Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
May 9, 2017

SURPRISE! MILLENNIALS CHANGING AS THEY AGE

TIME SPENT WITH TV DOUBLES

There are 76 million Millennials, but while they are an important group to marketers, they are not all alike. And new research from the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB) shows how media consumption is changing as Millennials age. “A 22-year-old living at home with their parents consumes media in a completely different way than a 32-year-old first-time parent,” the report notes. It breaks down the Millennial generation into three distinct life stages: reliant (living with a parent); self-sufficient (living on their own); and budding home with child (married with children).

Those Millennials living with mom and/or dad are pretty heavy TV watchers, with 82% saying they have viewed TV in the past week. That falls off to 72% for the self-sufficient group, but rises to the highest level—85%—when they have settled into a home and are raising children.

Cable TV penetration also changes with those life changes. 84% of the reliant Millennials have a cable subscription—presumably one that their parent is paying for. Only 51% of Millennials on their own say they subscribe to cable. But add in a kid or two and that shoots back up to 71%—and now the Millennial would actually be paying the cable bill.

The VAB study finds that Millennials like shopping, make impulse purchases and buy based on quality, not price. And those trends are pretty much the same whether they are living with a parent, on their own, or raising a family. The emphasis on quality is particularly striking. 66.2% of self-sufficient Millennials say they buy quality, not price. That slips only slightly for the new parents to 65.8% and to 65.0% for Millennials living with a parent.

But those Millennials who are now raising children over-index the general population in many key spending categories—and we’re not talking about the obvious kid-related categories. The Millennials with young families spend more than the general population on vacations, camping equipment, sports & recreation equipment, vehicles, tires and gasoline. They also over-index in spending on fast-food restaurants and family restaurants/steak houses.

Furniture is an area of big spending for those Millennial parents. They over-index on kitchen furniture, dining room furniture, lawn/porch furniture and on kitchen remodeling. And surprisingly, they actually top the group still living with mom and dad on buying audio equipment and cameras, along with being heavy buyers of DVD/Blu-Ray players.

The Millennial parents have jobs and are climbing the career ladder, so they over-index on buying men’s business suits, women’s handbags, fine jewelry and clothing in general. They are consumers that marketers will be courting for years to come.

ADVERTISER NEWS
Data from the National Automobile Dealers Association say that the average local auto dealership spent 8.4% more on advertising in this year’s first quarter ($143,973 on average compared to $132,760 last year), which was 8.6% of total gross. The gain was due to a 9.1% increase from dealerships that handle “mass market” brands, particularly those handling imported mass-market brands. Dealers primarily handling “luxury” brands increased investments by just 1.5%...... Nissan is taking an unusual approach in its latest effort to take a big share of the pickup segment with the new Titan. The plan is to focus marketing and distribution into just four markets to start (Dallas, Houston, Phoenix and Salt Lake City) and once the truck is established in those markets, move efforts into six other (unidentified) markets. Another 40 markets will be in the third phase, followed by a national rollout. AutomotiveNews reports “satisfaction” for Nissan will be about a 5 share of a market’s full-size pickup sales……Kia says it is outpacing the industry in growth of Certified Pre-Owned vehicle sales, having produced a 14% increase in CPO sales through April……Pizza Hut is launching the Delivery Tracker which will allow customers to get real-time text updates when the order is received, when the pizza is being made, and when it’s out for delivery……Del Taco, the second-largest Mexican-American quick-service chain by number of units, reported systemwide same-sales growth of 4.2% in its latest quarter, the 14th straight quarter with positive numbers. The company opened three new franchised locations during the quarter and re-franchised five other restaurants to other franchisees……Progressive Grocer reports Starbucks will re-double its efforts to take more lunchtime business, introducing new sandwiches and salads in the Chicago market, with plans to roll out the offerings nationwide if the effort is successful……Best Buy has been moving into the “Connected Home” realm since 2014 with special departments in about 400 stores, but it’s now teaming with Vivint Smart Homes, a company that makes and installs smart devices. Vivint products and personnel will be added to those departments and customers will be able to get home installation……Overstock.com had a 5% increase in sales for the first quarter, a period in which it had “increased promotional activity.” The gains came mostly from a 10% increase in average order size……Talks of a possible merger of two luxury department stores may have hit a snag: The New YorkPost reports Neiman-Marcus had been in talks with Saks Fifth Avenue parent Hudson’s Bay Company, but a potential lawsuit from Neiman’s lenders and bondholders could put that potential combination on hold until the legal problems get resolved.

NETWORK NEWS

This year’s telecast of the Kentucky Derby on NBC posted the second-best overnight rating in 25 years. The race, won by Always Dreaming was up 12% over 2016 to a 10.5 household rating and a 23 share. Additionally, the Derby has posted a TV-only rating of 10.0 or better in the metered markets for 4 of the past 5 years. The first such stretch for the race since 1988-92. It comes as no surprise that Louisville had the highest market rating for the telecast with a 39.0 rating, followed by Ft. Myers pulling a 21.3. Cincinnati posted an 18.8, followed by Buffalo with a 17.9. Knoxville finished out the top five with a 17.0 rating. This year’s Derby also made history by being the most streamed Kentucky Derby in history, with NBC Sports Digital’s presentation delivering 281,000 unique visitors and 9 million minutes, representing +25% and +30% increases over 2016……Jennifer Morrison, who portrays Emma Swan on ABC’s drama Once Upon a Time announced on Facebook that she will leave the show. Morrison said that she had signed a six-year deal and was offered an extension but that “creatively and personally” she felt it was time “for me to move on”. Morrison has been a regular cast member of Once Up a Time for six seasons……NBC’s hit This Is Us was the winner of the Tearjerker Award at Sunday’s MTV Movies & TV Awards. The actors picked up the award for their touching moment in karate class, beating Hodor’s death in Game of Thrones, Meredith telling her children about Derek’s death in Grey’s Anatomy, Will telling Louis he can’t stay with her in Me Before You, and Paula telling Chiron that she loves him in Moonlight……An American Idol revival is in the works at ABC. The network and FremantleMedia have a deal in place to bring back the music competition series a year after it wrapped up at Fox. Variety is reporting that the two companies and Core Media Group have settled on a framework for a deal that would have the show debuting in March and potentially airing on Sunday nights. American Idol host RyanSeacrest was asked by TMZ about returning to host, he answered by expressing his love for the show and exclaimed “I love to work”, when asked about juggling multiple jobs. Seacrest recently joined Live! with Kelly Ripa as permanent co-host……Telemundo is planning a digital dating series called Love Clicks 24/7 as a digital project. The show will follow 3 men and 3 women looking for love in Miami with the audience voting on their favorite love story.

SINCLAIR/TRIBUNE: IT’S OFFICIAL
As had been expected, Sinclair and Tribune have announced a deal whereby Sinclair will acquire Tribune for $3.9 billion plus the assumption of $2.7 billion in net debt. Noting the acquisition is the largest in Sinclair’s history, Executive Chairman David Smith added, “Television broadcasting is even more relevant today, especially when it comes to serving our local communities.”

COMCAST, CHARTER IN WIRELESS DEAL?
For three years starting in 2005, major cable companies teamed with Sprint is an effort called PivotWireless hoping to establish a four-sided bundle combining TV, internet, home phone and cell phones. The deal was abandoned for several reasons including tepid consumer demand, but the cable companies never gave up their desire for a piece of the wireless pie.
Now The Wall Street Journal is reporting the two largest cable companies, Comcast and Charter, are putting a partnership together to try again to get into the wireless business, and as part of their understanding each is agreeing not to make an acquisition in wireless without the other’s consent. That’s leading to some speculation the two together could make a joint bid for either T-Mobile or Sprint, but neither could make a bid on its own. The Journal notes each company would offer wireless service only to customers in their respective cable coverage areas, although their mobile coverage areas would be nationwide.

BUSINESS BYTES
Despite all the store closings we’ve had to report on lately, The National Retail Federation said the number of jobs in the retail sector increased by a net of 2,500 between March and April (excluding automotive, gas stations and restaurants in the calculations). That comes despite an estimated 11,000+ job cuts in retail report from outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray, & Christmas. The three-month moving average of retail jobs is still negative, showing a decline of 20,600 jobs.

THIS AND THAT

Scripps has launched its local television news brands on Alexa, Amazon’s voice-activated virtual assistant. News from 23 Scripps local TV markets is just a voice command away for users of Amazon Echo and all Alexa-enabled devices……The latest survey of 121 U.S. housing markets by Yardi Matrix finds that average rents rose $3 in April to $1,314, an increase of 2% but well below the 5.5% growth rate of a year ago and the lowest year-over-year percentage increase since April 2011. Three California real estate markets led year-over-year rent growth in April: Sacramento, the Inland Empire and Los Angeles. Others in the top five were Minnesota’s Twin Cities and Seattle....The FDIC has announced a bank failure. All 119 locations of BestBank were closed last week, but reopened as First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company. 107 of the Best Bank branches were in Kroger stores.

AUTOMOTIVE UPDATE

Volkswagen has sweetened the deals it is offering to move its remaining diesel cars off dealer lots. Bloomberg reports that buyers are being offered a 24-month lease option with an $8,500 bonus, or 0% financing for 72 months with a $5,000 bonus. All of the vehicles have been modified to remove the emissions test-cheating device that got VW into so much trouble and regulators have approved the effort to sell the remaining 2015 model vehicles……Technavio forecasts that the global automotive software market will grow at a compound annual rate of nearly 11% to reach $11.47 billion by 2012. Safety systems accounted for 28.90% of the market in 2016, followed by infotainment and telematics at 26.34%...... While technology is making cars safer, Automotive News reports that it is also making vehicles more expensive to repair. One insurance risk analyst is quoted as saying that more damaged cars are being written off as total losses because of such things as airbag deployment adding to the cost of repair.

AVAILS

WBTV CBS/wbtv.com/BOUNCE TV, in Charlotte, NC seeks a Multi-Screen Marketing Specialist. Candidate must demonstrate a knowledge of agency negotiations, a track record of successful new business and internet development. Candidate must be detail-oriented, a problem solver and have professional presentation skills. One-two years broadcast experience required and a college degree preferred. Qualified applicants, please APPLY HERE and attach resume and cover letter. No phone calls please. EOE/M/F/D/V.

Radio Account Executive needed for sales of Sunrise Broadcasting cluster of stations in the Wilmington, NC area. 3+ years outside sales experience preferred. The ideal candidate is an experienced sales professional with a positive outlook, incredible drive, and a thirst to learn. The successful candidate will have three or more years of outside sales experience. A college degree or equivalent experience is preferred. All candidates must APPLY ONLINE. EOE M/F. All Sunrise Broadcasting properties are tobacco free. Sunrise Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.

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.

KRIV Fox 26/ KTXH My 20 in Houston are looking for a Senior Account Executive. We're looking for someone that can bring together all our resources (Top Rated Local News, FOX network, FOX sports, MyNetwork TV, Web/Digital Sponsorships and Promotions) in a creative manner to achieve a high level of results. The AE is responsible for growing transactional accounts, developing new business and selling digital products by maximizing opportunities. Min of 5 years television sales experience preferred. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply. No calls please. EOE/M/F/Veteran/Disabled

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.

Local Sales Manager:KUBE 57 TV, Houston, is looking for a positive, self- motivated, and passionate sales manager ready to pave their own path. Are you ready to love what you do and have fun doing it? The right person for this job understands leadership by example, sells and trains with passion. This person understands the value of relationships. Solid references and a history of sales performance are critical. Send resume, references and cover letter explaining why you are the right candidate . EOE.

Looking for an opportunity with the best company in the business? WKCF CW18, Hearst’s powerhouse CW affiliate in Orlando, has an opening for an experienced seller. With 32 hours of local news each week, plus strong syndicated and prime programming, we are one of the top-rated CW’s in the country. We also offer premier digital products, state-of-the-art sales training, and a winning culture! Email Samantha Johnson: or CLICK HERE to apply online. EOE.

KABB/KMYS/WOAI - TV in San Antonio is seeking a Director of Sales. This position is responsible for all aspects of sales operations to include revenue/expense budgeting, sales strategy, forecasting and sales team training/development. The ideal candidate will have a passion and understanding to lead his/her team to build strong business growth and customer relationships. 5-7 years’ experience in TV sales management required, strong and positive leadership skills required. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply. EOE/Drug Free Workplace.

Friendly parenting reminder - as the weather starts to get nicer, don’t forget to close the windows before you yell at your kids. – FunnyTweeter.com

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SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News of TV Sales
May 9, 2017