ...
VIEWPOINT: COCA-COLA PLAYS HARD BALL; P&G'S REALITY
Jun 01, 1998 ... COCA-COLA PLAYS HARD BALLLike victims of a fender bender, massaging their necks and complaining of whiplash, Corporate America is grousing about the prices of today's prized sports sponsorships. "The numbers are getting bigger -- sticker-shock type of numbers," says Joseph ...
Coca Cola plays hard ball
Jun 01, 1998 ... LIKE VICTIMS OF A fender bender, massaging their necks and complaining of whiplash, Corporate America is grousing about the prices of today's prized sports sponsorships. "The numbers are getting bigger-sticker-shock type of numbers," says Joseph Tripodi, exec VP-global marketing for ...
P&G's reality
Jun 01, 1998 ... AS HAS HAPPENED OFTEN in marketing, consumer products giant Procter & Gamble Co. has stepped in to set the example. For nearly 2 1/2 years, it has been working under a directive called Marketing Breakthrough 2000 to bring marketing expenses down 20% by that year. But the marketplace is ...
HALLMARK GIVES BURNETT, STUDENTS SAME CHORE: CREATE BRAND INSISTENCE
Jun 01, 1998; ... Texas schools have won the competition six times -- more than any other state -- but a small college in Florida is trying to win an unprecedented three times in a row and four times overall.If that's not enough drama for you, here's more: This year's sponsor of the 25th annual ...
Hallmark gives Burnett, students same chore: Create brand insistence
Jun 01, 1998; ... TEXAS SCHOOLS have won the competition six times-more than any other state-but a small college in Florida is trying to win an unprecedented three times in a row and four times overall.If that's not enough drama for you, here's more: This year's sponsor of the 25th annual National ...
FORUM: COMMON SENSE BEATS TORTURED TV NUMBERS: REACH, FREQUENCY VALUE OFTEN EQUAL AT CABLE, BROADCAST
Jun 01, 1998; ... Meeting with a group of media planning supervisors recently, I happened by an office where a sign was prominently displayed: "Torture numbers and they'll tell you anything." That message is worth keeping in mind as the broadcast upfront begins.A lot of numbers are being thrown ...
Common sense beats tortured TV numbers
Jun 01, 1998; ... Reach, frequency value often equal at cable, broadcastMr. Heyer is president-chief operating officer, Turner Broadcasting System.MEETING WITH a group of media planning supervisors recently, I happened by an office where a sign was prominently displayed: "Torture numbers ...
PEOPLE: PLAYER PROFILE: WASHINGTON'S STOCK RISES WITH TIME INC. ACQUISITION: 'MONEY' EXEC TAPPED TO HEAD FLORIDA-BASED PUBLISHER OF 'MUTUAL FUNDS'
Jun 01, 1998; ... Time inc. closed its deal to acquire Mutual Funds Magazine's parent, the Institute for Econometric Research, on May 20 and that same day promoted Michelle M. Washington, 36, to president-CEO of the institute from finance and operations director at Money.The fact that Michael Pepe, ...
Washington's stock rises with Time Inc. acquisition
Jun 01, 1998; ... PLAYER PROFILE'Money' exec tapped to head Florida-based publisher of 'Mutual Funds'TIME INC. CLOSED its deal to acquire Mutual Funds Magazine's parent, the Institute for Econometric Research, on May 20 and that same day promoted Michelle M. Washington, 36, to ...