Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'advertisers'

Verizon Wireless Chooses Internet Search Provider

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:31:00 EST

Microsoft has scored a victory against Google. The two had been vying to become the default Internet search provider for Verizon's mobile phones. Verizon announced Wednesday that Microsoft is the winner. Microsoft also announced it reached a similar search engine agreement with Dell Inc. Both deals boost Microsoft's position in the competitive world of search engines and advertising.

Debt Forces Tribune Co. To File Bankruptcy

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

Tribune Co. which owns the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun and other dailies has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The conglomerate also owns TV stations, the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. It's been crushed by a drop in advertising and $13 billion in debt.

Advertising Firms Retooling In Economic Crisis

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

How do you sell when people don't want to buy? That's the challenge facing the advertising business in an economic downturn. One ad agency in Philadelphia is retooling its approach, while a car dealer is radically down-shifting.

Test-Driving A Hummer H3, In Baghdad

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:39:00 EST

The American Hummer, made known to Iraqis through U.S. military operations, is now being advertised and sold as a status symbol to young, wealthy Iraqis. NPR's Ivan Watson test-drove an H3 on the streets of Baghdad and picked up compliments along the way.

In Italy, Feminism Out, Women As Sex Symbols In

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Opinion polls indicate that the showgirl is the No. 1 role model for young Italian women. Women dominate in advertising and TV shows, but the presence of women in the Italian work force, in management and in politics is drastically lower than in the rest of Europe. Some blame Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

In Game Of Super Bowl Ads, GM Forfeits

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:02:00 EST

This year, longtime Super Bowl advertiser GM looked at its showrooms, looked at the balance sheet, looked at the $3 million price tag — and opted out.

How Do You Convince People To Buy In Rough Times...

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Advertising campaigns must adjust to the fact that people are more cautious about spending money right now. Romi Mahajan, chief marketing officer for the digital ad agency Ascentium, discusses how companies are revamping their strategies.

After Bans, Tobacco Ads Use 'One-To-One' Approach

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:00:00 EST

For decades, tobacco companies advertised on TV, radio, billboards and magazine pages. When the 1998 tobacco settlement put an end to that, they began targeting smokers online and in person. Now the industry spends twice as much on marketing as it did 10 years ago.

Stores Try To Turn Holidays Happy

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:30:00 EST

Liane Hansen speaks with Natalie Zmuda, retail reporter for the trade publication, Advertising Age, about how retailers are changing their advertising and marketing strategies this holiday season while the economic downturn is making shoppers more fearful about their finances.

Guild To Distribute Unclaimed Residuals

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The Screen Actors Guild is attempting to distribute $25 million in unclaimed residuals. It's launched an advertising campaign called "Get Your Money." Some 66,000 people are entitled to unclaimed residuals from past performances.

Obama Outspending McCain On TV Ads

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:41:00 EDT

Last week alone, Barack Obama outspent John McCain by about $6 million in television advertising. Jonathan Martin of Politico offers his insight on how the candidates are spending their money and time in the last days of the campaign.

Obama Outspending McCain In Three Key States

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama is outspending GOP rival Sen. John McCain 20-to-1 on TV advertising in the battleground state of Indiana. Obama's TV spending is also far ahead of McCain's in North Carolina and Missouri, where polls show Obama is gaining ground.

McCain Campaign Abandons Michigan

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Republican presidential candidate John McCain apparently has conceded Michigan to Democrat Barack Obama. The McCain campaign confirmed Thursday that it pulling staff and advertising out of Michigan. Those resources are being diverted to states that are more winnable for Republicans.

Product Placement The New Commercial

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:49:00 EDT

Product integration, writing paid ads into the body of a scripted show, is the latest big push in television advertising. Advertisers and script writers have had to work together to make it work.

In Hard Times, It's All About The Piggy Bank

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Given the market downturn this week, ad agencies for Wall Street firms must be working extra hard to retool their advertising campaigns. We thought we'd lend them a hand, and offer an ad for the new financial climate.

Airline Aims To Advertise On Bald Heads

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Air New Zealand is looking for a few bald-headed frequent fliers. It's all part of the company's new advertising venture. The airline will pay $666 a head to 50 passengers willing to work as "cranial billboards" and use their shiny heads to publicize a new speedy check-in service. The airline will hold auditions next week. Winners will be shaved — if necessary — on the spot and branded with a temporary tattoo advertisement.

In Florida, Billboards Trump Trees

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:43:00 EDT

Osceola County businesses gave their tourist strip a green makeover by planting trees, but billboard owners balked because the landscaping obscured their signs. State lawmakers stepped in to protect the advertising, and the trees were cut back. Now residents are left asking: "Who controls the view on a public highway?"

Nanny Answers 'Loud, Pushy' Mom's Plea

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

A mother of four posted a candid advertisement for a live-in nanny in Manhattan. Rebecca Land Soodak wrote, "My kids are a pain," adding, "I can be a tad difficult to work for. I'm loud, pushy and while I used to think we paid well, I am no longer sure." The ad spread on the Internet and attracted a successful applicant, who tells the New York Times she accepted the job without even meeting all the kids.

Stallone To Promote Russian Vodka

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Sylvester Stallone, who destroyed Soviet rivals in Rocky and Rambo is being paid a reported $1 million to sell Russian vodka. He will advertise "Russian Ice" vodka under the slogan: "There is a bit of Russian in all of us."

Looking Into The Spanish Team's "Slant Eyes"

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The Spanish men's and women's Olympic basketball teams posed for pictures in which they made gestures offensive to many Asians: They pulled the skin around their eyes to make themselves appear "Chinese" for an advertisement in a Spanish magazine.

Government Ads Nudge Immigrants To Self-Deport

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:10:00 EDT

An unusual advertising campaign in Spanish-language newspapers and radio stations calls for undocumented immigrants to turn themselves in. The ads are part of a new self-deportation program sponsored by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). James T. Hayes, who heads the program, explains the ad campaign, and whether its working.

CNN Adds Staff To Boost TV, Online Coverage

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Despite a tough advertising environment, CNN is expanding its newsgathering operation. The cable news company says it plans to open 20 regional offices and will hire television journalists, as well as workers to its online department.

'Marketplace' Report: Time Warner Hanging Up On AOL...

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Time Warner could soon announce a plan for separating AOL's Internet dial-up and advertising businesses. The move could foreshadow spinning off the whole AOL division. Madeleine Brand speaks with Marketplace's Amy Scott about attempts to shore up the once behemoth internet service provider.

The 'Mad Men' Of Madison Avenue

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:32:00 EDT

The second season of AMC's Mad Men kicked off on Sunday. The award-winning drama dives into the hard-drinking, chain-smoking, cut-throat advertising world of Madison Avenue during the 1960s. TV critic Mary McNamara discusses the show, which recently received 16 Emmy nominations.

Season Two Of A 'Mad Men' World

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:04:00 EDT

TV critic David Bianculli reviews Mad Men, the drama about advertising execs during the Kennedy years. Season two of the Emmy-nominated series begins on Sunday night on AMC.