Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.ads From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: ads Wed, Aug 19 1992 Date: Wed, 19 Aug 92 04:20:00 EDT Message-ID: 08-19 0000 DECISIONLINE: Advertising USA TODAY Update Aug. 19, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network NEW CAMPAIGN ADS UNVEILED: Amid all the political hullabaloo in Houston, Democrats and Republicans took time to unveil new campaign ads Tuesday. The Democratic ads are running only in Houston and Washington D.C. - in other words, almost entirely directed at opinion-makers rather than voters. The Republican ads aren't yet finished, paid for, or scheduled. (For more, see special Politics package below.) `I'll FLY AWAY' GETS TOUGH ROAD: This year, the NBC drama "I'll Fly Away" will compete in a difficult time spot - Fridays at 10 p.m. ET:PT. It will go against ABC's old reliable, "20:20" and CBS' new drama, "Picket Fences," from ex-"L.A. Law" producer David Kelley. But producer Ian Sander says the move from a Tuesday at 8 p.m. time slot is a blessing because "Away" can now address adult story lines. CBS STAYS SECOND IN NEWS RACE: CBS was ready for bad news when the weekly Nielsen ratings came out Tuesday. "We had been braced to be in third place for the week," says "CBS Evening News" executive producer Erik Sorenson. Reason: Heavy promotion and audience sampling "NBC Nightly News" had from the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. But that didn't happen. CBS finished second, right behind ABC's "World News Tonight." MAGIC JOHNSON SIGNS WITH MILLER: Magic Johnson has signed on with another corporate sponsor to make AIDS-awareness appearances. Miller Brewing will sponsor Johnson's speeches and give $500,000 to community AIDS groups. Miller will also use Johnson's image and name in promotions, says spokesman Michael Brophy, who didn't rule out TV ads. Johnson also endorses Converse shoes, which sponsored AIDS-awareness TV ads. BET CUTS BACK GRID COVERAGE: National television coverage of black college football will be reduced from 10 games to four this season on Black Entertainment Television. "Advertising support hasn't been the same," said Curt Simmons, BET sports director. "We had to cut back on the schedule, but hopefully that will change in the future." RIVALRIES ARE FEATURED: BET sports director Curt Simmons said BET tried to go with games that include conference contenders and feature major rivalries. The South Carolina State-Southern University game, scheduled for Sept. 19 in Atlanta, will be BET's first game of the 1992 season. Other games: Alabama State-Central State (Ohio), Oct. 3; North Carolina A&T-Florida A&M, Oct. 10; and Jackson State-Texas Southern, Nov. 7. CAR SELLING WITHOUT ADS: A Saturn dealership in Pompton Plains, N.J., has virtually dropped all television and newspaper advertising because word of mouth is selling its cars, says dealer Ray Maroon, Jr. The cars are so popular that the 1993 models are expected to sell out within 10 days of being introduced. THIRTY SECONDS TO COST $900,000: NBC will ask $900,000 per 30-second spot in the 1993 Super Bowl, Broadcasting repots. That is up from $850,000 for the 1993 game. However, as in past years, must advertisers will probably pay less than the full-unit price because of package deals. CONVERSE TO STAY WITH BIRD: Converse President Gib Ford said long-time Converse endorser Larry Bird, who retired Tuesday from the Boston Celtics, will continue to appear in ads. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with him," Ford said. "Similar to our arrangement with Julius Erving, who has been with Converse since 1975, we plan to continue working with Larry for many years to come." SPECIAL PACKAGE ON POLITICS: BUSH BLAMED FOR POOR JOB GROWTH: Bill Clinton's media advisor, Frank Greer, freely admits the Democratic strategy: After days of Democrat bashing at the GOP convention, "If you want to set the record straight, you do it where people are covering the news." His two ads - $50,000 worth for a three-day run on CNN and local network affiliates - blame President Bush for poor job growth and high taxes. ADS ARE CALLED INACCURATE: One Democratic ad says: "And now, a short break for the facts. On Nov. 5, 1990 George Bush signed into law the second biggest tax increase in American history. Under Bill Clinton, Arkansas has the second lowest tax burden per person in the country. Those are the facts. Back to the show." GOP leaders immediately labeled the ads factually inaccurate. GOP ADS ATTACK CONGRESS: The GOP ads, if they're ever produced, are aimed against Congress. "When America wanted change, we changed presidents," the ad says. "But for 38 years, one thing hasn't changed: The Democratic Congress. ... To change America, change the Democrat Congress." (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