Actors OK Advertiser Contract

Actors voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contact with advertisers that provides for a boost in health benefits and more money for actors with roles in commercials, the two sides announced Tuesday.

The vote brings to an end relatively quick, painless negotiations, a sharp contrast to 2000 when actors went on strike against advertisers for six months in the longest walkout in Hollywood history.

Actors now will turn their attentions to negotiating with studios on a new film and TV contract to replace one expiring next summer.

Those talks are expected to be more difficult, with such issues as health care and sharing DVD revenue likely to be discussed.

Some 94% of actors who voted approved the new three-year ad contract.

Actors are represented by the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Representing advertisers is the Joint Policy Committee, a bargaining arm made up of members of the Assn. of National Advertisers and the American Assn. of Advertising Agencies.