STUDIOS: NO More Big Newspaper Ads

Hollywood's major studios are considering significantly reducing their expenditures on advertising in major-market newspapers, L.A. Weekly columnist Nikki Finke reported today, citing one unnamed mogul who commented that newspaper readers are mostly "older and elitist." Finke added that at least two Hollywood movie studios -- which she did not identify -- have already decided to cut their newspaper ads as soon as possible. Even those studios who are likely to continue their advertising campaigns may be doing so not to attract patrons, Finke added, quoting another executive as saying, "It's about talent relations. The only reason you do it is because the talent expects it. ... These people like to see their ad in the paper. It's ego feed."