Political Ad Watch: McCain Ad Returns To Clinton's 3 a.m. Phone CallBy Mike Glover
PHOENIX (AP), August 26, 2008 -- If you think you've heard this line of attack before, there's a reason.  Republican John McCain's latest TV spot is playing off Hillary Rodham Clinton's best-known ad against Barack Obama to heighten any concerns that Obama isn't ready to take a 3 a.m. phone call that could signal a crisis demanding judgment and experience. The McCain ad debuted Tuesday, just hours before Clinton was to address the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Dispute Among The Doors Nears End; Stems From 1970 Buick Request To Use "Light My Fire" In SpotBy Paul Elias
SAN FRANCISCO (AP), August 22, 2008 -- The end is near for a bitter legal dispute between the three surviving members of The Doors now that the California Supreme Court has refused to take up their case. The dispute stems from a 1970 agreement signed by the four original band members, including Morrison, that any business deal would require an unanimous vote of The Doors. The agreement was reached after Morrison and three others got into a "violent disagreement" over using "Light my Fire" in a Buick television commercial, according to the appeals court's decision in May backing Densmore.

Commercials Attain Higher Profile On Several Fronts At SIGGRAPH 2008Spot Panel Discussion Sets Confab Precedent; Ads Make Mark At Computer Animation Festival
By A SHOOT Staff Report
LOS ANGELES, August 22, 2008 -- "Thank you SIGGRAPH for the first time having a discussion of commercials." That was among the opening remarks by Limbert Fabian, director of design at Radium, as he was about to moderate a SIGGRAPH panel session titled "Animation in Commercials: A Look at the Process, the Joy, and the Unmentionables."

Political Ad Analysis: McCain's Iran Ad MisleadingBy Douglass K. Daniel
August 27, 2008 -- TITLE: "Tiny." LENGTH: 30 seconds. AIRING: In key states where McCain is on the air. SCRIPT: Announcer: "Iran. Radical Islamic government. Known sponsors of terrorism. Developing nuclear capabilities to 'generate power' but threatening to eliminate Israel. Obama says Iran is a 'tiny' country, 'doesn't pose a serious threat.' Terrorism, destroying Israel, those aren't 'serious threats'? Obama - dangerously unprepared to be president." John McCain: "I'm John McCain and I approved this message." ANALYSIS...

Producer Ready For Denver's Super Bowl Of PoliticsBy Lynn Elber, Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP), August 26, 2008 -- Producer Ricky Kirshner knows how to put on a big show. After handling the Super Bowl, NATO summit and four national political conventions, he was ready for the Democratic gathering in Denver. Then he learned that the convention starting Monday would move from the 20,000-seat Pepsi Center to 76,000-seat Invesco Field for Barack Obama's acceptance speech on the final night, Thursday.  Kirshner's reaction?