Free newspapers aimed at young readers are, for the most part, "just dumbed-down versions of a daily newspaper," writes AAN'S Roxanne Cooper, in an editorial published in the International Newspaper Marketing Association's monthly magazine. Basing a newspaper's content on market research instead of a creative vision is getting it backwards. And if young people have such short attention spans, why are so many of them reading books during their commutes?

Continue ReadingNew Youth-Oriented Papers Lack Vision, AAN Says

Despite all the hype surrounding the consumer backlash to email marketing, the majority of online users say they generally appreciate receiving legitimate email marketing messages, and are usually able to distinguish between legitimate offerings and spam. These are among the surprising findings of a survey of 1,054 U.S. adults conducted by Harris Interactive for Digital Impact.

Continue ReadingStudy: Users Like Legit Marketing Email

Citing a growing litany of positive indicators including a sustained economic expansion, improving profits among big marketers, the so-called "quadrennial effect" and a re-expansion of the dot-com advertising category, three major media agencies Monday issued new, more upbeat scenarios for the advertising economy.

Continue ReadingUpbeat Scenario for Advertising Expenditures

Sales for long declining Miller Brewing Co. brand have risen in the past 13 weeks, since the brewer launched TV spots comparing its carbohydrate and calorie content to rival Adolph Coors Co. and Anheuser-Busch brands. Industry insiders credit the campaign for the boost.

Continue ReadingMiller Lite Ads Turn Tables on Coors

Citing improving corporate profitability and more than $1 billion in incremental ad spending from the so-called quadrennial effect of the U.S. presidential elections and the Olympic Games, Zenith said it now expects U.S. ad spending to grow 5.0 percent in 2004.

Continue ReadingZenith: U.S. Ad Spending to Rise 5%