NEW YORK Aegis said it would take an "exceptional charge" of $15 million against earnings this year to accelerate the ongoing reorganization at struggling Carat USA. Layoffs are included in that figure. (Aegis CEO Robert Lerwill is shown.)
BOSTON Buoyed by a $12 million-plus capital gain on the disposal of McKinney and continuing a positive trend stretching back more than a year, Havas reported a 40 percent increase in its first-half net income to $72 million. (Shown: Havas CEO Fernando Rodes Vila.)
NEW YORK WPP is setting up an offshore digital production arm called Deliver as a shared resource to build Web assets for its agencies. Ex-Digitas exec Neal Prescott (shown) leads the effort.
by Andrew Salomon, Back Stage East at 07:12 AM, 08/28/2008
NEW YORK The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have agreed to another six-month extension of their commercials contract with two ad industry groups, the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the Association of National Advertisers. The latest add-on follows a previous two-year extension to a 2006 deal that was set to expire Oct. 29.
NEW YORK T. Boone Pickens doesn't take no for an answer. At least he didn't when NBC and its sibling cable networks apparently rejected his latest ad stating the case for the U.S. to decrease its dependence on foreign oil.
by Borys Kit and Leslie Simmons, The Hollywood Reporter at 03:41 AM, 08/28/2008
LOS ANGELES Aaron Sorkin is about to get a whole lot of friends on Facebook. Sorkin is in negotiations to write an untitled film project about the founders of the popular social networking site.
NEW YORK Mass merchandiser Target Stores said Michael Francis, who has been evp, marketing since 2003, has been promoted to the newly created position of evp, CMO.
NEW YORK Team Detroit, the WPP Group agency whose core business is Ford, has expanded its roster to include Compuware and Barnes & Noble. (Photo: Team Detroit's George Rogers.)
BOSTON Once again leveraging its retail expertise, Zimmerman Advertising said it has been hired by The RoomPlace for integrated advertising chores. Spending is expected to be $10 million.
NEW YORK GfK today confirmed that it is no longer pursuing an offer for competitor Taylor Nelson Sofres. That leaves WPP as the only publicly disclosed bidder. WPP's Martin Sorrell is shown.
Maxim's guide to this year's essential festivals. Get wet in Glastonbury, get pissed in Latitude, get a giant '80s mullet at Retrofest! We've got the lowdown of every festival worth visiting this summer, complete with key acts, dates and ticket details. The only thing we haven't got are free pairs of wellington boots!
Nikon D-70, shot through two layers of sheer fabric, with a window for back-lighting. She is acctually holding a vase up in the air. Sorry for the buzz kill.
