In a year like 2001, success is relative.

        Two of Cincinnati's oldest and most venerable companies fared well during the difficult year, while other firms here and around the country struggled. Neither E.W. Scripps Co. or Procter & Gamble Co. had banner years — but in a year like 2001, not falling back is as good as forging ahead.

Scripps: holding up

        Advertising in 2001 was grim at best and horrific at its worse — distressing other media companies — but Scripps relied on its growing television division to buffer any downturn at its traditional advertising outlets.

        However, expections are not rosy for early next year. Advertising at the company's 21 newspapers could be flat through June 2002.

        “We expect a challenging first half, continuing softening through the first half of the year, and we're hopeful for a recovery in the latter half,” said Tim Stautberg, vice president of investor relations and communications for the E.W. Scripps Co.

        Viewers fleeing major networks have probably boosted viewership at the category television division.

        “Our networks are a nice refuge in difficult times,” Mr. Stautberg said. “We continue to put out programming so that you can leave the television on all the time.”

        The company also expects 2002 to be robust compared to 2001 at its 10 television stations because of more political advertising.

P&G: the recovery

        It's slow turning around the aircraft carrier that is Procter & Gamble Co., but by year's end chief executive A.G. Lafley seemed to be on his way.

        The company said in December it would narrowly beat Wall Street expectations, the most upbeat prediction in more than a year. That followed an eight-month run-up in the stock that saw it top $80 per share, the most since the stock collapsed in March 2000.

        Several P&G brands were stars. Driven by the new Spinbrush and Whitestrips, Crest battled its way past competitor Colgate. A remade Olay paid benefits, and P&G's acquisition of Iams pet food produced one of the company's big performers.

        But as the year ended, big businesses like diapers and feminine care still hadn't produced the results Mr. Lafley sought. And food-and-beverage continued as a sore point.

        Along the way, there was plenty of rough terrain. In August, a P&G contractor was caught going through the trash outside an office of competitor Unilever, and P&G ended up paying $10 million in a private settlement.

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