Cliff Freeman Partners

Imagine creating ads for some of the world's biggest also-rans. How do you outmaneuver McDonald's--which spends nearly $1 billion dollars every year promoting happiness-on-a-bun? Who can slice away market share from Pizza Hut, the undisputed pizza kingpin? And if General Electric is the only light bulb maker that can bring good things to life, is everyone else in the dark? Not necessarily.

Imagine creating ads for some of the world's biggest also-rans. How do you outmaneuver McDonald's--which spends nearly $1 billion dollars every year promoting happiness-on-a-bun? Who can slice away market share from Pizza Hut, the undisputed pizza kingpin? And if General Electric is the only light bulb maker that can bring good things to life, is everyone else in the dark? Not necessarily.

Little Caesars said it has awarded its advertising account to the Detroit office of Bozell Worldwide. The announcement came after an extensive account review that also included Grey Advertising and McCann-Erikson. "We are very impressed with the creative and strategic thinking that went into Bozell's presentation," said Denise Ilitch Lites, marketing chief at the Detroit-based pizza chain.

CKE Restaurants Inc.'s large Hardee's hamburger chain said Wednesday that it has awarded its $80-million national creative advertising account to Cliff Freeman & Partners in New York. Hardee's Food Systems Inc. said in a press release that the agency joins the company at a time when the restaurant chain is refocusing on quality, cleanliness and fast, friendly service in its 2,750 company and franchised restaurants in 37 states and 11 foreign companies. Hardee's, based in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Miller to Introduce Clear Beer: Miller Brewing Co. said it plans to introduce Miller Clear, a beer filtered to remove traditional amber color. Miller, the nation's No. 2 brewer, said it will announce test markets and detail its advertising later in the month. The ad campaign is to be handled by Cliff Freeman & Partners of New York City. The company said Miller Clear will have the same alcohol content as regular beer but with fewer calories at 122 per 12-ounce serving.

Michael J. Fox's Pepsi-Cola commercial "Outfoxed" was the television sweepstakes winner Wednesday night at the 29th annual International Broadcasting Awards, presented by the Hollywood Radio and Television Society. The win marked the fourth time in five tries that a commercial from the advertising agendy BBDO has taken the top prize. BBDO also won three other tropies: for Apple Computer and two other Pepsi commercials.

A series of humorous TV commercials for Little Caesars Pizza and a Nike ad in which soccer players compete against the devil were among the top prize winners Friday at the 37th Annual Clio Awards in San Francisco, the best-known awards ceremony for advertising. But the Grand Clio for TV ads went to a grainy black-and-white British commercial for Levi's 501 jeans.

Little Caesars has parted ways with the New York advertising agency that created the much-celebrated "Pizza! Pizza!" campaign amid flat sales, increased competition and a shrinking ad budget. Cliff Freeman & Partners, which has handled the account since 1986, withdrew from the running after the private fast food pizza chain began an agency review last month. The split terminates what some consider one of the industry's most successful advertising partnerships.

A Miller Lite ad from a campaign scrapped because it failed to sell beer and a Discover Brokerage Direct commercial condemned by securities regulators are among the five nominees vying for best commercial Emmy on Saturday. As the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announces the winner, its decision is certain to spark debate over what makes a good commercial: an ad that sells or one that entertains.

No, your color television set isn't broken. All those commercials really ARE in black and white, though with the occasional splash of color. Until fashion houses appropriated the dusky look a few years ago, black-and-white advertising was the domain of small-budgeted marketers. Now, even the most deep-pocketed and strait-laced among them are producing moody black-and-white ads.

The concept of time saved--perhaps one of the most precious commodities of American culture today--has become a marketing ploy used by everyone from airlines to pizza makers. Now it has come back to haunt one of the companies most closely linked with it. Domino's Pizza, the nation's No. 1 pizza delivery chain--which built its reputation on a 30-minute guarantee--scrapped its quick-delivery promise Tuesday. The move was prompted by a jury award last week of nearly $79 million to a St.