Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
April13, 2018
FACEBOOK FALLOUT: USERS SPEND LESS TIME WITH SOCIAL NETWORK
AD DOLLARS MAY BE NEXT TO MOVE
The controversy over Facebook’s sharing of data private data may be just the start of its problems. Local TV reps have fresh ammunition in their fight to keep clients from shifting ad dollars to the social network. New data shows Americans are spending less of their digital time with Facebook than in the past.
Pivotal Research analyst Brian Wieserhas been crunching Nielsen’s just-released Digital Content Ratings data for January and he says even though Facebook added 4% more users the total amount of time spent with the site dropped 5%. Facebook’s share of time spent online is now at 16.3% or down two points compared to a year earlier. That’s even with factoring in the growth of sister properties like Instagram and WhatsApp. “This is significantly below our forecast for Facebook’s share of digital ad revenue, which we estimate will be around 23% in the United States this year,” Wieser says. He’s forecasting Facebook’s total ad revenue will grow 31% this year.
It seems video is a tough to beat. Wieser says Google is posting “substantial growth” in its share of consumer time. YouTube accounts for half of all Google activity and Wieser says its consumption is growing in excess of 20% year-over-year every month.
Overall, Wieser says digital content consumption measured by Nielsen increased 16% in January, which is on par with other recent months. Total digital consumption totaled 31 billion person hours compared to 35 billion person hours of conventional live + time-shifted TV set-based viewing. The gap is a bit wider—digital’s 27 billion versus TV’s 35 billion—when YouTube is factored-out.
What’s it all mean for advertising? Even as Facebook weathered a series of negative news stories the marketing analytics firm 4C Insights estimates its advertising revenue jumped 62% during the first quarter compared to a year ago. The firm says the legal/financial (+274%) and travel (+248%) categories saw the greatest year-over-year increases. “Recent events have left many wondering about the future of Facebook advertising. But as our data shows, brands will continue to focus budgets where they see performance,” 4C says in its quarterly State of Media.
Analysts at 4C say that Facebook’s ad spending actually rose 14.5% in the week after news broke that 87 million users’ data had been grabbed by Cambridge Analytica. “Companies have built marketing programs around Facebook and to change it would have an impact on bottom lines—it’s going to take a lot more for people to pull out,” 4C’s Aaron Goldman told NBC News. Digital ad spending tracking firm Pathmaticsreportedly has seen similar trends.
The 4C report says Facebook had an average CPM of $5.12 in Q1 topping Instagram ($4.20), Pinterest ($3.20) and Snapchat ($2.95)—while trailing LinkedIn ($16.99). Advertisers are willing to pay more for Facebook because it had a click-through rate more than double the four other social networks. “Facebook continues to deliver ROI for advertisers,” 4C says.
ADVERTISER NEWS
According to a research note from Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, retail sales excluding autos accelerated in March, particularly among households earning under $50,000. The 0.6% seasonally adjusted monthly rise was the strongest since November. Taxable wages and salaries are trending higher after the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. What Bank of America calls its “wage proxy” — which is based on payroll direct deposit data — after-tax wages grew 7.5% year-over-year in March, up from 5.2% in February. That’s because the new tax withholding tables have gone into effect, which has translated into higher pay. Spending growth may have been even stronger were it not for bad weather. New York, Massachusetts and Vermont growth was weaker than the national gain.... Sears is closing more stores and auctioning off 16 others, according to Businessinsider.com. The most disappointing store closing may be the Sears store in Chicago, where Sears was based for more than a century. In its heyday, the company changed Chicago’s skyline by building the 110-story Sears Tower, which held the record for the tallest building in the world for more than 25 years. Sears has one remaining office of about 150 employees in the city of Chicago. But with the closure of the Sears store at Six Corners, there will be no remaining Sears stores in the city. Meanwhile, the company is selling a handful of other stores online through a partnership with Cushman & Wakefield, a real-estate-services company, The Wall Street Journal reports the properties are advertised as sale and lease-back deals, meaning Sears would make rent payments to the winning bidders to remain in the space....Walmart is remodeling 500 stores and opening 20 new stores across more than two dozen states as part of an $11 billion spending plan, says BusinessInsider. Shoppers could see the following changes in the remodeled stores: wider aisles, shorter shelving, new signs and flooring, a redesigned electronics department with interactive displays, an updated pharmacy area with a new private consultation room, and additional self-checkouts, as well as other upgrades to the cosmetics, home, hardware, auto, baby, and produce departments.... Bed Bath & Beyond on Wednesday reported that net sales in the 14 weeks of the fourth quarter rose 5.2% to about $3.7 billion; the year-ago quarter was just 13 weeks. Same-store sales in the quarter fell about 0.6%, due a decrease in the number of transactions in stores, partially offset by an increase in the average transaction amounts... Shares of Costco Wholesale were up yesterday after the warehouse club’s upbeat monthly sales report. The company reported net sales for the five weeks ended April 8 of $12.92 billion, up 10.9% from the same period a year ago, while overall same-store sales jumped 8.6%. The same-store sales rise included 8.3% growth in the U.S., a 7.1% rise in Canada and a 12.3% increase in other international. E-commerce same-store sales rose 33.2%.
NETWORK NEWS
ABC’s The View has booked adult film star Stephanie Clifford, aka Stormy Daniels for an appearance on the daytime talk show. She will be accompanied by her attorney, Michael Avenattion Tuesday, April 17th. The news comes about two-and-a-half months after Daniels canceled a scheduled appearance on The View. The decision was prompted by a guest panelist, HLN host S.E. Cupp, a conservative pundit who questioned late night host Jimmy Kimmel’s decision to interview Daniels. Cupp said Daniels was “cleaning up” and “making a ton of money”. NBC News reported on Tuesday that Daniels and her attorney are cooperating with federal investigators interested in a $130,000 payment made to her in 2016 by presidential candidate Donald Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen……. On Tuesday, April 24th at 8 PM (ET) ABC will begin airing a two-hour marathon of the first four episodes of the new Roseanne. The marathon will precede an original installment of the Deception in an episode called Sacrifice 99 to Fool One. Part two of a Deception two-night event will air on Sunday, April 29th……The Fox primetime series Empire remained at the top of the ratings Wednesday night for the second week in a row. Empire drew a 1.8 adult 18-49 rating and 5.8 million viewers. The show’s closest competition was from CBS’ Survivor which posted a 1.5 rating and 7.9 million viewers, down slightly from last week. Empire’s lead-out, Star, was also even with last week with a 1.3 rating and 4.3 million total viewers……Carina AdlyMacKenzie, the producer who just sold her first script order to The CW network for a reboot of the alien drama Roswell, has just signed her first development deal with Warner Bros. Television. That’s the studio behind the network’s The Originals and Roswell. Sources are saying that the Roswell reboot is the frontrunner for a series order among the list of pilots in consideration at The CW. Roswell stars Jeanie Mason (Grey’s Anatomy), Nathan Parsons (The Originals), Lily Cowles, Michael Vlamis, Tyler Blackburn, Heather Hemmensand Michael Trevino (The Vampire Diaries). Amblin Television and the original producer Bender Brown Productions are also involved in the Roswell project……Actress Jane Krakowski (The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), who was a regular on the seven-season run of 30 Rock on NBC, told The Hollywood Reporter that “there’s definitely been and talk and conversation” regarding a possible reboot of the comedy. She added, “I know it’s something the fans would love, and we would love.” The Emmy-winning sitcom starred Krakowski, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Judah Friedlander, and Katrina Bowden. Krakowski was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter at the opening night of Mean Girls on Broadway. The current reboot trend has seen the return of Will & Grace at NBC, Roseanne at ABC, and Murphy Brown, Cagney & Lacey, and Magnum P.I. at CBS. Earlier this month, NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt spoke about the possibility of his network bringing back The Office and even The West Wing if creator Aaron Sorkin were free.
NRF: 98% OF GEN Z SHOP IN STORES
Members of Generation Z are just now building relationship with brands and, while they’re keen on age-old fundamentals like price, availability and convenience, they look for tech to help meet their expectations, according to the third report on the demographic from the National Retail Federation and IBM’s Institute for Business Value. Nearly half (47%) use their phones while in a store, mostly to price check, but also to contact family and friends for advice, by sharing photos of something they might buy, for example.
Although they are the first generation born into a world dominated by smartphones, 98% said they buy in a store “some or most of the time.” Three times as many Gen Zers said they shop mostly in stores, compared to those shopping mostly online. But they want all channels open — for 51% it’s “important or very important” to easily switch among channels when researching, browsing or shopping. And they want to enjoy themselves — 56% say a fun in-store experience influences where they shop.
SENATORS SEEK PROBE OF SINCLAIR NEWS SCRIPTS
Twelve U.S. senators have asked the FCC to investigate Sinclair Broadcasting Group for “deliberately distorting news” and asked the commission to pause its ongoing review of the company’s proposed $3.9 billion acquisition of Tribune Company.
Sinclair, which is already the largest U.S. broadcast station owner, announced plans in May 2017 to acquire Tribune’s 42 TV stations in 33 markets, extending its reach to 72 percent of American households. The senators, 11 Democrats and independent Bernie Sanders, expressed concern about local news anchors at Sinclair-owned stations around the country being forced to read company-mandated scripts.
The scripts criticized “the troubling trend of irresponsible, one sided news stories plaguing our country” and have drawn fire. “We are concerned that Sinclair is engaged in a systematic news distortion operation that seeks to undermine freedom of the press and the robust localism and diversity of viewpoint that is the foundation of our national broadcasting laws,” the senators wrote. The FCC and the Justice Department are reviewing Sinclair’s deal.
THIS AND THAT
Within the past year, sales of private-label brands have surpassed those of manufacturers’ brands, according to a Nielsen report cited by Food Navigator. The most recent Total Consumer Report from Nielsen stated that after trading negatively in the last quarter of 2016, store brands were “posting dollar growth of more than three times the rate of branded products” by the last quarter of 2017.... Steve Chung has been named Chief Digital Officer, a newly created position for Fox Television Stations. Chung is the Founder and CEO of Frankly Inc., which provides integrated cloud technology platforms for media companies to create, distribute, analyze and monetize their content across all of their digital properties on web, mobile and TV.
SUBSCRIBE - TO MERCEDES BENZ
Mercedes will soon launch its vehicle subscription program in Nashville and Philadelphia, setting up a head-to-head fight with BMW as the luxury rivals try out a new type of relationship with their customers.
The pilot program, which starts in June, will be operated in partnership with Mercedes-Benz dealers in the two cities, says Autonews.com. BMW also is using Nashville as the test market for a subscription plan starting next month.
The program, called the Mercedes- Benz Collection, will offer multiple subscription tiers and allow customers to frequently switch vehicles depending on needs or preference.
SO WHAT IS MY COLLEGE DEGREE WORTH?
It’s no longer in question whether all jobs will be automated, according to the chair of the Institute for New Economic Thinking. The real question is when that automation will occur and which sectors will be affected sooner than others.
“Today, it would be possible to automate 50% of all work activities, and by about 2060, we’ll be capable in physical possibility have reached a 100%,” said Adair Turner.
Turner said that researchers will soon develop artificial intelligence as smart as humans and eventually create “super intelligent” technology that will outperform human beings.
AVAILS
WZDX/WAMY/MeTVin Huntsville, America’s “Rocket City,” is looking for self-motivated, experienced New Business and Digital sales champions who are not afraid of change, hard work, and the opportunity to help their clients’ businesses grow. Great opportunity to join Nexstar Media Group, one of the largest and fastest-growing media companies in the country. WZDX also has a full digital product suite to provide client digital needs. The opportunities for established and new media seller are endless! CLICK HEREto apply. WZDX is an EOE.
WISN-TV, the Hearst-owned ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, WI has an immediate opportunity for a General Sales Manager. The successful candidate will have all the requisite sales and management aptitude including strong leadership skills. Candidates must have previous sales/sales management experience in the television industry or comparable. This description is not inclusive of all duties and activities required of the position. Interested candidates should click HEREfor more information and to apply. EOE
WBBH (NBC) and WZVN (ABC) Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, FL seeks a Regional Account Executive. This individual will also be responsible for securing the largest share of business possible for our stations with clients located both inside and outside the. Candidate must have extensive knowledge of Wide Orbit Traffic and Media Sales and 5 years television experience. Must have experience and knowledge of digital advertising. This position reports directly to the VP of Sales. Please submit your resume to . EOE
WDSU, the NBC market-leading station in New Orleans, is seeking a dynamic Local Sales Manager who is ready to take a growing station to the next level. This important leadership role encompasses local revenue management for our TV station, digital platforms, as well as our multicast station, MeTV New Orleans. Ideal candidate should be driven, goal-oriented, disciplined, customer-focused, and organized, with the ability to coach and motivate both newer and experienced AE’s to success in multi-platform advertising sales. Click HEREto apply. EOE
KCCI, the market-leading Hearst Television CBS affiliate in Des Moines, IA is seeking an experienced Local Sales Manager with a proven track record of success in advertising sales.This leadership role encompasses revenue management for our top-rated TV station, digital, and multicast platforms. You will work in one of America’s most recognized cities for business climate and quality of life. Ideal candidates should be goal-oriented, organized, driven, and disciplined. WATCH THIS! Then CLICK HEREto apply. EOE
While he was testifying, Facebook stock went up and Mark Zuckerberg, just during his testimony, made $3 billion. When he heard that, Tom from MySpace also offered to testify.–Conan O’Brien
If your boss asks you to organize a corporate team building event, he does not mean organize a happy hour. I know this now.–FunnyTweeter.com
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SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News Of TV Sales
April13, 2018
Phone: 888-884-2630