Of course, in addition to its stated goals, Leo Burnett Business undoubtedly will be all about fattening the agency's bottom whenever possible -- something that Burnett has not been able to do much in recent years via the addition of huge, lucrative new accounts. Current Leo Burnett Business clients include Ace Limited, BP, Johnson & Johnson and United Kingdom Trade & Investment.

A total 67 Emmys went to Chicago area broadcast outlets and other area companies and organizations. Wisconsin stations and production companies won another nine Emmys. There were more than 640 entries in the 2009 Chicago/Midwest competition.

Scholarships of $4,000 each were awarded to three deserving students. The Ephraim Family Scholarship went to Logan Groover of Northwestern University. The Tom Skilling Scholarship was given to Rosanna Laporta of Columbia College and the Sharon A. Palermo Scholarship to Soo Jin Kim of Columbia College.

The evening's co-chairs were Adam Marton and David Ratzlaff. For a complete list of Emmy recipients, please visit www.chicagoemmyonline.org.

In 2009, Burnett Worldwide was the third most-awarded network at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, as well as the Network of the Year at the Art Directors Club of New York and the Gold Drum Awards.

Prior to becoming Burnett's worldwide creative director, Tutssel was executive creative director of Burnett/London. During his tenure in London, both McDonald's and Heinz were named advertiser of the year in the United Kingdom by Campaign magazine. Commenting on his Cannes appointment, Tutssel said: I am delighted and extremely flattered to be asked to preside over the world's biggest celebration of creativity in communications."

"Our goal is to help Crocs further differentiate itself and expand the 'Crocs community' by sharing the unique story and substance behind the brand," said Karen Seamen, general manager of C-K/Chicago. "C-K presented a global brand platform and creative executions that, when combined, provide a compelling brand story sure to reach the millions of Crocs fans worldwide, while introducing new people to our unique and innovative footwear," added Ken Chaplin, vice-president of marketing at Crocs.

C-K's first work for the client is expected to launch in spring of 2010.

Now headed by General Manager Michael Renda, WFLD won 10 Emmys, more than any other TV station in the regional competition. WFLD was honored with two Emmys for two investigative reports titled "Murder or Suicide?" and "Property Taxes" and another Emmy for an investigative series titled "Contingency Fund." The station also got nods for two hard news single features titled "Cop Killer Coverup?" and "Stop the Presses?" WFLD's other wins included Emmys for a medical specialty report, a hard news feature series and a politics/government specialty report.

Local TV insiders who have followed the Emmys for years says those stations that submit the largest number of entries often wind up with the most Emmys. WFLD, it could be said, is an avid participant in the Emmy competition. ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7, by far the dominant outlet in the local TV news ratings competition, does submit entries for Emmy consideration, but not so aggressively as some other stations.

In announcing the new program, WGN Program Director Kevin Metheny obviously had to reach more than a bit to come up with a basic description of the concept: "This will be a crazy collision of experiences and perspectives." Perhaps. But it also sounds as if the program will be chaotic and hard to follow, with so many different bloggers with different areas of interest talking amongst themselves while Leff tries to tie it all together.

Obviously, the Tribune Media Group is trying to use its radio outlet to promote the ChicagoNow venture. It's called synergy. But "ChicagoNow Radio" may very well prove yet another irritant to tens of thousands of formerly loyal WGN listeners who have turned off the station in recent months as Metheny has tried to update and modernize the sound to attract a younger audience.

And the Walter E. Smithe furniture company and its marketing titan Tim Smithe picked up the Chicago/Midwest Emmy for best TV commercial for a spot that had all three Smithe brothers sitting in baby high chairs. The winning commercial is but one in a long line of outrageously creative spots produced by the Smithe company. In his acceptance speech, Tim Smithe thanked commercial director Bill O'Neil for "making TV magic." Smithe also quoted the character Donald Draper from the "Mad Men" TV series in pointing out that "advertising is distilling a company's communication down to its essence."

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.