Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.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 Mon, Oct 26 1992 Date: Mon, 26 Oct 92 04:43:26 EST Message-ID: 10-26 0000 DECISIONLINE: Advertising USA TODAY Update Oct. 26, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network NBA MARKETS DREAM TEAM: Marketing an NBA team means more than selling the home team. Take the New Jersey Nets, whose ads play up the signing of Olympic Dream Team coach Chuck Daly. "He conquered the world," reads the ad's headline. "Isn't it worth $100 to see him battle 5 major cities?" Several NBA clubs used the Dream Team to sell tickets. Packages were built around seeing the Team's individual members. (For more, see special NBA package below.) NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS EARNINGS: The New York Times Co. Friday reported a third-quarter loss of $33.9 million. The loss amounted to 43 cents a share, compared with net income of 3 cents a share in last year's third quarter, when the company earned $1.9 million. It said earnings were depressed by a $48 million (45 cents a share) pre-tax charge for closing The Gwinnett Daily News in Georgia and additional charges. AD SALES WERE UP: The New York Times Co. Friday reported revenue of $429.6 million for the third quarter, vs. $393.4 million a year ago. The company said results at its Newspaper Group - The New York Times and 31 other newspapers, plus half interest in the International Herald Tribune - benefited from stronger advertising and circulation revenues. The group's earnings increased to $14.6 million. "PICKET FENCES" SEEKS NICHE: "Offbeat" provides a fairly shortsighted description of CBS' new series "Picket Fences." Getting people to watch regularly is "Fences" greatest challenge, because CBS has scheduled it on low-viewership Fridays. Ratings started strong, but are now mediocre at best. The show's producers had hoped to be on a weeknight, but say CBS is backing the show. SPIKE LEE OPENS IN L.A.: Spike Lee expanded his retail enterprise to Los Angeles over the weekend, opening Spike's Joint West on trendy Melrose Avenue Saturday and a kiosk version of the shop at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Sunday. Like the original spike's Joint in Brooklyn and two in Japan, about a third of the stores' inventory is movie-themed merchandise from Lee films, including the upcoming "Malcolm X." LITIGATION CONTINUES: In-Store Advertising Inc. said Friday that talks among lawyers for the company and the plaintiffs in the company's ongoing securities litigation have been suspended without reaching a settlement. In-Store delivers advertising and promotional messages from consumer product companies at the point of purchase through its computerized network of in-store electronic signs. ISIAH MARKETS ICE CREAM: Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas and Stroh's Ice Cream Company President Phil Roselli will hold a media conference to launch a line of unique flavors of ice cream that they created. Introduction of "Isiah's Favorite Flavors" by Stroh's marks the first time that a sports celebrity has been involved in the creation and marketing of ice cream in America. CHRYSLER HAWKS LH SEDANS: Chrysler's trio of 1993 LH sedans go on sale nationwide this week, supported by an $80 million advertising blowout that begins Nov. 2. No doubt the consumer will be surprised by the continuation of the hype machine, what with those incessant Lee Iacocca "home run TV commercials. But Chrysler can't afford to let potential buyers forget about its first truly new new cars since 1981. NBC HAS AD TROUBLE: College football is sagging again in the ratings this season, according to AdWeek. The ad sales picture is mixed: ABC did well in preseason sales, but NBC's Notre Dame package has not sold well at all. Last year, NBC burned off unsold units with network promos, but this year's units have been sold off in Friday fire sales. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON NBA: MOST TICKETS SELL WELL: With NBA attendance expected to average more than 90% of capacity, many clubs aim simply to generate interest rather than just sell tickets. Traditional powers let the past speak for itself. Says Boston Celtics marketer Michael Lev: "We don't get into gimmicky promotion - it's just not the Celtics' style." But some NBA teams have to be pluckier in the marketing arena. HOUSTON HOLDS BABY RACES: Houston plans "Rug Rat Races" - baby races with diapers going to the victors. Says Rockets marketer Brad Ewing: "The tough part is figuring out how far they can go." Orlando will turn loose its roving "Magic Team", four people who roam the stands with a backpack that converts into a basket fans can use. Other teams are more reluctant to involve costumed characters. ATLANTA WILL FLY A BLIMP: Atlanta will add an indoor blimp that drops gift certificates and have a one-night price promotion to mark the club's 25th anniversary. The L.A. Clippers are one of many teams trying to build grass-roots support: They will refurbish urban basketball courts and provide players for playground clinics. The Clippers are promoting their winning ways with the theme "Winning over L.A." (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