Howard Stern Claims CBS 'Bullying' Him

Shock jock Howard Stern claimed that his former employer CBS Corp. is "bullying" him and threatening to sue him for financial damages.

Speaking at a hastily arranged news conference in New York Tuesday, Stern said CBS accused him of reaching a "secret agreement" with his new employer, Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., even though he disclosed it to CBS executives and discussed his intentions to move to Sirius on the air.

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'MySpace' Parody Launches Film Career

Amateur filmmaker David Lehre first screened his short film "MySpace: The Movie" about a month ago at his 21st birthday party.

Since then, the spoof of the popular networking site has been viewed more than 6 million times through various online sites and has prompted a development deal offer from MTVU, contact from Hollywood managers and a complimentary e-mail from MySpace co-founder Tom Anderson.

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Reebok Marketing Campaign Draws Criticism

The images that sell Reebok sneakers these days are edgy.

One ad depicts the devil. Another has fingerprints on what appears to be a police booking form, as rapper 50 Cent advises buyers to "take advantage of today because tomorrow is not promised."

A controversial television ad last year had 50 Cent, a former drug dealer who has rapped about being shot nine times, counting aloud the bullets that were fired at him. The rapper laughs and then looks into the camera as a voiceover asks, "Who do you plan to massacre next?" The ad was withdrawn in Great Britain.

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Mobile TV? Please Stand By.

TV on cell phones is generating the most buzz at the 3GSM show, but can the industry live up to the hype?

Mobile TV is the hot topic at 3GSM, the big convention on third-generation cell phones that started Monday, but some analysts worry the potential for television on cell phones is over-hyped.

A dubious business model, the battle over standards, and the sluggish uptake of third-generation mobiles services all could mean a fuzzy reception for mobile TV.

“Mobile operators who have a dream of being mobile media companies are not being realistic,” said John Strand, CEO of wireless research firm Strand Consult.

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Advertisers take different approach with planned Kwan ads

Michelle Kwan's withdrawal from the Winter Olympics forced two major television advertisers who were featuring the figure skater in their campaigns to reevaluate their plans.

Coca-Cola has decided not to go ahead with one of its two ads that reference Kwan, while Visa USA is sticking with her.

A series of Coke ads that feature rabid fans cheering for their favorite athletes included one in which they were rooting for Kwan. The skater is not seen in the ad.

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Google's advertising power grows

Expanding a test of its print advertising program, Google is now allowing advertisers to bid for space in 28 magazines, including high-profile publications such as Martha Stewart Living and Motor Trend.

The move is part of a continuing effort to diversify its advertising business beyond the Internet, which now produces the bulk of its revenue. The company also recently acquired a company that will allow it to enter radio advertising.

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Levi's Monster Unleashed in San Francisco's Union Square

Advertising Students' Denim Beast Hoping to be Adopted

If you were walking around in Union Square in San Francisco recently, you may have noticed a strange sight: an enormous, four-legged muslin monster prowling menacingly in front of the Levi's store. It walked around, it sat down for breaks, and it created the kind of buzz that only strong advertising pieces can. The monster was a hit with the public, and many San Francisco bloggers praised Levi's for this ingenious and weird bit of guerrilla advertising.

CHECK OUT VIDEO OF THE MONSTER

'American Idol' Crushes Grammys in Ratings

Some humbling news for professional musicians like Madonna and U2: By a wide margin, TV viewers prefer the amateurs.

Nearly twice as many people 28.3 million watched "American Idol" than watched the Grammy Awards 15.1 million when the two music programs went head-to-head in prime time Wednesday, according to Nielsen Media Research.

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Sirius Shock: Pirates Hit Howard Stern Show

Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., which liberated radio shock jock Howard Stern from the federal decency standards that he felt had shackled him, is finding that freedom's just another word for $500 million to lose.

Since Jan. 9, when Stern debuted on Sirius, pirated versions of the shows have been made available for free via several online file-sharing networks just hours after Stern signs off. The New York-based broadcaster signed Stern to a five-year, half-billion-dollar contract in 2004.

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The Gucci Killers

Shanghai Tang has learned from its past mistakes--and now it's gunning to become China's first great luxury brand. Forget about cheap socks and DVD players. This is the next battlefield for global competition.

It's 10 till 10:00 on a dark night in a 1,300-year-old Confucian temple in Shanghai, and if the weather is any indication, Confucius is ticked. October is traditionally a dry month in this part of eastern China. Indeed, yesterday was sunny, and tomorrow is predicted to be glorious. But a steady rain has been falling since late afternoon and shows no signs of letting up. Journalists from three continents, local bigwigs, style-obsessed Chuppies, and even three athletes from China's 2002 World Cup soccer team--certified national heroes--are huddled under umbrellas in the wings, drinking champagne, waiting for a fashion show to begin.

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