A federal judge ruling yesterday that big tobacco makers engaged in racketeering by hiding the dangers of smoking will require four companies to each run one 15-second prime time television advertisement per week to educate the public.Philip Morris said it…
NBC Universal has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging labor law violations by the Writers Guild of America. The complaint claims the WGA has asked writers and producers on programs such as NBC’s “The Office” and…
The CW sought to assure television station owners Thursday that the “America’s Next Top Model” strike will not delay the series or impact the quality of the program.“Principal photography of this cycle has been completed,” CW COO John D. Maatta…
Despite attention drawn to larger agencies in the wake of International Creative Management’s recent acquisition of the Broder Webb Chervin Silbermann Agency, mid-sized and boutique firms are still competitive in getting their clients booked on TV series, online TV research…
Former BBC Commercial Agency Director Martin Rakusen is joining U.K. media company RDF Rights as head of acquisitions & commercial development for drama, comedy and children’s programming.Mr. Rakusen will be working with both the company’s U.S. arms, Pangea & RDF…
The “Star Wars” universe is about to make the jump to high-definition. Cinemax has made a deal with Lucasfilm to offer all six “Star Wars” movies in HD for the first time.The Time Warner-owned, premium movie cable channel plans to…
ABC is scheduling a special preview of its new Friday romantic drama “Men in Trees” on Tuesday, Sept. 12, in order to give the show a better lead in.“Trees” will air at 10 p.m. (ET), right after the season premiere…
Former “Ally McBeal” series regular Jane Krakowski is joining the cast of NBC’s new fall comedy “30 Rock.” She has been hired to play the star of “The Girlie Show,” a network variety show that serves as the backdrop for…
Starcom USA has reorganized its senior management, putting Chris Boothe in charge of media investments for the agency. Mr. Boothe, formerly executive VP and group client leader, is one of four agency presidents reporting to CEO John Muszynski. Mr. Boothe’s…
An advance screening of NBC’s new drama “Kidnapped” will be presented Sept. 12, on the opening night of the New York Television Festival. The drama, about what happens after a wealthy teen is kidnapped and a private negotiating team comes…