Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
May 2, 2017
BANKS FIND SMALL BUSINESS OPTIMISM
HOWEVER, UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HIRING
Confidence in the economy by small business owners has increased significantly from just six months ago, according to a new survey from Bank of America (BofA). Similarly, a survey from Fifth Third Bank finds small business owners upbeat. However, both banks raise questions about just how those small business owners plan to make that optimism pay off in revenue growth.
The BofA report, based on a semi-annual survey of 1,000 small business owners across the country, reveals that 52% are confident the national economy will improve over the next 12 months—up a staggering 21 percentage points from just six months ago. Similarly, small business owners’ confidence in their local economy improving jumped to 50% from 37% in fall 2016.
This increase in optimism, however, has yet to translate into positive movement on revenue expectations or five-year growth plans, which remain flat since the fall. The BofA survey conducted by GfK found that only 48% of small business owners expect their revenue to increase over the next 12 months—actually down from 52% in fall 2016. That was at odds, however, with the Fifth Third survey, where 90% of small business owners expected revenue growth in the next 12 months.
Almost shockingly, BofA found that plans to hire have dipped to their lowest point in five years with 18% of small business owners surveyed planning to hire in the year ahead, down seven percentage points from fall 2016. Instead, those surveyed this spring say they are focused on retaining existing employees.
“What our survey shows is a significant shift in the mindset of small business owners from just six months ago. Although some uncertainty remains with respect to hiring and revenue, the increase in general optimism is certainly a promising indicator of potential growth for small businesses in 2017,” said Sharon Miller, BofA head of small business.
Fifth Third Bank also found a wave of optimism among small business owners, with 58% more optimistic about their future as a direct result of the 2016 presidential election. This is tied to expectations that the new administration will enact widespread changes in business policy, regulations, taxation and healthcare costs.
While optimism is good, Kala Gibson, head of Business Banking for Fifth Third, says “small business owners must translate optimism into action if they want to achieve their business goals.”
Barely over half (51%) of business owners in the survey conducted by YouGov say that they regularly follow and update a business plan. In addition, only 2% of small business owners most often turn to free or low cost solutions offered by the Small Business Administration.
ADVERTISER NEWS
Houston-based Group 1 Automotive reports a drop of 11% in combined new and used vehicle sales in “energy price impacted markets” of Texas and Oklahoma for company-wide declines of 10.7% in new vehicles sales and 7.1% in used vehicles……The Detroit News is reporting that elevated trim levels and “special editions” have played a big part in increasing average automotive transaction prices and eventually corporate profits. It relates that Ford exec VP Mark LaNeve remarked recently that the average sales price on Ford SUVs is up about $4000 in the last couple of years due to customers choosing upgraded trim packages……Ethan Allen quarterly net sales fell by 5.3% with comps in its retail division down 10.9% in orders written. It blames “the uncertain political environment and customer expectations of higher discounting” but will stick to its plan of increasing advertising by about 20%...... This Week In Consumer Electronics reports Samsung is now the top major appliance brand, having beaten LG and Whirlpool in dollar volume in the first quarter. Samsung surpassed Whirlpool in the third quarter last year and has retained the title, mostly showing strength in the refrigeration and laundry categories……Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets, after acquiring 44 stores from the Ahold-Delhaize merger, continues to expand and has seven new stores in the active planning stage to add to its current 204 stores roster. Despite the price deflation that has held back the supermarket industry, Weis’ stores have had 11 consecutive quarters of positive same-store sales ……There have been previous reports suggesting Midwest chain Marsh Supermarkets has been having financial problems, and Marsh has now closed pharmacies in all its stores, reportedly selling the prescriptions accounts to CVS. Owned by equity fund Sun Capital Partners for more than a decade, Marsh is reported to be in arrears for rent, taxes and other fees. Krispy Kreme already has a lawsuit against the chain for non-payment…… Arby’s is reporting its 26th consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth, with a 1.6% gain over last year which is also a 7.6% gain over 2015’s first quarter. The chain continues to grow—during the quarter it signed 29 development agreements that cover the building of 86 more locations……BJ’s Restaurants is introducing a new Brewhouse Slow-Roasted menu after a quarter in which same-store sales were down 1.3%. The chain opened three new units during the quarter and now has 192 locations in 24 states……Dunkin’ Donuts is expanding its coffee menu with a nationwide introduction of Frozen Dunkin’ Coffee as a permanent menu item. To help launch the new items, participating stores will give away a free sample on Friday 5/19 in the lunch (10AM-2PM) daypart.
NETWORK NEWS
The 44th annual Daytime Emmy Awards were handed out Sunday night. Among the winners were ABC’s General Hospital named the Outstanding Drama Series. Scott Clifton of The Bold and the Beautiful on CBS made history by winning the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series award. That made him the first actor to have won awards throughout his career in the Younger Actor, Supporting Actor and Lead Actor categories. ABC won again when Good Morning America was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Morning Program and CBS won again with the women of The Talk picking up the award for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Hosts, beating out The View on ABC and syndication’s Live with Kelly. The long running CBS soap, The Young and the Restless won for Outstanding Writing Team and Bryan Craig got the trophy for Outstanding Younger Actor, while Kate Mansi of NBC’s Days of Our Lives was recognized as the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series……ABC has moved forward to develop the time loop mystery drama Echo Point from Safehouse Pictures and The Good Neighbor co-writer Jeff Richard. The network issued a script commitment and if the projected is picked up, it will go through the network’s straight-to-series model and be considered for the summer of 2018 schedule. Safehouse Pictures made its first foray into TV with the critically praised period drama Underground, currently in its second season on WGN America……Judge Judy Sheindlin is expanding into the game show space with a new project with the working title of Courtroom TV. The half-hour syndicated show will be hosted by comedian John Henson (Wipe Out, Talk Soup) and is slated for a six-week test run on select Fox O&O stations starting on July 10th. Each episode will feature three contestants facing off to test their powers of observation by testing their ability to recall what they’ve just witnessed on video clips and images spanning the media landscape. The winner will have a chance to advance to the final round and compete for a $20,000 grand prize……Gordon Ramsey, host of the Fox show Hell’s Kitchen has announced that he will open a new Hell’s Kitchen restaurant in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Place. Ramsey said, “Fans of the show have been asking us to bring a Hell’s Kitchen restaurant to life since day one, so I’m thrilled to finally be doing it here at Caesar’s Palace.” Ramsey went on to say, “A key element of the show’s success has always been the diner’s experience, so we are excited for guests in Las Vegas to feel like they too are part of the show – flames and all.”
COMPETITIVE INFO
Instagram continues its surge in generating advertiser interest while Facebook remains the dominant social platform, according to a first quarter survey of advertising agencies conducted by Strata. The survey also found a continued multi-quarter decline in YouTube’s lead over Instagram, bringing the two within one point of each other in advertiser interest as 54% of agencies report plans to use YouTube against 53% for Instagram. Facebook remains entrenched in first place as 95% of agencies are interested in that platform. Twitter, which historically held third place in agency interest until the second quarter of 2016, continues its slide with interest from 37% of agencies, finding itself just 10% above fifth-place LinkedIn.
When agencies were asked which form of media they prioritized the most, 24% reported that digital video was their primary focus. Although that leaves digital video in second, behind local TV & cable at 36%, the interest in digital video has seen a 351% increase over the past year.
Strata says the rise in interest in digital video may be surprising in light of the fact that agencies appear split on the effectiveness of digital video. 25% feel that it can be as effective as traditional TV, but 33% feel it isn’t, and 42% are unsure. When asked more broadly about perceived ROI from digital video, over 50% felt fairly over very confident that they were getting good value for their money; 41% were unsure, and only 9% of agencies felt they were not getting a strong ROI.
THIS AND THAT
What makes people stop watching a digital video that they wanted to see? eMarketer reports that 85.1% of respondents in a survey by Mux said they would quit because a video was taking too long to load and almost the same, 85.0%, if there was stalling and buffering. A Verizon study found that 32% of people had stopped watching a video on their mobile phone because of a poor-quality experience, compared to 30% on tablets, 25% on a desktop/laptop and 20% on a connected TV……A report by marketing automation company BlueVenn finds that 64% of U.S. and U.K. marketers believe it is their role to collect customer data. But most don’t try to analyze it on a daily basis. In fact, 51% think they already spend too much time analyzing data at the expense of the creative aspect of their jobs……The car rental business continues to be strong. Lucintel forecasts that the global industry will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% through 2022 to reach $99.6 billion that year. North America will continue to be the largest market, due to extensive highways and limited train travel options..... The NY Post reports President Trump is pumping $1.5 million into a TV ad campaign to tout his achievements in his first 100 days in office. The campaign, called First 100 Days, was paid for by Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., and will air in major markets. The campaign is continuing President Trump’s approach of reaching out to the American people directly by highlighting his work over the first 100 days and fighting back against the continued media bias, according to a statement.
RAYCOM COMPLETES PURCHASE OF WWSB & WTXL
Raycom Media has announced the purchase of WWSB ABC Sarasota (DMA 11) and WTXL ABC Tallahassee (DMA 107). Both stations had been owned by Calkins Media. The addition of the stations expands Raycom Media’s Florida portfolio and strengthens Raycom Media’s southeastern footprint. Raycom Media also owns Fox affiliates WFLX in West Palm Beach and WPGX in Panama City.
AVAILS:
WTAE-TV, the Hearst-owned ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, PA has an immediate opportunity for a General Sales Manager. The GSM directs Sales department strategy, pricing, and personnel for all platforms. The successful candidate will have all the requisite sales and management aptitude including strong leadership skills.CLICK HERE to apply. EOE.
FOX13-WTVT in Tampa, FL seeks an experienced Account Executive. The AE at the top rated station in Tampa requires the servicing of existing transactional accounts along with the development of new broadcast and digital business. Must be highly motivated and possess strong presentation and prospecting skills. Must have prior broadcast sales experience, preferably in an LPM market. Visit OUR WEBSITE then click on the “ABOUT US” tab, then “Work for Us”, or visit our readily accessible station located at 3213 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33609. EOE.
Sunny Orlando, FL! RARE OPPORTUNITY to join FOX O&O duopoly (WOFL-TV/WRBW-TV/fox35Orlando.com) in the dynamic and fast growing DMA 18. We’re looking for a Local Sales Manager to develop and implement strategic plans to achieve traditional and non-traditional goals, on-air and online. Must have a proven track record of success that includes outstanding leadership, motivation, and communication qualities, with a passion to win. If you want to join our already strong and experienced sales team, we want to hear from you.CLICK HEREfor information to apply. EOE/M/F/Veteran/Disabled.
Univision seeks a National Sales Manager – Los Angeles. The NSM acts as a liaison between the outside sales offices and the television station. Responsibilities include detailed forecasting of national sales revenue by office, travel & expense budgeting, and conducting regular evaluations of national sales office performance. Requires a minimum of 5-10 years in broadcast sales and 3+ years in broadcast sales management. Prior experience in agency and retail advertising required with strong focus and experience in managing/executing new business. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now. EOE.
WMBF-TV, the NBC affiliate in sunny Myrtle Beach, SC, is currently recruiting for a Local Sales Manager to join our team. We’re searching for a dynamic candidate with strong leadership, motivational and sales skills and a proven track record of success. Exceptional skills in recruiting, coaching, and training top performing sellers is a must. Must be a critical thinker with a desire to lead a first-class sales team with creative ideas. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply. No calls please! EOE-M/F/D/V
WFTS – the ABC affiliate owned by E.W. Scripps in Tampa, FL (Market #11) seeks an Integrated Account Executive. The winning candidate will be required to grow revenue with an existing client list while also cultivating New Business and Digital revenue for the station. Candidate must have excellent presentation skills, verbal and written skills and work collaboratively with our properties. Prior broadcast TV and diverse digital sales experience required. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now. EOE.
Sinclair Broadcast Group’s San Antonio television stations (KABB/KMYS/WOAI) are looking for an enthusiastic, and driven New Business Development Sales Manager. We’re looking for someone to lead our local sales department in maximizing all sales opportunities, with an emphasis on new business development and digital sales. Candidates must have at least 5 years broadcast sales experience, with televisions sales and management experience preferred, and at least 5 years’ digital sales experience. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply today. Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace!
Send your jobs ads to: or place your jobONLINE HERE.
DONE DEALS
Vincent J. Sollecito has been named President, ABC National Television Group Sales, for the ABC Owned and Operated Stations group. The announcement was made by Rebecca Campbell, president of the ABC Owned Television Station Group and ABC Daytime. Sollecito succeeds Debra O’Connell who was named executive vice president, sales and marketing, in Disney, ABC’s recently announced portfolio-wide advertising sales team. Sollecito is an 18-year veteran of ABC Owned Station Group.
The year is 2052, President Cooterpie has declared war on That Island of Plastic Garbage in the Pacific, and the Stones are still touring. -- Conan O'Brien
I know I spend too much time on my phone because I was reading a magazine and I just tried to enlarge the picture by spreading my fingers. – FunnyTweeter.com
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SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News of TV Sales
May 2, 2017