MAM
ABC, CBS, NBC’s ad revenue down 21 % for Q3
MUMBAI: Combined ad revenues for US broadcast networks ABC, CBS and NBC were down by 21.5 per cent for the third quarter and by 8.3 per cent for the first nine months of 2005, when compared to last year’s results.
Total net revenues of $2.2 billion for the third quarter of the year ended 30 September 2005 were down by approximately $605 million from the third quarter of last year, led by a $707 million decline in sports advertising.
When compared with results from third quarter 2003 total net revenues for the quarter were four per cent higher, with sports advertising down by slightly more than one per cent.This data is contained in a report put out by the Broadcast Cable Financial Management Association’s (BCFM) report on figures compiled by Ernst & Young.
Categories that gained ground when compared with last year’s third quarter results included prime time, which was up by 8.5 per cent and the AM daypart,up by six per cent. The AM daypart was higher by more than seven per cent for the first nine months of 2005, followed by year-to-date gains in news, up three per cent, and prime time, up by $87 million over last year to-date results for 2004.
The children’s category was down by more than five per cent for the quarter and 12 per cent for the year-to-date.
The report notes that while the dramatic decrease in network advertising revenues for the third quarter is shocking it is not surprising. The loss of over $700 million in ad revenues from sports programming caused by the lack of a Summer Olympics this year was to be expected, though it is still a large number.
At the same time, prime time revenues partially lessened that impact with nearly $100 million more in revenues. Still, the networks need to be concerned as to the long term growth history. Looking back to 2003, another year without a Summer Olympics, the total network revenues have increased only by three per cent per year, above the inflation rate but lower than the overall economic growth of the US.
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MAM
WPP appoints Mark Taylor as chief people officer in leadership reshuffle
Marie-Claire Barker moves to culture role as Cindy Rose builds new team
MUMBAI: WPP has appointed Mark Taylor as its new chief people officer, bringing in a seasoned HR leader as part of a broader leadership reshuffle under chief executive Cindy Rose, according to media reports.
Taylor succeeds Marie-Claire Barker, who will transition into a specialised role focused on performance and culture, reporting to him. The move is seen as part of WPP’s effort to sharpen its organisational structure and align talent strategy with its transformation agenda.
With more than three decades of experience, Taylor brings a diverse track record across industries including pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, retail and digital entertainment. He most recently served as chief people advisor at The LEGO Group, where he worked closely with top leadership on board and executive appointments, governance and organisational strategy.
Prior to that, he held senior HR leadership roles at Burberry and King, where he played a key role in organisational transformation and integration efforts, including the company’s alignment with Activision Blizzard. Earlier in his career, Taylor also worked with Kimberly-Clark and GlaxoSmithKline.
His cross-sector experience is expected to support WPP’s three-year ‘Elevate 28’ turnaround plan, which focuses on simplifying operations, strengthening capabilities and driving sustainable growth.
The appointment marks the second major leadership hire under Rose in a week. Recently, WPP named Anne-Isabelle Choueiri as chief transformation officer, bringing in additional firepower to execute its strategic overhaul. Choueiri previously held a senior transformation role at Estée Lauder Companies.
The leadership changes signal a clear push by WPP to blend experience with transformation as it navigates a rapidly evolving advertising landscape. With Taylor now steering the people agenda, the company appears focused on ensuring its talent strategy keeps pace with its broader ambitions.
