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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - May 8, 2013
May 8, 2013
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Mothers' Day:
What moms want: Market researcher NPD surveyed more than two-thousand moms of kids 18 and younger to learn a handmade gift from their child was on the top of the wish list, chosen by 15 percent. A close second (14 percent) was a day off entirely for herself closely followed by a spa day (13 percent). Just over one percent say they want breakfast in bed.
What moms expect: According to the NPD survey, 21 percent don't expect their families to spend any money on gifts, with "zero" being the price range category with the highest percentage response, followed by $10 (17 percent) then $20 (15 percent).
What moms might get: The National Retail Federation just released its annual survey predicts consumers will spend an average of $169 on mom, and more than 14 percent --the highest percentage in the history of its survey-- intend to buy something electronic for Mom, with iPads leading the list. One third say they will buy jewelry, with more consumers looking to buy group gifts to ease the budget bite. A meal out, flowers and gift cards are also high on the list. And 29 percent will buy these gifts online, also a record.
What moms have gotten: While the Brand Keys study reports that 92 percent of consumers intend to observe the day, the reality may be a little different: 24 percent of the moms in the NPD survey say they got NOTHING last year. (Kaye)
Trash talk and satellite dish:
The buzz about LINDSAY LOHAN's obsession with Adderall just won't quit. Rumors were swirling the hot mess would only enter a treatment program that let her use the powerful stimulant and sources at the Betty Ford Clinic tell TMZ.com she may have to kiss her pills bye-bye. Word is the staff doctors are evaluating her ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) diagnosis and might cut her off.
Editor's note: A dirty little secret behind Hollywood's super-fit physiques is that actresses love how the drug ramps up your metabolism without diet or exercise. Sound too good to be true? You're right --it's highly addictive and, according to Dr. RONALD RICKER and Dr. VENUS NICOLINO, made from pure amphetamine. It's estimated the 20-30 percent of college students use the drug --perhaps to extend their study and party time! (Lee)Gossip Central: tabloids with Cory Myers:
"Fifty Shades of Grey" The Movie may have found its Christian. According to Us Weekly magazine, ALEX PETTYFER reportedly screen tested for the role and 54% of the tabloids readers agree that he should be the man behind the Red Room of Pain! Laters, baby!
Popped by the Cops:
JOE FRANCIS --the Svengali behind the "Girls Gone Wild" franchise --was found guilty of assault, three counts of false imprisonment and one count of dissuading a witness from reporting yesterday in Los Angeles. TMZ.com reports he could face five years in jail after refusing to let three ladies leave his Hollywood home back in 2011. He's due to be sentenced today. (Lee)
Ratings:
Remember all those stories that fewer people are watching TV now?
Turns out they're really ...not.
Daily Variety reports the Nielsen Company has now added people who stream TV on the internet to their phones, laptops or other connected devices (like iPads) and there's actually been an increase in TV watching when you add up all those devices.
That (of course) makes TV execs let loose a big sigh of releief, since the company's stats (up until now) showed a decline over the past two years.
Now the question becomes: how will the company hook up Nielsen meters to those "other" devices to measure the viewing! -
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