ESW rounded up no fewer than 25 "opinion leaders" (yes, we were one of them) to record their thoughts about the future of the advertising industry. We have seen part one and enjoyed hearing what a really diverse cross-section of people in the business had to say on the topic. Part two of the ESW video project will, we are told, be posted soon at www.10yearsahead.com. For part two, viewers will be asked to join in the conversation with their thoughts about the advertising business10 years down the road.

Jim Signorelli, needless to say, is happy his agency has survived to see its 10th anniversary. "Ten years ago we were three people whose assets were a desktop computer and a dream," said Signorelli, adding "it's surreal to think that today we are on the Inc. magazine list of the 500 fastest-growing independent companies in the United States."

Advertisers who purchase the Clear Channel Chicago Urban Network will receive a cross-platform of marketing opportunities, including radio, digital and events. "Clear Channel is more than radio -- we are a media and entertainment company," explained Jones. Darlene Park will be general sales manager for the Urban Network, and Derrick Brown will assume the role of director of urban programming for the three urban properties.

Even as the bar for acceptable advertising has dropped lower and lower in recent years, not much out there rises above the merely acceptable. But rarely have we come across a spot as bad as "Time," part of a new campaign with the tagline "I live. I ride. I am. Jeep." The campaign is to be formally unveiled Wednesday during a seven-hour presentation by Sergio Marchionne, the new CEO of the Chrysler Group and the reigning CEO of Fiat.

Marchionne and his underlings reportedly will talk tomorrow about their grand plan for turning around the Chrysler company and breathing new life into the beleaguered Detroit auto industry -- new life funded in large part with bailout money from our federal government.

But if this new Jeep campaign -- as vacuous as it is -- is any indication of how Marchionne and his crew hope to make Jeep a better, more in-demand brand, then there's big trouble ahead. We've looked at "Time" several times now, and it's absolutely impossible to comprehend what the message is supposed to be. Somewhere hidden inside the impenetrable voiceover copy there seems to be a statement trying to come out about what kind of people will appreciate the Jeep brand. But the spot is so busy trying to be clever and important and impactful that the point of it is totally buried - leaving us with what is basically 30 seconds of slickly-edited visual and verbal gibberish. And that vapid tagline is surely one of the worst ever conceived.

After watching "Time," one is invariably forced to wonder who could be foolish -- or dim-witted -- enough to green-light drivel like this? We can only point the finger of blame at Marchionne and hope he quickly comes to his senses.

Lew's view: F-

Hudson has been a fixture on "First Business" program since mid-2003. A search is currently underway for Hudson's successor. Hudson's co-anchor Beejal Patel will continue on with the show. "Tom Hudson is an exceptional broadcast journalist, and we wish him the best," said "First Business" Executive Producer Harvey Moshman, who hopes to have Hudson's replacement on board by the end of the year.

In recent years, the 30-minute "First Business" product had featured Hudson and Patel offering commentary from the floors of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade, as well as the show's expanded studios in the west loop. The show first launched in 1989 as a production of the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., and it is now syndicated in 126 markets nationally. Over the years "First Business" has attracted various high-profile sponsors, including Sprint, Ameritrade and IBM.

Previously, Carpenter served as vice-president and general manager for both of the Fox-owned stations in Chicago from 2004 to 2006. Carpenter also served as vice-president and general sales manager of WFLD from 1994 to 2000. Renda said of Carpenter: "Her deep understanding of the market, combined with her proved record and entrepreneurial spirit, made her the ideal choice to lead our sales team."

Despite Energy BBDO's award-winning work for the Beam bourbon and Canadian Club whiskey brands, the Beam company was prone to testing the relationship between client and agency. Sources say Beam quietly put the Beam and Canadian Club business into review almost a year ago, and Energy BBDO was forced to compete with Goodby Silverstein & Partners/San Francisco and Droga5/New York to hold on to the accounts. Energy BBDO prevailed in that review with the "Guys Never Change" work that is now hitting the air.

Sources say Energy BBDO had not budgeted much or any income from Beam for 2010, so massive layoffs are not expected as a result of the loss of the Beam account.

Now if Euro could only win some big accounts for all those apparently happy Gen Y'ers!

"Our acquisition of Emerge reflects our commitment to consumer engagement," said Brian Kristofek, Upshot's president and CEO. With the acquisition of Emerge, Upshot's client roster grows to include Consumer Reports, Cirque du Soleil, HBO, Harpo and Visa. Over the years, Upshot and Emerge have collaborated on various projects for clients such as Kraft Foods, MillerCoors and Aircell's GoGo Inflight Internet.

Growth in interactive is projected to outpace all other areas of marketing over the next few years.