Top Story

• Target, Neiman Marcus amuse "Revenge" viewers with long-form ads
  Target and Neiman Marcus were the sole sponsors of Sunday's episode of ABC's "Revenge," using the air time to create five long-form spots that weave a story-within-a-story aimed at promoting the retailers' holiday partnership. The show's writers, actors and set designers worked on the commercials, to ensure the story and social media tie-ins would appeal to the program's target audience. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (11/9)     

Agency News

• European Central Bank taps Havas for euro campaign
  The European Central Bank has picked Havas Worldwide to develop a creative and multimedia campaign around the bank's issuance of a new series of euro bank notes. Havas Worldwide will lead all communications, including TV, print, outdoor and PR, among other disciplines. "This is an extremely important and significant task," said David Jones, CEO of Havas Worldwide. MediaPost Communications/MediaDailyNews (11/9)     

• Digital sales help Publicis post an October surprise
  Publicis this weekend reported 7% year-over-year organic growth in group sales in October. Digital sales and strong growth in the U.S. and emerging markets helped the company reverse a 1.6% loss in September. Reuters (11/11)     

Creative

• Century 21 to make a return appearance at the Super Bowl
  Century 21 has purchased commercial real estate within the third quarter of next year's Super Bowl, said Chief Marketing Officer Beverly Thorne. Century 21 advertised in the 2012 big game with spots starring Donald Trump and athletes selling homes aided by plucky agents, combining recruiting with consumer interest and leading to a spike in Web traffic. Agency Red Tettemer will handle the creative. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (11/9)     

• Other News

• Chad returns to pitch Santa on Alltel versus Verizon Wireless
  MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (11/9)     

Media

• Sky's the limit for brand marketers in "Skyfall"
  Brands such as Omega, Heineken, Audi, Aston Martin, Sony and Adidas are expected to get close to $8 million in exposure for their products from tie-ins with the new James Bond movie "Skyfall," according to Front Row Analytics. "These brands spent millions to be a part of a marquee movie franchise and the world will take notice -- now that's a great return-on-investment," said Front Row Analytics' Eric Smallwood. Variety (subscription required) (11/9)     

Trends & Research

• Will Congress put tax deductions for ads in the cross hairs?
  Congress may look at eliminating the corporate tax deduction for advertising during this lame-duck session -- one possibility among several legislative and regulatory changes that could occur in President Barack Obama's second term, writes Katy Bachman. Internet and mobile privacy could also see significant action. Dick O'Brien, executive vice president of government relations at the 4A's, said: "It's time to fasten our seat belts. ... We're gearing up for an active four years." Adweek (11/12)     

• Other News

• U.S. ad spending projections remain mostly below 2007 peak
  MediaPost Communications/MediaDailyNews (11/9)     

Sponsored Content

Marketer News

• Coca-Cola to give its website a magazine-like feel
  Coca-Cola is reformulating its corporate website to make it appear more like a consumer publication. The new site will be called Coca-Cola Journey, reviving the name of an internal magazine that was published in the 1980s and '90s. Coke executives are promoting the change to a variety of articles and full-time staffers feeding the site as an effort to tell their "story." The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (11/11)     

Technology

• IKEA's interactive online catalog permits behavior watching
  IKEA is creating its first interactive catalog in time for holiday shopping. Called "Celebrate Brilliantly," the 31-page catalog runs on the company's website and allows IKEA marketers to monitor consumer behavior, unlike previous catalogs. An e-mail campaign and online banners will promote the Brownstein Group-produced catalog. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/Media Decoder blog (11/11)     

Association News

• 2012 Agency Transformation II
  On Friday, Nov. 16, the 4A's New York State Council will sponsor a dynamic seminar where you will hear kirshenbaum bond senecal + partners and Mullen's mediahub some of the critical issues facing our industry.
  
  Be sure to be there as our speakers explore agency transformation, re-creation, re-imaging and culture building. Kbs+ leaders Lori Senecal and Ed Brojerdi share how, in this period of rapid change, invention is replacing innovation as the true benchmark of progress for agencies and clients. John Moore and Sean Corcoran at mediahub reveal how the agency is changing their workforce, environment and the way they look at venerable media channels.
  
  Visit our website to learn more about the event and to make your plans to join us in Rochester!     

• 17 Tips Guaranteed to Make You More Productive at Work
  Don't you wish you could spend a little less time at work? Are there times when you feel incredibly stressed and busy, yet at the end the day nothing comes off your to-do list? Are you reading this description right now, simply because you have a big project to do and you're looking for ways to procrastinate? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then have we got a webinar for you. Join us in this engaging session to gain the skills and mindset to start making time for successful life balance.
  
  Visit our website to learn more about this workshop and register!     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by 4A's SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Source: Clock is ticking on Nick Brien's career at McCann (The Wall Street Journal)

• Agencies scramble to hold pitch-prep sessions in post-storm NYC (Advertising Age (tiered subscription model))

• Macy's brings back Kris Kringle in holiday campaign (The New York Times (tiered subscription model))

• Havas' MPG retains media duties for Sears, Kmart (Advertising Age (tiered subscription model))

• Home Depot mobile campaign looks to bring people to the store (MobileCommerceDaily.com)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

SmartQuote

I observe the physician with the same diligence as the disease." --John Donne, British poet, satirist, lawyer and cleric