Package Definition

Use Package Definition to define packages for estimates. A package enables you to specify additional buy details for units that are purchased during a specific date range that is within the estimate. For each package you may specify the dayparts, buy type, universe, audience type, total cost, the method for Posting of Actuals, and the estimated and actual data streams.  Also, you may define HUT adjustments for the units to be attached to this package, as well as the defaults for feed %, impact %, universe %, and guarantee % that adjust estimated and/or actual audience figures at the buy level.

Note:  The choices of data streams here will override the information from the Client/Media Buying Profile.

Once you open a package, you may add units, assign products, and attach costs to individual units in the Buy Module. You may also perform these tasks.

Defining a Package - Steps

  1. Key the Media, Client, Estimate and Network/Syn fields.

  2. New Package: To create a new package, leave the Package # field blank, and network will assign the package number. Network determines the next consecutive package number for the media/client/estimate/network/syndicator combination that you specified. (Even though this field is alphanumeric, Network only assigns numeric codes.)

— Or —

  1. You may define any alphanumeric code up to five characters.

CAUTION:  Avoid All Special Characters - When defining any unique code in Network, avoid all special characters, as they cause some reports to have problems.

  1. Existing Package: Key the package code.

  2. Click the Next icon.

Locking Process

When you click the Next icon or try to copy Package Units or Copy the Package, checks whether there is a lock on the estimate (for this package), the estimate and network (for this package) or the estimate, network and package codes.

If there is a lock, you will receive a message that the package is currently locked by a specific user. The lock will be in effect until the user completes the process and exits the option back to the Prompt window. These locks will help when you have loaded the Buy Module with all packages for an estimate or estimate/network. No changes can be made until you close the Buy Module.

Adding Details to the Package

  1. Key a required Package description.

  2. Key or select from the Calendar tool the Start/End Dates for the package. Must be within the estimate start/end dates.

  3. Optional. Key the Package Cost.

  4. Accept the Guarantee% default of 100% or key a guarantee percentage that will display at the buy level and impact demographics at time of reporting.

  5. Fill in the statistics for up to four demos to better compare package performance using the Package Summary tab in the Buy Module.  Any stat may be blank. Refer to Guidelines below.

  6. To add up to three more demos, click the Add icon at end of stats and fill in desired fields. Refer also to the Package Definition Guidelines for more information.

  7. To remove a demo from this list, click the check box then click the Remove icon. Remove.gif

  8. If a daypart code was specified for the estimate, it displays in the Selected Dayparts field, and you cannot override. If daypart field is blank, you may assigned one or more daypart codes for this package. Refer to "Assigning Multiple Dayparts."

  9. For the next few fields, you may want to refer to the Package Definition Fields topic.

  10. Indicate Buy Type: scatter or up-front.

  11. Key a Universe Code that has an end date that includes the package date range.

  12. Select the Status of the package: confirmed, open, or rejected.

  13. You may specify a product code that is already on the Estimate.

  14. Unit Integration Override may be left at 0.00 or changed to another value.

  15. You may key an optional filter to be used in reporting.

  16. Universe%: accept the default or key another value.

  17. Impact%: accept the default of 100% or key a percentage to adjust all and actual ratings and impressions for all buys made against this package.

  18. Feed % : Accept the default or key a percentage to adjust the estimated and actual impressions on all buys made against this package.

  19. HUT average: In the first field key the number of years to be considered, in the second field, key the last two digits of the end year.

  20. In the Audience Type, accept the default from the estimate or key the last two digits of the end year.

  21. Net/Syn Contract: if desired, provide the Network/Syndicator.

  22. For Posting of Actuals, you may choose from Half Hour, No Posting, Program Codes, or Quarter-Hour.  Quarter-Hour may only be used by cable for standard demos (excluding NAD) for Cable English and Hispanic networks with these data streams:

Estimated Data Stream

  1. Accept the default Estimated Data Stream or click to select another estimated data stream.  

The data stream you select for the package will override the data stream in the Client Buying Profile.

Actual Data Stream

  1. Accept the default Actual Data Stream or click to select another actual data stream.  

  2. New units will have the actual data stream updated from the package when the unit is created. These will be used for posting. When posting, the process will compare the unit and package actual data streams. Network will use the package data stream if different from the unit unless you have manually changed a unit’s actual data stream. In that case Network will use the unit actual data stream for the post.

  3. Only cable may select quarter-hour posting for actuals. If the media code is not cable, an error message displays on Save.

  4. Click the Save icon.

Overrides of Actual Data Stream in Buy Module

If you override the package data stream in the Buy Module (and save) then this override will be used for Posting.

Fields