Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
October 6, 2016
KANTAR SEES STRONGER RETAIL ADVERTISING
UPBEAT ON HOLIDAYS, ESPECIALLY FOR DIGITAL
Traditional media outlets appear to be in line for a holiday advertising boost this year—and digital media even more so, based on research by Kantar Media. The advertising research unit of WPP presented results of a study it conducted to forecast ad spending for the upcoming holiday period. The goal of the webcast—conducted by Jon Swallen, Kantar’s Chief Research Officer—was to offer Kantar clients insights to optimize holiday advertising strategy and budgets.
Swallen began his presentation by pointing out that major retailers do about 20% of their yearly business in the period between November 1st and January 3rd in most years. He pointed out that for specialty retailers, such as Jewelry stores and more traditional department stores, the percentage is closer to 25%.
He also pointed out that “digital disruption” is not a trend, but a reality as shoppers have become more digital and more demanding. Consumers are using apps on smartphones and other devices to check prices and comparison shop. They are expecting a simple shopping experience, both in-store and online. As a result of these new consumer expectations, retailers are attempting to create and manage an ideal omni-channel environment, linking online and mobile with the in-store experience.
An analysis of 2015 winter holiday season showed that retail ad spending was the top category at $4.35 billion, or 15.4% of the overall total. Only seven categories generate more than a billion dollars in ad spending during the winter period. Total ad spending was up 1.4% over the previous year. However, individual categories were mixed: home improvement was up 6.9% over 2014, while jewelry stores were down 4.7%.
Other information showed comparative rates of household income growth. The year-to-date growth rate for 2016 is 3.3%. It was pointed out that retail sales typically shadow income gains. By comparison, the household growth rate for 2003-2007 was 5.5% before the downturn.
The presentation wrapped up with Kantar’s outlook for advertising for the 2016 winter holiday season. Swallen pointed out that even though ad spending has been soft in the first three quarters of 2016, his data suggest a 1-2% increase in retail ad spending for Q4 2016 could be expected. The prediction for digital ad spend is even better with a forecast of plus 2-3%, or 28% of total retail ad spending.
Swallen noted that Black Friday has lost some of its luster as consumers have come to realize that great deals are available all through the holiday season, not just the Black Friday weekend, and they’ve found that the deals are also available online. However, retailers will continue to make deals and aggressively advertise the Black Friday event.
ADVERTISER NEWS
After downgrades from both Moody’s and Fitch Ratings, Sears Holdings’ CEO Eddie Lampert spoke out on his blog to attempt to assure vendors and the financial community that the situation is under control. He reiterated support for Kmart, noting that chain still operates over 700 stores and added “a significant number of these stores are profitable.” Lampert also said there’s a process underway to “create value by positioning our Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard businesses as well as our Sears HomeServices business to benefit from broader distribution and partnerships.” Related to that, Bloomberg is reporting Stanley Black & Decker is one of the interested parties in Craftsman……FiatChrysler lost in court on a motion to dismiss charges against it filed by a franchisee that says FCA violated antitrust laws by encouraging dealers to submit fraudulent sales numbers. The Detroit News reports FCA has changed its reporting practices and restated sales going as far back as 2011 as it faces investigations by the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission……A United AutoWorkers union exec has confirmed rumors that as Ford moves production of the C-Max and Focus to Mexico, it plans to build a redesigned Ranger and new Bronco models in Michigan. The Ranger will compete with models such as the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado, and Automotive News suggests the Bronco could target the all-new Jeep Wrangler due to launch in 2018…..There are only twelve operating units left, but Rita Restaurant Corp., the operator of Mexican chain Don Pablo’s has filed for bankruptcy protection citing weakness in the casual-dining segment of the business and competition from other fast-casual Mexican food chains. And that makes ten restaurant operator bankruptcies since November of last year……Even though his company out delivered restaurant industry average results, Darden CEO Gene Lee says there are too many casual-dining restaurants considering traffic has declined for each of the past 14 months. “As you drive down the road you’re starting to see more restaurants close,” Lee said. “We could use some inventory (restaurant locations) to come out”……A report from the Kline Group projects there will be a compound annual growth rate of 2.6% in Over-The-Counter medicines through at least 2020 with switching (as a medication moves from prescription-only to OTC) continuing to be a major growth factor. Kline Group also predicts increases in promotional support as recently, it states, advertising expenditures have been slipping as marketers have become more selective on where they’ve been spending and are generally only spending on brands where they have a competitive edge. Industry consolidation is also seen as likely.
NETWORK NEWS
Julianne Hough has been slated to guest star on the new ABC comedy, Speechless. Hough will appear in the ninth episode of the current season playing a beautiful and enthusiastic new choir teacher. The move is seen as an extension of Hough’s relationship with ABC. She’s a current judge and pro-dancer alum on Dancing with the Stars……FOX has added two new cast members to its midseason revival of 24. Veronica Cartwright and Laith Nakli have been tapped for 24: Legacy, a show that revolves around a military hero’s return to the U.S. and the trouble that follows him back. Kiefer Sutherland was the star of the original 24 and serves as executive producer for 24: Legacy. Sutherland stars on the ABC prime drama DesignatedSurvivor...... NBC’s Saturday programming block, The More You Know, will include a new program called Give, starting this Saturday. Give will introduce viewers to the world of philanthropy though stories of small charities making a big impact. The series features NBC News correspondent and founder of UNICEF’s Next Generation, Jenna Bush Hager and actor/producer/humanitarian, Blair Underwood...... CBS This Morning has added award-winning cartoonist, Liza Donnelly as a contributor. Donnelly is considered a trailblazer for her work sketching live events. She worked with CBS This Morning during the Democratic NationalConvention and last month’s presidential debate...... NBC’s Meet The Press was the top-rated Sunday public affairs program this past week delivering 1.16 million viewers in A25-54. This Week with George Stephanopoulos was second with 980,000 in the demo. Face The Nation on CBS was pre-empted by the Indianapolis Colts/Jacksonville Jaguars NFL game from London. Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace posted 468.000 adults 25-54……Fulvia Vergel and Daniel Zacapa have been added to the cast of cast of Chicago Fire. The pair will be introduced on the seventh episode of this season as the parents of Gabby and Antonio, played by Monica Raymund and Jon Seda. Seda’s character recently made the jump to Chicago Justice. Chicago Fire airs on NBC Tuesday’s at 10 PM (ET)……Diane Guerrero, a frequent guest star on Jane the Virgin, will be the star of a new drama being developed for CBS. Guerrero’s book, In the Country We Love, will be the basis of the series revolving around her experience when immigration agents deported her parents to their native Columbia. Guerrero was 14 at the time and still in school. Jane the Virgin showrunner/executive producer Jennie Snyder Urman, co-executive producers Ben Silverman and Paul Sciarrotta are involved with the project……CBS will broadcast the People’s Choice Awards 2017 on Wednesday, January 18th at 9 PM (ET). Mark Burnett, president of MGM Television and Digital, returns as executive producer for the eighth consecutive year.
TUESDAY RATINGS
NBC aired a clip show of The Voice and it won the Nielsen A18-49 ratings for the night with a 2.0, but NCIS on CBS was a very close second with a 1.9 rating in the demo. Dancing with theStars on ABC posted a 1.4 demo rating while The CW finally kicked off its new season with The Flash delivering a 1.3 rating. Lead-out No Tomorrow only managed a 0.5 rating. BrooklynNine-Nine and The New Girl did a 1.0 rating for FOX. NBC’s coverage of the Vice Presidential Debate won that race with a 1.9 demo rating, ABC came in second with a 1.2, CBS a 1.1 and FOX a 0.7. The rankings were similar for the Debate Analysis with NBC getting a 1.4 rating, ABC and CBS both posting a 0.9.
FORD, THE CW IN TWITTER DEAL
Twitter Amplify announced a new deal with Ford Motor Company and The CW to promote Ford with targeted pre-rolls on videos from The CW running on the social media site. While Twitter has been doing Amplify deals for about three years, Mike Park, who heads content partnerships and Amplify for Twitter, says this is the biggest deal to date. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The CW will be creating videos of highlights and “sneak peek” content from a number of its shows—including Supergirl, The Flash and Arrow, plus others—to run on Twitter. Ford will have advertising pre-rolls and seek to join the social media conversation around the TV shows.
While Twitter Amplify hasn’t done anything on this scale previously with a media partnership, several networks have previously been involved in partnerships for Amplify—including FOX, BBC America, Discovery and The Weather Channel, among others. It has also done deals for some major advertisers connected to the NFL’s Thursday Night Football on CBS.
AVAILS
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Account Executive:How would you like to work for the best sales team in California? KMPH FOX 26 and KFRE CW 59 in Fresno, CA have an immediate opening for a highly motivated, results driven, Account Executive.TV and digital sales experience will give you an edge, but most important is the drive to succeed and win!Are you that person? Do you have what it takes? CLICK HEREfor more information or to apply now.EOE.
A fantastic opportunity awaits at the top media outlet in the “#1 City in The World”- Charleston, SC. WCSC- TV (CBS) is looking for a multi-platform account executive to sell our TV, Web, Mobile and Multicast properties. Ideal candidates should have 2+ year’s media sales experience and a proven track record of developing and selling broadcast and digital solutions for new and existing customers. Qualified applications should CLICK HERE to apply. EOE-M/F/D/V.
WCSC-TV, 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston, SC 29414
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--Jimmy Fallon
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SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News Of TV Sales
October 6, 2016
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