Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.ads,americast.usa-today.ads From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: ads Wed, Sep 30 1992 Date: Wed, 30 Sep 92 04:52:36 EDT Message-ID: 09-30 0000 DECISIONLINE: Advertising USA TODAY Update Sept. 30, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network REGAL SIGNS DISTRIBUTION PACT: Regal Communications Corp. said Tuesday that its subsidiary Regal Group Inc. has entered into a product supply and distribution agreement with ABC-TV:Transactional Media's new "Nightcap" program. "Nightcap" is the first network television program combining entertainment and direct response consumer marketing. The show is scheduled to debut Oct. 19. (For more, see special Regal package below.) CBS WINS FIRST WEEK RATINGS: "Murphy Brown" and two new Monday night shows helped CBS win the first week of the new TV season last week. Interest in the one-hour "Murphy" premiere also brought more viewers to its lead-in, the new "Hearts Afire," which ranked No. 5 for the week. CBS'new "Love & War," airing after "Murphy" and starring Susan Dey and ex-"Murphy"-ite Jay Thomas, ranked No. 7. CBS VALUES SATURDAYS: CBS is about to shake up Saturdays. The new, low-rated series "Frannie's Turn," 87th of 98 shows last week, and No. 89 "Angel Street" are expected to get the ax. CBS is making changes sooner than the other networks because the network routinely orders only six episodes of new series, instead of the initial 13 episodes. Executives say they'll make Saturday night the No. 1 priority. CBS WANTS TO SAVE SHOW: The ratings on CBS' "Middle Ages" have been worse than middling. But CBS likes the show and despite low numbers, it may have a life beyond its six-episode run, which ends Thursday. CBS may broaden the appeal of the show, which centers on three male friends in their 40s. One possibility: A larger role for the female characters. The show's fate will be decided in the next two weeks. YAMAGUCHI MODELS DRESSES: Kristi Yamaguchi, gold-medalist in women's figure-skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics, is in fashion magazine ads for $300-$800 Hoescht Celanese dresses. There was talk in the ad world that Yamaguchi's Asian-American heritage would dim her ad prospects. The 92-pounder's clothes had to be custom-made because the company found she is "a true size 0." IT'S A STATE OF CONFUSION: There's a minor problem with the photo on the cover of Virginia's fall visitors' guide: The scene is from Vermont. East Peacham, Vt., to be specific, confirms a New York photo firm. Virginia Tourism's Pat Jewell said she was told by the guide's producer that the photo was from Virginia. Last year, a Worcester, Vt., scene was used on postcards promoting Pennsylvania. GM SIGNS DEAL WITH DIGEST: General Motors signed an estimated $15 million global advertising deal with Reader's Digest, according to Advertising Age. GM will develop ad programs involving any of the magazine's 41 editions worldwide. The monthly is close to making similar deals with two other automakers, a hotel chain, drug company an direct mail marketer. GANNETT TRIES NEW AD SYSTEM: Gannett Outdoor is preparing to test a new rotational ad system in the lobby of an Atlantic City casino. The system, developed by Dynadx Technologies, New York, features a bus-shelter sized static poster on one side, and a computer driven scrolling mechanism on the other side. The poster can hold a maximum of 30 ads. The test will run about three months, featuring existing and new clients. MOUTHWASH SEEKS AD TEAM: Bausch & Lomb's new Clear Choice alcohol-free mouthwash will come out nationally in November. The eye-care giant said it still has not tapped an ad agency for the new brand. The $15-million account for the mouthwash is being fought over by three small to mid-sized shops, according to ADWEEK. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON REGAL: PROGRAM MARKETS PRODUCTS: Regal Group Inc., the USA's largest infomercial company, will provide products for ABC-TV:Transactional Media's new "Nightcap" The show will enable consumers to use 800 numbers to order household, personal and business products, and provide coupon offers to stimulate retail sales. ABC will provide a share of gross merchandising revenues to its affiliates that carry the program. REGAL WILL PROVIDE MERCHANDISE: Under the agreement, Regal's product development department will be responsible for sourcing merchandise offered during the program's direct response marketing segments. Regal will also provide fulfillment and distribution services for the hour-long telecast. Regal Group officials said the show will provide a showcase for their products and marketing capabilities. ABC SAYS SHOW STARTS NEW ERA: Phil Beuth, president, ABC-TV early morning:late night entertainment programming, said, "Regal was a logical choice to help get a new era in late night programming underway." "Nightcap" will be hosted by veteran TV personality Robin Leach. The program is a joint production of ABC-TV and Transactional Media Inc. (End of package.) Advertising Editor: Martin Baucom. (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