The Search For Mind Parts
A few graphic images put into sharp focus the massive changes that have swept the television business in the past decade. A pie chart from 1994 showed that American Express spent 80 percent of its ad dollars on TV and…
In Depth
‘Y&R’ Strong Contender for Top Prize
Who said less is more? It certainly wasn’t Jack Smith, the co-executive producer and co-head writer of daytime’s top-rated “The Young and the Restless,” which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2003. While soap producers sometimes cannily plot one cataclysmic event…
Quick Takes
“Christina Norman, president of VH1, is a dynamic force changing the face of television in 2004. Christina is the mastermind behind VH1’s turnaround, with ratings up significantly since she took over. Her charisma, creativity and leadership will get her noticed…
Keeping Abreast
While the debate rages over Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl flash, a breast shot of a different kind aired at least twice since last fall with no public outcry. Leah is a Hollywood makeup artist who dropped from 300 pounds to…
Vulnerable Nets Must Grasp The Big Picture or Pay Through the Nose
Broadcast television’s vulnerability is showing in so many places at the moment that the lack of effective and timely response by the media companies that own networks and TV stations-as well as their inability to grasp the bigger picture-could eventually…
Finessing the L.A. Market
With its vast geographic area and broad mix of ethnic groups and income levels, the Los Angeles market is as complex as it is unwieldy. Targeting specific audiences with local cable advertising can be quite challenging.The good news is that…
TiVo’s News Flash
What do Janet Jackson and TiVo have in common? They both used the Super Bowl to get more exposure.By now, unless you’ve been living on another planet, you know that Ms. Jackson flashed her right breast at the close of…
Kids Ad Picture Clearing
As the major ad shops begin finalizing their media plans for upcoming 2004-05 upfront TV negotiations, the kids television marketplace will be their first major challenge. The kids market-which in theory could happen soon but likely will not truly manifest…
Drama, Emotion, Surprises
If they gave awards for award shows, the Oscars might win for sheer opulence and the Tonys for showmanship. But for a history of drama, theatrics and tears, well … the Daytime Emmys would own that contest hands down. Fans…
‘Ellen,’ ‘Millionaire’ Set Records
Two sophomores and a rookie hit all-time highs in syndication for the week ending Jan. 25, when strips “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” broke plateaus and weekly half-hour “The Chris Matthews Show” soared. A…