On The Air
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
May 13, 2005

The world of advertising came to Lincoln Financial Field Wednesday as Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and friends filmed a commercial for this year's Campbell's Chunky Soup campaign.

McNabb enters his fifth year as a spokesperson for Campbell's. His usual co-star and mother, Wilma McNabb returns, and for the first time, his father, Sam, appears in the commercial. Teammates L.J. Smith and Greg Lewis are the other co-stars.

Ted Riedel, senior brand manager for Chunky Soup and Meals said, there has been a "robust increase" in sales for Campbell's since they began their affiliation with the NFL a few years ago.

(What is the top selling Campbell's soup? The answer appears at the bottom of the column).

Estimates place the compensation for McNabb in the millions for the national commercials.

The ads will start running when the football season begins in September.

Mum's the word

Even though officials at WPVI aren't talking, industry sources say longtime sports producer and reporter Jack Brayboy was either suspended or is no longer employed by the station.

Brayboy, who joined the station in 1982, could not be reached for comment. However, his photo is still on the WPVI Web site.

Meanwhile, sports anchor Scott Palmer's last day on the air is set for June 17.

New time for Charry

After a decade on the Saturday night shift, WIP 610-AM's Rob Charry finally can go out on "date night," since he moved to afternoons a few months ago.

The unflappable WIP veteran said, "It actually doesn't feel much different. I've never been a 9-5 person, and I've gotten used to working an odd schedule since I've been in radio (1976). Whenever anything important came up, I took the night (Saturday) off anyway."

Roberts moving up

Former ESPN "Sportscenter" anchor Robin Roberts is moving up in the world. She becomes a co-host of the surging "Good Morning America" on ABC with Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer.

Kalas the voice

Phillies announcer Harry Kalas is providing the voice for the movie trailers for "The Longest Yard" with Adam Sandler.

More exposure

The sports-parody show "Cheap Seats" gets an upgrade to the "front row" as it will air on ESPN2 Monday from noon-6:30. It usually airs on ESPN Classic, which isn't available on most cable systems here. Some of the events include "Steve Garvey Fishing" and "The Putt-Putt Championships." I'm waiting for "Ron Cey Darts."

T.O. going bowling

It seems that whatever Terrell Owens puts his mind to, he accomplishes (see Super Bowl, broken foot). Tuesday at 8 p.m., he competes for the "ESPN Bowling Night" championship against Damon Jones of the Miami Heat and "X Games" champion Dave Mirra. The winner earns $25,000. Let's hope Owens wins, as we know he is squeaking by on that Eagles' salary.

Mmm, mmm good

The top-selling Campbell's soup is chicken noodle.