Automakers, oil firms and even rental-car companies are increasingly conscious of their environmental image, reports MediaBuyerPlanner. The Web site points to recent high-profile "green" promotions by Chevrolet, Ford, and Honda. The latter has unveiled a campaign entitled "Environmentology," which touts Honda as the "most fuel-efficient auto company in America" and the one most "committed to developing environmentally responsible technology."

Continue ReadingDetroit Loudly Touting Green Cred to Consumers

According to a poll conducted by Leo J. Shapiro & Associates, almost a quarter of shoppers plan to spend more on Christmas this year than last, the highest percentage since 2003. It is thus time "to send out special marketing messages to the frantic folks who are not so happy about shopping," write three ad-industry analysts in Editor & Publisher. "Last minute holiday newspaper shopping ads should be written like efficient memos meant to aid in the decision making process of last-minute shoppers."

Continue ReadingAd Men: This Christmas Season Set To Be ‘Jolliest in Years’

"All Things Considered" reporter Howard Berkes last week broadcast a segment based on a story by OC Weekly writer Gustavo Arellano that questioned the motives of local charity "Snowball Express," which brings the families of Iraq war casualties to Disneyland. Arellano found that the charity's organizer, Michael Scott Kerr, owes about $50,000 in child support in Arizona, where there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Continue ReadingNPR Picks Up OC Weekly Story Questioning Philanthropist

The McClatchy paper has purchased the two-year-old local news and opinion Web site to better target younger readers, Poynter Online reports. "Purchasing a strong franchise such as Fresno Famous gives The Bee another way in which to reach younger readers with information they seek," said Valerie Bender, vice president of custom publications for The Bee. Fresno Famous founder Jarah Euston will stay on for six months to ease the transition to new management. Poynter reports a mixed reaction to the sale by the site's readers, despite assurances from Euston that the sale will "only improve user experience."

Continue ReadingFresno Bee Buys ‘Citizen Journalism’ Site Fresno Famous

The North Jersey Media Group has pulled the plug on several of its publications, including what a local Web site calls its "faux-alt" weekly. "We at City Belt were never too impressed with Exit," writes Jon Whiten, editor of both City Belt and AltWeeklies.com. "As people who work inside the alternative press, Exit often felt like it was a labor of business, rather than a labor of love. The paper was improving, though -- becoming more substantial. But it looks like, as in so many other cases, business won out."

Continue ReadingJersey Youth-Oriented Weekly ‘Exit’ Folds

The Phoenix staff writer is leaving Beantown to become yet another fresh face at the Village Voice, reports the Boston Herald. "Anyone who knows Camille realizes that going to NYC has been a long-time goal. Her exit reminds us of what it means to be bittersweet: glad for her, sad for us," writes Peter Kadzis in an internal Phoenix email, republished by the Herald. Dodero is the second employee to jump from the Boston alt-weekly to Village Voice Media. Former managing editor Bill Jensen recently departed to oversee Web operations for VVM.

Continue ReadingBoston Phoenix’s Camille Dodero to Join Village Voice

Nancy Geraldine Scott, an advertising client of AAN-member Oklahoma Gazette, has pleaded guilty to felony counts of pandering, maintaining a house of prostitution and encouraging a minor into prostitution, according to Oklahoma County Newspapers. When a local detective responded to one of Scott's ads, which also ran in a Southwestern Bell publication, he was put in touch with a 14-year-old offering sex for $220, according to court records.

Continue ReadingBusted Prostitution Ring Placed Ads in Alt-Weekly

Just in time for the gift-guide season, the venerable alt-weekly has released "The Village Voice Film Guide: 50 Years of Movies From Classics to Cult Hits," edited by former Voice film critic Dennis Lim. The anthology includes reviews from every era of the paper's storied history, and includes contributions by Jonas Mekas, Oliver Stone and J. Hoberman.

Continue ReadingVillage Voice Releases Film-Crit Compendium