While early readings suggest there are better deals this year over last, Pepsi wont advertise its drinks for the first time in 23 seasons, joining FedEx and GM, who dropped out last year. In their absence, newcomers and smaller companies have snatched up slots in advertisings biggest showcase.
TNS Media Intelligence said Monday that a 30-second commercial during next months Super Bowl on CBS are selling for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million, based on reports from advertisers and media buyers. Thats a drop from last year, when ads averaged $3 million on NBC - a record, according to TNS. Prices - - - - >

That relationship is over now.
Accenture ended its association with Woods on Sunday, marking the first major sponsor to cut ties altogether with the golfer since his alleged infidelities surfaced and he announced an indefinite leave from the sport to work on his marriage.
In its first statement since the Woods scandal erupted, Accenture said the golfer is “no longer the right representative” after the “circumstances of the last two weeks.” The move ends a relationship during which the firm credited its “Go on, be a Tiger” campaign with boosting its image significantly.
“After careful consideration and analysis, the company has determined that - - - - >

Mark LaNeve will also hold the title of senior vice president, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the insurer hasnt announced the hiring. GM announced this week that LaNeve, 50, would depart and appointed Buick-GMC General Manager Susan Docherty as vice president of U.S. sales.
“There is an active search going on,” said Rich Halberg, a spokesman for Northbrook, Illinois-based Allstate. “We dont have anything to say about the search.”
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The ads are showing up where people used to enjoy a break from advertising, such as video on demand and on-screen channel guides. Even TiVo, which became popular for its technology that lets people skip TV commercials, is developing new ways to show ads.
As a result, you wont necessarily see more traditional, 30-second commercials. Instead, many of the new TV ads will resemble online ads - interactive and often shaped for individual members of the audience. Theyll also be harder to ignore. Typically, you cant opt out of seeing them.
The companies behind the latest kind of ads hope theyll especially - - - - >

Falco, AOLs chief executive, and Chief Operating Officer Ron Grant will leave after a transition, Time Warner said in a statement yesterday. Armstrong joined Google in 2000 and most recently led its North American and Latin American advertising sales and operations teams.
“Were in the first phase of a fundamental shift thats happening in media, and AOL has a global brand,” Armstrong said in an interview. “Its clear that there are strategic areas that AOL can go into and be successful.”
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