Media Sales Today

The ad market is back in a big way. This good news comes from the just released Highlights and Insights report issued by CMO Survey in conjunction with Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and the American Marketing Association. The report contains keen insights about big company marketing plans for the next 12 months – by sector and by business type.

Other than local and national economic conditions, sales managers cite staff issues as their greatest challenge in meeting 2011 sales goals, while account executives say local competition is their number one hurdle.

Advertising sales managers and account executives expect increased ad revenues this year from several categories, according to the 2011 Local Ad Sales Forecast. Sectors with projected growth include health care, retail, automotive and restaurant. With mid-term elections over, most expect decreased revenue from government/political advertising.

As the new year begins, signs point to an improving economy and ad sales forecasts are looking up. According to the 2011 Local Ad Sales Forecast advertising sales managers and account executives also have a positive outlook, with both groups predicting ad revenue growth this year.

Small business owners are increasingly optimistic and plan higher ad spending for 2011, according to numbers from Ad-ology’s 2011 Small Business Marketing Forecast. This is the third year for the study, and in addition to increased optimism about the economy overall and their potential sales for this year, results show 46 percent plan increased ad budgets this year, compared to 29.1 percent who said the same for 2009.

There are so many improvements being made in the world of cinema these days that marketers should be chomping at the bit to advertise on the silver screen this year. Some might think it’s more of a circus of gimmicks, but if those clever ruses are filling theater seats, then there are just more eyeballs viewing your ad space.

Great stuff in this month’s Media Sales Monthly! The January edition includes data from the 2011 Small Business Marketing Forecast and much more. Five quick minutes full of information designed specifically for media sales pros.