Happy news for the TV advertising sector this week. After months of doom and gloom, the latest forecast from media consultants Enders Analysis suggests the future's bright for advertisers and broadcasters alike.
Revenue in 2010 will grow a massive 10% year on year, Enders predicts, as the sector pulls back from its deepest recession since the birth of TV advertising in the 1950s. BNet's counter of global advertising job losses reached almost 50,000 by the start of this year but these new predictions are likely to push recruiters into a hiring spree.
The optimistic outlook is due in part to Ofcom's proposed plans to scrap rules restricting the amount of advertising commercial broadcasters can sell. An even bigger factor is the Football World Cup in South Africa this summer, when FIFA expects record numbers of fans to tune in to follow their teams.
If you're looking to score in your own career, what better time to consider a job in the sector? Advertising is hard work. Gone are the glamorous days of three hour lunches as enjoyed by Mad Men's Don Draper. But with so many different roles available — from creative and copywriting to planning and media sales — it can be a hugely rewarding career.
Enough of the hard sell. If this pitch has worked on you, join our live Q&A on Friday from 1pm to 4pm when a panel of industry experts will be on hand to answer your TV advertising questions and help you identify the skills and experience you will need to sell yourself in this job market. Join the discussion here.
The panel will include:
Alex Bird, account director at AMV BBDO, the UK's largest advertising agency.
Penny Herriman, managing director of ad agency WCRS, who has personally run accounts including Vodafone, Unilever and Barnados.
Nigel Waring, head of SMG Performance, StarCom Mediavest Group's specialist performance marketing division. Nigel oversees a team of over 70 working with clients including Autoglass, RSA and Europcar.
Andrew Johnston, TV development manager at Arena BLM, who previously worked in sales for Flextech TV/IDS and as a TV Buyer for Medicom.
Jenny McGregor, HR director for Ogilvy Group UK, home of some of the UK's most familiar brand campaigns.
Jon Steel, director of WPP's Marketing Fellowship which develops leaders for WPP companies including ad agencies Grey, JWT, Ogilvy & Mather, United Network and Y&R. Also author of Perfect Pitch: The Art of Selling Ideas and Winning New Business.
Further panelists to be announced.
The discussion is now open for advance questions, so get posting!
