Volvo Unveils New Compact Car/Suv Line
Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
May 4, 2016
VOLVO UNVEILS NEW COMPACT CAR/SUV LINE
40 SERIES OUT TO REBUILD MARKET SHARE
Volvo Cars has unveiled two new concept cars that the company says will move the brand “in an audacious new direction” and mark the official start of its global small car strategy. These are more than just “concepts,” since they are designed to be built at a Volvo plant in Ghent, Belgium. And while they may still be tweaked a bit, production of what’s being called the 40 series is to begin in 2017, with the first cars arriving at U.S. dealers in 2018.
The 40 series will be the first built around Volvo’s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which has been specially created for smaller cars and which the company says “has liberated the company’s designers and engineers to explore bold and daring new directions.” The first two models are a compact SUV (pictured) and a sedan. The SUV should be first into distribution, in 2018, with the sedan following in 2019.
Volvo’s new global small car range will include a pure battery electric vehicle as well as Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain variants, in line with the company’s commitment to the electrification of its entire portfolio. Volvo says it plans to have sold a total of up to 1 million electrified cars by 2025 globally.
“The new 40 series cars have the potential to improve our market penetration in an important growing segment,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO.
Since being bought from Ford Motor Company by China’s Geely Automobile Holdings in 2010, Volvo Cars (long separated from the Volvo truck maker) has been trying to rebuild its market share in the U.S. and worldwide. One advantage it has here in the U.S. is a large dealer network—much larger than most of its major competitors. Those dealers have held on through ownership changes and declining sales, even as they clamored for new models to refresh the brand and give them more vehicles to sell.
That’s finally been happening. After dipping well below 60,000, Volvo sales in the U.S. rose 24.3% last year to 70,047—moving toward the company’s stated goal of getting back above 100,000 (last achieved in 2007). That 2015 growth was driven by the first new models seen in some time. The redesigned XC60 crossover saw sales jump 35.6% in 2015. And the all-new XC90 luxury SUV made its debut, becoming an immediate best-seller for the brand. It was the first model from the company’s $11 billion investment in its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform for large cars. Going forward, Volvo is banking on SPA to make it more efficient in rolling out new large models and CMA to make it nimble in adapting to changing global markets for smaller cars.
ADVERTISER NEWS
The National Automobile Dealers Association has now released data through March and with the first quarter of the year now in the books, the typical dealership has 3.6% more revenue compared to the first quarter of 2015. A 4.0% increase in expenses, however, has created just a 0.3% increase in net profit before taxes, with advertising at the typical dealership running 4.9% ahead of last year. New vehicle sales revenue is up 4.0%, used vehicle revenue grew by 2.6%, and service and parts was up 5.2%. The average selling price of a new vehicle rose by 2.2% to $33,859 while the average for a used vehicle was up 3.3% to $19,511. The retail gross profit on a used vehicle was up 2.2% to $2,427 while the gross profit on a new vehicle was actually down 8.5% to $1,073……The New York Post reports George Zimmer, the founder of Men’s Wearhouse, is working with some private equity firms to make an attempt to take back the company from which he was deposed three years ago. Since then Zimmer has started Generation Tux and zTailors and says combining those with Men’s Wearhouse “would be a fantastic new-paradigm business”……Big and tall men’s apparel retailer Destination XL Group reported a 2% same-store sales increase for the first quarter as it continues to convert Casual Male XL stores into the DXL format……Foot Locker reported a lower-than-expected 2.9% same-store gain for the quarter, noting “rapidly-shifting product-category preferences by our customers”……Gains for the True Value hardware co-op came in well below competitors in its retail segment. Wholesale comparable store sales were up just 1.7% with retail comp sales up even less at just plus 0.7%. Members that had upgraded to the DTV format did a bit better at plus 1.3%...... Deere & Co., seen by some as a proxy for the farm economy, said its quarterly sales decline wasn’t as bad as it had expected with sales of agricultural and turf equipment down just 0.4%. The Wall Street Journal notes there’s been a prolonged slump in farm machinery sales partly due to lower prices for commodities like corn and soybeans……Campbell Soup promises “more robust innovation and marketing” following a quarter in which it was “unsatisfied with our…organic sales growth.” Soup sales were down 5%...... Reports have surfaced of bickering developing in the proposed takeover of Cigna Corp. by Anthem, Inc. which could delay or even kill antitrust approval. If completed, the deal would create the largest health-care company based on number of members, but the initial hope to close before the end of this year may be too optimistic according to Cigna.
NETWORK NEWS
ABC News and People announced a new limited-run summer series titled People’s List, premiering Saturday, June 11, at 8:00 pm (ET) on ABC. The hour-long weekly program—hosted by actor Jerry O’Connell and former MTV news correspondent SuChin Pak—highlights the biggest stories in pop culture, entertainment, lifestyle, human interest and news features to bring viewers up to speed on what they may have missed. Plus, viewers will get an exclusive sneak peek at the top stories people will be talking about in the week ahead……Univision says the Season 10 finale of Nuestra Belleza Latina (Our Latin Beauty) Sunday night reached 5.1 million Total Viewers 2+ who tuned in to all or part of the two-hour broadcast……BattleBots is back for season two this summer and kicks off with a preview special, BattleBots: The Gears Awaken, Sunday, June 12, at 8:00 pm (ET) on ABC. The robot shrapnel will fly in the BattleBox once again, with expert play-by-play analysis from veteran sports broadcaster Chris Rose, and color commentary from former UFC fighter Kenny Florian. This season will be hosted by ESPN’sSamantha Ponder.
SUNDAY RATINGS
ABC dominated Sunday primetime with the Billboard Music Awards, preceded by the season finale of America’s Funniest Home Videos. According to the Nielsen Fast Nationals, ABC posted an average 2.5 rating in Adults 18-49 and 4.8 in Households, with an average audience of 8.010 million viewers. FOX, with season finales of its Sunday night animated series, was well back at 0.9 18-49, 1.2 HH, and 2.026 million; CBS, with double doses of 60 Minutes and Undercover Boss, 0.8 18-49, 3.8 HH and 5.912 million; Univision, with the season finale of Nuestra Belleza Latina, 0.8 18-49, 1.2 HH and 2.276 million; and Telemundo, with La Voz Kids, 0.5 18-49, 0.6 HH and 1.188 million.
COMPETITIVE INFO
Ever since Facebook began selling autoplay video advertising in 2014, the other major social properties—Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat—have become equally aggressive at courting video marketers. As a result, eMarketer reports that social video spending is growing quickly. And the target is television, as explored in a new eMarketer report, Video Ads in Social Media: With a Full Slate of Ad Products, the Social Properties Take Aim at TV.
In a February 2016 survey fromRBC Capital MarketsandAdvertising Age, 12% of US marketers had already purchased autoplay video ads on Facebook and an additional 57% were likely to in the next six months. And in a study of its clients’ advertising activity on Facebook in North America, ad automation software companyNanigansfound that spending on mobile video ads increased 26% between Q4 2015 and Q1 2016. For gaming advertisers in particular, 35% of mobile ad spend in Q1 2016 went to video. Video’s share of gaming companies’ mobile ad spend grew 122% between Q1 2015 and Q1 2016.
A December 2015 study by Advertiser Perceptionsfound that Facebook ranked second behind Google/YouTube in a list of properties that marketers said they planned to use for digital video advertising. Twitter also made the list, appearing ahead of several TV-related properties, such as ABC, ESPN, NBC, A&E and CNN.
Overall, eMarketer says consumers are viewing an enormous amount of video on social platforms. In November 2015, Facebook announced that it had reached 8 billion video views per day. In April 2016, Snapchat said it had 10 billion video views per day.
To be sure, eMarketer adds, the bar for what constitutes a video view is low: Facebook counts a view if a video has played for at least 3 seconds, while for Snapchat a video is considered “viewed” as soon as it renders on a user’s screen.
DIGITAL ANTI-FRAUD CERTIFICATION BEGINS
The advertising industry’s Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) announced the launch of its cornerstone anti-fraud certification program. It will award TAG “Certified Against Fraud” seals to buyers, sellers, and intermediaries in the digital advertising supply chain who meet rigorous anti-fraud requirements.
More than 30 leading digital advertising companies and ad agencies have already agreed to participate in the program and undergo TAG anti-fraud certification, including Amobee, AppNexus, Collective, comScore, DoubleVerify, Dstillery, engage:BDR, Exponential, Forensiq, Horizon Media, Index Exchange, Integral Ad Science, Interpublic Group, MediaMath, Moat, ndp, News Corp, Omnicom Group, OpenX, Publicis Worldwide, RhythmOne, Rocket Fuel, Rubicon Project, Sociomantic Labs, sovrn, SpotX, TubeMogul, White Ops, WPP, Yahoo and Zemanta. To obtain a TAG “Certified Against Fraud” seal, companies must comply with a set of guidelines related to their specific roles in the digital advertising supply chain.
“Participants in the digital ad supply chain can now ask a simple question to tell if their partners have taken the necessary steps to fight ad fraud: ‘Are you TAG Certified Against Fraud?’ As more TAG anti-fraud seals are awarded, the cracks in our industry exploited by bad actors will also be sealed against their criminal endeavors,” said Mike Zaneis, CEO of TAG.
“Every dollar spent on a fraudulent ad is a dollar that is stolen from marketers,” said Bob Liodice, President and CEO of the Association of National Advertisers (ANA).“We’re angry and we want an end to those who are robbing us, reducing our ability to reach our intended targets, diminishing the effectiveness of our campaigns and ultimately hurting ROI.”
THE CW RENEWS MOST TRIBUNE STATIONS
The CW Network and Tribune Media have come to terms and nearly all of Tribune’s current CW affiliates will continue to carry the network. The exception is Chicago, where Tribune flagship WGN will become an independent in September, featuring local news, live sports and syndicated programming during primetime. The CW will move to FOX-owned WPWR, currently the MyNet outlet and junior duopoly partner to WFLD (FOX).
The new long-term affiliation agreements for Tribune cover 12 stations covering over 25% of the country and more than 28 million households. That includes the two biggies—WPIX New York and KTLA Los Angeles—along with KDAFDallas, WDCWWashington, DC, KIAH Houston, WSFLMiami, KWGNDenver, KPLRSt. Louis, KRCW Portland, WCCTHartford, WGNTNorfolkand WNOLNew Orleans.
ACCOUNT ACTIONS
Adweek reports that WPP dropped out of the McDonald’s creative agency review because the fast food giant is demanding that the winning agency(s) forego profit on base compensation—only performance based pay for hitting targets. One source called it “unheard of”……Del Frisco's Restaurant Group tapped Proof Advertising, Austin, TX as its creative agency of record, following a review. MediaPost says Johnson & Sekin previously handled the account.
THIS AND THAT
Dairy Queen is offering iced coffee and frappés for the first time nationally in the U.S., as a part of the launch of the Hardest Working Happy Hour available weekdays at participating U.S. locations from 2 to 5 pm……AutoFi, calling itself the first point of sale financing solution for the auto industry, has gone live after raising $17 million in new financing.
AVAILS
WJLA-TV/NewsChannel 8 in Washington DC is seeking a Sales Research Analyst for our sales department, devoted to using market research to help our sellers achieve greater shares of business.We prefer candidates with experience in sales, marketing, and statistical usage. This position will create client-focused, solution-based research presentations and sales pieces demonstrating the value of our station’s audience deliveries. Proficient in Microsoft Office is a must. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now.EOE/Drug Free Workplace.
Raycom Media owned WAVE 3 News-NBC in the fantastic city of Louisville, KY, WAVE 3 Digital and BOUNCE-TV has a fantastic opportunity for an experienced LSM or Senior AE that is ready to become an LSM in the 49th market. Must be a team leader with a clear focus on new business and digital development. A college degree is preferred with 5 or more years of successful experience in television and digital sales expected.CLICK HERE to apply.No calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V
NCC Media, Atlanta is currently seeking an Account Executive to become part of our team. If you have the drive, we can offer you a chance to work with a knowledgeable and successful staff that will aid you in becoming one of our many stellar employees. In this challenging position, your responsibilities will include calling directly on agency personnel to represent NCC Media affiliates in the sale of cable advertising time to the national clients. Qualified candidates, send resume and cover letter to:. EOE.
WOIO/CBS Network & WUAB/My Network in Cleveland has a fantastic opportunity for an experienced LSM position in the 18th largest market. A qualified candidate will be a team leader with a clear focus on new business development and providing client advertising solutions with both on air and digital sales platforms. Day to day activities will include staff development, forecasting, agency negotiation and training. If you possess creativity, leadership and relationship-building skills CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now.No calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V
Media General's WCBD-TV in Charleston, SC is looking for a Sales Account Executive who will primarily be responsible for delivering sales revenue, as well as cultivating and developing new advertisers for the station's multi-platform properties.The candidate will also prospect and develop new business within the Charleston market. Previous experience in television or radio sales required. Track record handling large regional account list and growing existing share, selling promotions, and achieving budget. Apply on-line job #CBD-000447.No calls please.EOE M/F/D/V.
News Channel 8 in Washington, DC has an opening for an experienced Account Executiveto be responsible for new direct TV business development and sell internet advertising on WJLA.com. The right candidate will bring strong communication and presentation skills, experience in revenue development for multi-platform sales, and personal drive and passion to be #1. We'll provide all the tools you need to become a sales star. Outside media sales experience preferred but not required.Our AEs are some of the highest commissioned sales people in the industry! APPLY HERE. EOE.
The next X-Men movie will take place in the 1990s. In it, the X-Men use their superpowers to try and stop the Backstreet Boys.
--Conan O’Brien
A lock of Thomas Jefferson's hair was just sold at a Texas auction for almost $7,000. The seller plans on using the money he got for Jefferson's hair to buy one ticket to Hamilton.
--Jimmy Fallon
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SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News Of TV Sales
May 24, 2016
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