Search

Presents the history of the advertising agency N W Ayer. Founder Francis Wayland Ayer; First agency to recognize the need for developing brand identity; Success with National Biscuit Co.'s Uneeda biscuits; Agencies that grew from the company; Domestic clients; Agency's most memorable and effective campaign.

This article focuses on the lottery advertising in the U.S. in May 1993. As lottery advertising continues to increase and draw more public scrutiny, critics say people could see a replay of the nineteen seventies and nineteen eighties debate over cigarette and alcohol advertising and the subsequent restrictions and warning labels. Illegal in all states until 1964, lotteries have become big business as financially strapped states seek revenue sources more palatable than outright taxes. Last year, they racked up sales of 21.9 billion U.S. dollars in the 34 states, plus the District of Columbia, where they were offered. INSET: PLAYING LOTTERY 'WAS RELAXING,' UNTIL….

This article discusses the history and tradition of the Grey Advertising agency as it celebrates its 75th anniversary in 1992. Grey, as the world's 10th largest advertising agency, has never drifted from the abiding retail heritage that keeps it close not only to the client, but to the customer. Grey's growth into a worldwide agency began in 1959 with the opening of an office in Montreal, Quebec. Next came offices in Canada, England and Australia, with the agency gradually moving to non-English countries. The timing was right. There were many strong agencies abroad to choose for acquisitions.

Offers a look at two days in the life of Andy Berlin, the new head of DDB Needham, New York. Left Goodby, Berlin & Silverstein; Description of his office; Comments and dialogue; Various meetings; Time frames and appointments.

The article examines the impact of the merger of America Online Inc. (AOL) and Time Warner Inc. on the business of magazine publishing in the U.S. in 2000. AOL brings innovation capabilities into Time Warner should the deal push through. The merger will enable Time to develop magazines using database target marketing.

The article deals with the controversy raised by an incident at a Vogue magazine sales staff cocktail party where the publisher urged two of his female subordinates to kiss by pushing their heads together and breaking the nose of one of the women. But while the Vogue controversy was disturbing, the unfortunate truth is that abuse--for the most part of the verbal variety--is not unheard of in the high-pressure world of magazine advertising sales. From that viewpoint, the Vogue incident sent a warning about what can happen when overly aggressive sales tactics are ignored. The 1980s in particular has witnessed the rise of pit-bull publishers who thrived as magazines battled an ad-sales recession. According to Jack Kliger, CEO at Hachette Filipacchi Magazines, there is a line between being tough and being abusive that should never be crossed. If the current sales environment is more heated, Kliger attributes that to the dual impacts of rate negotiation and a greater focus on the short-term increase in revenues. Indeed, some of the toughest publishers in the business are also some of the most admired.

Presents photographs of the party held in honor of magazine editor and publisher Clay Felker. Names of guests; Comments on Felker. INSET: Still unflaggingly Felker, by Steve Yahn..

Reports on the scandal at advertising agency Wells Rich Greene BDDP (WRG) in which top executives were accused of misappropriating company funds amounting to $500,000. Allegations against company President David R. Sklaver and Chief Financial Officer Tom Fagan; Financial discrepancy unearthed by Price Waterhouse & Co.; Option of resignation for officials involved in fund mess.

Features DDB Needham Worldwide, `Advertising Age' magazine's Agency of the Year awardee for 1994. History of the company; DDB Needham's acquisition of Digital Equipment Co. in 1994; Keith Reinhard's strategy to win Digital Equipment; DDB Needham's management in New York City; DDB Needham's television commercials.

This article reports on the financial difficulties faced by Saatchi & Saatchi Co. as of February 1995. Saatchi & Saatchi is ripe for a takeover. The loss of the Mars business and other misfortunes will wipe out the growth anticipated at Saatchi for 1995. Analysts are slashing $15 million from their pretax profit forecasts for Saatchi this year. New forecasts put profits close to $48 million, about the same figure the company is expected to announce in March for 1994. Since January, Saatchi's share price has dropped about 36% to 4½ on the New York Stock Exchange.

This article reports on the rise of advertising revenue and circulation of the Time magazine in the U.S. in 1999. Time closed the end of the century with a robust advertising page gain of 10.6% over the previous year and produced an issue with a Person of the Century cover story, honoring Albert Einstein. But above all, 1999 marks the year that most clearly reflects the vision of its managing editor Walter Isaacson. His goal is described as nothing short of reinventing the newsmagazine for the next century. Newsstand sales overall were up 36.8% in 1999, though that sizable uptick was partly attributable to news coverage of the death of John F. Kennedy Jr. In a fairly flat category, Time's overall circulation was up 1.5% to 4.1 million for the second half of 1999 compared with about 4 million for the same period in 1998.

Profiles Graydon Carter of `Vanity Fair,' the Editor-of-the-Year as elected by `Advertising Age' in March 1996. Carter's challenge of having to fill the shoes of former editor in chief Tina Brown; Reasons for electing Carter as Editor-of-the-Year; Brown's impression of Carter.

Reports on the positive reaction to advertising campaigns launched for the International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) by Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide. Themes contained in IBM's advertisements; Commendation earned for the commercials' production and concepts; Remarks from IBM officials.

Reports on the impact of the departure of Steve Dworin as chairman and chief executive officer of N.W. Ayer & Partners on the company. Clients of Ayer; Comments on Dworin's departure from other executives; Mary Lou Quinlan as the new chief executive officer.

Focuses on Time Warner Inc. chairman, Gerald Levin's reactions to Senator Robert Dole's accusations that Time Warner is a promoter of gangsta rap recordings that extol violence against police.

Reports on the resignation of Steve Dworin as chairman of the N.W. Ayer & Partners in New York. Reason for Dworin's decision; Dworin's contribution to the company; Future prospects; Mary Lou Quinlan as Dworin's replacement.

This article reports on the speculation that Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Chairman Michael Ovitz is in negotiation with the owner of MCA Edgar Bronfman Jr. for the possible chairmanship of Ovitz at MCA in 1995. It is no secret the personal relationship between Ovitz and Coca-Cola Co. Chief Marketing Officer Sergio Zyman was one key factor in Zyman's decision to move the creative portion of the Coke Classic business in 1992 to CAA from McCann-Erickson Worldwide. Without Ovitz at CAA, agencies are hoping for another chance. Contenders are believed to be Fallon McElligott Berlin, which handles the Diet Sprite assignment and Wieden & Kennedy, which has the OK soft-drink. Some industry source say Fallon is already a leading contender to win Fruitopia and Cherry Cole from Chiat/Day.

Reports on the ownership impact on N.W. Ayer & Partners Inc. by the professional split-up between Adcom Investments President Richard Humphreys and Korean investor W.Y. Choi. Denial by Humphrey on ownership interests for Ayer; Unwillingness by Choi to invest for Humphrey's planned acquisition; Preparation for an equity position in the company if the parties have formed an agreement.

Reports on the possibility of changing the 15% commission payment scheme for advertising agencies in the United States according to a survey by the Association of National Advertisers Inc. Percentage of advertisers who use the 15% commission-based payment scheme; Importance of finding alternative compensation sources; Representation of a fair income return for agencies.

This article reports that former president and chief financial officer of Wells Rich Greene BDDP Communications Inc. (WRG) still have a $500,000 interest in programming syndicator SeaGull Entertainment Inc. The half-million dollars former WRG president David Sklaver and chief financial officer Tom Fagan returned to the agency came out of their own pockets, according to WRG attorney Russell Berman of Kronish, Lieb, Weiner & Heller as well as sources close to both SeaGull and Fagan. Sklaver and Fagan parted with WRG two weeks ago after the agency discovered the misappropriation of $500,000 in corporate funds.

The article focuses on the business plans of Ross Roy Communications Inc. (Ross Roy). Ross Roy is considering an unconditional offer from Omnicom Group Inc. (Omnicom), one of three bidders for the 508 million dollars Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-based advertising agency. Ross Roy's Chairman Peter Mills acknowledged an unconditional offer, but did not disclose the bidder's identity. Ross Roy and New York-based Omnicom were expected to meet soon, with a decision from Ross Roy on a bidder to shortly follow.

Reports on Bozell Jacobs Kenyon & Eckhardt's (BJK&E) decision brushing off Cryk's overtures for a partnership. List of Cyrk's clients; Financial troubles at Cyrk; Plan by Cyrk to go public.

Reports on the boom in theme restaurants in the United States. Popularity of Planet Hollywood in New York City and Hard Rock Cafe restaurants in Los Angeles, California; Estimated revenues raked in by theme restaurants; Marketing strategies adopted by restaurants; Plan to put up sports-oriented restaurants.

Reports on the spate of advertising agencies in the United States dumping their clients in a move suggesting a shift towards new business pitches. Factors behind rise in number of advertising agencies walking out on their clients; Risks faced by agencies doing business with financial problems.

Reports on Interpublic Group of Cos. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Philip H. Geier's promotion of Martin Puris to chairman-CEO and chief creative officer of Lintas Worldwide. Geier's acquisition of a 50 percent stake in Campbell Mithun Easy; Ammirati & Puris' merger with Lintas; Puris' focus as CEO of Lintas.

This article reports that Fallon McElligott has won the account of Prudential Insurance Co. of America in 1995. The big win includes the approximately $14 million life insurance account of the Prudential Insurance & Financial Services division. A big reason for the Prudential switch: image, image, image, according to one BBDO insider. The strategy appears similar to moves by other major corporations--from General Electric Co. to IBM Corp.--to hammer home consistent brand images across diverse product lines. In the case of Prudential, a modernized version of the rock icon--a corporate symbol since the late 19th century, inspired by the Rock of Gibraltar--is likely to be preserved in the new campaign expected to break in the fall. The Prudential account, which increases the billings of Fallon to $290 million, is one of the agency's largest.

Reports on the findings of GTE Corp.'s test of interactive television in Cerritos, California. Number of Main Street subscribers; Criticisms against the GTE test; Behavioral responses to interactive technologies; Demand for educational services; Testing of the concept of an electronic mall; Advertising roadblocks in interactive television.

This article reports on the advertising strategy adopted by the California State Lottery in 1993. After reaching $2.6 billion in sales in fiscal 1989, revenues declined to $1.4 billion in fiscal 1992, which ended on June 30, 1993. Budget constraints forced the state to cease television advertising from February through June in 1992. The new advertising strategy focuses on the freedom and security that winning a lottery provides rather than showing winners buying yachts or mansions. To support the new advertising and the introduction of games such as keno, marketing director Sharon Sharp made a controversial decision to project high sales for 1993, to get more money for advertising.

The article discusses the interest generated by cross-media advertising deals resulting from the Time Warner Inc. and America Online Inc. merger in 2000, among U.S. advertising executives. There are numerous avenues that cross-media promotions could take. The merger will definitely affect the content of the media developed by the two companies.