BIG YEAR FOR SPORTS AND SPORTS ADVERTISING

As the biggest of all sporting events, the Super Bowl, approaches, Nielsen has released a report called State of the Media: 2011 Year in Sports. What it shows is a very good year for sports of all kinds and for the broadcast and cable networks that present them.

ADVERTISER TIDBITS

AutoNation had a blow-out fourth quarter, reporting a record profit of $69.4 million. Revenues were up 13% on unit sales that rose 11%. Same store sales increased 10%. Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation now expects 2012 new vehicle sales in the U.S. to reach 14 million.....

The X-Factor is expected to get a review from top to bottom before it returns to Fox this fall

The X-Factor is expected to get a review from top to bottom before it returns to Fox’s schedule this fall. The producers will be trying to more starkly distinguish it from the many other singing competition shows now on the air......