Categories
Media Buyers Say Ad Spend Climbing
February 03, 2012 | 6:46pm
Originally appearing February 2, 2012 in iMedia Connection
As some of you may already know, we survey media buying executives every quarter to identify major advertising trends. The most recent STRATA Survey, conducted during Q4 2011, provided some important bellwether points around such areas as the economy, mobile, social media and platform focus. Below are a few of the main findings from the January 2012 release, but be sure to check out the full report here.
AD SPEND RISING
The STRATA Survey found that 81% expect their client’s approach to advertising and marketing to either increase or stay the same. This is up 14% based on the same figures reported third quarter 2011. Adding to this positive economic surge, nearly half of respondents said they project the 1st half of 2012 to be better than the last half of 2011 with increases in business compared to the same time last year. The impact shows 31% of agencies noted they plan on hiring in 2012, which is up 29% over third quarter 2011 and up 28% over the same time last year.
Holiday Flash Survey (Q/A)
November 22, 2011 | 2:07pm
(STRATA recently conducted a Holiday Flash Survey of STRATA agencies of varying sizes across the country. The following is a Q/A with CEO/President John Shelton on the survey results.)
What did you find most interesting or surprising about the results of the survey?
Spot TV/Cable advertising still dominates (which isn’t surprising), but Digital advertising is increasingly becoming a strong avenue of choice this holiday season. We are seeing more campaigns utilize cross platform promotions and reaching clients in more ways than ever before. Instead of relying on one or two mediums, a strong media mix has become increasingly important for advertisers to push their products/services this shopping season.
When you take a close look at the industries that are advertising for the holidays, I was a bit surprised. Sure, you are going to have categories that are often synonymous with the holiday season (clothing/apparel, music/movies and hospitality) getting a share of advertising - but they weren’t the leaders. Interestingly, healthcare and financial services (along with holiday favorite, electronics) are the top industry areas that agencies are focusing on this holiday season. These were well ahead of traditional holiday categories
STRATA Survey Shows a Shift in Focus (I'm Looking at You, iPad)
August 23, 2011 | 10:48am
I’m always intrigued to see the results of our quarterly survey of media buying agencies. Since we started conducting this study in 2008, it has consistently reflected the issues and trends in the advertising industry. This past quarterly survey was no exception, as several key trends became apparent after analyzing the results.
First, the positive ad economic outlook isn’t as “sunny” as it had been in the first quarter. The recent volatility in the financial markets definitely proved that finding. Many of our agencies seem to be in a holding pattern as they wait for clients to open their wallets and spend more advertising dollars.
Social Media: Is it Measurable?
May 20, 2010 | 10:26am
I attended The Cable Show recently in Los Angeles. Among the many great points discussed at the conference were Social Media and its impact on advertising. We use various forms of social media here at STRATA in our marketing efforts, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn just to name a few. We aren’t alone either, hundreds of thousands of businesses use social media to connect to their clients, customers and prospects.
