With the end of the fourth calendar quarter blood will flow

There's every indication that the fourth-quarter woes among automakers and retailers has meant grim numbers for newspaper advertisements. I'd expect some bad news over the next few days as companies start making their reports.

Sign of the future

The "Grey Lady" herself, the New York Times, will start selling ad space on its front page.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/business/media/05times.html?_r=1&ref=media

Back in the day this was a common practice. Front page ad space was always premium space, but starting in the early 20th Century newspapers began moving ads off the front page for aesthetics and professionalism.

Given the NY Times decision I would expect nearly every other newspaper in the country to quickly follow suit.