Olympic Deal Sealed:

Obama Makes $5 Million Buy Candidate’s Package Includes National Network, Cable

WASHINGTON (AdAge.com) — It’s official. Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign will be among the TV sponsors of NBC Universal’s Olympics coverage. In the first significant network-TV buy of any presidential candidate in at least 16 years, the Obama campaign has taken a $5 million package of Olympics spots that includes network TV as well as cable ads.

FULL ARTICLE

McDonald’s Aims to ‘Evolve’ Dollar Menu Overall Income Rises, but Franchisees Grumble Over Narrowed Margins

CHICAGO (AdAge.com) — Admitting to problems with franchisees over a platform that’s behind much of its turnaround, McDonald’s is determined to tweak its dollar menu until it’s profitable. In a second-quarter earnings call with analysts Wednesday, Ralph Alvarez, the chain’s president-chief operating officer, cited increased commodity costs, declining margins and franchisee profitability for the change.

FULL ARTICLE