TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Despite the public feeding frenzy for the latest news driving more than the usual number of people to print, broadcast and online news sources, media dependent on advertising are losing money. Tough sell for ad
firm CarroSELLAd venues that don't supply news are also suffering, such as airport advertising companies.
With fewer travelers in airports resulting in fewer eyeballs viewing the ads -- such as those on baggage carousels -- companies selling the advertising are facing downturns after years of steady growth.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that telecommunications, financial services and consulting companies had boosted airport advertising by an annual rate of 35 percent to an estimated $1 billion.
At Honolulu Airport's international, domestic and interisland baggage claims, advertising space is sold by CarroSELL Pacific Rim LLC, headquartered in New York City.
Baggage carousels are "a great point of contact," said CarroSELL Executive Assistant Nadine Chang in the Honolulu office. "It works better for us than in New York (airports) -- because people don't pack small to come here."
Following the attack, the company reduced its rates, "and they're working on bigger things for businesses mostly impacted" by the resulting economic downturn, she said.
"We rely totally on local businesses," Chang said, but since the attack she said the independent agents who sell the ad space are "finding it difficult to knock on doors."
Based on a contract signed earlier this year, American Savings Bank ads just went up in Honolulu's baggage claims, and Hyundai earlier signed a contract for ads in October.
Another large client, the Polynesian Cultural Center is up for review, she said. The center, dependent on a thriving visitor industry, has yet to return its ad contract to CarroSELL.
Due to the slowdown in tourism, the center announced "adjustments" to employee compensation and work schedules.
For big-thinkers
Small Business Hawaii will host Larry P. Arn, president of Michigan's Hillsdale College, at its breakfast forum at 7 a.m. Oct. 10, in the Pineapple Room at Liberty House Ala Moana.As the former president of the Claremont Institute in California, Arn is billed as a public policy expert who will speak on recent events and their global impact.
The rest of the world may be a difficult concept for a local small businesses facing a sagging bottom line, but Small Business Hawaii President Sam Slom, contacted in Pennsylvania, said "I think he can bring us a perspective that we don't often get up front and personal in Honolulu.
"Here's an opportunity to talk to somebody who is a consultant to the U.S. House, and headed the Claremont Institute of Public Policy and who right now is going to be a major player in the formation of future policy."
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com