July 20, 2003

Hard Copy Notes


Ad Age notes that TV GUIDE is getting a makeover. Besides a new logo which Publisher  John Loughlin hailed as "a contemporization" that would "not radically" change it, the Guide hopes to staunch the circulation hemorrhage (off 40% in the last decade) by finding, at last, a point of view.  The new editor, Mike Lafavore, said "There was a bit of a feeling among some people that the magazine didn't really have a voice or a point of view, didn't take a strong stand on anything." A "bit" by "some?"

When is the last time you read a TV Guide for the articles? Or for the pictures for that matter? Or for the listings? Or at all? Indeed, in this age of endless TV menus at the tip of your remote, exactly what purpose does a magazine of TV listings serve? None, I'd say, except perhaps to add to George Costanza's father's collection. It'll take more than a facelift and an attitude implant to save this title from oblivion.

Ad Age also tells us that Nissan, in another effort  to capture that oh-so-fickle-"multicultural youth"-market, is starting a campaign where it will be defacing its own outdoor  billboards. Yes, the age of institutional graffiti is upon us. The True Advertising agency is the one that thought up this little stinker.

More Spam for You and More Spam for Me: An instant poll on AdAge.com asked where the poll voters thought marketing companies would put their telemarketing budgets after the Do-Not-Call lists took their big bite. The winner was "E-Mail" with 41% of the vote. Bet you saw that one coming.

Posted by Vanderleun at July 20, 2003 9:39 AM
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