New Seinfeld Ad Draws Negative Reviews OnlineBy Jake Coyle, Entertainment Writer
NEW YORK (AP), September 05, 2008 -- No soup for Microsoft? The software giant's new ad starring Jerry Seinfeld has draw largely negative reviews online after premiering Thursday night during NBC's broadcast of the National Football League's season kickoff game. The ad was the start of a highly anticipated $300 million advertising campaign that Microsoft is launching in attempt to rebuff Apple's popular TV commercials, which have portrayed Microsoft and PCs as uncool.

Stephen Goldblatt Named EVB Creative DirectorSAN FRANCISCO, September 05, 2008 -- Digital marketing firm EVB San Francisco has hired Stephen Goldblatt as partner/creative director. A former group creative director from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco, Goldblatt joins EVB to oversee day-to-day operations of the creative department at a time when the company is moving from a digital-only boutique to a full-service agency.

Visual Effects Society's First White Paper Provides Food For ThoughtResearch Advocates That Industry Needs To Start Thinking Outside "The Black Box"
LOS ANGELES, September 05, 2008 -- The Visual Effects Society (VES), the entertainment industry organization representing the extended community of visual effects professionals with some 1,800 global members, has published its first white paper. Titled "The State of Visual Effects in the Entertainment Industry," the document explores existing conditions in the biz and issues that impact the effects marketplace.

ANA Opposes Yahoo-Google PactSAN FRANCISCO (AP), September 07, 2008 -- A group representing big-spending national advertisers said Sunday it sent a letter to the Justice Department asserting an online ad partnership between Yahoo Inc. and Google Inc. will stifle competition and likely raise prices. The Association of National Advertisers said on its Web site

Olmi Wins Lifetime Award At Venice Film Festival VENICE, ITALY (AP), September 06, 2008 -- Italian director Ermanno Olmi received the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion for lifetime achievement on Friday. The 77-year-old director won the Golden Lion at Venice for "La Leggenda Del Santo Bevitore (The Legend of the Holy Drinker)" and the Palme D'Or at Cannes for "The Tree of Wooden Clogs (L'Albero Degli Zoccoli)."