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sales@spotsndots.com Copyright 2017.The Daily News of TV Sales Wednesday, December 27, 2017

SMALL BIZ GROWTH FORECAST FOR 2018FINANCING IMPROVES, HIRING UP Small businesses are finishing 2017 strong, according to the Dun & Bradstreet/Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Q4 report on private capital access. 58% of small businesses (defined as those with $5 million or less in annual revenue) reported a profitable quarter—up from 52% a year earlier. Going into 2018, small businesses are anticipating growing revenue 9.1% on average, up from 8.7% one year ago. Since the quarterly survey began in 2012, expectations for overall business performance improvement in the upcoming year are at a record high. 84% of both small and mid-sized businesses ($5M to $100M in revenue) owners expect their business to perform better in 2018 than in 2017, up from 72% the previous year. 90% of both small and mid-sized businesses are confident that their business will grow in 2018, compared to 80% in Q4 2016. Access to financing has also improved. Fewer small and mid-sized businesses, a major source of employment and economic activity for the U.S., reported that the current business financing environment is hindering their growth opportunities for their business (down nearly 9%) compared to one year ago. Small businesses are also more optimistic in their ability to raise financing in the next six months than they were a year ago, with 55% reporting it would be “difficult” to qualify for debt financing, down from 61% in Q4 2016. While 69% of small businesses (up from 59% in 2016) are reporting they plan on hiring employees within the next six months, the high demand needed for financing to support planned growth or expansion in the next six months has declined 9.8% compared to one year ago. The report authors say the seemingly incongruous numbers point to a more complex story for growth going into the new year. “Given the current state of the U.S. economy, it’s not surprising that small businesses are ending the year on a financially positive note in comparison to a year ago,” said Bodhi Ganguli, lead economist at Dun & Bradstreet. “However, there are still many economic and politically related variables that are largely unknown at this time in how small businesses will be affected in the upcoming year. This quarter’s report is telling a cautiously optimistic story from the small businesses’ perspective.” Only 5% of small and mid-sized businesses reported that government regulations and taxes are preventing them from hiring in the next six months, a significant decline compared to one year ago (16%). The Q4 2017 Index report was derived from 1,341 completed responses collected between October 31 and November 15, 2017—before the new tax law was finalized.

ADVERTISER NEWS Shares of department stores jumped on Tuesday as Mastercard said shoppers spent over $800 billion during the season, more than ever before, boosted by growing consumer confidence, rising employment and early discounts. Sarah Quinlan, head of market insights for Mastercard Advisors said holiday sales in stores and online between Nov 1 and Dec 24 rose 4.9 percent, the fastest year-on-year pace of increase since 2011. Mastercard, which tracks spending by combining sales activity in its

payments network with estimates of cash and other payment forms, excluded automobile sales from its figures. The result: shares in J.C. Penney Co Inc rose 7.6 percent on Tuesday, while Kohl’s shares were up 5.8 percent, Macy’s Inc rose 5.1 percent and Nordstrom Inc increased 2.8 percent. Mastercard said the moderate sales increases seen in apparel and department stores were particularly

impressive given this year’s slew of store closures. Online sales rose 18.1 percent during the holiday season, thanks to a late rally in sales, according to Mastercard. Retail won’t have the final tally on the overall holiday season until January...Amazon on Tuesday said it recorded its “biggest holiday season.” More than four million people started Prime free trials or began paid memberships in one week over the holiday shopping weeks, and the company’s voice assistant was more prominent than ever: Customers wished Alexa “Merry Christmas,” “Happy holidays” and “Happy Hanukkah” 3.5 time more this year than last, according to a company press release.... .Fortune says Jack in the Box will offer a boxed meal deal explicitly marketed to stoned Californians, to celebrate the legalization of recreational marijuana there. Jack in the Box is being remarkably up front about its sticky-icky strategy for the Merry Munchie Meal, which will include a hefty helping of fried snacks for the carefully-chosen price of $4.20. The box will be co-branded with the Snoop Dogg-backed cannabis lifestyle website Merry Jane, and will bear the website’s abstracted pot-leaf logo.... Kellogg is introducing two flavors to its line of Rice Krispies Treats—Birthday Cake and Cookies and Cream. Kellogg’s new flavors are inspired by consumers on social media who made these varieties at home. They’ll be in stores next month.... Tesla will produce a long-awaited electric pickup truck in the coming years that would challenge Ford. Company founder Elon Musk said, “I promise that we will make a pickup truck right after Model Y. Have had the core design/engineering elements in my mind for almost 5 years,” Musk replied. “Am dying to build it.” The Model Y compact SUV is expected to start production in 2019, opening the door to the as-yet-unnamed pickup in 2020.

PAGE 2 The Daily News of TV Sales @ www.spotsndots.com

NETWORK NEWS ABC News staple and co-anchor of the network’s news magazine 20/20, Elizabeth Vargas is leaving the company after 20/20’s 40th season wraps up. The news was delivered by ABC News president James Goldston and Vargas in memos to the staff. Goldston said in his memo that Vargas is going to “pursue new ventures”. No replacement was named to co-anchor 20/20 with David Muir. However, reports indicate that ABC is considering Amy Robach as a replacement. Vargas has served in several roles at ABC’s news division over the years. She became the second female 20/20 anchor when she replaced Barbara Walters in the fall of 2004. Vargas came to ABC from NBC, where she was a correspondent and anchor for Dateline NBC and Today among other assignments……ABC and dick clark productions have announced that multi-platinum artist and global superstar Mariah Carey will return to Times Square to perform for a live audience just minutes before the ball drops on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest. She will join other artists in New York scheduled for the celebration including Camila Cabello, Nick Jonas and Sugarland. The network and dick clark productions also announced that Britney Spears will perform from The Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas as part of the special. She will perform her recent dance hits Toxic and Work Bitch during the show. It will be her first television appearance for 2018. Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will air on ABC Sunday, December 31st at 8 PM (ET)……The CBS presentation of the I Love Lucy Christmas Special posted a 0.8 adult 18-49 Nielsen rating and 6.542 million total viewers this past Friday night. The special was followed by The Dick Van Dyke Show – Now in Living Color! with a 0.6 demo rating and 4.94 million total viewers……the new Fox series 9-1-1 has made the list of Variety’s most anticipated TV shows for 2018. The series marks the return of Ryan Murphy to broadcast television and will revolve around first responders and 9-1-1 operators who take, and route emergency calls in a major city. The cast includes Connie Britton (Nashville) Angela Bassett, and Peter Krause. Variety also listed ABC’s reboot of Roseanne on the list. The revised blue-collar sitcom will explore the Connor family in the modern day, in addition to introducing the next generation in David (Johnny Galecki) and Darlene’s (Sara Gilbert) kids. The new Roseanne will debut on ABC on March 27th. Fox made the list again with the season 11 premiere of The X-Files, set to kick off its next season on Wednesday, January 3rd……With the move to Friday’s, the ratings for ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D have dipped, however early indications show that it’s still a solid performer in the delayed-viewing numbers. The December 8th episode more than doubled its adult 18-49 Nielsen rating after the Live +7 Day numbers were tallied. The show rose from a 0.5 rating to a 1.2 rating in the demo. The network’s new show, The Good Doctor, rose by 1.8 points and by 6.67 million viewers.

AVAILS KELO in Sioux Falls, SD, seeks a Digital Sales Content Manager. This person will work with the digital and broadcast sales teams to generate revenue to meet and exceed goals. The successful candidate should be highly proficient with Google Analytics, Facebook, Twitter, Excel. Experience with WO Traffic and Matrix a plus. In addition, we’re looking for an entrepreneurial spirit that is willing to create and execute new ideas that will drive revenue. Must

have the passion to train and develop salespeople in digital sales. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now. There’s a great opportunity in Topeka, Kansas for a sales leader that always manages to get “more than your fair share” and is looking for career growth. KSNT is looking for a National Sales Manager to be responsible for directing the national sales efforts for the NBC/ABC/FOX & CW stations while working in concert with our sales management

team to grow overall revenue. Full details HERE. If this sounds like your next challenge, we want to hear from you! Send cover letter, resume and references to jfaith@ksnt.com EOE/M/F/D/V WAFB, the Raycom-owned CBS affiliate in the Baton Rouge, LA market seeks a dynamic leader to serve as the Vice President and General Manager of a legacy station in a top 100 television market. A minimum of 5 years’ experience successfully performing in a senior broadcast media management position, GM experience preferred. Find out why this vibrant capital city and home of the LSU Tigers and Southern Jaguars is a great place to work and play! CLICK HERE to apply. No calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V WTAT FOX 24 in beautiful Charleston, SC has an immediate opening for an experienced Account Executive with a proven track record of success. This includes a history of solid negotiation, Digital and New Business development. Join a progressive company in one of the Country’s most desired markets. To apply, please send resume to jobs@foxcharleston.com and include “WTAT-Account Executive” in the subject line. No calls please. WTAT-TV and Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace! WFTV – Cox Media Group Television Station in Orlando, Florida (Market #18) seeks an Account Executive. We want passionate sellers that want to WIN. The winning candidate will have the skill set and drive to build a full pipeline of sales prospects and be responsible for closing the business and achieving their revenue goals. A minimum 2 years of prior broadcast TV and digital sales experience. CLICK HERE for more info or to apply now. Cox Media Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

12/27/2017

Conan O’Brien

The most commonly spoken phrase this week in all homes - “Do you have

the Scotch tape?”

The Daily News of TV Sales @ www.spotsndots.com PAGE 3

BUYING FROM TV HAS APPEAL Americans are highly interested in purchasing products directly from TV commercials and programs using their remotes, according to a new “t-commerce” study released by Connekt, which supplies smart TV technology for advertising. However, it also found that many people don’t realize the capability currently exists, suggesting a need for greater consumer education. The study found a strong consumer appetite for buying goods through the largest screen in the home, with 76% saying they would shop through their TVs in real time if it were an option. The majority—65%--would be most likely to purchase products highlighted in TV ads. Only 35% said they would be most inclined to purchase those featured in TV shows. “TV remains the most prolific way for brands to reach consumers, and smarter TVs mean smarter advertising where brands can move consumers from awareness to a transaction without ever leaving their TVs,” said Connekt SVP Tripp Boyle What is the biggest draw of buying products using just a remote? Convenience ranked first, cited by 74% of respondents, while the ability to buy right when they see a product they like ranked second with 66%. When asked which products they’d be most likely to buy from their TVs, 76% said household goods such as cleaning supplies and cosmetics. Consumer electronics was a close second with 67%, followed by clothing with 47% and home & garden with 44%. HIRING AND OPEN JOBS TO RISE IN 2018 The Q1 2018 Hiring Forecast from the Brilliant search, staffing and management resources tech firm indicates an increase in open accounting, finance and IT positions heading into Q1 2018. Looking farther out, businesses are planning to increase their overall hiring plans in the next 12 months, especially for IT. The forecast, produced in partnership with Dr. Richard Curtin at the University of Michigan, studies the hiring trends and business factors affecting accounting, finance and information technology professionals for the greater Chicago and south Florida labor markets. The study finds 40% of businesses are reporting unfilled jobs in accounting and finance, and 28% are reporting openings in IT. These numbers have increased from last quarter, especially for IT, which marked the highest percentage of openings reported in the past year. “While the overall number of open accounting and finance jobs exceeded IT positions, the change during the past year was dominated by a sharp rise in the number of available IT positions,” noted Curtin.

DONE DEALS Lori Brock has been promoted to Vice President of Finance for the Meredith Local Media group. Brock has 30 years of experience working in accounting and finance, including the past 12 with the Meredith Local Media Group. Most recently she served as Regional Business Director in Atlanta.

ACCOUNT ACTIONS Chivas Regal has awarded its global creative account to McCann London. The Scotch whiskey brand previously had its account at Havas London……Adweek reports that LinkedIn is in the process of consolidating its global marketing efforts with two to three creative agencies in the coming year. At least five are said to be under consideration……The Martin Agency, Richmond, an Interpublic Group shop, has won the pitch to be AOR for Virginia Tourism Corp. The Richmond Times-Dispatch says the multimillion contract award is for 18 months with four, one-year options

to renew. The incumbent had been BCF, Virginia Beach, which did not participate in the latest review. Although various agencies have handled the contract over the years, Martin gave the state tourism division its enduring “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan back in 1969.

AUTOMOTIVE UPDATE For the eighth time this year, the new vehicle retail sales pace in December is expected to fall from year-ago

levels, according to a forecast by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for retail sales is expected to be 14.6 million units, down 350,000 from a year ago. Retail sales are projected to reach 1,305,800 units, a 2.6% decrease on a selling day adjusted basis compared to December 2016. Total vehicle sales are expected to be down 2.0% to 1,591,900—a SAAR of 17.8 million, down from 18.1 million……Hyundai has added a Plug-in Hybrid model to its Ioniq line-up for the 2018 model year, along with new features for Ioniq Hybrid and Electric models. Hyundai says it is the first automaker to offer three distinct electrified powertrains on a single, dedicated vehicle platform……FCA is recalling 1.5 million Ram pickups in the U.S. and more than 300,000 abroad to fix a gear shifting problem which could cause the trucks to accidentally slip out of park. The recall includes Ram heavy-duty pickups and some light-duty ones dating back as far as the 2009 model year. FCA says seven injuries have been blamed on the problem from a “small number” of crashes.

12/27/2017

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