Spots N Dots
The Daily News Of TV Sales
January 29, 2016
2ND SCREEN JUST NATURAL FOR MILLENNIALS
TELEVISION STILL PREFERRED FOR VIEWING
Millennials have grown up with the Internet and new research by the Consumer
Technology Association (CTA), formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA),
finds that 88% of Millennials engage in second screen behaviors when watching video content,
the highest percentage of any demographic.
But second screen usage is by no means limited to the young. While watching video
content, half of online Americans use second screens via another device such as a smartphone
or tablet to augment first screen content to: access information about the content they’re viewing
(50%), watch content on other devices during commercials (48%) and follow social media
discussions either related or unrelated to the programming (43%).
Millennials (ages 18-34) are far more likely to engage in second screen behaviors than
adults 35 and older. 71% engage with social media while watching video content (40
percentage points higher than adults 35+), and 70% watch content on another device during
commercials (32 points higher than adults 35+).
The CTA study found that more than ever before, consumers—especially millennials—
are using non-traditional devices such as computers, tablets and smartphones for content
viewing. But one thing isn’t changing. “As technology continues to improve, consumer behaviors
and expectations also evolve—but televisions still reign as the preferred viewing device in
American households today,” said Steve Koenig, senior director of market research, CTA.
While television remains the most-preferred device for viewing most video content,
screens on other devices (computers, tablets and smartphones) are preferred collectively for
watching streamed content (57%, 13 points higher than televisions). For most types of video
content, Millennials are more likely to watch from non-traditional devices (42%) compared to
adults 35 and older (22%). Overwhelmingly, CTA found that the top reasons consumers
purchase televisions rather than non-traditional content viewing devices are screen-size (80%)
and picture quality (62%), with cost coming in at a distant third (29%).
When it comes to cord-cutting, 11% of the people in the CTA survey reported having
cancelled his or her service provider subscription in the past year, usually citing alternate
options available at a lower cost (27%). Additionally, 21% of consumers report they haven’t had
a service provider subscription for more than a year, with many (32%) reporting they did not
watch enough TV programming to justify the subscription costs. While traditional Pay-TV
providers including cable, satellite and fiber-to-the-home remain the most-used resources for
accessing and consuming content (61%), more consumers are now receiving content through
paid video streaming services (46%, a seven percentage point increase from 2014).
ADVERTISER NEWS
With such heavy demand for trucks, Ford announced that its Ohio Assembly Plant in
Avon Lake, west of Cleveland, will support additional production of the all-new 2017 Ford FSeries Super Duty chassis cab. The vehicles are top sellers for tradespeople and fleet
customers, from utility companies to construction firms, the company said. Together with the
Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Ohio Assembly will produce F-350, F-450 and F-550 Super
Duty chassis cab configurations……Citi says it lent more than $10 billion to U.S. small
businesses in 2015, bringing the bank’s five year total to more than $46 billion. Citi says its pace
of small business lending in 2015 ($10.0 billion) surpassed that of 2009 ($4.5 billion) by more
than 120%......Still reporting monthly sales while awaiting a buyout by Walgreens Boots
Alliance, Rite Aid says same store sales were down 1.4% for the four weeks ended January
23. Pharmacy sales were down 1.2% and front-end sales were off 1.4%......In addition to closing
the Ride Aid purchase, Drug Store News reports that Walgreens Boots Alliance told
shareholders at their annual meeting that it is also focused on its partnership with Valeant
Pharmaceuticals and development of its own beauty brands to drive bottom line
expansion……It looks like the Super Bowl could produce some extra revenue for Jet Blue. It’s
added additional flights between Denver International Airport (DEN) and San Francisco
International Airport (SFO) and between Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and San
Jose International Airport (SJC), which is located just five miles from Levi’s Stadium. JetBlue’s
added flights will operate in the direction of the Bay Area on Friday, February 5, and will return
fans to their hometown on Monday, February 8……hhgregg’s CEO blamed tough competition
for holiday sales that came in below expectations. Quarterly sales decreased 10.9% to $593
million, with comparable store sales down 10.8%. Looking forward, the company is focusing on
its “Fine Lines” expansion, furniture growth and premium televisions……Like a zombie, Circuit
City is returning for a third life in retail. This Week in Consumer Electronics reports that New
York area retail vets Ronny Shmoel and Albert Liniado have bought the name and
trademarks from the online retailer which acquired the remains of the second Circuit City in a
bankruptcy auction last year. The relaunch is expected to begin in June, with the first store most
likely in the Dallas market……The candy business wasn’t so sweet in Q4, with The Hershey
Company reporting sales down 5.0% to $1.91 billion. The chocolate giant has been changing
its products to adjust to changing tastes and emphasize those with no artificial flavors.
NETWORK NEWS
CBS announced the guest line-up for the special live edition of The Late Show with
Stephen Colbert to air in the primo post-Super Bowl slot Sunday, February 7. Colbert will
welcome Tina Fey and co-star Margot Robbie from the upcoming film Whiskey Tango
Foxtrot; Will Ferrell, starring in Zoolander 2; and comedy duo Key & Peele, starring together
in Keanu. House band Jon Batiste and Stay Human will be featured throughout the
show……Singer/songwriter and actor Jencarlos Canela has been cast in the role of Jesus
Christ in The Passion, a two-hour epic musical event set in present-day and airing live from
New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20, at 8:00 pm (ET) on FOX. Also, singer and actor Chris
Daughtry has been tapped to play the disciple Judas. Canela and Daughtry join previously
announced host and narrator Tyler Perry and cast members Prince Royce (the disciple Peter)
and Trisha Yearwood (Mary, the mother of Jesus)……ABC celebrates Valentine’s Day by
looking back at 20 seasons of The Bachelor and the fantasy of love—as well as the
rollercoaster ride of falling in love. Viewers will catch up with some of their favorite Bachelors
and Bachelor couples of all time and discover how these love stories have continued long after
their final rose ceremonies. Then, Bachelor Nation is invited to another wedding, as Jade Roper
and Tanner Tolbert, the newest sweethearts, tie the knot when Chris Harrison hosts the twohour special The Bachelor At 20: A Celebration of Love, airing Sunday, February 14, at 8:00
pm (ET)……The inaugural Electronic Music Awards & Foundation show will air Saturday,
April 23, at 8:00 pm (ET). The one-hour show to be filmed April 14 will feature electronic music’s
leading artists, creatives, executives and visionaries……Presenters and performers for the 88th
Oscars Sunday, February 28, at 7:00 pm (ET) on ABC will include Benicio Del Toro, Tina
Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Ryan Gosling, Kevin Hart, Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, Charlize
Theron, Jacob Tremblay, The Weeknd and Pharrell Williams……16 celebrities are set to
compete for their favorite charities when The Celebrity Apprentice shifts to Los Angeles for its
eighth season on NBC where twice-elected California governor and movie star Arnold
Schwarzenegger reigns over the boardroom. Advising the new head of the boardroom this
season will be world-class business minds, including investment guru Warren Buffett; former
Microsoft CEO and Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer; stars and entrepreneurs Tyra
Banks and Jessica Alba; and Schwarzenegger’s trusted confidante and nephew, prominent
entertainment attorney Patrick Knapp Schwarzenegger.
WEDNESDAY RATINGS
American Idol won the demo crown for FOX, but the Wednesday comedy/crime lineup
on CBS, led by Criminal Minds, drew the most eyeballs. The Nielsen overnights showed FOX
at an average 1.9 rating in Adults 18-49 and 4.2 in Households, with an average audience of
6.948 million. CBS was at 1.6 18-49, 5.1 HH and 7.978 million; ABC, led by a Modern Family
rerun, 1.1 18-49, 2.8 HH and 4.321 million; NBC 0.9 18-49, 3.2 HH and 4.859 million; The CW
0.9 18-49, 1.4 HH and 2.310 million; Univision 0.8 18-49, 1.1 HH and 1.961 million; and
Telemundo 0.6 18-49, 0.8 HH and 1.456 million.
RECORD PROFITS FOR FORD
Coming off a year that saw its sales of cars, pickups and SUVs surge in the U.S.—and
for its competitors as well—Ford Motor Company reported that 2015 profits were a record $7.4
billion. Full-year revenues increased by $5.5 billion to $149.6 billion and the automotive
operating margin improved by 2.2 percentage points to 6.8%. Along with the strong year in
North America, Ford saw its first profitable year in Europe since 2011 and posted record profits
in the Asian Pacific region. Only South America remains a problem.
For 2016, Ford president and CEO Mark Fields is expecting profits once again in all
regions except South America. But Wall Street was disappointed when the company projected
that its U.S. operating margin would slip to 9.5% or higher for North America this year,
compared to 10.2% in 2015. There was some excitement, though, over an Automotive News
report that Ford is prepping a diesel-powered model of its hot-selling F-150 pickup.
AUTOMOTIVE UPDATE
AutoNation, America’s largest dealership group, sold more vehicles in Q4 and revenues
were up 6% to $5.3 billion. However, CEO Mike Jackson concedes that the company
overestimated passenger car demand and had to increase discounting, which lowered its net
income by $19.2 million to $97.5 million. “America’s gone completely truck crazy,” he said and
predicted that the ability to produce trucks will determine the success of the various brands this
year……General Motors, Jim Koons Management and Lithia Motors Inc. have agreed to
settle complaints by the Federal Trade Commission that they advertised rigorous inspections
of used cars, yet failed to disclose that some of the used cars they sold were subject to
unrepaired safety recalls. Jim Koons Management has 15 dealerships in the Mid-Atlantic region
and Oregon-based Lithia Motors has more than 100 stores in the West and Midwest. The GM
settlement will require it to notify by mail all customers who purchased a Certified Pre-Owned
used vehicle with an open recall from any dealer from July 1, 2013 until now.
COX TO FIGHT NEXSTAR-MEDIA GENERAL
With a retransmission consent fight with Nexstar Broadcasting Group going down to
the wire tonight in nine markets, Cox Communications announced opposition to Nexstar’s plan
to acquire Media General for $4.6 billion. Cox claims making Nexstar bigger will force
customers to pay more for broadcast signals. “This merger is bad for business, bad for
consumers and is not in the public interest,” Cox declared, urging consumers to weigh-in at the
FCC against the merger.
RENTRAK-COMSCORE MERGER TODAY
Shareholders voted yesterday and approved the planned merger of Rentrak with
comScore. The closing is expected to take place today, with Rentrak becoming a wholly owned
subsidiary of comScore, creating a stronger competitor to Nielsen across TV and digital
measurement.
ACCOUNT ACTIONS
Multiple reports say Sony has nearly completed its massive media agency review.
Adweek says WPP’s Mediacom appears to be the big winner, taking all of the Playstation
business from Dentsu’s Carat and Omnicom’s OMD. Interpublic’s UM retained all of its Sony
Entertainment business in North America, but lost the electronics account to Mediacom, which
retained Sony Mobile. Sony spends $600 million annually on U.S. advertising and global
estimates are in the $2.5-3.0 billion range.
CANNELLA BUYS ADMORE PLATFORM
Broadcast television stations know Cannella Response Television (CRT) as a major
buyer of time for long-form direct response programming. Now it’s making a major move into
short-form advertising with the purchase of Media Properties Holdings, parent company of the
AdMore programmatic advertising platform. The deal also includes REVShare, a short-form
direct-response company, and Lead Generation Technologies, which creates spots that
generate consumer engagement and then monetizes those qualified leads through an online
bidding system.
Cannella says its more traditional long-form clients can now complement their ongoing
or new campaigns with REVShare’s extensive short-form capabilities. And the verse as well. It
says both businesses now benefit from the continued surge in AdMore growth thanks to the
sweeping transition underway from traditional media buying to programmatic’s “big data” to
drive media spending and verification of reach.
DONE DEALS
Gray Television announced the promotion of its five Senior Vice Presidents to new
positions in response to the company's growing scale, diversification and profile. The changes
will be effective on February 1. Jim Ryan is now Executive Vice President and CFO; Kevin
Latek is now Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Development Officer; Bob Smith is
now Executive Vice President and Co-COO; Nick Waller is now Executive Vice President and
Co-COO; and Jason Effinger is now Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and
Technology Officer for Gray.
AVAILS
Top Company () Great Market () Excellent Team () Incredible Opportunity ( ).
WESH-TV, the HEARST owned NBC affiliate in Orlando, FL has an opening for an experienced
Sales Professional. If you are motivated by an excellent product, great compensation, and
working with a talented team, look no further. We will provide the multi-platform marketing
solutions to grow a new and existing client base. You provide sales ability, positive attitude, and
a desire to win. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now. EOE.
Morgan Murphy Media, one of the few family owned media companies in the country, has an
opening for an experienced Local Sales Manager at WISC-TV in Madison, Wisconsin. We're
searching for a leader with a proven track record of success in a multi-platform sales
environment including traditional television, interactive, digital services, and mobile, with an
ability to integrate all into cohesive local sales programs. Get more details or apply HERE. Or,
send resume to WISC-TV, Attn: HR/LSM, 7025 Raymond Rd., Madison, WI 53719. EOE.
Vista West Media in Idaho seeks a Local Sales Manager to lead a team of account
executives on the CBS, Fox, and CW Television Stations and Digital Properties. The Local
Sales Manager's primary purpose is to generate revenue by utilizing broadcast and digital
properties to create effective advertising solutions for local businesses. Experience in managing
sales operation in television or related industry and the ability to develop and implement
strategic plans with goals and deadlines are a must. Resume to: teri.hein@localnews8.com.
EOE. Drug test/background check required.
Media General's KRON4, the San Francisco Bay Area's Local News Station, seeks a Sales
Assistant. The Sales Assistant will be responsible for sales order entry and creation and
coordination of client promotions and special projects. Must have the ability to multi-task, work
well under pressure and handle strict deadlines. Must have excellent communication &
organizational skills, and be extremely detail-oriented. Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point for
Windows experience required. Qualified applicants can apply at http://www.mediageneral.com look for Job #RON-000069. EOE.
Heartland Media's KDRV-TV, the ABC and Antenna TV affiliate in Medford, OR seeks a
General Sales Manager to lead, develop, train, and motivate its growing team of sales
managers AEs. This is a great opportunity to join a dominant station with the market's top-rated
newscasts, quality syndicated programming, and a broad range of digital products to market
and sell. Plus, you'll live and work in a sunny corner of the Pacific Northwest! Email cover letter,
resume, and references to: employment@kdrv.com. Pre-employment drug screen required.
EOE.
KOIN 6 in Portland OR has an opening for a Digital Account Executive. The Digital Account
Executive will be responsible for uncovering sales opportunities to local advertisers in Portland,
OR. The DAE will be responsible for aggressively pursuing digital media advertising sales. The
DAE will sell all of LIN’s suite of digital products including display, mobile, video, social media,
SEM and SEO. If interested, apply online at KOIN.com. Be sure to include a resume and cover
letter. No phone calls, emails or drop-ins.
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
WAFF 48 in Huntsville, AL is seeking a multi-platform Sales Executive to join our team! We
are looking for an energetic team player who has the desire to create and present solutions for
our advertisers. Our ideal candidate will have the ability to exceed goals through new business
development and outstanding customer service. Please apply online at https://careersraycommedia.icims.com and attach resume. No phone calls please. EOE-M/V/D/V
Did you watch the football games in the matchup for Super Bowl 50? It's the guy from the Under
Armour commercials against the guy from the Papa John's commercials.
--Jimmy Kimmel
A rare white giraffe has been spotted in Africa. The white giraffe was immediately captured and
nominated for an Oscar.
--Conan O’Brien
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SPOTS N DOTS
The Daily News Of TV Sales
January 29, 2016
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