Agency

Total advertising expenditures in the first half of 2007 slipped by 0.3 percent to $72.59 billion versus the same period in 2006, according to data released by TNS Media Intelligence.

El Arca (The Ark), a new Hispanic communications agency based in Los Angeles has launched offering companies opportunities for their brands to connect and building buzz with Hispanic consumers. El Arca services include ad production for television, radio, print and digital, media planning and buying, and multicultural and globalization solutions.

DDB North American President Dick Rogers announced today key executive changes at dRM DDB. Eduardo del Rivero, who served as President & CEO of dRM DDB since 1994, has announced his retirement from the company. Assuming the role of President & Chief Creative Officer of the agency is Luis Miguel Messianu, who was an agency founder and has been the CCO since the agency’s inception.

As planned vehicle purchasers hit a 5 year low, radio continues to be one of the best ways to reach those adults who are still in the auto purchase market. These are the findings from The Media Audit’s telephone study of 118,211 randomly selected adults in 88 markets.

When it comes to consumer interest in non-traditional advertising media, Billboards—which date to the 1800’s—and the newer phenomenon of product placement in television top the list, according to the latest research data from Mediamark Research Inc. (MRI).

The recently- launched McDonald’s campaign for its new ANGUS Third Pounder burgers gave residents in major East Coast cities a taste of what awaits them at the restaurants represented by the Golden Arches.

Chevrolet announced the first ever partnership with Lionsgate and the Latin film production company Panamax Films on the release of the motion picture “Ladrón que Roba a Ladrón,” released on August 31, 2007 by Lionsgate Films.

Kraft Foods and several of its most popular brands have joined with Bibi Gaytán, famous Mexican actress and mother, on the De mamá a mamá/ From Mom to Mom program as a way for mothers to share ideas to help manage the hectic life of motherhood.

McDonald’s announced details of its sponsorship of the 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards that will bring the spirit and excitement of la música Latina to Hispanic communities and Latin music lovers across the country, and offer consumers an opportunity to experience the Awards ceremony themselves as special guests.

Earlier this year Mozilla once again tapped Nobox to redesign its Mozilla Store; this follows the highly successful Nobox redesign of Mozilla.com, launch in October of 2006 as well as Nobox marketing efforts on Firefox 2, which among other tactics involved the design and placement of multiple banners.

A surprisingly high percentage of Young Adults and middle-income Hispanics identify themselves as loyalty program participants. At over 40% participation for each segment, these groups are aware of the loyalty game and have their antennae up looking for value. Upside growth of activity in both segments is predicted, as retailers, e-commerce web sites and telecom programs drive participation

GlobalHue announced the appointment of Tony Hidalgo as the new Senior Vice President/Executive Creative Director, Nelson Garcia as Senior Vice President/Executive Media Planner and Buyer, and the promotion of Liz Silvi to Senior Vice President of Accounts for GlobalHue’s Hispanic division at GlobalHue-New York.

The Census Bureau announced that it has awarded its 2010 Census communications contract, worth an estimated $200 million, to Draftfcb of New York.