4As: Cost of 30-Second Spot Up 8 Percent

NEW YORK — The average cost of producing national TV spots in 2001 increased eight percent to $358,000 for a 30-second spot according to the annual Television Production Cost Survey from the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

The figure, based on costs before agency commission, marks a dramatic rise in production expenses after a 3 percent decrease in 2000 for national 30-second spots. However the SAG/AFTRA strike against the advertising industry in 2000 accounts for much of the decline in costs for that year, according to David Perry, chairman of the AAAA broadcast production committee and executive vp/head of production at Saatchi & Saatchi, New York.