Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.ads From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: ads Tue, Mar 31 1992 Date: Tue, 31 Mar 92 05:49:46 EST Message-ID: 03-31 0000 DECISIONLINE: Advertising USA TODAY Update March 31, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network NETWORKS GET READY FOR FALL: Look for a return to TV for Bob Newhart, John Ritter and Delta Burke next fall as the networks ready their schedules. More than 90 new series have been commissioned by the four networks, although most of them will never air. But some of the proposed new series have commitments to air next season, sight unseen. The series that get the early go-ahead usually have a big star or a top producer. (For mores see, special Fall package below.) NBC TRIES ANOTHER NEWSMAGAZINE: Despite 17 failed attempts at prime-time newmagazines, NBC is trying again with "Dateline NBC." NBC hopes the combination of strong staff and a good time slot will help this one succeed. The show airs Tuesday at 10 EST:PST. It stars Jane Pauley and Stone Phillips. NBC President Robert Wright has made a one-year commitment to keep the show on the air. COMPUTER AD WAR TO BEGIN: IBM is planning a multimillion-dollar ad blitz to promote OS:2 verison 2.0, the software IBM hopes will supplant Microsoft's MS:DOS as the guts of most personal computers. To counter IBM, Microsoft just launched its first television ad campaign - an $8 million, six-week extravaganza designed to persuade thousands of PC users to buy Windows 3.1, which will hit store shelves April 6. MARKETING INTENSE AT MICROSOFT: Microsoft CEO Bill Gates says his company is entering a very intense period of marketing. "We've got a new version of Windows. We're trying out TV advertising. I like to get involved in all these meetings and processes, but I wouldn't put my individual name to any one of these things." DEY TO BE IN `LOVE IS HELL': Susan Dey is leaving "LA Law" and says she will co-star with Jay Thomas in CBS' upcoming sitcom "Love Is Hell" from producers Diane English and Joel Shukovsky. In "Love," Dey plays a recently divorced restaurant owner who dates Thomas, a controversial newspaper columnist. It being a sitcom, the glumness will probably be kept to a minimum. PARTON'S SHOW WON'T BE OUT SOON: Don't expect to see Dolly Parton's new sitcom anytime soon. On Wednesday's "Entertainment Tonight," she says the sitcom will be similar to "Roseanne" or "Cosby." She will be the star. Parton says it will air within "three years." SUN REVIEWING ACCOUNT: Sun Co. is reviewing its $10 million to $15 million gasoline account as part or a companywide review of all vendor contracts. Incumbent Wells Rich Greene BDDP is one of the ad agencies participating in the review, Advertising Age reports. TV NEWS SELLS WELL: The network TV news ad marketplace is virtually sold out for the second quarter, with scatter prices rising about 14% above upfront, network TV sales executives say in Advertising Age. While daytime and children's dayparts have remained strong throughout the recession, this is the first other daypart to see growth. TIME BUYS LEISURE ARTS: Time Inc. has agreed to buy publishing house Leisure Arts for an estimated $100 million. Leisure Arts publishes needlework and crafts magazines, as well as books and dress patterns. It had been owned by Steve Patterson, who will remain as the president and CEO. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON FALL: ABC TO AIR SPIELBERG SHOW: In fall, ABC has a lot of hopes for "Class of '61," producer Steven Spielberg's drama about two West Point classmates forced to fight on opposite sides in the Civil War. In "Delta," ex-"Designing Women" star Delta Burke operates a country music bar. "Going to Extremes" chronicles med students in the Caribbean. "Laura Hill" chronicles the life of a female pediatrician. NEWHART TO RETURN: On CBS, Bob Newhart is back as a comic book artist in "Bob." In "Picket Fence," ex-L.A. Law producer David Kelley looks at small town life through the eyes of a female doctor and her sheriff husband. "D.C." turns John Ritter and Markie Post into Washington lobbyists. "Love Is Hell" features Jay Thomas as a newspaperman falling in love. FOX HAS BIG PLANS: NBC plans to air "Crime & Punishment," a spinoff of "Law & Order" focusing on criminals and cops. Fox plans a bunch of shows, including "Melrose Place," a spinoff of the hit "Beverly Hills, 90210." "About Last Night" is a spinoff of 1986 movie. In "Good Advice," Shelley Long returns to sitcoms as a marriage counselor who could use some help herself. (End of package.) Advertising Editor: Ed Kelleher. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM