SHORT TAKES : Paula Abdul to Sell Diet Coke

In yet another pop-meets-pop-star match-up, Diet Coke has signed Paula Abdul to appear in television and radio commercials for an undisclosed sum. As the reigning pop music queen, Abdul has had three No. 1 singles in the last year--”Straight Up,” “Forever Your Girl” and “Cold Hearted” --on her debut album, ‘Forever Your Girl.”

‘We’re thrilled to usher in the new decade with an incredible talent like Paula,” said Coca-Cola Vice President Michael A. Beindorff in making the announcement in Atlanta today. It has been a good week for Abdul, who on Wednesday was nominated in four categories for American Music Awards.