www.spotsndots.comSubscriptions: $350 per year.

This publication cannot bedistributed beyond the office

of the actual subscriber. Need us? 888-884-2630 or

sales@spotsndots.com Copyright 2020.The Daily News of TV Sales Friday, March 6, 2020

ONCE IT'S LOST, IT'S USUALLY GONE FOR GOOD Poor product quality is not the only factor that erodes consumer trust in a brand, Chain Store Age reports. According to U.S. findings of a new global consumer survey from online marketing platform Bazaarvoice, after losing trust in a brand, 85 percent of respondents will avoid using the brand again. The most common way respondents indicated a brand could lose their trust was by products being poor quality/damaging easily (66%), followed by receiving dishonest brand/product information (55%). More than four in 10 (43%) respondents said a brand having fake and fraudulent reviews would cause them to lose trust. In some good news, if a customer still trusts a brand, 57 percent said they would buy from that brand again after one negative product experience. The survey also reveals the authenticity of a brand’s reviews can affect its bottom line. If a shopper suspects a product to have fake reviews, 31 percent said they would not buy the product, 28 percent would not trust other reviews, and 26 percent would not trust the brand. “Fake reviews can be devastating to a brand,” says Joe Rohrlich, chief revenue officer at Bazaarvoice. “Simply put, once shoppers suspect a company of having fake reviews, trust is in question. In an era of misinformation and fake news, brand integrity is essential to building consumer trust, which directly translates to profit.” Diving deeper into consumer opinions about fake reviews, when asked what makes them most suspicious that a product may have fake reviews, respondents cited seeing multiple reviews with similar wording (59%), the review content not matching the product (50%), and an overwhelming number of five-star ratings/positive reviews (35%). The majority (73%) of respondents believe the retail industry needs new standards to combat fake reviews. They think these new rules should require that only customers who made verified purchases should be able to post reviews (42%), all products be tried and tested among legitimate consumers before launch (34%), and daily monitoring of customer content be done to weed out fake reviews (27%). On average, respondents believe that an appropriate level of punishment for brands in breach of these standards is a fine of 14.7 percent of their annual revenue. As a point of reference, survey respondents were told that in data privacy, the penalty for breaking the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can be up to 4 percent of revenue. Respondents still felt stronger penalties were needed for brands violating consumer trust with fake reviews. Findings were taken from U.S. survey responses from more than 10,000 consumers in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany and Australia.

SURVEY: BRANDS THAT LOSE TRUST LOSE CUSTOMERS ADVERTISER NEWS Hyundai Motor America is recalling about 207,000 Sonata vehicles in the U.S. because of a fuel line issue that could increase the risk of fire, Automotive News reports. The recall covers 2013-14 Hyundai Sonatas sedans produced between November 2012 and January 2014 for the U.S. market. The automaker did not release a global number of

vehicles involved. The low-pressure fuel hose may crack over time as a result of heat generated within the engine compartment, according to a NHTSA document. This could cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of an engine-compartment fire… U.S. supermarket chain Kroger topped fourth-quarter profit and sales estimates yesterday, boosted by strong demand for its high-margin private-label brands, Reuters reports. The company maintained

its forecast for fiscal 2020, which excluded any impact from the global epidemic that’s infected thousands and killed more than 3,000, including 11 in the United States. Kroger has limited supply chain exposure in China and sources a majority of its products domestically, CEO Rodney McMullen said… Starbucks has announced that it will be temporarily pausing the use of personal cups and “for here” ware such as ceramic mugs, amid the growing coronavirus outbreak, Forbes reports. All drinks will now be served in disposable cups for the time being in the U.S. and Canada. The statement released earlier yesterday by Rossann Williams, EVP and President of U.S. and Canada-operated businesses, pledged to focus on two main priorities; “caring for the health and well being of customers and partners” and “supporting local health officials and government leaders” in their attempts to contain the virus… In an attack last spring, a hacker hit J.Crew’s website and accessed sensitive information in some users’ accounts, the company has disclosed. According to a notice hosted by the Attorney General of California’s website, the hacker would have been able to access some users’ personal information, including the last four digits of customer credit cards numbers, expiration dates and other sensitive information. J.Crew blamed “an unauthorized party” for the hack and said it happened “in or around April 2019,” Fast Company reports... Nordstrom announced that it will close its Trunk Club stores in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. and integrate its subsidiary into its full-line stores and nordstrom.com, the Chicago Business Journal reports... Taco Bell, which has opened 60 Cantina locations since launching the fast-casual concept in 2015, plans to convert three of its restaurants with new features including video gaming, QSR reports. “We’ve learned that our customers want to engage with the brand in a way that amplifies their social nature,” Mike Grams, Taco Bell president and global COO, said in a statement. “We are once again pushing the boundaries of the traditional [quick-service restaurant] dining experience by setting the stage for our ‘fast-social’ restaurants, which introduce dynamic dining rooms and lean into social gatherings.”

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

AVAILS WKMG-TV, the CBS affiliate in SUNNY Orlando, Fla., has an opening for an Account Executive with 3-5 years of TV/Digital sales experience. Must be highly motivated with the ability to grow existing revenue AND secure new advertisers. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record of producing revenue on TV/Digital platforms, strong new business development experience, and the ability to negotiate effectively with strong closing skills. Please send your resume to asawyer@wkmg.com to apply

now. EOE. Are you interested in living in an awesome city and working for a great company? Sinclair-owned WLFL, CW22 and WRDC, myRDC28 seek a Local Sales Manager to lead our local team in one of the most sought-after markets to live in, Raleigh, N.C. The LSM will enhance and develop our successful sales team by supporting, motivating and leading our Marketing Consultants. The LSM will establish sales strategies to

ensure each Marketing Consultant achieves revenue targets across existing, new and digital business. CLICK HERE to apply. EOE. WNEM, a Meredith TV station in Saginaw, Mich., is recruiting for a dynamic Local Sales Manager who is ready to take the station to the next level. The successful candidate will be a sales leader who creates a positive culture for success through leadership, clear direction, teaching, motivating and evaluating sales efforts of our local team. The Local Sales Manager will lead the local team in exceeding budgets on multiple platforms, including Digital. We are always on the lookout for bright, creative talent to be part of the Meredith team. Apply at: http://www.meredith.com/viewjobopenings. EOE.

See your ad here Monday! CLICK HERE for details.

U.S. MORTGAGE RATES FALL TO ALL-TIME LOW Mortgage rates in the United States have fallen to the lowest level ever on the heels of concerns stemming from the coronavirus outbreak, MarketWatch reports. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 3.29 percent during the week ending March 5, a major decrease of 16 basis points from the previous week, Freddie Mac reported yesterday. Previously, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hit an all-time low back in November 2012 in the wake of the recession, when the average rate fell to 3.31 percent. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also fell 16 basis points to 2.79 percent, according to Freddie Mac. The 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage dropped only two basis points to an average of 3.18 percent. The decline presents a windfall for millions of homeowners across the country, who stand to save thousands of dollars in interest by refinancing. Furthermore, an estimated 44.7 million homeowners have $6.2 trillion in home equity that they could access through a cash-out refinance, according to real-estate data firm Black Knight, and now they have the chance to access that cash at a lower interest rate.

NETWORK NEWS Once Upon a Time alum Jeff Pierre is set as a series regular opposite Lindsey Morgan and Jared Padalecki in Walker, a reimagining of CBS’ long-running 1990s action/crime series Walker, Texas Ranger. Like the original series, the reboot, in which Walker gets a female partner, will explore morality, family and rediscovering our lost common ground. It centers on Cordell Walker (Padalecki), a widower and father of two with his own moral code, who returns home to Austin, Texas after being undercover for two years, only to discover there’s harder work to be done at home... For The People alum Wesam Keesh is set as a series regular opposite Janina Gavankar in Echo, NBC’s drama pilot. Written by JJ Bailey, Echo is a high-concept, genre procedural revolving around a team of investigators who solve the highest-profile crimes by sending our heroes into the past — in the body of the victim. They assume the victim’s identity and must race against time to prevent the crime before it happens... Ryan Hansen and Aimee Carrero will play the leads in Someone Out There, NBC’s romantic comedy pilot based on a Spanish format. Actor-writer Neil Casey also has been cast in the project. The single-camera romantic comedy is about two set-in-their-ways adults, Derek (Hansen) and Chloe (Carrero), who are challenged by very unexpected strangers to become the best versions of themselves to find love and possibly each other... Katherine Reis (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) has been cast as a co-lead opposite Gina Torres in ABC’s supernatural drama pilot The Brides. Chris Mason (Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists) and Sophia Tatum (I Am Not Okay With This) also have joined the project. The Brides, a sexy contemporary reimagining of Dracula, is a vampire soap about empowered, immortal women and the things they do to maintain wealth, prestige, legacy — and their nontraditional family... Former Pitch star Kylie Bunbury has been tapped as the lead in The Big Sky, ABC’s straight-to-series drama. The project is based on The Highway, the first book in C.J. Box’s Cassie Dewell series of novels. In the procedural thriller, private detective Cassie Dewell (Bunbury) partners with ex-cop Jenny Hoyt (Katheryn Winnick) on a search for two sisters who have been kidnapped by a truck driver on a remote highway in Montana. When they discover that these are not the only girls who have disappeared in the area, they must race against the clock to stop the killer before another woman is taken.

DONE DEAL Ron Parodi of Phoenix will succeed Bob Singer as General Manager of KTVZ-NewsChannel 21, a station group of NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo affiliates owned by News-Press and Gazette Co. of St. Joseph, Mo. Parodi joins the station group from Fox Sports Arizona in Phoenix, where he was the Vice President/General Sales Manager. He leaves Fox after a 20-year run, which he began as an Account Executive and served in various roles, including National Sales Manager, Local Sales Manager and VP/General Sales Manager at the regional sports network and the Fox O&O.

3/6/2020

Seth Meyers

Mike Bloomberg spent half a billion dollars and

all he got was a nationally televised atomic wedgie from Elizabeth Warren in

the debates.

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

CW SETS PREMIERES FOR ‘STARGIRL’, OTHERS The CW has established premiere dates for its new DC Universe series Stargirl, the second season of In The Dark and the seventh and final season of The 100. Stargirl, starring Brec Bassinger, Luke Wilson and Amy Smart, will premiere Tuesday, May 12 at 9 PM, following a new episode of The Flash as its lead-in at 8 PM, one day after it makes its digital debut on the DC Universe subscription service. Every episode of Stargirl will be available to stream on The CW’s free digital platforms (CWTV.com and The CW

app), following its linear broadcast. The network has acquired full-season stacking rights, meaning that all aired episodes will remain available on the CW’s digital outlets throughout the season. Beginning Tuesday, May 26, Stargirl then finishes out the remainder of its season beginning in the 8-9 PM time slot, taking over the spot previously held by The Flash. The 100 begins its seventh and final

season on Wednesday, May 20 at 8 PM. The second season of In The Dark, starring Perry Mattfeld, will premiere Thursday, May 28 at 9 PM. Under The CW’s new digital strategy, each episode of the network’s new series, including Batwoman, Nancy Drew, Katy Keene and Stargirl, are available to stream following their linear broadcast for free.

THIS AND THAT Adding to the list of media industry event cancellations, Comcast FreeWheel’s upfront event is being postponed due to coronavirus concerns, Television News Daily reports. The big advertising technology company’s NowFront event for advertisers and media buyers had been scheduled for March 12 in New York. A FreeWheel representative said it hopes to reschedule the event... NBCUniversal’s The Steve Wilkos Show joins fellow conflict talker Maury in being renewed through the 2021-22 TV season, Tracie Wilson, executive vice president, creative affairs, NBCUniversal TV Distribution, said in a statement. Steve Wilkos is currently in its 13th season and celebrated its 2,000th episode Feb. 24.

3/6/2020

FunnyTweeter.com

I’ll start buying “smart” appliances when they

make a microwave that automatically electrocutes people who put fish in it.

WEDNESDAY NIELSEN RATINGS - LIVE + SAME DAY

STREAMING FANS LIKE THE COMMERCIALS TOO The growing popularity of premium video streaming platforms seems to be spilling over to advertising on those services, according to one survey. Research from Valassis, a marketing technology and consumer engagement company, finds that nearly half of consumers (49%) say TV commercials are more “relevant” on connected TV platforms compared to traditionally delivered TV ads, Television News Daily reports. In an even more positive finding, for younger TV viewers 25 to 34 years old, 69 percent are in agreement with the “relevancy” question. Valassis says the next step in these results would be actions regarding purchasing decisions — as 52 percent of consumers are more likely to make a purchase based on a connected TV (CTV) ad than a traditional TV ad. But it’s important to keep ads short. Thirty-seven percent of consumers said the maximum length of non-skippable ads they would watch is 15 seconds or less. Twenty-four percent said 30-second ads are good. Longer commercials — 60-second and 90-second ads — only get votes representing 12 percent and 9 percent, respectively. In addition, the study shows that 56 percent of consumers have cable and streaming TV services, while 14 percent only have streaming TV and 21 percent only have cable. In addition, 35 percent plan to purchase new streaming TV services within the next year, and 21 percent say they are considering it.

TV RATINGS BY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Media measurement and analytics company Comscore is enabling advertisers to reach local broadcast TV audiences based on their specific congressional district, the company said yesterday. “Having detailed TV ratings information can be highly effective in reaching and influencing voting audiences, particularly in the dozens of highly contested battleground districts where the margin for error is razor thin,” Steve Walsh, EVP of local markets at Comscore, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be introducing a solution that meets a critical need in the political advertising arena.” The new service is called Comscore Congressional District Ratings. Previously, Comscore allowed media sellers to offer targeting by counties, but not congressional districts. “We anticipate there will be a lot of station interest in this level of precision,” Walsh told Adweek. “Sellers at best had to use county areas before this launch, and counties are a poor representation of congressional districts. So there is a huge opportunity to show better ROI for both stations and candidates.” Borrell Associates predicts that the current election cycle will see more than $1.5 billion spent on political advertising just on U.S. House of Representatives races — about 14 percent of all ad revenue generated by the 2020 elections. For now, Comscore will only offer this targeting for local broadcast TV, but said they may open it up to cable, over-the-top or other ad sellers in the future.