Discovery Civilization races and explores with two new series
Folks who love their power tools will get a kick out Discovery Civilization’s four-parter Power Tool Racing. Common power tools (drills, skill saws and the like) get the Pimp My Ride treatment as they get souped up for drag races. The hour-long series begins on Monday, April 3 at 8 p.m. The five-part, hour-long Urban Explorers hits TV screens beginning Monday, April 17 at 9 p.m. The series follows an urban historian, a structural engineer and two pro urban climbers as they explore the history, engineering and architecture of cities such as Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee.
Event
April 19
Mediaweek presents TV Upfront Live
Marriott Marquis, NYC
Dana Gerber, dgerber@adweek.com
http://www.tvupfrontlive.com
This one-day seminar will explore the future of the upfront, including the market positioning of broadcasters, cable networks and syndicators, and the increasingly vital role clients are playing in this critical media marketplace. Speakers include Joan Fitzgerald of Arbitron and Pam Zucker of Mediavest USA among others.
PMB Factoid
Accessing the Internet from home versus work; by age
On the MIC with Rishad Tobaccowala, CEO Denuo/CIO Publicis Media Group
There are only two that have thus far earned the handle of ‘media guru’: Carat’s David Verklin is one, and the other is Rishad Tobaccowala. The latter is further qualified as a ‘digital mastermind.’ Tobaccowala currently serves in a dual role as CEO of Denuo and CIO (chief innovation officer) of Publicis Media Group (PMG), the management board that oversees global media networks Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) and ZenithOptimedia. Denuo was launched last month by PMG as a futures practice to anticipate and respond to trends in digital, interactive, and evolving traditional disciplines. Tobaccowala will be in Toronto to speak about innovation and his vision of the future of media on March 28 at the CMDC Conference, Mining Growth: Discovering Potential in Media Mayhem. MIC caught up with him to get a small taste of what to expect from his presentation, Brave New Waves.
OgilvyOne Worldwide launches digital media division
OgilvyOne Worldwide has launched a new global, digital and direct media network in Neo@Ogilvy. The unit, helmed in Canada by Carolyn Convey, director of digital media, will manage digital media investment for Canadian clients such as Research in Motion and globally, for clients including American Express, Cisco, IBM, and Lenovo. Neo@Ogilvy further covers digital advertising, direct mail and e-mail lists, search marketing and blogs. The new digital arm will fall under the leadership of global CEO Nasreen Madhany.
Categories in a dead heat: Top TV advertisers – ELODA ad analysis for March 3-9, 2006
The retail and entertainment categories are in a dead heat – at 13.3% and 13.0%, respectively — in categories with the largest variety of TV ads on the English market for March 3-9. Such is also the case for the entertainment equipment and food categories, with 8.5% for the former and 8.2% for the latter. Check out others topping the charts, and which brands had the most new spots. This info was gathered through Montreal-based ELODA’s online TV ad tracking, auditing and viewing services. All data supplied is based on the ELODA recording grid.
http://www.eloda.com
Cars, light trucks and Telus top the charts: Top radio advertisers – Media Monitors for March 6-12, 2006
Telus Mobility again nabs the gold as the brand with the most radio spots on rotation in Toronto for the week of March 6-12. HP came in at number two, hopping up from the number four position last week. In the categories list, cars and light trucks continues to dominate, followed closely by restaurants, which nabbed silver. Check out others topping the radio charts by category and brand in the Toronto market for the week of March 6-12, 2006.
Clear Channel U.S. releases new OOH program for the very well-heeled
OOH giant Clear Channel has just released a new program targeting only those who can afford to fly private planes. The Pinnacle Collection is slated to debut at 30 private airport terminals in 12 major U.S. markets. The ad program has already lured luxury goods and financial brands Jaguar, Men’s Vogue and Tiffany. Clear Channel’s plans to stand out include large vinyl wall wraps, car displays and sampling programs within lounges.
Notes from the media landscape: Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey bring on the brands
Brands are about to get in on the circus act. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey have signed New York-based Mediaplace to drum up brands to include in circus acts. This is part of a reinvention of the century-old formula that will now see digital screens and cameras to increase audience interactivity. In the deals to come, brands may actually be worked into scripts and products featured in acts. Possible venues for brand integration include a pizza delivery skit involving clowns and another that has a heavy vehicle driven over the strongman. Circus touring groups reach 6.3 million in the U.S.
Commonweath games to air on CBC
CBC will air 12 days of games from the XVIII Commonwealth Games, beginning Wednesday, March 15 at 3 p.m. The games, held in Melbourne, Australia, will air as daily one-hour broadcasts at 3 p.m. throughout the week. Encore presentations will air on CBC Newsworld, beginning Wednesday, March 15 through to March 26.
Comedy Net to air Dave Chappelle special
Sure to nab some eyeballs, Comedy Net will be airing a 90-minute comedy special starring Dave Chappelle. Dave Chappelle: For What it’s Worth will preem on Saturday, April 1 at 10 p.m. The no-holds-barred laugh-fest was taped before a live studio audience in San Francisco.
Canadian Tire springs into integrated campaign
Ah spring. Time for rebirth, right? Canadian Tire sure thinks so, if its new integrated spring campaign, by Toronto-based AOR Taxi is any indication. Granted, the new ‘Spring Starts at Canadian Tire’ effort, which includes two brand spots, three product spots, print, OOH, DM and Web, is more of an ‘evolution than a revolution,’ according to Tracy Fellows, VP, consumer advertising and marketing, who says the new campaign is Canadian Tire’s first fully integrated effort. National TV spots will launch on Saturday.
Falcon Beach gets second season
Global Television has confirmed it is ordering a 13-episode second season of the young adult drama Falcon Beach. The series, which only premiered on Jan. 5, has a significant product integration deal with Pontiac, although the automaker hasn’t signed on yet for season two, says Barbara Williams, SVP of programming and production for CanWest MediaWorks. But, she says: ‘Sponsors have been delighted with [the program]. Many are interested in talking to us about it.’
Williams says Global made the renewal call early because the show ‘launched strongly out of the gate’ (the first episode scored 576,000 viewers in its 8 p.m. timeslot, according to BBM) and ‘we’re very satisfied with where it is at this point.’ There is also the practical consideration of a show that shoots in summer in Winnipeg, she says, citing the short shooting window and the need for a strong pre-production period.
Opportunities are available for product placement, integration and promotions for season two. Williams says it’s important to stay committed to and help a homegrown show. Falcon Beach‘s core demo is females 18-34. Production begins this summer.
