GE Buys Out Entire Edition Of ‘The New York Times’ (mediapost.com)

The U.S. advertising market grew 3.8% in the second quarter of this year -- largely due to an 11% gain in digital media. Standard Media Index says this followed a 2.8% increase in the first quarter. National TV brought down the overall results. In the second quarter, national TV advertising revenue was virtually flat -- down 0.8%. This followed a weak 0.8% gain in the first quarter. These current results came amid higher-than-expected upfront advertising revenue commitments for next year’s TV season, starting in September. Upfront revenue growth is estimated at 4% to 6%. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Second quarter highlights: *Second quarter earnings per share (EPS*) from continuing operations was $1.02, a decrease compared with an EPS of $1.06 in the year-ago quarter; continuing operations adjusted** EPS increased 25.9 percent to $1.59, up 26.5 percent on a constant currency basis *Second quarter sales from continuing operations increased 3.0 percent over the year-ago quarter to $33.8 billion, up 3.8 percent on a constant currency basis *Second quarter operating income from continuing operations increased to $1.2 billion, compared with operating income of $832 million in the year-ago quarter; adjusted operating income from continuing operations increased to $1.7 billion, up 35.9 percent on a constant currency basis

A discount giant is closing the book on a women’s magazine — at least, across its checkout displays. Walmart is removing Cosmopolitan magazine from its checkout lines across more than 5,000 stores. The retailer’s decision is in response to a campaign against sexual violence spearheaded by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. While the women’s magazine will no longer be available in checkout lanes, Walmart will continue selling the publication in its magazine section.