January 31, 2008

CBS

CBS Signs On to TiVo Stop//Watch

CBS and TiVo have formed a research partnership in which the TV network will use TiVo's Stop//Watch service data to help it determine how to best structure its commercial pods going forward and how it can use interstitials to keep viewers, both live and time-shifted audiences, involved during commercial breaks.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003704882

FOX

Fed Up With MySpace? Join the Club and Delete Your Account

Wednesday is International Delete Your MySpace Account Day, an online protest geared at uniting users eager to ditch the popular social networking site. "I’d love to see a large number of people delete their accounts all at once in order to send MySpace a message: Your website sucks," he continued.

http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/01/fed-up-with-mys.html

Myspace, MTV and The Associated Press Confirm Senator Barack Obama and Representative Ron Paul to Join Senator Hillary Clinton and Governor Mike Huckabee

A Presidential Super Dialogue." The event will offer candidates a final opportunity to actively engage the highly-coveted youth voting bloc just before Super Tuesday, when more than 20 states will hold their primaries and caucuses. "Closing Arguments" is the next installment of MySpace and MTV's ground-breaking Presidential Dialogue Series (http://www.myspace.com/election2008) and will take place live Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 6 PM ET on-air, online, radio and mobile.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/DC1297031012008-1.htm

MySpace IM Users Can Now Chat and Receive Alerts on Any Mobile Phone Worldwide

Gizmo5 Technologies announces Gizmo5 mobile and desktop software is now connected with the MySpace IM network. For the first time ever, MySpace users on any mobile network can receive MySpace alerts, see who's online and send/receive messages with their MySpace buddies directly from their mobile phone or desktop using Gizmo5.

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=816041

MySpace wins domain name fight

MySpace has won the right to have the MySpace.co.uk domain name despite another firm having registered it six years before the social networking website launched.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/31/myspace.digitalmedia?gusrc=rss&feed=media

MTV

MTV’s ‘Making The Band 4’ Hits Ratings High

The second-half premiere of MTV’s Making The Band 4 marked the series highest-rated debut among the network’s target demographic. The Jan. 29 telecast notched a 2.2 rating against persons 12 to 34, according to Nielsen Media Research data, the best since the Sean Combs-franchise bowed in June 2003. The first half of the series’ fourth season debut last summer.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6527375.html

MTV UK Repositions www.mtv.co.uk as a Premiere Music and Entertainment Portal

MTV Networks UK & Ireland is repositioning http://www.mtv.co.uk/ as a general music and entertainment portal for 16-34 year olds. The site will become a destination for all things MTV, bringing the best of its award-winning music and entertainment programming together in a revamped homepage, rich in editorial scoops and exclusive video content.

http://www.sys-con.com/read/494102.htm

UNIVISION

In Conversation at NATPE: Telemundo’s Browne and Univision’s Uva

In panels moderated by Anna Carugati, the group editorial director of World Screen and TV Latina, at NATPE, Univision’s CEO, Joe Uva, and Telemundo Communications Group’s president, Don Browne, discussed the rapidly expanding U.S. Hispanic market.

http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=uva013008.htm

AFRICA

Get ready for International Media Forum 2008

The second edition of the International Media Forum South Africa (IMFSA) will be held at the Campus in Bryanston, Johannesburg, 21 – 22 May 2008. IMFSA, a gathering of some of the world's top editors teaming up with African media managers and communicators, will seek to debate, among others, various issues and challenges affecting the environment media.

http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/15/21549.html

Uganda: WHO Africa Chief Visits Country

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) regional director for Africa, Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo, arrived yesterday for a four-day visit. Sambo will discuss with the Government and her partners the health situation in the country.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200801310081.html

Zambia: Stigma - Greatest Enemy to HIV/Aids Fight

"HAVING gone for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and disclosed my status, was the worst thing that I regret having done because it subjected me and my family to all kinds of discrimination and name calling from my community," these were the words of Hildah Siatwiinda, 45, of Livingstone's Libuyu Township.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200801310342.html

CARIBBEAN

CARIBBEAN CULTURE RUNS WILD ON THE INTERNET

"Finally there's a website where people from all over the Caribbean can go and network, chat, create business opportunities and socialize with others who speak their native tongue," A virtual Caribbean myspace, CaribGoneWild.com links individuals from the US with family, friends and opportunities back home.

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/caribbean-culture-runs-wild-on-the-internet--39394.php

For an impoverished beauty queen, a stark choice: sex work or no work

Women's media campaign in Nicaragua overturns crackdown on brothels across capital. What Natasha does on the bed in the dingy room with flaking orange paint so shames her she cannot bring herself to use the word. She calls it "so and so" and sells it here from midday to midnight, six days a week.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2248808,00.html

Jamaican appointed to head regional AIDS organization

The senior medical officer in the National HIV/STI Control Programme at the Ministry of Health has been appointed chairman of the Caribbean Coalition of National AIDS Programme Coordinators (CCNAPC).

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/4948/26/

New media network on air in Turks and Caicos

It was an historic moment for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands when, on Monday, TCI New Media Network began transmission on channel 7, on WIV'S cable network in Providenciales. In respect to the programming, the broadcasting on the national station is expected to be "strong and balanced".

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-5750--37-37--.html

Poor Haitians Resort to Eating Dirt

The hand of a woman is covered in mud as she makes mud cookies on the roof of Fort Dimanche, once a prison, in Port-au-Prince, Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. Rising prices and food shortages threaten the nation's fragile stability, and the mud cookies, made of dirt, salt and vegetable shortening, are one of very few options the poorest people have to stave off hunger

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hcJ474CjaJGOUznskl4ZgTHdpxUAD8UFQVR00

UNESCO Small Island Voice: St. Kitts Representative attends America Youth Forum

Mrs. Maria Crawford, an Information Officer at the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS) speaks with Miss Sharina Laws who returned from the Americas Youth Forum held in Mexico in late 2007

http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/4436

OTHER HIV AIDS NEWS

Breaking the Silence Around HIV in African American Communities

Graham believes the silence and stigma about HIV in the African American community remain as significant barriers to prevention, testing, and treatment. "We are still trying to get the message across to people that, where HIV is concerned, silence is not golden. It's a killer. We have a responsibility to talk about how people can protect themselves from HIV, including what to do when they are tested and diagnosed. "

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/breaking-the-silence-around-hiv-in-african-american-communities,266990.shtml

H&M launches Fashion Against AIDS collection

Fancy a new top that will get people talking? A host of famous musicians and designers have created a range of funky organic cotton T-shirts and jackets for H&M to raise awareness of AIDS among young adults.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=511449&in_page_id=1879

OTHER MEDIA NEWS

Advertising Spending Targeting African American Consumers Exceeds $2.3 Billion Annually, Nielsen Reports

In its first 12-month analysis of advertising spending on media outlets that reach African American consumers, The Nielsen Company reported today that spending for the period October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007 totaled $2.3 billion. The Nielsen African American ad spending analysis covers over 22,000 national, regional and local advertisers, across 130+ media vehicles.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/advertising-spending-targeting-african-american-consumers-exceeds-23-billion-annually,265652.shtml

Digital media change modern entertainment

It is undeniable that the vessel for entertainment is shifting. The last 10 years have wrought a whirlwind of difference in the way music and movies are experienced. The Internet is responsible for creating this world of digital media that seems to define the next generation of entertainment culture.

http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2008/01/31/LifeArts/Digital.Media.Change.Modern.Entertainment-3179607.shtml

Hollywood 2.0—Is TV Dying?

Ever since the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike, both the town and its television and film industries have hardly resembled their usual selves. “Your generation is used to getting entertainment on demand in one form or another,” said Jeffrey Melvoin, a longtime WGA member and former “Seinfeld” writer. “Its habits are moving toward ‘I want it when I want it, how I want it, and where I want it.’”

http://www.cityonahillpress.com/article.php?id=1001

Jose Cuervo Launches Groundbreaking Campaign

Three-Time World Cup Participant Alberto 'El Beto' Garcia Aspe to Promote Social Responsibility and Mexican Pride to Millions of Soccer Fans

http://sev.prnewswire.com/beer-wine-spirits/20080131/CLTH04431012008-1.html

New Media Icon Grapples With Newer Media Rivals

The investor battle raging over the iconic Internet media company offers an object lesson in how high-tech Web firms that miss a beat can be vulnerable to succeeding waves of Internet technology. With the Web in its second decade as a popular consumer medium, some well-known companies that arose in its first decade, like CNET and Yahoo Inc., now face heightened competition.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120157134273724033-dgGTyqts4q92sq7i8d3X_ZHLtm4_20080228.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

New Orleans Ethnic Media Hold First Convening

In the first-ever convening of Louisiana ethnic media, civil rights and immigrant rights groups in New Orleans, representatives from African-American, Latino and Vietnamese news organizations met last week to discuss how to work together on issues of common concern.

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=85727447f2bb1bd1801e3b62aba7813a

New York Times News Service Teams with V-me for Spanish Television Venture

V-me is working with The New York Times News Service to bring The Times's content into the Hispanic

television market for the first time. The two media companies will collaborate on a new weekly program called Paginas del New York Times.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-31-2008/0004747031&EDATE=

The DL Chronicles, GLAAD's First African American Gay TV Series Media Award Nominee

Said to represent Experience vs. Change much like the Clinton vs. Obama platforms, the TV movie "Daphne," a story about a famed closeted British Lesbian author, was produced by LOGO, the LGBT network of the monolithic Viacom/MTV. In contrast, "The DL Chronicles," an anthology series about closeted gay and bisexual African American men, is produced by newcomers, Quincy LeNear and Deondray Gossett, and distributed by here! TV: an independent premium LGBT cable network.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/1/prweb655443.htm

TNS to Roll Out DirectView

TNS Media Research stepped up its initiative to measure national TV audiences through set-top box data, announcing Thursday the launch of a national opt-in panel based on 100,000 DirecTV subscribers.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003704928

January 30, 2008

BET

BET's 'American Gangster' series under scrutiny

Black Entertainment Television (BET) has won higher ratings and critical acclaim for its "American Gangster" series on the rise and fall of Black criminals. But in the wake of the docudramas and a hit movie of the same name, many are concerned about the portrayal of Blacks and images they believe help inspire youth to destructive behavior.

http://media.www.districtchronicles.com/media/storage/paper263/news/2008/01/29/ArtsAndEntertainment/Bets-american.Gangster.Series.Under.Scrutiny-3171869.shtml

CW NETWORK

The CW is extending its relationship with Tyra Banks and Ken Mok

The network has greenlighted an untitled fashion magazine reality series from the duo behind the CW's No. 1 show, "America's Next Top Model," and a trio of producers behind Bravo's reality hit "Project Runway."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i9ec32f006d17a91cc7e4cc40ada63c7b

FOX

MySpace enters jobs market

AUSTRALIA'S fastest growing employment website, CareerOne, and the country's largest social networking site, MySpace, have joined forces to launch a new careers channel, MySpace Jobs.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23133205-953,00.html

MySpace Launches Platform for Developers

News Corp.'s MySpace, the world's largest online social network, will launch its program to court outside software developers on Feb. 5 in a bid to widen the gap against rival Facebook. It is also promoting MySpace business development exec Amit Kapur to a new role as COO.

http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN3063853720080130

MySpace Launching its Developer Tools Next Month

MySpace, in an attempt to tap into outside developers (similar to Facebook), is launching its pre-announced developer platform on Feb 5th. Programmers and other companies will be able to develop applications/widgets on top of the MySpace platform, similar to Facebook apps.

http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-myspace-launching-its-developer-tools-next-month-new-coo/

MySpace names Amit Kapur as chief operating officer

Kapur joined MySpace in 2005 as the company's first business developer and in 2006 he was promoted to vice president of business development. In the new role, Kapur will be responsible for spearheading the development and implementation of all global business operations for MySpace.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-22635349.htm

NY AG pushes e-safety bill, Facebook, MySpace back it

New York's attorney general and state legislative leaders presented a bill on Tuesday aimed at protecting people from sexual predators on the Internet, as Facebook, MySpace and Yahoo backed the effort.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/30/AR2008013001191.html

MTV

Makena Technologies Helps Create New Virtual Skatepark in MTV Networks' Virtual Worlds

Makena Technologies, creator of the popular social virtual world There.com, and MTV Networks today announced the unveiling of a new Virtual Skatepark inside MTV Networks' virtual worlds tied to MTV's two popular on-air shows, "Rob and Big" and "Life of Ryan."

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/AQW01630012008-1.htm

MTV videos take look at Holocaust

The 30-second spots use contemporary images and scenes to teach young people about the Holocaust, the state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime.

http://news.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1069410&srvc=home&position=recent

UNIVISION

MLS, Univision Revisit 'Sueno'

From a marketing perspective, MLS said the initiative was driven in part to further build upon the Hispanic fan base for the league. When "Sueno MLS 2007" launched, it attracted viewers from several countries who watched the program on satellite TV, including Africa, England and South America.

http://www.adweek.com/aw/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003702873

VIACOM

Viacom :Brown Johnson Named President Of Animation At Nickelodeon

The New York media company said Johnson will oversee the development and production of all animated programming on Nickelodeon. Most recently, Brown served as executive vice president and creative director for Nickelodeon Preschool and general manager for Noggin.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200801281311DOWJONESDJONLINE000539_FORTUNE5.htm

Viacom Chief Says Company Is `Recession-Resistant'

``So far we are not really seeing any impact of all the talk of the economy,'' Dauman said in an interview with Bloomberg Television today in New York. ``We have the benefit of good ratings and a shortage of inventory in the ad sales marketplace.''

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aGsFL1Eqcxx4&refer=home

Viacom's College Network MtvU Adds 2.6 Million Subscribers

Viacom Inc.'s (VIA) 24-hour college network, mtvU, added 2.6 million subscribers in partnership with distributors Charter Communications Inc. (CHTR). Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), Suddenlink Communications, AT&T Inc. (T) and 70 others. Viacom said it will launch mtvU on Feb. 2 in more than 700 college communities. The channel is currently broadcast to more than 750 U.S. college campuses.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200801291433DOWJONESDJONLINE000693_FORTUNE5.htm

Viacom's Top Priority: Product Placement

Integrated marketing is a high enough priority at Viacom for chief Philippe Dauman to have mentioned it more than once in recent talks with Wall Street analysts as a vital source of revenue growth. MTV, with its savvy young audience, is seen as a pioneer in blurring advertising and content.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mtvads28jan28,1,6219002.story

AFRICA

Botswana: Yoli Plans HIV/Aids Tests At Varsity Games

Youth For Life (YOLI) will next month embark on an aggressive Intervarsity life testing and HIV/AIDS campaign. YOLI, which has a branch at the University of Botswana (UB), is an international non-profit making organisation that educates people on issues affecting the youth such as HIV/AIDS, passion killings and unemployment.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200801281496.html

Kenya: HIV Positive Teachers in Central Form Lobby to Fight the Scourge

Teachers infected with HIV and Aids in Central province have formed a lobby group aimed at educating their colleagues and other Kenyans on the scourge. At least 400 teachers, mostly in primary schools, have already joined the group. The teachers want to stem the spread of the HIV virus.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200801300119.html

Sex and the City star visits SA

Sex and the City star Kristin Davis is visiting South Africa as an Oxfam Global Ambassador. Davis, who played the role of uptight Charlotte York in the hit TV show, arrived in Johannesburg on Tuesday and is scheduled to meet Women's groups and Community based organisations whose work focuses on HIV and Aids, during her four-day visit.

http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Celebrities/0,,2-1225-2108_2261552,00.html

Uganda: Merging Health Services Can Reduce HIV Infections

IMAGINE going to a health centre where you can enrol for HIV prevention, testing and treatment programmes, family planning and other reproductive health services. This is the approach that experts at the recently concluded fifth African Population Conference in Arusha, Tanzania want governments to adopt.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200801280675.html

CARIBBEAN

Caribbean dance icon establishes academy in St Lucia

Well-known, St Lucian and Caribbean dance icon, Christine Angela Samuel, has finally seen her life-long dream materialise, that is the establishment of a permanent home for the Christylights Dancers.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-5732--20-20--.html

February officially declared as Reggae Month in Jamaica

Sir Kenneth read the formal proclamation, which will also provide for the annual celebration of the music genre, for which Jamaica is known around the world.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/entertainment/entertainment.php?news_id=5710&start=0&category_id=24

Guyana stabilising HIV epidemic, says minister

Guyana’s aggressive response to HIV/AIDS has seen the epidemic stabilising over the past three years as it pursues the goal of having no child born with HIV.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/health/health.php?news_id=5661&start=0&category_id=42

ASIA

Charting the battle against HIV/AIDS

In the three years since the program was launched in January 2005, with joint funding from the Chinese government, UNAIDS and British and Norwegian governments, CHARTS has sponsored a series of projects toward its aim to improve China's strategic capacity to deliver an effective and coordinated response to HIV/AIDS.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2008-01/29/content_6427363.htm

Feminization of HIV/AIDS a serious threat to Nepal

In 2008, the growing and continuing challenge of defeating AIDS has become more concentrated in women in the developing worlds, particularly countries in South Asia, such as Nepal, where increasing rates of infection have shown more women innocently succumbing to infections...

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/50403

OTHER HIV/AIDS NEWS

GLBT communities also face "enormous challenges" with HIV/AIDS

Like the rest of the Black America, Black gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (GLBT) communities face many challenges; the most urgent of these is the continuing enormous challenge of the AIDS epidemic.

http://www.insightnews.com/health.asp?mode=display&articleID=3788

NYU HEALTH | More gay men test positive for HIV

The NYU Student Health Center saw an increase in HIV-positive test results among gay students under 30 in the last two years. But, according to Dr. Donald Kreuz of the center, the absolute number of positive tests remains low.

http://media.www.nyunews.com/media/storage/paper869/news/2008/01/30/Citystate/Nyu-Health.More.Gay.Men.Test.Positive.For.Hiv-3176680.shtml

UVC professor asserts HIV/AIDS epidemic has reached a 'state of emergency' among African Americans

"African Americans remain disproportionately affected by high rates of HIV/AIDS," observed Dr. Laurencin. "The intention of our report was to heighten awareness among healthcare providers and community leaders and to provide information that will help urgently combat this crisis. To be effective, prevention strategies must address the risk factors, community beliefs and healthcare access issues of African Americans."

http://www.insightnews.com/health.asp?mode=display&articleID=3796

OTHER MEDIA NEWS

Advertising Targeting African Americans Tops $2.3 Billion, Nielsen Reports

The Nielsen African American ad-spending analysis covers more than 22,000 national, regional and local advertisers, across more than 130 media vehicles, with the first-year report spanning Oct. 1, 2006 to Sept. 30 last year. Local radio reported the greatest amount of spending on African-American targeted media at $805 million, comprising 35% of total spending, according to Nielsen Monitor-Plus.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6526705.html

Blogs, Social Media: 'No Election Impact'

New-media pundits had predicted that 2008 would be the year that traditional media would take a back seat to new media as the decisive force in shaping U.S. public opinion on the election, writes Andrew Keen. "So far, there's little evidence that bloggers have had a decisive impact."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/andrew-keen-on-new-media-774800.html

Ethnic Nets Get Political

African-American targeted networks Black Entertainment Television and TV One, for instance, are planning significant, multiplatform coverage of the historic presidential run of African-American Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Meanwhile, several Hispanic-targeted networks and the Asian-American-geared ImaginAsian TV are developing grass-roots campaigns to encourage their audiences to register and vote.

http://radio.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=291127

Lance Armstrong Teams with Ex-MySpace Chief

The Lance Armstrong Foundation and a startup led by former MySpace chief Richard Rosenblatt are launching a social-networking Web site focused on health and fitness. The for-profit site, LiveStrong.com, will launch later this year with wellness resources, including blogs and videos.

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2008/01/28/daily2.html

NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY TO HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON FEBRUARY 6TH

The organizers of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) will conduct a special press conference on Wednesday, February 6, 2008. The conference, set from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., takes place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

http://www.blackprwire.com/display-news.asp?id=3852

New Ad Network Targets Young Men

Break, a popular web site for young men, launched on Monday three related sites and formed an advertising network with other web publishers aimed at 18- to 34-year-old males, a highly-sought-after demographic group.

http://www.redherring.com/Home/23600

NYT Launches Text-Messaging Service

The New York Times is rolling out a free service that will send users the opening text of articles on their cell phones and other mobile devices. Users can then choose to continue reading on the Web site, or extend the article one or two sentences at a time.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080125/FREE/726726739/1084

Survey: Google, Murdoch Are 'Media Sensations'

Search giant Google, its mobile developer platform Android, and rising News Corp. exec James Murdoch are the "media sensations to watch" in 2008, according to a survey of media execs by the Guardian Media Group. Of those canvassed, 44% say they read a print newspaper every day.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/30/digitalmedia.googlethemedia

WSJ's Web Site Adds Facebook Function

The Wall Street Journal, aiming to tap into the buzz of online social networks, is adding a feature to its Web site that will allow readers to see which stories are popular among that user's Facebook friends. The new "SeenThis?" feature is powered by a company called Loomia.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_hi_te/apfn_wsj_widget

January 25, 2008

BET

BET Networks Celebrates Black History Month

his February, BET Networks and BET J will feature a spectacular lineup of programming that highlights the amazing accomplishments of modern-day history makers, chronicles the influence and contributions of African-American music, and showcases African-American theatre and cinema in honor of Black History Month.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NEW09223012008-1.htm

BET to Debut Film ‘BLACKOUT’

A massive power outage sets off a chain reaction of frustration, violence and despair in an inner city neighborhood when BET world premieres BLACKOUT, a riveting new drama inspired by actual events.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NEF05625012008-1.htm

Making a bad BET?

McDonald's Corp.'s connection with buns is getting the hamburger chain no love among some black female consumers. The women are objecting to the Oak Brook-based company's advertisements that appear alongside images of nearly naked women on an Internet site designed by Black Entertainment Television. The site was created to add a marketing dimension to advertisers' appeal to people of color.

http://www.suntimes.com/business/750466,CST-FIN-bet21.article

FOX

MySpace Promotes Berman to Executive VP of Marketing, Content

The social-networking website MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media, has promoted Jeff Berman to the newly created role of executive VP of marketing and content.

http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=myspace012408.htm

Myspace Signs Deal to Screen BBC Shows

SOCIAL networking website MySpace has signed a landmark deal with the BBC in a move that will bring it into direct competition with YouTube. BBC Worldwide has launched a video channel on MySpace TV that features short clips from selected shows including Doctor Who, The Catherine Tate Show and Parkinson.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23101438-5014239,00.html

MTV

Arnold's Think.MTV Work Is Chilling, Brilliant

To its credit, Think.MTV.com, MTV's online community, is running two 30-second public service announcements via Arnold, Boston, that tackle this difficult subject in a brilliant way. Without being judgmental or preachy, the spots take an individual "you are there" approach that will no doubt jolt their target audience into awareness; they are done with exquisite knowledge and insight by Emmy Award-winning director Michael Franzini.

http://www.adweek.com/aw/creative/ad_of_the_day/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003701674

MTV Networks to Launch Gay Video Blogs

Logo, MTV Networks' gay-themed cable network, is rolling out a slate of 15 video blogs. Included among the new Web shows are Gay Girls Who Game, hosted by a pair of lesbian video game enthusiasts. The video blogs aim to "create a powerful new generation of voices online."

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003701653

UNIVISION

Univision Kicks-Off Third Phase of Civic Engagement Campaign to Encourage Voter Participation in Upcoming Presidential Primaries

Univision Communications Inc., the nation's leading Spanish-language media company, today announced that it has launched "Ve y Vota en las Primarias" (Get Out and Vote in the Primaries), the third phase of a massive non-partisan campaign to educate and engage the country's Hispanic population in the national electoral process.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/industries/media/article/univision-kicksoff-phase-civic-engagement-campaign-encourage-voter_426864_15.html

Univision Names Talan VP/Corporate Communications

Talan reports to Chief Marketing Officer Maryam Banikaram, who said, "I am pleased to welcome Monica to the Univision family. She has a proven track record of implementing and executing communications programs for both English- and Spanish-language communities.

http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=140770&pt=todaysnews

VIACOM

Viacom Hires New VP and Controller

Media company Viacom Inc. said Friday it hired James Barge from Times Warner to become its vice president and controller.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/01/18/ap4550250.html

AFRICA

Bush to visit five African countries next month

President George W. Bush will travel to five African nations next month -- Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia -- on a trip expected to address issues including economic development and AIDS, the White House announced Friday

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g_7-fOys0pHIWCIcp1lIkhJCtkFA

Sierra Leone: Religious Leader Says HIV/Aids is Preventable

The first religious leader in Africa to have revealed he was HIV-positive Monday said the disease is preventable and manageable if people's faith is translated into actions.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200801241158.html

South Africa: HIV And Aids Activists Climb Kilimanjaro

Through an initiative dubbed the Kili Project, 40 volunteers from all over Africa will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in an effort to raise funds for HIV and AIDS programmes.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200801240276.html

MOBILE MEDIA

YouTube Coming to More Mobile Phones

Google's YouTube is extending its service from a handful of phones to a broader range of devices used by 100 million consumers worldwide that rely on high-speed links to stream videos to mobile screens. "It's basically the YouTube experience you get on the desktop -- on the phone."

http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2316792220080124

Vidal Goes Mobile for Sprint

The mobile video component is at the center of a wide-ranging multimedia campaign created by the Vidal Partnership, New York, that includes national advertising spots on TV and online, in-store promotions in several major Hispanic markets and a national sweepstakes, Mizrahi said.

http://www.adweek.com/aw/magazine/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003695831

OTHER HIV/AIDS NEWS

Dell, Microsoft looking for some Red ink

The two companies planned to announce on Friday that they were teaming up to offer three (Product) Red PCs, supporting the charitable effort that benefits women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa.

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9855643-7.html?tag=nefd.blgs

Sir Elton John and David Furnish to Host 16th Annual Party Celebrating The Academy Awards(R) Benefiting the Elton John Aids Foundation

The 16th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) Academy Awards(R) Viewing Party hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish will be held Sunday, February 24, 2008 at the Pacific Design Center and will be co-sponsored by Chopard and VH1.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/sir-elton-john-and-david-furnish-to-host-16th-annual,262482.shtml

Twice the funding for AIDS

President Bush will propose doubling the funding to combat HIV/AIDS overseas in his last State of the Union address Monday, one of several new initiatives he says will demonstrate his intention to "sprint to the finish" of his time in office.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-01-24-bushinside_N.htm

OTHER MEDIA NEWS

'Greg Brady' Launches Social Network

Actor Barry Williams, who played Greg Brady on the '70s sitcom "The Brady Bunch," is reinventing himself online via a new social network for fans called The Greg Brady Project. The network is powered by MyLifeBrand, a platform that integrates profiles from other networks like Facebook.

http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2008/01/24/a-very-brady-social-network

Newspapers See Growth in Online Users

U.S. newspapers' online audiences grew about 6% last year, according to according to data from the Newspaper Association of America and compiled by Nielsen Online. However, due to the growth in the total online audience, the online reach of newspapers grew somewhat less.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080124/ap_on_hi_te/newspapers_online

Yahoo Eyed as Takeover Target by Big Media

Private-equity firms are said to be reaching out to Yahoo since the Internet company's stock started trading below $24. One of the strategic buyers that has kicked the tires on the company in the past -- a list that includes AOL, CBS, Viacom and News Corp. -- might make a move.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01242008/business/sharks_circle_yahoo__978070.htm