Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
February 8, 2016
GLITCH BOOSTED FACEBOOK TIME SPENT
VAB: SHOWS NEED FOR THIRD-PARTY DATA
Facebook got some bad publicity back in October when it had to fix its app for Apple
iOS mobile devices because it was draining users’ batteries. The problem was that the app
continued to run in the background, without the user being aware, performing tasks not initiated
by the user. Facebook apologized and reduced the background activities that its iOS app would
perform.
But that got someone at the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB) thinking: Did that
background activity artificially increase time spent using Facebook by users? Facebook is very
protective of its data—which has been a source of complaint by competitors and some
advertisers for years. But VAB noted that iOS devices—iPhones and iPads—constitute 60% of
the comScore Mobile Panel. Looking at broad data from that comScore panel—which VAB
refers to as “a rare 3rd party measure of Facebook”—it found that after the Facebook app was
updated on October 22, 2015, total minutes using Facebook dropped 40% from September to
November for the iPhones measured by comScore and average minutes per visitor dropped
41%. For iPads, total minutes dropped 39% and average minutes per visitor dropped 39%.
Meanwhile, for the same period, Facebook total minutes for the part of the comScore
panel using Android devices was up 2% and average minutes per visitor flat.
VAB shared its findings with Ad Age and Facebook initially declined to comment at all.
But after the story ran Facebook issued a statement insisting that “just last week we mentioned
on our earnings call that we grew both the number of people using Facebook on mobile, and
time spent.”
The Ad Age story quoted a couple of major agency buyers of social media advertising
that the glitch was bothersome, but that time spent is not a major consideration in whether to
use Facebook. Some don’t care about time spent at all. It’s all about unique visitors, one buyer
said, and Facebook “just crushes it.”
Even so, VAB said the problem points up the need to have someone measure Facebook
other than Facebook. Also, VAB said, the obvious next question is: How long has this been
going on? Again looking at comScore data, VAB found that the total time spent minutes in
November 2015—after the October “fix”—of 185.46 billion viewing Facebook on desktop and
mobile was the lowest for a single month since 185.02 billion in April 2014. And the average
minutes per viewer of 853.4 minutes in November 2015 was the lowest since 841.9 minutes in
November 2013.
ADVERTISER NEWS
Furniture Today reports traditional marketing methods still dominate in furniture stores’
ad spending. Its analysis shows the typical furniture store will invest 45% of its ad budget in
television this year, up from 38% in 2015……Tempur Sealy North American bedding sales
were up 4.2% in the fourth quarter, achieved despite what the CEO called “a relatively lowoctane economic environment”……Asbury Automotive, the seventh-largest auto seller in the
country, saw profit more than triple the prior year in the fourth quarter, with same-store new
vehicle sales up 4.8% and used-vehicle sales up 3.8%. For the full year, Asbury sold 105,981
new vehicles, up 11% total and 5.9% on a same store basis, which slightly outpaced the
industry average of 5.7%......Both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are due to report quarterly results
later this week, and there may be some evidence that lower gas prices could be helping soda
sales. A Wells Fargo survey found that non-alcoholic beverage sales at convenience stores
rose 5.5% in the fourth quarter. That of course includes bottled water and energy drinks but
Coke and PepsiCo also are heavily into those segments also……Bloomberg News reports
Sports Authority is “taking steps” towards a bankruptcy filing after missing a January interest
payment. The chain has another payment due next week……Mattress Firm has completed its
acquisition of Sleepy’s to become the first “border-to-border and coast-to-coast” mattress
specialty retailer, with over 3,500 stores and an estimated $3.6 billion in annual sales……J.C.
Penney has created a humorous TV spot about its return to the appliance business for its three
test markets, San Antonio, San Diego, and Tampa……Fred’s January comps were up 0.7%
over a year-ago increase of 4.3%. Its CEO notes retail pharmacy sales lagged due to a very low
year for incidence of colds and flu……Dunkin’ Donuts will join the “value” competition
restaurants are engaged in after fourth quarter same-store sales fell by 0.8%. “Competition is
fierce and getting fiercer,” its CEO noted. “Guests are letting us know that the price-value
equation needs to work for them.” Meanwhile sibling brand Baskin-Robbins comps were up
4.4% and Nation’s Restaurant News says the same warm weather that hurt Dunkin’s coffee
sales may have helped Baskin’s ice cream business……L Brands (mostly Victoria’s Secret
and Bath & Body Works) had a healthy 6% same-store increase for the quarter that ended on
1/31, and a 5% increase for its full fiscal year.
NETWORK NEWS
Miley Cyrus has been named a key adviser for the upcoming 10th season of NBC’s
musical competition series The Voice. The new season begins with a two-hour
episode Monday, February 29, at 8:00 pm (ET)……Fall Out Boy, Little Big Town, NE-YO and
Pentatonix will take to the stage during The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60. The
two-hour special airs Sunday, February 21, at 8:00 pm (ET) on ABC……In a series first, 11 new
teams of social media stars depart from their own homes all across the country and head for
Mexico City, where they set off fireworks and dig deep at an archaeological Roadblock, on the
season premiere of The Amazing Race, Friday, February 12, at 8:00 pm (ET) on CBS……NBC
has renewed Shades of Blue for a second season.
WEEKEND RATINGS
ABC, with Shark Tank, and CBS, with Super Bowl’s Greatest Halftime Shows tied at
a 1.2 rating in the 18-49 demo on Friday night, but Nielsen showed CBS with an average 6.08
million total viewers to ABC’s 5.90 million. NBC was at 0.9 18-49 and 4.31 million; FOX 0.7 1849 and 2.68 million; and The CW 0.4 18-49 and 1.03 million.
The Republican Presidential Debate put ABC on top for Saturday primetime,
registering an average 1.9 rating 18-49 and an average audience of 11.63 million. CBS, with the
NFL Honors, was at 1.0 18-49 and 4.39 million; NBC 1.0 18-49 and 3.69 million; and FOX 0.5
18-49 and 1.90 million.
ANOTHER PROBLEM FOR SUBWAY
Subway has (yet another) problem, and Nation’s Restaurant News suggests that
problem may have come from its prior advertising having been too successful.
Eight years ago, the chain introduced its $5 Footlong campaign with a catchy jingle that
was extremely successful, although not very profitable to store owners. It repeated the offer
several times afterwards as a limited-time promotion, but rising commodity costs have made the
offer impossible to repeat now.
With “value” the catchword in quick-service restaurant marketing now, Subway has now
gone back to a price-point strategy offering a $6 Footlong, but as NRN notes, with the $5 offer
so established in consumers’ minds, “it sounds more like a price increase than a budget deal.”
The lessons according to NRN: “Such is the challenge for a chain that uses a single, discounted
price point for too long.” It adds “None of this is to say price-based promotions are a bad idea.
Chains just must tread carefully when they use them—and when they end them.”
THIS AND THAT
Some fast-food chains are gearing up for higher fish sales during Lent. QSR reports
Church’s Chicken is highlighting shrimp and crispy fish offerings starting this week, and Long
John Silver’s, which says it gets a 75% boost in sales on Ash Wednesday, is starting a
sweepstakes offering winners a grand prize cruise……New Jersey has sued Volkswagen over
excess diesel emissions, joining Texas, New Mexico and West Virginia in doing so.
AVAILS
General Manager: A small privately-held broadcast company is looking for the right person to
operate its television station in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. The GM will oversee all
departments, including news, but is also directly responsible for sales department management.
Our right candidate will be an experienced GM who likes to be actively involved in sales, or a
broadcast sales manager looking to move into his/her first general manager role. Send cover
letter, resume and salary requirements in confidence to tvgmcandidates@gmail.com. EOE.
Tribune owned KSTU Fox 13 in beautiful Salt Lake City (#34) is looking for a senior AE to
come join the #1 revenue station in the market. Great ratings, great sales team and a great
future for the right candidate. Contact Beth Young (LSM) with serious inquiries
at beth.young@fox13now.com or call directly 801-536-1394.
KPTV Fox12 / PDX TV Portland, OR is searching for a General Sales Manager. Candidates
must have a strong business development and NTR track record. GSM establishes sales
revenue and expense budgets. Experience with National Sales preferred. Proficiency in
recruiting and developing a sales staff, a minimum of 6-8 years of experience in local television
sales, and previous management experience required including supervision of a minimum staff
of 4 direct reports. Qualified candidates can apply at http://www.meredith.com/careers EOE
ABC6 in Providence, RI is looking for a sales professional with management experience to join
this growing ABC affiliate as its National Sales Manager. We need an enthusiastic,
accountable individual to work with Katz Continental and the national clients– at the agency and
local levels. As part of our management team, the qualified candidate will also be involved with
our local and regional sales efforts. Great opportunity for someone looking for a move into a top
60 market. Resume to: Business Manager, ABC6, 10 Orms St, Providence, RI 02904. No calls
please. EOE.
Gulf California Broadcast Company is looking for a Director of Sales who is highly motivated
with a proven record of success, to oversee sales revenue for its television and web properties.
The successful candidate will have 5 to 10 years’ experience in a broadcast television sales
management role, and a highly motivated personality, with great interpersonal skills. Solid
written and verbal communication skills are a must. More details HERE. To apply, note referral
source and send resume to: hr@kesq.com. EOE.
WAFF-TV, in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Local Sales Manager who can drive revenue and
lead our local sales team to success. A strong background in Local Core/Digital sales and
agency negotiation is preferred. A well-developed skillset to budget for, grow and accurately
forecast revenue is a must. If you possess creative leadership skills, the ability to develop new
business, relationship-building skills and a successful track record in television and/or media
sales, then APPLY ONLINE and attach your resume. No calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V
Media mogul Sumner Redstone has stepped down as the chairman of CBS. The 92-year-old
Redstone said, ‘I’m finally old enough to start watching CBS.’
--Conan O’Brien
-------------------------
SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News Of TV Sales
February 8, 2016
Send your job openings to: ads@spotsndots.com
Editorial comments/promotions: editor@spotsndots.com
Payments or Invoices: accounting@spotsndots.com
Phone: 888-884-2630