Advertising in the Sunday Times Appts Section
Advertising in the Sunday Times Appts Section
Author
Discussion

flyingjase

Original Poster:

3,095 posts

262 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
Does anyone know how to secure 'cheaper' advertising rates in the Sunday Times appointments section?

I want to place an advert for a couple of crucial hires I need to make ASAP in order to drive my business forward. These are six figure salary guys that I'm struggling to find through the usual channels.

They have quoted £100k for a page!!!! Ouch. Although these hires are critical I can't justify £100k spend on something that doesnt't guarantee a result. Also the guy I'm speaking to at the Sunday Times doesnt seem to have a clue what he's trying to sell. It surprises me that a publication like the Times would put monkey's in to sell advertising space this valuable.

Has anyone had any experience of this before or got any tips to reduce this spend? eg via an ad agency or third party?

Thanks

Jason

ingelow

153 posts

232 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
100k a page would seem like an immense amount of money on something I'm not sure a lot of people would read IMO (or people that you're looking for). I guess the benefit being you don't pay the search and select fee, but at least you only pay the exec search fee if you get a candidate and he/she stays for a certain period of time!

Depending on what you're looking for - I'm surprised a decent exec search firm can't find you someone. Is it candidates you're struggling to find, or convincing people to move? I know that's proving to be very difficult at the moment as I think folks feel safer if they stay where they are? Is it a tech / financial position - seriously tricky conditions all round for them at the moment.


Plotloss

67,280 posts

301 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
I know someone who got a page in the main body of one of the broadsheets a couple of months back for £7K.

bigandclever

14,418 posts

269 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
I'm not sure if this will help but here's where you can find the rate cards...

http://www.timesmediaadvertising.com/specs-rates/

Martial Arts Man

6,703 posts

217 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
Phone em up and tell them what you are willing to pay.

In these times, they will accept a good offer.

Ask to speak to your rep's manager.

edc

9,693 posts

282 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
Media advertising agency/buyer.

flyingjase

Original Poster:

3,095 posts

262 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
ingelow said:
100k a page would seem like an immense amount of money on something I'm not sure a lot of people would read IMO (or people that you're looking for). I guess the benefit being you don't pay the search and select fee, but at least you only pay the exec search fee if you get a candidate and he/she stays for a certain period of time!

Depending on what you're looking for - I'm surprised a decent exec search firm can't find you someone. Is it candidates you're struggling to find, or convincing people to move? I know that's proving to be very difficult at the moment as I think folks feel safer if they stay where they are? Is it a tech / financial position - seriously tricky conditions all round for them at the moment.
Both - as you say good candidates are very nervous about moving roles in the curreent market, so getting to see decent people in the first place is a challenge.

Thanks for the feedback guys

Windsorphil

888 posts

293 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
If you find you arte buying lots of space use a media agency, I use these chaps: www.completemediagroup.co.uk

lightweight

1,165 posts

279 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
flyingjase said:
Does anyone know how to secure 'cheaper' advertising rates in the Sunday Times appointments section?

I want to place an advert for a couple of crucial hires I need to make ASAP in order to drive my business forward. These are six figure salary guys that I'm struggling to find through the usual channels.

They have quoted £100k for a page!!!! Ouch. Although these hires are critical I can't justify £100k spend on something that doesnt't guarantee a result. Also the guy I'm speaking to at the Sunday Times doesnt seem to have a clue what he's trying to sell. It surprises me that a publication like the Times would put monkey's in to sell advertising space this valuable.

Has anyone had any experience of this before or got any tips to reduce this spend? eg via an ad agency or third party?

Thanks

Jason
Unless you are looking for a new FD for a PLC you will be unlikely to need much more than a 25x4 which at rate card is £10500 but you should get some discount and online value ad as well. I would offer to help but we don’t do much classified we are more display.


flyingjase

Original Poster:

3,095 posts

262 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
haworthlloyd1 said:
what are the jobs for flyingjase?
Senior Account Management / Relationship Management into Central Government & Financial Services

Chessers

746 posts

243 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
I'm co-owner of a financial publishing company and the majority of print publications will be accepting below 'rate card' offers in the current market.

A lot of the broadsheets who historically would not deviate from rate card are now adopting a more flexible approach.

Either (as someone here suggested) get the name of the Sales Director and politely outline your budget and ask what that buys in the current market.

Secondly go to a media agency specialising in print recruitment buying or buying space in general broadsheets, again outline your budget and what you are looking for and see what their feedback is.


flyingjase

Original Poster:

3,095 posts

262 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
Got them down £68k for 1 page, getting better but not great!

Edited by flyingjase on Wednesday 13th May 14:29

Chessers

746 posts

243 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
Tell them you want to book directly rather than going through an agency - what is their best offer.

They'll take a hit of between 10 - 15% from an agency so that should get you another 5% on the £68k.

Alternatively tell him/her you only have £40k for the FP and you have artwork available, if they have a late space open then give you a call and you'll take it.

Say you're not trying to hold them to ransom but that's all you have and you need it to be on a FP basis.

Edited by Chessers on Wednesday 13th May 14:34

lightweight

1,165 posts

279 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
Chessers said:
Tell them you want to book directly rather than going through an agency - what is their best offer.

They'll take a hit of between 10 - 15% from an agency so that should get you another 5% on the £68k.

Alternatively tell him/her you only have £40k for the FP and you have artwork available, if they have a late space open then give you a call and you'll take it.

Say you're not trying to hold them to ransom but that's all you have and you need it to be on a FP basis.

Edited by Chessers on Wednesday 13th May 14:34
Chessers if only national press worked like that. Ian Rees is the ad director have a go.

escargot

17,123 posts

248 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
Jason,

I own an agency that primarily focuses in engineering recruitment (at a senior level). However, my background is board level senior appointments £100k+. If you wanted to drop me an e-mail through my profile, I'd be delighted to assist. I'll leave it up to you (I'm not in the business of hassling people). smile


Edited by escargot on Wednesday 13th May 15:11

flyingjase

Original Poster:

3,095 posts

262 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
I just offered them £30k which they've declined but did offer me £8k in the weekday paper

I'll see if they crumble!

Chessers

746 posts

243 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
Certainly admit to not being an expert in the nationals, but if the rep has gone from £100k to £68k in the matter of a phone call there would seem to be more flexibility there.

Some of my pals (agency based) who buy space for financials in the nationals are saying that they are being offered rates that were previously unheard of.


flyingjase

Original Poster:

3,095 posts

262 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
swerni said:
flyingjase said:
haworthlloyd1 said:
what are the jobs for flyingjase?
Senior Account Management / Relationship Management into Central Government & Financial Services
selling what?
Professional Services

flyingjase

Original Poster:

3,095 posts

262 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
Chessers said:
Certainly admit to not being an expert in the nationals, but if the rep has gone from £100k to £68k in the matter of a phone call there would seem to be more flexibility there.

Some of my pals (agency based) who buy space for financials in the nationals are saying that they are being offered rates that were previously unheard of.
Any chance of them squeezing an extra page in somewhere for us????!!!!

edc

9,693 posts

282 months

Wednesday 13th May 2009
quotequote all
flyingjase said:
swerni said:
flyingjase said:
haworthlloyd1 said:
what are the jobs for flyingjase?
Senior Account Management / Relationship Management into Central Government & Financial Services
selling what?
Professional Services
Lots of people leaving those types of roles right now. It might be worth investing some of your company resource to dig around LinkedIn. There are certainly people leaving the likes of Detica and Cap.