Radio and Newspapers Are The Biggest Losers…

Thursday, September, 25, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

Proving the media is in as big an economic mess as the rest of the country, U.S. ad spending suffered the steepest quarterly drop since 2001.  The 3.7% dump started as early as March and neither the Olympics or presidential elections has been able to turn that decline around.  Ad tracker TNS Media Intelligence came up with the numbers.  Jon Swallen, the company’s head of research said “We’re definitely in a trough.  The question is whether the trough is going to sink.”  Radio and newspapers were the biggest s(t)inkers to the tune of 6.5 and 7.4 respectively during the first 6 months of the year…

If you’re keeping score, syndicated TV ad spending was up 10.2%, Internet display ad spending was up 8%, cable TV ad spending was up 3.1% and even outdoor ad spending went up 1.8%.  You already know who the losers were…

So what does the rest of the year look like?  Budgets have already been reined in because of the Wall Street crisis.  What impact recent events like last night’s presidential address and the pending bailout bill will have on consumer spending and the ad market is uncertain.  Look for more agita since all of America is being advised to take a more conservative approach.  The ad business is praying that the holiday shopping season saves them so they can prey on us…   

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1962] A Sonny forecast: Sonny Liston KO’s Floyd Patterson in the 1st round to win the heavyweight championship…
2. 1965] Premiered on this date: The half-hour Saturday morning cartoon, “The Beatles” debuts on ABC-TV and lasts until September, 1969…1979] “Evita” opens on Broadway with Patti Lupone in the title role. It’s the 3rd collaboration of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber…1997] The season premiere of “ER” is a live presentation…
3. 1965] “Say Hey” has his day: At the age of 34, Willie Mays becomes the oldest player to hit 50 home runs in a season…1973] “Willie Mays Night” draws a sold-out Shea Stadium crowd. Willie does not play in the game but the Mets win it for him, 2-1 over Montreal…
4. 1980] “Happy Trails“: Led Zeppelin drummer John “Bonzo” Bonham who dies of excessive alcohol consumption at 32…2003] Author George Plimpton dies of natural causes at 76…
5. 1990] Naming Rights: Little Richard Boulevard is named for the star in Macon (GA)…
6. 1992] D-I-V-O-R-C-E: A judge in Orlando (FL) rules in favor of Gregory Kingsley, a 12-year old seeking a divorce from his biological parents…
7. 1995] Independence Day: Ross Perot announces the formation of the Independence Party…
8. 1997] Biting mad: NBC sportscaster Marv Albert pleads guilty to assault and battery of his lover. He is fired by NBC hours later…
9. 2001] An MJ sighting: Michael Jordan announces his return to basketball as a player for the Washington Wizards. MJ became president of operations in January, 2000…
10. 2006] Super again: The Superdome reopens for football and the hometown Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-3…

Music Memories:

• 1954] Live from the Grand Ole Opry: Elvis Presley appears singing “Blue Moon of Kentucky“.  This clip is from a live performance but not the Opry…
• 1971] Released on this date: “Peace Train” - Cat Stevens…1979] “The Long Run” LP - Eagles…
• 1975] Jackie Wilson tragedy: Jackie Wilson collapses on stage while singing “Lonely Teardrops” in Cherry Hill (NJ). 41 at the time, Wilson suffers a heart attack resulting in brain damage. He dies in 1984 after spending the rest of his life in a coma.  This appearance is from “American Bandstand“…

Commentary: 

‘Happy Trails’ to former Giant great and play-by-play man Dick Lynch who was a victim of cancer at the age of 72.  Lynch had been treated for leukemia for the last 10 years.  Lynch, star corner back for the Giants lost his 31-year old son in the Twin Towers on 9/11…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Catherine Zeta-Jones (39), Will Smith (40), Heather Locklear (47), Mark Hamill (57), Cheryl Tiegs (61), Michael Douglas (64) and Barbara Walters (79)…

Timeline Countdown: 3 days until the last regular MLB game, 5 days until the playoffs and 28 days until the World Series opener…

Posted in Today's Post | No Comments »