Photoshopping BW: We are so going to get in trouble for doing it better. But seriously this is the Businessweek cover story we would love to see

When Jeff Zucker was appointed to the newly created roll of CEO of NBC Universal Television many in the industry were shocked. Yeah Jeff was the boy wonder at NBC, making shows like "Today" major hits in its time slot. But Jeff started to lose his mojo after he got pulled into the corporate ranks taking the roll as president of television. We all thought that the boy wonder lost the wonder and was on his way out by way of an order from way up at the top of all tops, Jeff Immelt, CEO of NBC Universal parent General Electric. An order did come from the top of all tops, but it was to approve the upping of the boy wonder who lost his wonder. Now many who worked alongside Jeff Zucker is now reporting to him and he sits in good with Immelt. Is this NBC Universal CEO Bob Wright's way of indirectly naming his successor? Is this GE's way of picking Wright's replacement for him? During a conference call a few days after the announcement, Bob Wright allegedly joked around calling Jeff his heir apparent. Other execs like Zucker number two Randy Falco President & COO of the television group chuckled nervously. But like us, the industry is convinced that Zucker is indeed Bob Wright's heir apparent. However we would love to hear from Jeff himself, how he pulled it off, who's ego he stroked or who he sold his soul to. This would make for a great Businessweek cover story. Earlier: [We had to do it: We present to you the Businessweek cover that will be]

CBS, really BIG! on segregation

First they announced that they will segregate their evening news viewers, now comes word that Les Moonves and his minions are taking it up another notch. According to reports, the network is set to announce that the show "Survivor" will be pitting whites, blacks, Asians and Hispanics against each other. Hell why not? What would be even more interesting is for CBS to split up all it's news anchors and journalist or whatever they are called these days in the same manner. REALITY RACISM [Page Six]

The way it was

We remember when love was flowing through the office suites of Newscorp. Father Murdoch and eldest son Lachlan were at the top together, well kinda. Peter Chernin had no shot at taking over when father Murdoch retired. But those days have since been shattered. Our belief, and it is our belief only, is that Newscorp Prexy, Pete Chernin and Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes worked behind the scenes to get father and some at each other's throats. Why you ask? Well look at the two people who benefited from Lachlan leaving the family business. Younger Brother James is doing ok running daddy's Sky business but if Pete Chernin has his way, that is where he will remain. Does Rupert Murdoch have a succession plan in place? Based on management structure, one would say Pete Chernin is the heir apparent to the CEO throne, but it doesn't have to play out that way. We think Lachlan Murdoch will be back in a big way at the family business and this time around he will let it be known who will be calling the shots when daddy chooses to spend his days yachting or playing with his guns.

Morning Wire: Rupert loves a good battle

And now the morning's top media business news according to us, now with snazzy morning paper work up: Rupert Murdoch loves competition [BW] AOL's CTO is O.U.T. [Reuters] Newsstand titles are suffering a case of bloggeritis but they won't admit it [NYT] Viacom gives MTV & Nickelodeon their own film labels [AP] VNU creates one out of five [MBP] Last year we had so many to look forward to. This year just a hand full [MBP]

You don't say: Myspace is Rupe's baby!

Rupert Murdoch does what anyone who is anyone knew he would do. He will use his Myspace gem as a marketing tool for his movies and TV Shows blah blah blah! Why is this not exciting to us? Anyway RedOrbit touches on the subject again but we swear we read this somewhere before. Last week, News Corp announced Fox Interactive Media and Twentieth Century Fox are to make some of their latest content available through MySpace. Films such as the box office smash X-Men The Last Stand and the popular new TV series Prison Break will be available alongside older favourites such as the horror classic The Omen and the hit series 24. The TV shows will be priced at $1.99 per episode and new feature films will cost $19.99. MySpace is becoming the main highway on News Corp's roadmap. Bought for $580m last year, News Corp has already attracted a $900m advertising deal from Google. MySpace Moves to Forefront of Murdoch Empire [RO]

He still loves his Gawker but...........

Even Gawker can't please everyone. Earlier today a Gawker reader posted what is clearly a cry for Gawker to bring back the trash and break away from their recent mainstream CondeNast-esk content. Could The Gamerboi be the only one that feels this way? Below, The Gamerboi pleads with Gawker's editors to entertain us again!

Mike Wolf swears MTVN isn't picking up Rupert's left overs

Since losing out to Newscorp on the Myspace purchase, Viacom's MTV Networks has been on a shopping spree buying up web properties like bargain hunters at a flea market. Mediawire Daily (we) referred to it as Viacom's last minute dash to make up for the Myspace defeat. However MTVN Prexy Mike Wolf assures us all that they aren't just grabbing whatever they can find. There have been no multibillion-dollar Murdochian splurges, and no overnight game-changing deals for a MySpace or a YouTube. But over the last year or so, Viacom’s MTV Networks has strung together a series of doubles in the face of News Corp.’s new-media home runs. The company’s Aug. 10 $200 million acquisition of Atom Entertainment—which specializes in short films and casual gaming—was its fifth major Web purchase since June 2005. And while the headlines have been muted, most credit the cable giant for amassing a potential-filled online portfolio. According to MTVN president Michael Wolf—while some might see a disjointed effort to buy Web leftovers—these properties have been careful selected. “Each of these fits into an overall plan—building and broadening MTV Networks’ presence on the Internet,” Wolf said. Hey Mike, you guys (MTVN) still dropped the ball and this is you trying to paint a more strategic looking picture if you will. MTV Nets Follows its Own Web Creed [Mike Shields for Mediaweek]

MISSING OLD GUY ALERT 2: Still no credible leads

We put out an alert last week for former Time Warner CEO Gerald Levine but we haven't been successful in finding out where or what he's been up to. We got a few emails connected to the search but none was credible. So we're thinking it could be the reward causing the lack of worthy leads. So we are raising the reward from $5 to $10 for anyone who can provide information on Gerald Levin's whereabouts. Yes we did call Time Warner but surprisingly when we mentioned the name Gerald Levine, the response was "WHO?" We were shocked that the receptionist didn't know who Gerald Levine was, but she did transfer us to corporate communications who forwarded our calls to the point where we got cut off. So again...........If there is anyone out there in media land who has some kind of info a recent photo etc that will lead us to Geri Levine please share with us and claim your reward.

THE MORNING'S COVERS: The post wins this round

We bet the media's latest celeb the alleged killer of JonBenet, isn't enjoying his sudden fame like the media is! Anyway both the Post and the Daily News went head to head with the same pic but different headlines. The Daily News' headline (above) doesn't really put a chuckle in our morning. We could care less about what this guy had for dinner on the plane. But the NY Post puts more than a chuckle in our morning with their headline. Not only did they tie in a free promo for Sam Jackson's new movie but it's brilliant, and doesn't it just fit?? [NYDN] [NYP]

From web to print. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

In a time when print publications are switching to a 100% web based format, travel websites are doing the opposite. Sherman's Travel is being spun off from ShermansTravel.com, which aggregates online travel offers and also publishes a newsletter distributed free to its more than 3.5 million subscribers.Established in 2003 by James H. Sherman, a new-media consultant and former executive at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, ShermansTravel.com had 1.5 million unique visitors in July, according to Nielsen/NetRatings. Gannett, publisher of USA Today, is a minority investor. Mr. Sherman said the new magazine was aimed at the 25 percent most affluent subscribers to his newsletter, who he said wanted a publication that focused on what he called luxury value. I believe most travelers are like me, they want 80 percent of the amenities you can get at a Four Seasons or Mandarin Oriental hotel, but are seeking a better value,” Mr. Sherman said. The first issue of the quarterly magazine has articles on Romania and Maui, and a map and guide to the autumn foliage season in New England, plus a list of luxury values in Mexico, Asia and elsewhere. In a Twist, a Travel Web Site Plans to Spin Off a Magazine [NYT]

Will Smith and Overbrook goes Overseas

When the U.S. movie audience just aint cutting it anymore, there is only one thing to do, go after audiences oversease. Thats exactly what actor Will Smith and his partner James Lassiter are planning to do. Government censors allowed only 20 foreign movie imports in 2005, leaving out Mr. Smith’s romantic comedy “Hitch.” The rejection rankled the actor; China is one of the fastest-growing movie markets. So at a gathering of the Sony Corporation’s top management in January, Mr. Smith appealed to the chief executive, Sir Howard Stringer, and a studio executive, Michael Lynton, to introduce him to Chinese producing partners. Overbrook Entertainment, the company created by Mr. Smith and his business partner, James Lassiter, announced it was working with UTV, a television and film concern run by the entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala. The two have agreed to produce two movies, neither of which will star the popular Mr. Smith. Fresh Princes of Mumbai, Building a Global Audience [NYT]

Moonves spending big to remind us that Katie Couric works for him now

We will be re-introduced to katie Couric in about two weeks as the new face of CBS's evening news. But it's gearing up to be one of the priciest re-introductions ever. CBS wants us to go to sleep and wake up with Katie Couric's face in our heads. They are planning to plaster New York City buses with images of their new evening news anchor. Her former boss Jeff Zucker isn't taking any chances. To avoid getting kicked to the curb by his former anchor's debut, Mr. Zucker has been gathering executives for regular meetings intended to guard against complacency, in both the evening and morning time slots. He is also pulling all stops in promoting his new "Today" team. Beginning around Sept. 1, an image of Mr. Williams, four stories tall, will loom over the CBS Broadcast Center in Manhattan from a banner at West 57th Street and 10th Avenue. (Alongside will be another featuring Matt Lauer and Ms. Couric’s replacement as his partner on the “Today” show, Meredith Vieira.) CBS Is All Katie, but Rivals Aren’t Standing By [Sunday Times]

The Chemistry of Dick and Jeff

They sometimes finish each other's sentences during the loooong and boring Time Warner earnings calls. They sometimes dress alike, it's rumored that the two towers of the Time Warner Center is named for each of them because of their height. But is this all a good boy roll on Jeff Bewkes's part to be in good standing with the boss, or do they just really gel like that? With all the talks surrounding the company and the future of its management, we wonder if Jeff has thought about who he would love as his right hand man/woman even once. We already listed five people who we think would be a good fit for the Bewkes Era but it’s not like Jeff Bewkes is reading Mediawire Daily, at least not that we know of. The smooth Chemistry between the two men is that of smart diplomacy, respect and space. Will Jeff ever be able to replace that? The again maybe, just maybe, Jeff is going to want to have that space all to himself for a bit.

The Anna Wintour T-Shirt that is sure to be a killa

Now if only we could mass produce without being sued. You know you want one!!!! Stay Tuned Kids!

Gawker still has a thing for Jesse Oxfeld

It's been over a month now since Gawker Media boss Nick Denton told Jesse Oxfeld "Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya" but apparently Mr. Denton isn't quite ready to totally erase Jesse from Gawker. It looks like Denton likes to visit the credits page from time to time to remember what was. The site still gives Jess Oxfeld editor credits. Wonder how current co-editor Alex Balk feels about that? Clearly Managing Editor Chris Mahoney aint managing too well!!

And now the biggest circulation losers according to BPA

It's a tough time for some mags trying to remain relevant. Wine Enthusiast, Meredith Corp.'s American Baby and Viacom's Nickelodeon are three titles slowly on their way to being internet only publications. Wine Enthusiast's total paid circ declined 21.6 percent to 68,546. Subscriptions, which account for most of the title's circ, plummeted 30 percent versus last year, as the sub price was hiked to $28.20 from $23.78. American Baby's paid circ declined 21.5 percent to 89,313, although overall circ, encompassing paid and nonpaid, was steady at 2 million copies. Nickelodeon's paid circ dropped 13.1 percent to 934,524. BPA: Am. Baby, Nick See Paid Circ Declines [Mediaweek]

DICK PARSONS' ROLODEX: Wonder if any numbers of top government officials are in there?

Above is a picture of Time Warner CEO Dick Parsons' desk on moving day to the new Columbus Circle HQ. We're guessing it was taken by one of the movers who was well aware of who they were moving. Judging by the look of things, Mr. Parsons seems to be a well organized man who gets a lot of gifts. He is also a private man who likes to keep his computer screen blocked from the prying eyes of minions when he's crunching numbers. Mayoral habits?? [photo via webshots]

Separated by pay grade, last name and Roger Ailes

Today in Separated by. We look at the striking resemblance between Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto and his boss News Corp Prexy Peter Chernin. The glasses the dark hair the shape of the face. Brothers from another Poppa?

Little Jimmy Murdoch gets more cash that he doesn't need

Yeah! We're late with this one by about a week but we had to touch on it. James Murdoch, Rupert's youngest boy got a raise in pay for running daddy's business well. And why shouldn't he? Other CEO's get fat raises based on company performance. But does the raise in pay make any difference to one of the heirs to a multi-billion dollar fortune? We think not. Here is a run down on why Daddy gave Jimmy the raise: Since joining Sky, James Murdoch has consolidated the group's lead in pay-TV and secured another three-year deal for live coverage of Premiership football, as well as looking to diversify sources of revenue with ventures such as a new broadband offering. The company remains on track to hit its target of 10 million subscribers by the end of 2010. Last year revenues rose by 8% to £4.15bn, with pre-tax profits up 1% from a year earlier to £798m. It has nearly 8.2 million pay-TV subscribers and has just launched high-definition TV and broadband services. James Murdoch wins 23% pay rise for taking Sky to new heights [GU]

Roy Disney: The CEO police

Disney heir Roy Disney, is not a big fan of CEO's. He mad this clear when he finally got Eisner to walk out the door of Disney HQ for good. Now Walt's nephew is planning to keep other CEO's on their toes. Roy Disney started an activist investment fund, which is largely funded by public pension plans upset with lackluster performance of CEOs. If you are a CEO and happen to notice that Disney's Shamrock Activist Value Fund has purchased stock in your company, start packing up the office. "They've made it clear that they shot Eisner ... and that they can dance on my grave anytime they want," Denman said. Disney heir not amused by CEOs [DenverPost]

MORNING WIRE: What if we told you that this includes Dick Parsons

And now the morning's top Media Business News according to us: Some are thinking that maybe, just maybe corporate thug Carl Icahn will win this time around. But with a year and change left on his contract, is Dick Parsons worried? [Dealbook] Time Warner's inproper book keeping calls for financial restatement [NYP] Someone has the balls to stand up to Vogue Editrix Anna Wintour [NYP] If you care, Time magazine is supposed to hit mailboxes on Friday's instead of Mondays now. But for some reason we always got it on Tuesdays. So do this mean we will now get it on Mondays? [NYDN]

WIRE REWIND<< We're totally sucking Dick & Jeff off lovely

And now the days recap: If Dick Parsons does run for Mayor, his real campaign logo would probably be Time Warner blue [Mo Dick Mo Dick Mo Dick] Come on, we're sure we aren't the first ones to notice that Les Moonves and Bill Ritter could be brothers from another mother [Separated by networks, job titles and salary] We totally kinda predicted the mornings front page news [We told ya so. Then again is anyone surprised] Do we love Judy McGrath or what? [Today In Judy For President] Carl Icahn could be the one pushing Dick out the door [Because He-Cahn] Seriously, where the fuck is Geri Levine? [MISSING OLD GUY ALERT] A slime ball to the rescue [The alleged slime ball killer who may have saved the Cable News Nets] Dick Parsons is very Mayor-esk [Hey you know what? Dick Parsons is very Mayorly] The segregation of CBS Evening News viewers is coming [CBS News wants to segregate it's Evening News viewers] The do's and the dont's for Jeff and Peggy [Jeff and Peggy on their way to super media eliteness]

Jeff and Peggy on their way to super media eliteness

So you are clearly the heir apparent at the world’s biggest media company. You came up through the ranks by stepping on some toes but not too hard. The CEO title is now in your view, what do you do? When Jeff Bewkes takes over at Time Warner he and his wife Peggy will be propelled to the top of the media elite bunch signaling the arrival of the Bewkes’s. We came up with some do’s and don’t for Jeff to refer to when that time comes: DO: -Have lunch at Michaels, Fred’s @ Barneys and any other Ivy-esk eatery where you will be seen. -Throw a party every other summer in the Hamptons and invite everyone who is anyone except your competition this way you will be lord of the party -Get a black leather short cut coat and wear them with jeans from time to time for that cool factor -Make sure a pic is taken of you while punching away at your blackberry. It makes you look busy -Be the last one to arrive at Herb Allen’s media gathering in Sun Valley. This way you can make an entrance. -Only two business mag covers. You don’t want to become the celebrity media mogul. Les Moonves already has that roll Continue to the dont's... DON’T: -Talk about what Dick Parsons did. Talk about what you’re going to do -Always be chauffer driven. Take a cab from time to time, it keeps you grounded -Drag your tone of voice during earnings calls. Its really annoying -Have your photograph taken at every premier you attend -Not have lunch at the eateries mentioned in the DO’s

CBS News wants to segregate it's Evening News viewers

Les "Love Boat" Moonves just has to be the first in everything. His network has announced that they will simulcast its evening news with Katie Couric online when it debuts Sept. 5. Putting a new face on segregation. And now the cliché quotes: "It makes sense if you have access to a television, why would you want to watch it on computer?"- Sean McManus, CBS News Prexy "I think it could help us potentially grow our audience," - Sean McManus, CBS News Prexy "We take the approach — and we believe it's the right approach — that the Internet audience is different from the one watching the broadcast and is looking for different content" CBS to simulcast Katie Couric online [AP]

MO DICK: Hey you know what? Dick Parsons is very Mayorly

We are not the only ones we swear, but Dick Parsons actually has a good shot at becoming New York City’s next Mayor, more than even Mike Bloomberg ever did, and look where he is today. Before he was Dick Parsons, media mogul he was Dick Parsons public servant. Continued.... We all know the story of Dick serving as a lawyer for New York governor Nelson Rockefeller and followed Rockefeller to Washington when he became vice president in 1974.But will Dick’s ties to President Bush skid his chances just a tad? Remember he was rumored to have been offered the treasury job but allegedly declined. He is a republican and it seems as though, America is all republicanned out. So will New York City lean towards this bear of a black man to tower over their city? Here is how he stands next to current media man turned mayor, Mike Bloomberg.

The alleged slime ball killer who may have saved the Cable News Nets

With reports out of Iraq becoming redundant and the cease fire between Hezbollah and Israel in affect, news networks were scrambling for news to keep us watching. They were looking for that saving grace. Then came John Mark Karr, the alleged killer of JonBenet Ramsey. Now prepare for a brutal week ahead as the media prepares to milk this story to the last drop. We will be forced to look into the eyes of this alleged pervert every hour of the day as people like Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer will be asking how and why. A panel of specialists will be present on most news nets to give their take on the whole thing as they bask in their 15 minutes of fame.

MISSING OLD GUY ALERT: Have you seen Geri Levine?

Some buy their way back into the media biz. Some join the boards of other companies. Some take smaller rolls at other companies. But Former Time Warner CEO Geri Levine has gone underground. The last piece of info we saw on Geri was in an article in Vanity Fair some years ago. His mustache was shaven, and he was unhealthily thin looking. We know that he moved to California after is marriage went downhill and put his money into some kind of spa business. Yeah odd move for a former media big but we would love to know what he's been up to!! Is there anyone out their in media land that has any new info on Geri that you wouldn't mind sharing? If so drop us an email and put our worries to rest. Hey there is a handsome reward you know. Yup if anyone can tell us what Geri Levine has been up to, we will reward you with a crisp US $5 bill. Will it take Dick Parsons' rumored run for Mayor to bring him out of hiding? Oh Geri Oh Geri where are you????

Because He-Cahn

That wart on Time Warner's ass is back and this time it looks like it will be sticking around for a bit. Corporate thug Carl Icahn is said to have a new plan for the company and is even putting together some kind of fund to pursue the company. In a letter Mr. Icahn layed out his why's and how's: "Time Warner's stock has proven frustrating, but we continue to hold the stock and feel, as strongly as ever, that a significant gap exists between Time Warner's intrinsic asset value and its share price." "Every once in a while, markets act irrationally, providing the patient investor with great opportunities for reward with little risk. RJR Nabisco was a good example of this - over the course of a few years, I made many times my investment. Today I believe Time Warner represents such a situation." Dick Parsons apparently spilled coffee on his copy of the letter. Icahn to create new fund to pursue Time Warner [IHT]

Today In Judy For President: She is really the Ying to Tom Freston's Yang

We can't say it any clearer. If Viacom boss Tom Freston is serious about bringing the sexy back at Viacom, then he needs to knock on the door of Judy McGrath's office and ask "Will you join me?" installing Judy McGrath as President of Viacom will send a strong message to shareholders that the company is serious about content and the revenue it generates. Sumner Redstone needs to now take a back seat and let the youngsters do what they do. Viacom already took a blow when they let Myspace slip away which is now why Freston and company are on a shopping spree trying to keep Viacom in the cool. It must suck big time to know that, when your MTV audience isn't watching, they're online on a competitor's site discussing the very things you broadcast. Just think of the power Myspace combined with MTV would have??

THE MORNING'S COVERS: We told ya so. Then again is anyone surprised

Yesterday when the news broke that a suspect was arrested in the decade old JonBenet Ramsey murder we predicted that the story would dominate the morning's covers. Then again if we see someone drinking bottles of Jack Daniel back to back, isn't predicting the person will get drunk cheating, being that it is clear what the end result will be from consuming gallons of alcohol? Did we lose you?

MEDIA QUICKY: Separated by networks, job titles and salary

We posted this a while back but its something we can't get past. CBS CEO Les "Love Boat" Moonves and news anchor man Bill Ritter share a striking resemblance that cannot and should not be ignored. If Julie Chen were to get tipsy one night, there is no telling if she would know Bill from her husband. Then again a woman always knows right?

MORNING WIRE: Mo Dick Mo Dick Mo Dick

Keeping our wacky visual momentum going, we were wondering what a Dick Parsons campaign logo would look like. We were thinking that media moguls seem to follow in each others footsteps and so we dug up an image of Mike Bloomberg’s old campaign logo and said to ourselves, "Blue seems to be Dick Parsons color". So we got to work right away and we have to say we are actually thinking about getting this to his minions for possible use during his rumored campaign to sit in Mike Bloomberg’s old cubicle at City Hall. Continued.... Though we are proud of the final product, we are worried that conservatives will find our choice of words offensive even though they (the words) mean no harm.

FRESH OFF THE WIRES: Israel VS. Hezbollah depleted Iraq coverage. Jon Bonnet will deplete all of the above

Major Cable news networks are without a doubt shifting gears from war to murder, though both fall into the same bucket, the Jon Bonnet Ramsey story is coming back to the forefront. With the arrest of a suspect in Thailand, reporters like Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper are probably hard at work reworking show topics for this evening. We also anticipate our morning dailies saturating their front pages with this as well. [cnn]

We thought it was here already

For some reason Paul R. La Monica who writes the MediaBiz Commentary section on cnnmoney.com makes us feel like we're in the movie Groundhog's Day when we read his articles. They seem redundant and usually about topics all the other media folks have touched and moved on. But we can't get enough of the guy. His current masterpiece is titled "Beware the return of the Web Bubble" but unless we're missing something we thought the bubble was back full force. Mr. La Monica, cautions that News Corp's acquisition of MySpace has worked out well so far. But other media giants should not overpay for social networking sites. We sure hope Viacom chieftain Tom Freston is taking note. But by Mr. La Monica's caution above, is he implying that Newscorp spent too much for Myspace? In media, it’s a monkey see monkey do game between the media giants. With Newscorp’s scooping of Myspace, companies like Viacom who was in the running to take Myspace is now looking at possible deals to get their sticky little fingers in the social networking business. The web bubble went bust because big media saturated it. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen again. Mr. La Monica wisely states that media companies will avoid making the same mistakes they did a few years ago and not overpay for "clicks." Eyeballs don't matter. Sales and profits do. Beware the return of the Web Bubble [cnnmoney]

To Spin, size does matter

Spin magazine said that they are increasing the magazine's trim size from 8-by-10 inches to 9-by-11 inches. Publisher Malcolm Campbell hopes that the new size will hit the spot. Malcolm Campbell said that the move is "the single most important thing we've changed since taking over the magazine," enabling the 21-year-old monthly to include more photography and to stand out on newsstands. The mag also plans to also tell us what songs we need to download in their new "The Spin Mix: Songs You Need to Download Now." section. If only we did download songs. We'll have to wait for our colleagues over at our music biz counterpart Musicwiredaily to get their copy so we can check it out. Spin to Grow Trim Size [MW]

We had to do it: We present to you the Businessweek cover that will be

With all the major changes rumored to be on the horizon at media giant Time Warner, with CEO Dick Parsons' alleged plans to run for mayor of New York City, we got a vision of what the Monday covers of the business weeklies will look like in 2008 if and when Dick Parsons steps aside for a shot at city hall, mainly Businessweek. We figured a direct and cliche headline would be what Businessweek goes with a clean shot of the new man in charge. We also figured they would probably have piece on outgoing CEO Dick Parsons' planning for his run for Mayor as well as his accomplishments and mistakes during his run at the media giant.

MORNING WIRE: Slow news is no news

And now the morning's top media business news according to us: The house that Bob Johnson built and left to Debra Lee has inked a deal for it's newly launched animation division to entertain us via our cell phones, the internet and other media vehicles [Reuters] When your stock price is in the toilet,spin talks of a merger with your competitor to the media [Reuters] Chow.com to add to the epidemic that is fat Americans [NYT] Mark Burnett gets discount share shopping on Martha Stewart Omnimedia [NYDN] Time Warner launches sports channel without the glitz [AAS]

Why won't anyone believe that Mediabistro is for sale?

It has been a mystery to all in the blogosphere about Laurel Toby's Mediabistro empire. Rumors come and go of a sale but no hard evidence that the company is really on block. Is laurel and company spinning a sale rumor to ramp up publicity and in return attract more traffic? We could do well with some of that traffic. Maybe we should spin a story that our publisher is buying Mediabistro. Mediabistro said to be on the auction block[NYB]