LOS ANGELES

It's nearly car season and the threat of a writers' strike coupled with talk of a doomed economy has left commercial producers nervous and in a battle for boards. They'll take candy from strangers (giving babies a well-deserved break) -- anything to get into cars.

"There is overall trepidation for the economy," says one producer accounting for the slowdown. "People are anxious and it's creating an atmosphere that's not conducive to business."

"Things have definitely slowed down," adds another, "and there is no change in sight. The Hollywood strike is gonna hurt us. No one wants to spend money to advertise on a fall season of re-runs."

Fortunately, most car spots are not renowned for their dialog.

Rating: 6/10

TORONTO

Last month we reported that Toronto producers had ample spare time on their hands, but were expecting a surge in production levels anon. Well, we could have simply reprinted that edition of Board Flow, because reports as of mid-April are very similar to those that were given in mid-March. "It's dribbling," said one producer in summarizing spot volume well into the cruelest month. "This isn't normal," commented another. Of the available work, beer boards remained a significant factor, with cars and packaged goods also in the mix. Once again, the slow pace was tempered with what seemed like a universal feeling that there was a generous helping of boards coming down the agency pike. But while there has been little talk of direct economic fallout, i.e., clients cutting budgets, producers were still reporting cases of skittish advertisers reluctant to close a deal already in the works. Producers even report of anxious clients wondering at the last minute how much it would set them back to cancel imminent shoots.

Rating: 5/10

BUENOS AIRES

Continuing economic turmoil in Argentina has reduced board flow to a trickle. The appointment of a new economic minister has somewhat bolstered the dismal mood, but significant damage has already been inflicted on the industry.

"Compared to last year the amount of work we've had has been far lower. There are always scripts and boards coming in for quotations and budgeting, but, for example, when the old economic minister left, there was a stoppage for at least a month," says one company owner.

With clients less willing to invest in advertising, production budgets have diminished substantially. In response to these smaller financial rewards, a number of small production companies opened in the last year, offering agencies young directors willing to work cheap. Other companies have scaled back, become more reliant on production services jobs, or, in at least one case, closed down.

Rating: 4/10

NEW YORK

New York is at best holding its own and barely on par with last month's mediocre rating of six. A somewhat shaky economy has seen money evaporate in the markets, leaving cutbacks throughout the industry.

With advertising dependent on the economy, and its recent demise on everyone's mind, there is a palpable air of nervousness in New York. "It's still very dog eat dog," says one producer when discussing the scene. "Jobs are being cancelled and some directors are booking work way below their abilities so it's a nerve-wracking time for many."

Time and again the word is that the slow business is hurting people. At best the climate has improved over the past week or two, but mainly with smaller companies which have fewer directors to worry about.

"It's kind of sporadic here," says another producer. "People will begin to think that it's dead in town but then a pocket of work arrives, so overall I'd say that the work is random."

The boards seem to be the same crop as usual but have flowed less freely since we last checked. Banks, cars, food, soda, pharmaceutical and airlines lead the pack while an understandably low number of insurance jobs trickle in.

Rating: 5/10

LONDON

While more than a couple of London production companies have reported a continued busy spell, other high-profile houses convey a bleaker picture of UK commercial production.

"It was kind of busy in March, but now it's quiet," says one insider. "Everybody is tying up loose ends and waiting for the great deluge everybody hopes will come."

That said, scripts for cars, electronics, newspapers, liquor, beer, mobile phones, banks, retail and fast food continue to make at least bidding a possibility (even if there are too many directors for everyone to keep busy). Producers with access are tapping the lucrative stateside market for both spots and music videos, while others are turning to European agencies, particularly those in Germany, Spain and Poland for the scripts fueling their businesses. However, the media-hyped fears of a recession in the US are not without UK repercussions.

"A lot of people are worried. Creatives are being laid off in the States and a few here too. We have no idea what to expect," says one producer.

As in the US, the end of the tax year means depleted marketing budgets and therefore smaller budgets on the scripts that do make it to agency fax out-trays. One exception to this annual trend is in the car category, which continues to clog pristine Spanish highways with English commercial crews aplenty, filming the latest in automotive flash for the viewing public.

Rating: 6/10