The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that advance ad sales
for the fall TV season are "expected to reach nearly" $8B,
marking a "record" and "roughly a 14% jump over last year's
sales." ABC "for the first time" was "pushing advertisers
to buy space" on its Web sites, including ESPN.com (WALL
STREET JOURNAL, 5/26)....The Clio Awards named adidas as
"Advertiser of the Year" for its print/TV work. adidas'
print ads were honored at the Clio Festival Wednesday night,
and the TV ads will be recognized last night (adidas)
....Former Tigers manager Sparky Anderson filmed a 30-second
TV ad yesterday for Metro Detroit Ford Dealers. The ad
"revolves around" Anderson's HOF induction, as he is seen
driving a Ford Winstar minivan picking up former Tigers
players to go to Cooperstown (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/26).
A REAL SAG STORY: Red Sox SS Nomar Garciaparra, Bucs WR
Keyshawn Johnson and Titans RB Eddie George all articulated
their position on the Screen Actors Guild strike on their
AthletesDirect Web sites. Garciaparra, who honored the
strike by refusing to shoot a Dunkin' Donuts ad: "It would
have been easy for me to just cross [the picket line]
because I make my money playing [baseball], but I have to
respect the SAG members ... who are getting taken advantage
of. ... I've also got to give kudos to Dunkin' Donuts
because they were very understanding of the position I've
taken." Johnson, who recently shot an adidas ad, despite
his SAG membership: "I CERTAINLY understand how they're
[SAG] feeling and I'm in full support of what they're doing.
However, I'm under contract with a shoe company that I have
to honor." George, who also shot an adidas spot: "I really
wasn't too aware of the SAG situation. ... I was kind of
stuck between a rock and a hard place" (AthletesDirect).
CORRECTION: THE DAILY yesterday incorrectly identified
the ownership group of the PA-based Pocono Raceway. The
facility is owned by CEO & Chair Dr. Joseph Mattioli and
family. THE DAILY regrets the error (THE DAILY).
