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June 9, 2009 4:52 PM

Heinz, Quaker, Sara Lee Feature in Valassis v. News America Trial

By
Jim Edwards
(MoneyWatch)  We're about 10 days in to the Valassis v. News America trial and BNET hears that evidence from at least three of News America's clients has been heard in court, along with testimony from Paul "I will destroy you!" Carlucci, the News America CEO who doubles as publisher of the New York Post.

Also testifying was Tom Leprine, a News America exec responsible for pricing policy at the in-store/coupon agency.

Evidence from News America clients Heinz, Quaker, and Sara Lee was heard by the court in form of previously taken deposition testimony. The mere fact that News America's clients are being dragged into this plays to Valassis' advantage -- clients generally hate it when their agencies' problems become their problems.

BNET wishes there was more to report but Judge Michael Sapala has imposed a de facto media blackout on the case by banning cameras from his Detroit court. (The remaining Detroit media are tied up with a couple of minor matters regarding Chrysler and General Motors.)

Valassis' stock has been up recently and the company announced that it is now no longer threatened with delisting by NYSE. (A Morningstar analyst last December said Valassis' stock was worth $0.)

That news came after Valassis cut a direct mail deal with the Dallas Morning News.

BNET is happy to hear from sources on either side of the case.

© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
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