Disney Seeks to Please Consumers with More iTunes Content

According to a deal announced at the start of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, ABC News, Sports and ESPN content - including lite versions of recent college bowl games (e.g., Fiesta and Sugar Bowls) - will be available through Apple’s iTunes beginning this week, writes E-Commerce Times/TechNewsWorld (via MarketingVOX). The agreement builds on an earlier pact that delivered shows by Disney’s ABC TV - including “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives” - on iTunes, and will offer more Disney video programming.

Lamar Advertising in Sweet Spot (’Not’)

Lamar advertising is in the “hot” outdoor advertising sector - revenue grew 7.9 percent over the first nine months of 2005, according to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America - and Jim Cramer on Mad Money suggested viewers buy stock, in part because nobody can TiVo a billboard, and because Lamar is adding digital billboards which should increase sales.

ABM Drops The Ad Store, Hires DiMassimo

American Business Media, citing “creative differences,” has dropped The Ad Store after only three months, and brought DiMassimo Inc. onboard as its new advertising agency, B to B reports. ABM plans to launch a new ad campaign in the first half of the year.

YP Directories Obtain ‘Seat at the Table’ with Measurement Tool

For the first time, media buyers and planners will have a tool for measuring the consumer usage of Yellow Pages directories, with the new Yellow Pages Market Reporter from Knowledge Networks/SRI available in late January. The 2005 YPMR - which reports on 45 key markets, with data from the remaining markets to follow - is the result of the need for advertisers and media buyers and planners to understand the reach of the rapidly growing multi-directory markets in order to make accurate ad buying decisions.

Lexus Uses Podcasts, Blog Ads to Drive Campaign

Using music podcasts and a blog ad buy, Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus is rolling out a four-week campaign aimed at African-Americans, writes ClickZ (via MarketingVOX). The campaign for the IS sport sedan revolves around microsite LexusFusion.com, via which visitors can subscribe to podcasts and email friends. The podcasts consist of roughly 25 minutes of hip-hop/jazz fusion. A DJ intro mentions the Lexus IS, and the music is interspersed with radio spots. Lexus is also running a series of specially designed creatives on the Blogads music channel.

Washington Post Launches Radio Station

In order to raise interest in its paper, The Washington Post is launching a radio news station in an agreement with Bonneville International that will broadcast in Washington D.C. beginning in March, AP reports.

RDA to Double Every Day’s Circ in 2006

Reader’s Digest Association is doubling its rate base this year for its new food mag, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Mediaweek reports. Every Day launched in October with a $3.99 cover price.

ABC Drops Golf Coverage

Monday Night Football’s long run on ABC ended earlier this month. Now, ABC Sports has pulled out of negotiations for the PGA Tour’s next television contract, Sportbusiness reports.

The Tour has introduced a revamped schedule to the negotiations this year that is designed to sustain interest throughout the season. While the length and value of the new deal are still being negotiated, Golf World reports that one proposal on the table called for a six-year contract, instead of the traditional four-year deal.

Indiana Sues Telemarketers

In Indiana’s second lawsuit against a company involving a DNC violation, the state has sued five Florida-based businesses and at least three individuals accused of making hundreds of prerecorded calls that promoted vacation packages from Vacation Depot, USA Travel and Premier Travel to people registered on the state’s do-not-call list, DMNews reports.

Wachovia Predicts 2006 Radio Revenue Up 2.8%

Wachovia estimates that radio’s revenue will grow 2.8 percent this year, with 80 bps of that growth attributable to Clear Channel, 50 bps attributable to political revenue, and 100 bps attributable to core revenue growth, RadioInk reports.