DirecTV's Manhattan project was successful enough that the satellite operator will go ahead with plans sure to satisfy many a rabid NFL fan -- even cable subscribers. This fall, it goes nationwide.

Meredith reported that its magazine and interactive group enjoyed positive revenue growth, as did its local media group, the new designation for the company's broadcast TV properties. CEO Stephen Lacy says the company "increased advertising market share in both magazine and television."

There is more evidence for a tentative recovery in the radio business, with positive second-quarter results reported by Cumulus Media, which controls 345 radio stations in 67 markets around the U.S.

A unit of the Guinness records company is setting up shop in the U.S. and looking to offer experiential marketing opportunities. GWR Live! has operated internationally for some time and will work in partnership with Omnicom agency GO!/C2 out of New York.

Young Latino adults don't use mobile devices to socialize and communicate with friends quite as much as other groups, yet a recent marketing study suggests they are the "sweet spot" of mobile carriers. They are more likely to use mobile to research and buy products and services. The Hispanic community will spent $357 billion on telecom services in the next five years.

At the TCA press tour, NBC Universal Television Entertainment chairman Jeff Gaspin said a deal is in place that will allow Piers Morgan to go to CNN, reports The Wrap. Morgan has a new deal with NBC for "America's Got Talent" contract, which will according to sources, allow him to replace Larry King on CNN.

While acknowledging the robust advertising recovery, Wall Street is looking for -- but not finding -- many signs of sustainable long-term growth in national and local broadcast television. This year's 5% rebound in total ad revenues to $155 billion is roughly equivalent to 2000 spending levels -- even though there are more media platforms.

ABC Family president Paul Lee will become the new president of the ABC Entertainment Group, immediately replacing Stephen McPherson, who abruptly resigned earlier this week.

NBC continues to look to kick up its businesses -- advertising revenues and program development. Jeff Gaspin, chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, says the upfront "is as good as I've seen it." He says advertisers are "thrilled we are back in business in a big way."

Tribune Interactive promoted Tim Dukes to vice president/interactive marketing and Andy Friedman to vice president/content for broadcasting.

Well, you can hardly accuse them of being "American Idle" this off-season. Now Ellen DeGeneres becomes the third "Idol" judge to leave the show. Prime-time television's reigning king has had so much off-screen casting turmoil lately you'd think that it was suddenly airing on NBC.

Strong television advertising business almost doubled Belo Corp'.s second-quarter net profit. Belo grabbed a profit of $19.5 million up from $10.3 million. Revenue climbed 13% to $163 million.

Despite Rentrak attracting clients for its new local-market measurement service that uses set-top-box data, Nielsen downplayed a potential challenge Friday. In the wake of an aggressive PR campaign from Rentrak touting its progress, Nielsen CFO Brian West indicated his company may be moving slower, but has valuable set-top box data.

Peter Kaplan is joining Fairchild Fashion Group as editorial director, where he will oversee Women's Wear Daily, Menswear, Footwear News and WWD.com.

Based on conversations with its biggest customers - the major broadcast networks - it does not appear that Nielsen will make its self-appointed deadline of Monday to begin implementing a plan to change how it "weights" its national TV ratings, including mathematical adjustments that would reduce the representation of homes with computers connected to the Internet, and would boost the representation of younger households.

According to a recent report from NielsenWire, media companies focus on reaching consumers age 18-34 or 18-49, who spend (or have a key role in spending) billions of dollars every year. If solely focusing on these groups, advertisers and consumer goods manufacturers are overlooking a group that has tremendous buying power of the 78 million Baby Boomers in the U.S. today, says the report

Like the industries it measures - media and marketing - Nielsen Co. is evolving and morphing into something else, according to ways in which it describes itself to investors and federal regulators. In financial filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nielsen now describes its business segments as "Watch," "Buy" and "Expositions." In past filings, Nielsen described its segments as "Consumer Services," "Media" and "Business Media." The changes no doubt reflect some recent divestitures, including the sale of its business publications earlier this year, but also a subtle repositioning of how the world's largest consumer researcher views the consumer marketplace.

Sooner or later, every small business in the marketing, advertising and media world gets screwed by one or more of their clients. The days of operating on a handshake backed by the full faith and credit of the individual extending his/her hand have evaporated. But even if you have it on paper, lots of things can keep vendors from getting their just rewards -- from options being canceled in a change of ownership to larger companies counting on you not coming after them in court because it would cost more to collect than what you are owed.