Editor’s note: Sound off, give a shout out on “Deep Background,” our totally-random open discussion of all things Erie media.

• New Ad Federation video honors Jack Tirak: Outside Erie shares with us a video created for last week’s Advertising Federation of NWPA’s Creative Sparks Awards ceremony honoring the memory of Jack Tirak. For our new readers, Tirak had a long and exemplary career in Erie advertising and media, and upon his retirement launched his blog Erie Media-Go-Round which was a force for media accountability and community until his untimely death in June 2008. On the video, TV and radio guy Bob Bach, and newspaperman Jack Grazier share personal memories about their (and our) missed friend.
• It’s an Iams eats Purina world out there: It’s not just the politicians going negative in their advertising these days. The Wall Street Journal Thursday reports that competitive advertising is getting quite aggressive as our economy goes south. Positioning expert Jack Trout is quoted, “When hard times hit, the singing, dancing and emotional ads go out the window, and clients say, ‘How do I nail my competitor?’ “
• Roll call for Erie’s former DJ’s: Chris Tarbell writes in his well wishes for P&T and reminds our listeners about his Erie radio tribute website, erieradio.tripod.com. Chris says, “I am ALWAYS looking for past Erie DJ’s and their locations/way to contact them.  I would like to expand the Erie radio site to more stations, but would like to locate the DJ’s beforehand.  If any reader knows where others may be, they can email me at christarbell@juno.com.  I’m also looking for old station jingles/airchecks/sweepers too: K104, JET, WJET, WRIE, Froggy, WLKK, etc…” Oh, to hear those old PAM WJET jingles again!
• WQLN struggles to return to air: tower climbers continue to work on WQLN’s transmission system, as the public television station has not broadcast an over-the-air signal since its antenna coupler was severely damaged in the windstorms that blew through Erie on Sept. 15th. According to their website, the new target date for their return to the air with an all digital signal is October 10th.
• The NFL on HDTV: we are in Week 5 of the NFL season; how’s your fantasy team doing? Here’s the schedule with over the air and Time Warner Cable HD channels noted:
  • Sunday, 1 PM – Tennessee @ Baltimore – WSEE: DT 35.1/City 405/Suburbs 709
  • Sunday, 4 PM – Washington @ Philadelphia – WFXP: DT 66.1/City 418/Suburbs 706
  • Sunday, 4 PM – Buffalo @ Arizona – WSEE: DT 35.1/City 405/Suburbs 709
  • Sunday, 8:15 PM – Pittsburgh @ Jacksonville – WICU: City 412/Suburbs 712
  • Monday, 8:30 PM – Minnesota @ New Orleans – ESPN: City 430/ Suburbs 772