Run of Press
Run of Press (ROP) is a basic term in newspaper advertising that refers to advertisements placed within the regular pages of a newspaper, as opposed to special sections or inserts. It's like choosing to place an ad wherever there's a natural spot in the main newspaper, rather than in specific sections. Think of it as being part of the normal flow of the newspaper - similar to how regular commercials appear during a TV show rather than in special advertising blocks. When someone mentions ROP experience, they're talking about their knowledge of managing these standard newspaper advertisement placements.
Examples in Resumes
Managed Run of Press advertising accounts generating $2M annual revenue
Coordinated ROP placement strategies for major retail clients
Increased Run-of-Press sales by 35% through new client acquisition
Typical job title: "Advertising Sales Representatives"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Advertising Sales Representatives
Professional Organizations
Industry Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a strategy to increase ROP advertising revenue in a declining print market?
Expected Answer: A strong answer should include discussion of combining print and digital packages, developing relationships with key accounts, and creating value-added services for advertisers.
Q: How do you determine optimal pricing for ROP advertising spaces?
Expected Answer: Should explain understanding of circulation numbers, page placement value, seasonal factors, and competitive market rates to set effective pricing strategies.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when recommending ROP placement to clients?
Expected Answer: Should discuss readership demographics, section relevance to advertiser's business, day of week circulation, and budget considerations.
Q: How do you handle conflicts between multiple advertisers wanting the same premium ROP positions?
Expected Answer: Should explain fair allocation methods, relationship management, and alternative placement strategies to satisfy multiple clients.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the difference between ROP and insert advertising?
Expected Answer: Should explain that ROP ads appear on regular newspaper pages while inserts are separate pieces added to the newspaper.
Q: How do you explain ROP advertising benefits to a new client?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to communicate advantages like flexibility in placement, integration with news content, and regular readership exposure.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of newspaper advertising formats
- Sales presentation skills
- Customer service basics
- Understanding of rate cards
Mid (2-5 years)
- Account management
- Advertisement placement strategy
- Revenue forecasting
- Client relationship building
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic planning
- Team management
- Budget optimization
- Market analysis
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic newspaper terminology
- Lack of sales experience or client relationship skills
- Poor understanding of advertising metrics and ROI
- No knowledge of print media buying process
Related Terms
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