Friday, June 13, 2003
Week III (cont'd)
1. Received final changes to be made on the ROP Rate Comparison workbook - the same one from the original project I worked on in the past few weeks. Changes will be made ASAP so we have a final, working document to distribute to the department. Now things are coming together...I used both iAnalyze, iBuy, and an additional spreadsheet in making the appropriate changes. This workbook will aid our media specialists when deciding whether to run in a certain paper (or group of papers) or seek alternatives. It also allows us to view our rate increase or decreases from year to year, which proves important when re-negotiating contracts.
2. Began negotiating with the rep. from the magazine - this was, arguably, the most exciting thing I've done so far. I LOVED it. I was able to bring down the rate significantly to achieve savings on behalf of TJMaxx. I will finalize negotiations with her (and request a contract) on Monday.
3. Continued clearing and updating our contract files...called more reps, etc.
4. Received an additional training session on Arbitron (Media Professional). Learned how to pull "rankers" (AQH - the measurement "average quarterly hour") which lets us see how many people listen to each station (by zip code or metro area - and also by demographic) per AQH. Ran reports etc. This is an important tool in helping us plan Radio for GO's and Events
1. Received final changes to be made on the ROP Rate Comparison workbook - the same one from the original project I worked on in the past few weeks. Changes will be made ASAP so we have a final, working document to distribute to the department. Now things are coming together...I used both iAnalyze, iBuy, and an additional spreadsheet in making the appropriate changes. This workbook will aid our media specialists when deciding whether to run in a certain paper (or group of papers) or seek alternatives. It also allows us to view our rate increase or decreases from year to year, which proves important when re-negotiating contracts.
2. Began negotiating with the rep. from the magazine - this was, arguably, the most exciting thing I've done so far. I LOVED it. I was able to bring down the rate significantly to achieve savings on behalf of TJMaxx. I will finalize negotiations with her (and request a contract) on Monday.
3. Continued clearing and updating our contract files...called more reps, etc.
4. Received an additional training session on Arbitron (Media Professional). Learned how to pull "rankers" (AQH - the measurement "average quarterly hour") which lets us see how many people listen to each station (by zip code or metro area - and also by demographic) per AQH. Ran reports etc. This is an important tool in helping us plan Radio for GO's and Events
Thursday, June 12, 2003
Week III (cont'd)
1. Received demographics from our rep. Based on the figures and some cross-referencing that I did with iAnalyze I was able to create significant - theoretical - leverage for my negotiation. I will negotiate with the rep. later this afternoon or tomorrow a.m.
2. Filed some paperwork for recently renewed contracts and rate verifications. Compared RV's against our current database in iBuy to check for discrepancies. If there were any changes I updated the database. Also sent out some signed contracts, and rate verifications (to be signed). Though the work was a little tedious I actually enjoyed it a great deal. It gave me the opportunity to speak with our newspaper reps - people that literally come from all over the US. It's nice to hear a dialect other than Boston or New York every once in a while!
Just a note: Today was particularly rewarding to the extent that many of my colleagues recognized and applauded my efforts and dedication to my work. To that end, they have unanimously decided to give me more to do :)
1. Received demographics from our rep. Based on the figures and some cross-referencing that I did with iAnalyze I was able to create significant - theoretical - leverage for my negotiation. I will negotiate with the rep. later this afternoon or tomorrow a.m.
2. Filed some paperwork for recently renewed contracts and rate verifications. Compared RV's against our current database in iBuy to check for discrepancies. If there were any changes I updated the database. Also sent out some signed contracts, and rate verifications (to be signed). Though the work was a little tedious I actually enjoyed it a great deal. It gave me the opportunity to speak with our newspaper reps - people that literally come from all over the US. It's nice to hear a dialect other than Boston or New York every once in a while!
Just a note: Today was particularly rewarding to the extent that many of my colleagues recognized and applauded my efforts and dedication to my work. To that end, they have unanimously decided to give me more to do :)
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Week III (cont'd)
1. Received rate card from magazine, requested coverage information by zip code (pending); will begin negotiations.
2. Learned how to setup a Grand Opening. Event, or Expansion in iBuy (iAnalyze's sister software). This involved putting pre-planned media (most likely planned with iAnalyze) into the system to determine rates, generate reports, etc. Ultimately this information will be passed on to the vendors in the form of insertion orders and to our production/traffic team here in the form of a run list. This is really great training and experience.
3. Compiled list of comp subscriptions and passed it off to our advertising agency so that they can confirm/order these magazines on our behalf.
4. Mailed out a signed contract to one of our vendors - which he must sign and send back - so that we can complete our negotiations for the period and file it away.
5. Had a one-on-one, two and half hour, training session with one of my co-workers on Media Planning. We went through the entire process A-Z, albeit somewhat abbreviated, for AJ Wright. We went through demographics, geographical and other considerations, media selection - print, broadcast (radio, tv), outdoor (billboard) etc. We talked about the integration of this with the iAnalyze and IMS software packages as well as two other software packages used to determine GRPs etc. One was SQAD, it shows TV and Radio rates, the other Arbitron (Radio). Clearly a great deal from a plethora of sources, in many different colors and varieties, is involved when creating a media plan. It is a long, involved, and certainly exciting process.
1. Received rate card from magazine, requested coverage information by zip code (pending); will begin negotiations.
2. Learned how to setup a Grand Opening. Event, or Expansion in iBuy (iAnalyze's sister software). This involved putting pre-planned media (most likely planned with iAnalyze) into the system to determine rates, generate reports, etc. Ultimately this information will be passed on to the vendors in the form of insertion orders and to our production/traffic team here in the form of a run list. This is really great training and experience.
3. Compiled list of comp subscriptions and passed it off to our advertising agency so that they can confirm/order these magazines on our behalf.
4. Mailed out a signed contract to one of our vendors - which he must sign and send back - so that we can complete our negotiations for the period and file it away.
5. Had a one-on-one, two and half hour, training session with one of my co-workers on Media Planning. We went through the entire process A-Z, albeit somewhat abbreviated, for AJ Wright. We went through demographics, geographical and other considerations, media selection - print, broadcast (radio, tv), outdoor (billboard) etc. We talked about the integration of this with the iAnalyze and IMS software packages as well as two other software packages used to determine GRPs etc. One was SQAD, it shows TV and Radio rates, the other Arbitron (Radio). Clearly a great deal from a plethora of sources, in many different colors and varieties, is involved when creating a media plan. It is a long, involved, and certainly exciting process.
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Week III (cont'd) (ONE OF THE BIGGEST DAYS YET!)
1. Ran "store reports by trade radius" for 6 new TJMaxx GO's. These reports allowed us to view selected coverage and circulation for the print that we selected for those markets. It also gives us the days we chose to run as well as the allocated costs.
2. Completed faxing requests to selected vendors for information. Will follow up on Wednesday or Thursday.
3. Asked to research an Hispanic magazine for Marshalls and TJMaxx. Conducted preliminary research and acquired media kit.
4. Rate Card from yesterday's magazine still pending...
5. Attended weekly status meeting which was pushed forward due to an associate business trip on Thursday.
6. Completed project from 6/5 in which I ran and manipulated data on excel which I exported from iBuy. These data showed us total costs for insertions and ROP for Marshalls and TJMaxx when we had our 'events.'
7. Asked to renew "comp. subscriptions" to key publications on behalf of two marketing executives. These are necessary for market research purposes.
8. Acquired an additional project to reconcile some contracts that are pending with some vendors.
9. Reconciled 7 stores, across three different divisions, in iBuy that had store location errors and anomalies.
1. Ran "store reports by trade radius" for 6 new TJMaxx GO's. These reports allowed us to view selected coverage and circulation for the print that we selected for those markets. It also gives us the days we chose to run as well as the allocated costs.
2. Completed faxing requests to selected vendors for information. Will follow up on Wednesday or Thursday.
3. Asked to research an Hispanic magazine for Marshalls and TJMaxx. Conducted preliminary research and acquired media kit.
4. Rate Card from yesterday's magazine still pending...
5. Attended weekly status meeting which was pushed forward due to an associate business trip on Thursday.
6. Completed project from 6/5 in which I ran and manipulated data on excel which I exported from iBuy. These data showed us total costs for insertions and ROP for Marshalls and TJMaxx when we had our 'events.'
7. Asked to renew "comp. subscriptions" to key publications on behalf of two marketing executives. These are necessary for market research purposes.
8. Acquired an additional project to reconcile some contracts that are pending with some vendors.
9. Reconciled 7 stores, across three different divisions, in iBuy that had store location errors and anomalies.
Monday, June 09, 2003
Week III
1. Completed letters to vendor representatives for the project. Began to fax out detailed requests for aforementioned information.
2. Completed Marshalls aspect of spreadsheet.
3. Asked to acquire rate card from a magazine and then negotiate rates as needed. I asked the rep to fax me the rates - still pending.
4. Attended an hour-long, informative, web-based training (provided by a company called "WebEx") session on IMS, the software that was installed on my computer on May 30th.
5. Asked to make some more changes on the Rate Comparison workbook for Marshalls and TJMaxx for department-wide distribution later this week.
1. Completed letters to vendor representatives for the project. Began to fax out detailed requests for aforementioned information.
2. Completed Marshalls aspect of spreadsheet.
3. Asked to acquire rate card from a magazine and then negotiate rates as needed. I asked the rep to fax me the rates - still pending.
4. Attended an hour-long, informative, web-based training (provided by a company called "WebEx") session on IMS, the software that was installed on my computer on May 30th.
5. Asked to make some more changes on the Rate Comparison workbook for Marshalls and TJMaxx for department-wide distribution later this week.
