As broadcast buyers for R&R Partners, we need to continually monitor changing market conditions as well as inflation trends to stay current and ensure our clients are serviced as best as possible. Below, Leah Sommer discusses media inflation trends. Also, check out Pam Payne’s related post on Inflation Trends.
**We’re only through about a quarter of state primaries for our primary spot markets.
California and Nevada – June 8
Colorado – Aug. 10
Washington – Aug. 17
Arizona – Aug. 24
All states will be in FCC Political Protection Windows for the General Election beginning Sept. 3rd.
We’re seeing broadcast markets experience somewhat volatile rates and inventory projections. Political advertisers are unpredictable and notorious for dumping lots of money with short lead times.
We recommend getting Q3 and Q4 orders in as quickly as possible.
** National media spending year-over-year is up around 5 percent – with television increasing near 11 percent from the first quarter of 2009 and still accounts for more than half of all spending (52.6 percent).
Spot TV was reportedly up 22 percent year-over-year from 2009, with local stations getting a boost from Olympic coverage and spending from sectors such as retail, auto and financial, which they failed to place in last year’s Upfronts.
** The FCC will conduct a review of its rules regarding mergers between top media corporations. This is to determine if the current rules foster competition, localism and diversity and are serving the public interest. Their ruling could have a significant impact on the impending deal where Comcast hopes to control 51 percent of NBC Universal.
