Commercial Work Continuing, Negotiator Says

The chief negotiator for national advertisers in the strike by actors said commercial production during September proceeded “at the same rate as in non-strike years.” Similarly, total fees paid to nonunion actors rose again during September, while total fees paid to striking union actors continued to plummet. During September, the nation’s national advertisers produced 1,948 new commercials, down from 2,684 completed during September 1999, according to the Joint Policy Committee, which represents the Assn. of National Advertisers and the American Assn. of Advertising Agencies. Cohen said the totals were equal when commercials completed in Canada and overseas are included. Session fees paid to union actors fell to $213,319 in September, down from $3.95 million a year ago, according to the ad industry trade groups. Fees paid to nonunion actors, who have crossed Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists picket lines, rose to $3.57 million in September, up from $187,730 a year ago.