Chief lobbyist of the MPAA, Chris Dodd, also lashed out at the blackout yesterday, saying it was a “gimmick,” and even “dangerous.” Dodd, whose industry outspent the tech sector 13-1 in Congress, oddly called the political protest “an abuse of power.” – After Historic Protest, Members of Congress Abandon PIPA and SOPA in Droves at [...]

… A couple of US senators have introduced legislation to eliminate the federal tax deduction on advertising for prescription-drugs. This could affect marketing budgets and the bottom line of many BDA’s to the tune of millions, and as I say in the chapter devoted to health care advertising in my latest opus… The Ubiquitous Persuaders, [...]

List of top 20 industries/interest groups and total given to US candidates and parties in the first six months of 2009: Industry Total Democrat Republican Lawyers/Law Firms $20,114,413 84% 16% Retired $18,253,459 51% 48% Candidate Committees $13,668,468 83% 17% Securities & Investment $10,839,999 71% 29% Real Estate $10,076,434 61% 39% Health Professionals $9,044,915 59% 41% [...]