MAM
PRN drives in-store HDTV viewership in US
MUMBAI: In-store media network creator Premier Retail Networks (PRN) has announced the results of its recent survey conduced in the US. This shows that PRN’s Home Electronics Network (HEN) delivers a growing number of entertainment and consumer electronics enthusiasts.
Nielsen Media Research conducted the entertainment-focused survey.
Based on Nielsen Media Research results, PRN estimates there is an average of 7,889 viewers per store per flight for HEN. With PRN’s HEN in more than 2,100 Best Buy, Circuit City and Sears stores, the Network delivers approximately 16.7 million gross impressions. This representing a 40 per cent increase over last year’s study.
Nielsen also reported that the duration of time each viewer spent watching the network has increased to 9.1 minutes in 2003 from 7.6 minutes last year, an increase of 20 per cent. PRN’s customised programming segments about High Definition Television (HDTV) were even stronger, with a viewer duration time of 10.8 minutes among those aware of HDTV segments.
In addition, Hen continued to deliver a strong message that its viewers remember, maintaining a high recall of 52 per cent. This number recalled one or more (unaided/aided) of the theatrical programming trailers. 46 per cent who recalled one or more (aided) of the HDTV custom programming elements.
HEN viewers are also likely to buy an HDTV set, the study says. 94 per cent of those surveyed ranked the in-store HDTV experience as the most important information source when deciding on a purchase of an HDTV. 72 per cent of them rely on friends and family. PRN’s HEN broadcasts high definition programming and advertising on high-impact TV walls consisting of 75-140 monitors in more than 2,100 Best Buy, Sears and Circuit City stores across the US.
HD programming is shown on PRN’s HEN to enable consumers to do their own side-by-side comparison of HDTVs and analog TVs in stores. The total combined sales for retailers in which PRN’s HEN is broadcast reached over $70 billion last year. PRN’s HD programming content partners include Discovery Channel, NBC, HBO, Showtime and The Tennis Channel.
The survey was conducted from 1-30 August 2003 via in-store polling by Nielsen Media Research within the US. PRN partners with retailers and advertisers to create in-store television and interactive networks that broadcast news, product information, entertainment and advertising to viewers while they shop.
By creating customised programming for retailers and advertisers, PRN builds brand equity, customer satisfaction and shopper loyalty. PRN claims that its programming is shown in more than 5,500 stores located in every state in the US. The San Francisco based company claims that its Nielsen-measured television and interactive networks deliver more than 170 million gross impressions each month.
Brands
Havas reports solid Q1 2026 with 2.5 per cent organic net revenue growth
Advertising group maintains positive momentum and confirms full-year guidance.
MUMBAI: Havas has started 2026 on a strong note proving that even in uncertain times, its converged model continues to deliver. The global advertising and communications group reported net revenue of €638 million for the first quarter of 2026, representing organic growth of +2.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. This performance was driven particularly by a robust +7.4 per cent organic growth in the United States.
Total revenue for the quarter reached €667 million, with organic growth of +2.8 per cent. Recent acquisitions contributed a positive scope impact of +1.7 per cent, while foreign exchange movements had a negative impact of -5.8 per cent, mainly due to the US dollar and British pound.
Europe, which accounts for 50 per cent of net revenue, delivered +1.1 per cent organic growth, supported by a good performance in France. North America (36 per cent of net revenue) led the way with +7.4 per cent growth, thanks to strong contributions from both Havas Creative and Havas Media. APAC & Africa (8 per cent) saw a decline of -6.2 per cent, while Latin America (6 per cent) remained nearly stable at -0.6 per cent.
Havas chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré said, “Havas has started 2026 on a solid footing, continuing its momentum and delivering organic growth in net revenue of +2.5 per cent. This performance, in line with our full-year 2026 guidance, was driven in particular by continued strength in the US.”
The group also continued its bolt-on acquisition strategy, acquiring majority stakes in four agencies during the quarter: Acento Public Affairs (Spain), Ctrl Digital (Sweden), Styleheads (Germany), and Eyesight (France).
Havas maintained its strong creative reputation, ranking as a top holding company in the WARC Creative 100 for the sixth consecutive year, with three agencies BETC, Havas Paris, and Havas India placing in the Top 50.
Looking ahead, Havas confirmed its 2026 guidance: organic net revenue growth between +2.0 per cent and +3.0 per cent, adjusted EBIT margin between 13.2 per cent and 13.5 per cent, and a dividend payout ratio of around 40 per cent. The group also reiterated its medium-term targets for 2028.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, Havas enters the rest of the year with solid fundamentals and confidence in its ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
In a challenging environment, Havas is proving that its integrated, client-centric model remains resilient delivering steady growth while continuing to invest in creativity and innovation. The first quarter results suggest the group is well-positioned to navigate the year ahead with confidence.
