Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
May 6, 2016
CONSUMERS ARE OK WITH PAID CONTENT
HOWEVER, IT MUST BE IDENTIFIED
Over six in ten Americans surveyed by The Harris Poll say they are comfortable with companies paying to publish articles that look like news—so long as there is a disclosure to the reader that it is paid content. The same is true of product placements in TV shows and movies—the practice is OK with most people, but needs to be disclosed to the viewer. Only 35% worried that they don’t feel confident that they can tell the difference between paid content and editorial or news content.
67% of those surveyed said they can identify something that is paid for by an advertiser based on its placement—such as during a commercial break on TV, between songs on the radio or alongside content on the Internet. People aged 70+ (“Matures”) were most confident of being able to identify paid content, at 81%; with Baby Boomers (ages 51-69) at 71%; Gen-X (36-50) 63%; and Millennials (18-35) 62%.
The Matures were also the most confident of being able to identify paid product placement in a TV show or movie, at 71%. The overall average was 62%. Baby Boomers were at 65%; Gen-Xers 58%; and Millennials 61%.
But even if they’re aware of what’s paid advertising and what’s not, people don’t want to have advertising popping up all the time. 62% overall said advertising should be restricted to a certain time or place in TV, movies, magazines and other media, such as in commercial breaks. The percentages here are pretty consistent across the board, with Matures and Millennials both at 65%; Baby Boomers 60%; and Gen-Xers 59%.
ADVERTISER NEWS
Most retailers have abandoned the practice of reporting sales monthly, moving instead to quarterly results, but Costco continues to issue monthly reports. For April, domestic same-store sales were flat with last year on a total basis, but up 2% excluding gas. Fiscal year-to-date (35 weeks), the numbers are +2% with gas included and plus 4% with fuel excluded…… Oprah’s syndicated talk show is gone, but she still has a lot of clout with personal endorsements—after having taken an ownership stake in Weight Watchers and starring in its commercials, the company reported attendance at North American meetings was up 18% with an 11.2% subscriber increase. It’s the first time since 2012 subscriber count was up on a year-to-year comparison……Whole Foods Markets reported a 3% same-store sales decrease and that was the third consecutive quarter that sales were in the red. Whole Foods opened eight new stores during the quarter and is converting a few locations to its emerging 365 banner……Fresh Market, acquired last month by Apollo Global Management, will close 13 stores this month, including making a complete exit from Texas……Papa John’s domestic same-store sales were flat in the first quarter and the COO noted “Competitive activity was pretty aggressive,” especially at the start of the quarter. One of those competitors, Papa Murphy’s, did even worse with a 2.8% same-store sales decline and a 75% decrease in net income. But Nation’s Restaurant News reports the company generally did better in its “less developed markets” where the chain has been investing in advertising and new unit development……Habit Restaurants had a 2% same-store increase at its company-owned units and says “external messaging” about value, quality, and service has broadened the brand’s reach. Now at 145 locations, the chain will expand by 34-40 units this year highly skewed towards company-owned……Salt Lake City-based Sinclair Oil is embarking on an ambitious expansion program, looking to double its size in the next eight years. Most of its gas stations/convenience stores have been in the Central Plains and Rocky Mountain regions, and most of the upcoming growth will be east of the Mississippi River……Humana, still expecting to be taken over by Aetna before the end of the year, reported a 46% drop in profits for the first quarter as its “medical-loss ratio” (the share of premiums paid out for members’ expenses) rose from 83.1% to 84.8%. In a related note, The Wall Street Journal says some insurers in some states will be looking for major increases in premiums for 2017, which could create a need for heavy advertising towards the end of the current year.
NETWORK NEWS
FOX has ordered 13 episodes of a new hour-long, live-action comedic drama series created and executive-produced by Emmy Award winner Seth MacFarlane, who is also set to star. The series is being targeted for the 2017-2018 television season. The untitled project is a comedic drama set 300 years in the future. It follows the adventures of the Orville, a not-so-top-of-the-line exploratory ship in Earth's interstellar Fleet. Facing cosmic challenges from without and within, this motley crew of space explorers will boldly go where no comedic drama has gone before……CBS has changed the date for the New I Love Lucy Superstar Special—a new one-hour special featuring two colorized back-to-back classic episodes of the 1950s series. It will now air Friday, May 20, at 8:00 pm (ET)……Adam Levine,Christina Aguilera,Pharrell Williams,Jimmy Fallon,Seth Meyers,Charles Barkley,Andy Cohen,Steve Harveyand more celebrities have made their picks for this Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Their picks will be revealed during NBC’s live broadcast of the race, with coverage beginning at 4:00 pm (ET).
WEDNESDAY RATINGS
Another Wednesday means another demo win for FOX as Empire dominated viewing. The Nielsen overnights put FOX at an average 2.4 rating in Adults 18-49 and 4.3 in Households, with an average audience of 6.804 million viewers. CBS, with Survivor, had the most viewers overall, scoring an average 1.7 18-49, 5.1 HH and 8.342 million; ABC, led by Modern Family, 1.5 18-49, 3.7 HH and 5.718 million; NBC, with Chicago P.D., 1.0 18-49, 3.5 HH and 5.197 million; The CW 0.7 18-49, 1.2 HH and 1.805 million; Univision 0.6 18-49, 0.9 HH and 1.623 million; and Telemundo 0.5 18-49, 0.8 HH and 1.336 million.
SYNDIE SNIPPET
Natalie Morales is joining Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live as a host, relocating to Los Angeles and transitioning on NBC’s Today from a New York-based news anchor to West Coast anchor. "You get to move where the weather is great, you just won't have time to enjoy it," Matt Lauer joked as the change was announced on Today. Access Hollywood is syndicated by NBCUniversal Television Distribution.
COMPETITIVE INFO
Tribune Publishing is the latest newspaper group to join the Local Media Consortium (LMC), which seeks to create new revenue and audience opportunities across the local platforms of its members as a premiere advertising network. LMC claims more than 75 local media companies in top markets acrossthe United StatesandPuerto Ricoas members and includes more than 1,600 publications. As of March, the LMC said its audience footprint exceeded 140 million monthly unique visitors, and LMC member companies served more than 4 billion page views to readers.
FORD PRODUCT INTEGRATION ON NBC
The new 2017 Ford Escape is teaming with a pair of primetime crime fighters to give viewers custom content that will air on NBC throughout May, in pieces jointly created by Ford Motor Co. and NBC.
In The Blacklist, star Mozhan Marnò will appear in an Escape for a three-week series of commercials during the show’s broadcast. The series of original content will air May 5, 12 and 19. The narrative will highlight various features on the 2017 Escape, which arrives at dealers this month, including the available SYNC3 driver-connectivity system.
The Escape will also be featured in a collaboration with Blindspot producers to create a three-part custom integration starring actress Ashley Johnson, who plays an FBI agent. Johnson is in character analyzing a new Escape as if it were a crime scene. The spots, slated to air May 9, 16 and 23 during Blindspot, will also direct viewers to continue the experience at NBC.com, where they can enter for the chance to win a Ford Escape in the “Make Your Escape” Sweepstakes.
GM READY TO TEST SELF-DRIVING TAXIS
Think self-driving cars in public use are still decades away? Think again. The Wall Street Journal reports that General Motors and Lyft plan to begin testing a fleet of self-driving taxis within a year. The city where the concept will be tested has yet to be named, but the project will use Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles. GM invested $500 million in Lyft a few months back and more recently announced plans to pay $1 billion for Cruise Automation, a San Francisco company working on self-driving vehicle technology—which will be used in the taxis. The WSJ says Lyft app users will be able to opt in or out of using the driverless cars in the test market.
The Chevy Bolt will also be used for expansion of GM’s program to lease vehicles to Lyft drivers. That is currently limited to Chicago, where Chevy Equinox SUVs are being leased. The expansion to more cities will focus on the Bolt EVs.
HEAVY OTT USERS MOST LIKELY TO SHAVE
Who are the cord-shavers? New research by The Diffusion Group (TDG) finds that people who are more dependent on over-the-top (OTT) streaming services like Netflix and Hulu are more likely than the overall MVPD subscription base to be planning to downgrade their pay-TV subscription.
TDG has regularly surveyed consumers about their intentions regarding pay-TV—whether they plan to upgrade, downgrade, cancel or maintain the same level (and cost) of service. In the latest survey, the respondents who said they would definitely downgrade within the next six months averaged 36.1% of their viewing from OTT. That slipped to 26.4% OTT viewing for those who were moderately likely to downgrade; and 21.4% for those slightly considering a downgrade of their pay-TV subscription. For those neutral or unlikely to downgrade, OTT use averaged 21.9% of viewing.
“While not yet a mainstream replacement threat, OTT TV is most certainly a key factor in downgrade considerations,” said Michael Greeson, TDG director of Research.
ACCOUNT ACTION
Ad Age reports that WPP Group has opted out of the McDonald’s review, leaving only the two incumbent holding companies in the running: Omnicom and Publicis Groupe. The creative account is currently split between Omnicom’s DDB and Publicis’ Leo Burnett.
THIS AND THAT
Tribune Broadcasting has reached a comprehensive, long-term agreement with NBC to renew the existing affiliations of its two NBC stations, KFOROklahoma City and WHO Des Moines……Mortgage rates fell for the first time in three weeks, with the benchmark 30-year fixed loan sliding to an average 3.77%, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey.
AVAILS
WYFF 4, the HearstNBC affiliate in beautiful Greenville, (37th DMA) has an opportunity for an experienced Account Executive, selling the #1 Television, Web and Mobile advertising platforms in South Carolina.We are seeking a highly motivated and creative professional to develop new business, strengthen existing relationships, generate revenue across multiple product lines and grow revenue with existing clients.If you’re unfamiliar with our market, Google “Greenville, SC Top 10” and see why everybody wants to live here.CLICK HERE to apply.EOE.
WWAY NewsChannel 3, Wilmington’s ABC/CW and soon to add CBS affiliate seeks a Local Sales Manager. We're looking for a motivated individual with a history of successfully developing new business, strong organizational skills and the ability to lead by example. Five+ years’ experience in media sales preferred. Must have a proven track record of sales successes with excellent verbal communication skills. Creative, goal-oriented with the ability to sell multi-platform concepts and special projects required. E-mail resumes and salary requirements to . EOE/M/F/V/D
WCBD-TV2 in Charleston, SC has an immediate opening for an experienced Research Director/Programming Coordinator.This person will analyze all ratings and research information to design compelling stories for our sellers that reinforce the marketing power of all of the station's media platforms. This position will also provide support to commercial producers; liaison to news on sales promotions, and maintain the station's programming grids.3-5 years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree required. Must apply on line @ look for job CBD-000441. EOE.
WFTV – Cox Media Group Television Station in Orlando, FL (Market #19) seeks an Account Executive to join its high performing team!We're looking for hardworking, experienced relationship builders with integrity and a winning attitude. Candidates will prospect for new business while building a full pipeline of sales prospects. The AE will also be required to grow revenue with an existing client list while analyzing the clients marketing goals and develop needs based solutions to achieve them.CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now.EOE.
WPTV, the market leader in West Palm Beach, FL has a rare opening for a Director of Sales to oversee the station’s strong sales team.We are searching for a proven leader with a track record of success selling all platforms.Must have a will to win and be able to work collaboratively with a high energy department-head team.Candidates should apply on Scripps.com/careers. Look for job 11750. EOE
Great opportunity to be the General Sales Manager for Cox Media Inc., in Rhode Island.The GSM is responsible for managing the advertising sales function for Cox Media to drive revenue and increase market share.The GSM develops and implements strategic plans to guide the sales departments to successfully attain revenue goals, and leads, develops and manages the local, national, and new media sales staffs, and potentially inventory. 10 years’ experience in related field required.CLICK HERE for more info or to apply.EOE.
Hearst Television’s WMOR-TV, Tampa, the #1 Independent station in the country, is seeking a dynamic Account Executive to sell our Triopoly of stations and Digital products. Individual must be self-motivated, results driven and creative. A proven track record in new business development along with strong negotiation skills is required. We are a destination company in a great market that offers a tremendous opportunity for the right person. CLICK HERE to apply. EOE.
Local Sales Manager ABC 9/CW 58 TUCSON in beautiful Southern Arizona is seeking a qualified dynamic leader to join our market leading team. The LSM is responsible for creating and executing a local sales strategy for our ABC and CW Scripps properties as well as our digital products. Successful candidate must have extensive advertising sales experience; management experience strongly preferred and a deep understanding of TV ratings.
CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now.EOE.
T Media Sales, a national rep firm, located in Los Angeles seeks a highly motivated, detail oriented sales assistant. This position will provide valuable support for the sales team from order entry to contract management; relationships with buyers and network clients. The ideal candidate will be a resourceful problem-solver, have excellent communication skills, and be a team player. He or she must be well-organized and be able to multi-task. Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Excel, Word and PowerPoint is a must. College degree preferred. Send resume to:
WZDX in Huntsville, AL has an opening for an Account Executive.The AE works within established sales department guidelines to increase sales volume with assigned accounts, aggressively seeks new customers for both TV and eMedia business, executes plans and strategies set forth by sales management, maintains awareness of the competition, and maintains visibility in the community. Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Interested applicants can CLICK HERE to learn more or apply now.WZDX-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
CVS Pharmacy has recalled some herbal teas that might be infected with the salmonella virus. So whatever you do, don’t drink the tea called, ‘Permanent Sleepytime.’
--Conan O’Brien
Chile's new giant lasers are so powerful, they can create an artificial star, which is impressive until you remember that Kris Jenner has been able to create, like, eight of them.
--Seth Meyers
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SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News Of TV Sales
May 6, 2016
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