Record spending for Oscar ads

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC are spending unprecedented sums on cable, print, radio and outdoor promos in an effort to boost ratings for the March 5 Academy Awards, according to Variety.

The spending comes as this year’s Oscar lineup is filled with nominees who are not exactly household names -- making it less likely that the masses will tune in. But academy President Sid Ganis said there’s no connection between the slate of top nominees and the advertising campaign.

“We’re doing what any good marketing organization would do to get its message out,” Ganis told the trade paper. “Of course, we want the ratings, so we’re pumping it.”

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From a Times staff writer