Affluent Not Swayed by Celebrity Endorsers

Celebrity endorsers do little to attract customers from the wealthiest sections of society according to a survey from the American Affluence Research Center, Brandweek reports.

IPG Merges Draft, FCB

Interpublic Group yesterday announced (pdf) that it is merging two of its four largest agencies to offer both traditional and new approaches under one roof, combining the venerable Foote Cone & Belding with the younger, direct-marketing focused Draft, reports the New York Times (via MarketingVOX). The merged agency will be the second-largest IPG unit, behind McCann Worldgroup.

Michael I. Roth, chairman and CEO at Interpublic, New York, is quoted as saying, “This is what clients are looking for - the big idea that can be brought across all media, all channels, all distribution models” - ranging from TV, direct mail and the internet to in-store marketing, promotions and branded entertainment.

IAB Research: Cookie Rejection at 12 Percent

Based on the findings of new research it has commissioned, the Interactive Advertising Bureau may be planning to launch a public-awareness campaign clarifying cookie use, writes MediaPost (via MarketingVOX). According to the research presented to the IAB board this week, some 12 percent of consumers are rejecting third-party cookies - those used by ad servers and web analytics companies, among others.

Lifetime Series Built Around Perfectmatch.com Integration

Perfectmatch.com, a subscription-based online dating service with over three million members, has signed a season-long deal to be integrated into the storyline of Lifetime channel’s new series about a dysfunctional dating service, Lovespring International, writes The New York Times. Throughout the 13-episode season, Perfectmatch.com will appear as a faceless nemesis that steals clients from Lovespring.

Eddie Bauer Reports Big Q1 Losses

Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. reported Wednesday that first quarter revenues totaled $194.5 million compared to last year’s $221.9 million, writes DM News.

Cubby Joins Whoopi’s Morning Radio Show

Paul “Cubby” Bryant, the longtime Z-100 New York radio personality, will join Whoopi Goldberg as her sidekick on her upcoming morning show “Wake Up with Whoopi,” which will begin airing weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on July 31 in national syndication from WKTU-FM New York, writes Radio Ink.

FCC Upholds Fine Against CBS

The FCC has announced its conclusion that laws against indecent broadcasts were violated during CBS’ airing of the 2004 Super Bowl display of Janet Jackson’s breast, writes Radio Ink. The FCC also said that it would not reconsider its ruling to fine CBS stations $550,000 for the incident, which may now be one step closer to a possible court date, Adweek writes.

Biz Pub Ad Revenue Up

Business publications saw ad revenue grow 0.32 percent through March compared with first quarter figures from 2005, according to data released yesterday by American Business Media’s Business Information Network (BIN), writes BtoB. While ad pages in March grew 0.71 percent, overall they fell 0.14 percent in the first quarter.

DMA Announces Annual Conference Locations

The Direct Marketing Association announced yesterday the locations for its annual Conference & Exhibition through 2009, which were chosen based on surveys conducted following the 2005 annual conference in Atlanta, BtoB writes.

Eliteweb Bows New Small Biz Email Marketing Service

Eliteweb’s internet portal and search engine division Elite Email Marketing plans to launch an email marketing service to help small businesses create email programs in a few minutes, according to the company, DM News writes.