With an industry as big and sprawling as radio, there are so many stories – both impressive and depressing – about the impact the medium has on the communities it serves. From L.A. to Lansing, radio personalities, shows, and hosts are often the difference-makers in shaping opinions about the business and its validity.
All that new Nielsen data about how commercials on radio deliver amazing ROI results for department stores, hardware stores, and quick serve restaurants may be impressive. But it’s what radio personalities do that makes headlines, moves merchandise, and captures attention.
Whether its Imus going off, PPM tampering, or trumped-up interviews, those are the stories that people often remember about what DJs – and radio – are all about.
That’s especially true in the automotive community where radio is often missing in action. When Paul and I started attending car conferences, we registered for Telematics Update in suburban Detroit and started walking the exhibition floor. This is a conference that’s become a go-to event here in the Motor City, so we were excited to see who was in attendance and what it was TU was all about.
There were impressive tech displays and some major automotive brands on the floor and on stage. We ran into a friend from one of the Tier 1s who was happy to see us at the TU show, and we asked him whether he’d seen anyone else from radio in attendance.
He told us, “Pandora has a booth on the floor, and satellite radio had a display in the front of the hall.”
Ouch.
That’s why at DASH we understand the importance of radio putting its best foot (or face) forward as auto executives, their suppliers, and companies as diverse as J.D. Power and Cisco Systems are in attendance, ready to learn about what the medium they all grew up with is about today.
Both Bob Pittman and Peter Smyth will take the stage and tell their impressive stories of why radio and automotive continue to be great partners with common goals and purposes. Other radio CEOs – including Ginny Morris and Mary Quass – will be at DASH, too, because they “get” the value of radio showing up at DASH.
Greater Media’s Buzz Knight will moderate the conference’s opening panel. It’s all about showcasing Detroit radio’s most prominent play-by-play sports voices – the guys who paint the pictures on the radio as Motor City fans follow their hometown teams while driving around the massive metro area.
This is an all-star group that does an amazing job, working through long seasons, road games, delayed flights, and noisy hotel rooms to bring millions of fanatics, fans, and followers their vision of these matches that mean so much.
Jim Brandstatter (University of Michigan football/WWJ/CBS Radio), Ken Kal (Detroit Red Wings/WXYT/CBS Radio), Mark Champion (Detroit Pistons/WMGC/Greater Media), and Dan Miller (Detroit Lions/WXYT/CBS Radio) will take the stage to share their stories about why radio matters so much in the car, why they love their jobs, and why they are blessed to part of an exclusive fraternity that gets to call these games so that millions can enjoy them over the airwaves.
And as a constant reminder of radio’s presence, DASH is featuring prominent Detroit radio personalities taking the mic to emcee sessions and panels throughout the two-day conference.
Jim O’Brien (WCSX mornings/Greater Media), Jay Towers (WNIC mornings/iHeartMedia), and Chuck Edwards (WYCD mornings/CBS Radio) will be providing that credible, major league feel that has become a DASH signature.
Yup, all three are accomplished morning guys in the Detroit market, known for its legendary am drive talent. And do you know how tough it was to get them to show up for DASH and take on these announcing chores? A simple and immediate email acknowledgment, followed by “When do I show up?” and “What do you need?”
Why shouldn’t some of the best in radio be showcased at a conference that is all about the intersection of radio and the car?
Many people in radio – and I include myself in this group – have hopes the medium can improve, adapt, and remain competitive in the new media environment. And at times, criticism is a fair response to things that happen – or don’t happen – in radio.
But there are times – and the DASH Conference is one of them – when it’s important that radio puts its best face forward for the automotive community.
Join us.
You can learn more about DASH and register here.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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For many years, I’ve been told I had a face for radio.
You, my friend, are not alone.