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Strike Negotiations to Continue This Week NEW YORK—Representatives of the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Joint Policy Committee will meet with federal mediators again today to discuss terms for ending the five-month strike by actors against the ad industry. Negotiations, which began last Wednesday with sidebar committees from the JPC—which represents the Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising Agencies—and SAG/AFTRA will expand to include the full negotiation committees from both sides. Federal mediator John Muir last week characterized the talks as "productive" and said the two sides spent most of Friday in face-to-face negotiations. "We're taking it one day at a time," he said. JPC chief negotiator John McGuinn said the mediators also held discussions with each side independently. No further details were available due to a gag order.Lexus Launches Third Generation LS LOS ANGELES—Lexus has unveiled a national campaign from Team One Advertising, El Segundo, Calif., for its LS 430 sedan. It includes the themeline "The passionate pursuit of perfection," a reworking of "The relentless pursuit of perfection." Two 60-second TV spots shot in Italy show Italians picking up the beat of the music as the car passes. Print breaks this week and outdoor in October.Publicis Seeks Creative Chief for SeattleLOS ANGELES—Gail Anne Grosso, president and chief creative executive at Publicis in Seattle, has resigned for undisclosed reasons. The shop has begun a national search for her replacement. Chief creative officers Tony DeGregorio in New York and Seth Werner in Chicago will lead Seattle's creative department in the interim. Premiere Group Adds Review WrinkleLOS ANGELES—Media shops pitching fledgling Premiere Group's motion picture distribution and marketing account are being offered the chance to invest in the firm, sources said. Premiere is telling shops it has secured $20 million in venture capital funding and is looking to double that, sources said. Premiere plans to spend $60-70 million on broadcast advertising. RightPro Agency Selection ImminentLOS ANGELES—RightPro.com will announce an agency this week to handle its estimated $15 million business-to-business and business-to-consumer account. The finalists are Blackboard and 120, both Los Angeles, and an undisclosed shop. Colby Effler & Partners, Santa Monica, Calif., is no longer participating, sources said. The winner will break TV, print and online ads for the Culver City, Calif.-based company in the fourth quarter. $100 Mil. Gemstar Review FaltersSAN FRANCISCO—Gemstar International Group, which launched a $100 million review for its e-book business this summer may take its creative work in-house, sources said. Four Northern California shops—Citron Haligman Bedecarré, Tonic 360, Butler, Shine & Stern and an undisclosed shop—were competing for the account. But sources say Gemstar has not returned phone calls lately.

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