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 Fri, Oct 30 1992 Date: Fri, 30 Oct 92 09:37:04 EST Message-ID: 10-30 0000 DECISIONLINE: Advertising USA TODAY Update Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network DISCOUNT SMOKE SALES SURGE: Rising cigarette prices and higher federal state excise taxes have pushed premium cigarette prices out of recessionary reach for many smokers. This year, discount smokes will account for about 30% of the U.S. market, nearly double their 1989 share. They're especially popular at convenience stores. Low costs result from no ads, no-frills packaging and low marketing costs. (For more, see special Smokes package below.) CBS MORNING SHOW EDGES HIGHER: For only the third time in five years, a CBS morning program has scored a three or better rating during a week when there was no major news story. Last week, "CBS This Morning" scored a 3.0 rating:14 share. While it still finished behind NBC's "Today" (4.3:20) and ABC's "Good Morning America" (4.2:19), it was the show's first 3 rating since Sept. 18, 1989. PRESS CO. SOLD TO POST-GAZETTE: E.W. Scripps is selling Pittsburgh Press Co. to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a move that may put Pittsburgh on the growing list of one-newspaper cities. The sale to Post-Gazette's owner, Blade Communications, depends on the Post-Gazette getting a contract with the Teamsters. They have been on strike since May 17, shutting down both papers. Press Co. will close if the deal falls through. MOBILE COMPUTING SECTION SLATED: PC World and Newsweek are combining forces to give their readerships an in-depth look at one of the fastest growing segments of the PC industry, mobile computing. "Mobile Computing," which is independently written by PC World editors, will appear in PC World's December 1992 issue. It will also be reprinted as a special pullout section in the Nov. 23 issue of Newsweek Business. NEW YORKER SNAGS BIG BYLINES: The acquisitive Tina Brown continues to collect big-game bylines for the New Yorker. To that still non-existent New Yorker masthead, add James B. Stewart, the author of Den of Thieves, as a business writer and Ken Auletta, who will write a column, "Annals of Communications" about the news and entertainment industries. SEARS DISPENSES REBATE COUPONS: Sears is putting $50 rebate coupons in more than 200 newspapers Sunday, business news network CNBC reported on its "Steals and Deals" show. Sears is giving the rebate to settle charges it sold unnecessary repairs at its auto center from Aug. 1, 1990, to Jan. 31, 1992. CNBC's David Horowitz says that means people could get rebates they're not entitled to. PEROT PLANS WEEKEND BLITZ: Even the sideshow of Ross Perot's campaign is focused on a final weekend stretch. Perot has immersed himself in TV talk shows and filming a total of five hours of network time he bought for Sunday and Monday. His aim this weekend: To counter stories questioning his character and seeming gumshoe fetish after he claimed a GOP "dirty tricks" plot caused him to quit the race in July. REN MAY GET A LOBOTOMY: "Ren & Stimpy" returns with a new episode Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. ET:PT on Nickelodeon. The future of the retro-'50s cult cartoon was in doubt after Nick ousted creator John Kricfalusi in September for failing to meet deadlines and exceeding budgets - charges Kricfalusi denies. He says Nick wanted to tone down Ren's psychotic nature, and many fans are fearing that will happen. TWENTYSOMETHING MAG DEBUTS: The debut issue of Ray Gun, a new music and art publication, could become all the rave. Although the typeface is flea-size and the articles seem to start and end inexplicably, Ray Gun displays a decided charm. Bands like Sonic Youth are interviewed, as is actor Brendan Fraser. Needless to say, it's aimed at the twentysomething and under crowd. For information, call 1-800-229-4486. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON SMOKES: PHILIP MORRIS WILL BLITZ MEDIA: Premium cigarette makers are countering the rise of discount smokes. Philip Morris will begin an ambitious media blitz in November estimated at $200 million to target young male Marlboro smokers. The focus is the "Marlboro Adventure Team," a promotional contest in which 10 participants will compete in macho outdoor events. The effort also includes themed events in bars. RJR PUSHES SALEMS: RJR is testing an ad campaign, "Escape to the Fresh Side," to make its Salem menthols more attractive to young smokers. Earlier, RJR switched to a better grade tobacco in Winston, as well as new packaging to keep cigarettes fresher. And it continues to tinker with its five-year effort to revamp Camel. Critics claim the animated Joe Camel character promotes smoking among youngsters. BUYERS WILL RETURN TO PREMIUMS: RJR is promoting Joe with a "Camel Cash" program giving smokers coupons for promotional items such as clothing and jewelry. Once the recession ends, marketing experts say, premium brands should regain their luster. "The intense pressure of a deep, lingering recession may force people to switch, but cigarettes are very image-driven," says John Loden, author of MegaBrands. (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