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Some bad news this year for many consumers is potentially great news for radio.  A recovering economy translates to more gridlock, more traffic jams, and longer commute times – perfect for a medium where the majority of consumption takes place while driving. The INRIX Gridlock Index (IGI) shows traffic jam increases year to year, and […]

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OK, is it me or is the appropriate reaction to this offer: 1. Cool – a chance to go see an iconic ‘80s band on the cheap OR 2. Meh – this sure cheapens an ‘80s band that I used to like Does a Groupon offer make a statement about the company or brand that […]

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In earlier blog posts this year, we talked about how companies like Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Starbucks have set themselves apart by paying their employees more, providing better benefits, and creating a smiley-face workplace atmosphere. But does this matter?  Are happy employees more productive?  Do their companies make more money?  Or do these policies just drive […]

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When you’ve been doing anything for a long time, it often becomes a challenge to question some of the basic underpinnings of your profession.  That is especially true in radio where the fundamentals of consumer appeal and preference have been rocked by the Internet and disruptive technologies and platforms. In radio, we were all taught […]

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It seems that as the Digital Age continues to impact traditional media, everyone has an opinion about why radio is being affected by the onslaught of technology and choice. Comments sections are loaded with anonymous opinions, often laced with vitriol aimed at corporate broadcasters, lame strategies, and accusations that everything from voicetracking to HD radio to Rush Limbaugh […]

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Our posts this week about telling great stories resonated with many of you.  Some mentioned Paul Harvey, while others talked about Jean Shepherd.  Then I got this response from Mary Beth Garber and I thought it was too good to just go as a comment.  Many of you know Mary Beth as Katz’s Executive VP […]

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There’s a computer software term known as “dogfooding” that is something that every radio station in America that streams ought to engage in – now. The phrase, “eat your own dogfood,” refers to an activity that radio’s programmers, managers, and digital staffers rarely engage in. Here’s a real-life example of “dogfooding” that I found fascinating:  […]

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Yesterday, we took a look at the power of a great story in the changing world of public radio.  Today, I want to give you a couple of interesting examples from a couple of legendary radio pros about how stories apply in the commercial space – and how they can be used to cleverly market […]

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In millions of Jewish homes tonight, the celebration of Passover will take place that tells the amazing story of the Children of Israel leaving Egypt and trekking to the Promised Land.  It is a tradition that has occurred for thousands of years, and it reminded me of the power of a great story. One of […]

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I have heard comments from a number of people – in person, in email, and on Twitter – that it’s time to stop this discussion about the “connected car” and get back to business. Actually, now that that conversation about the demise of AM/FM in cars is behind us, it’s precisely the time to START talking […]

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Where were you on March 4-5? If you weren’t at the “Borrell Local Online Advertising Conference,” I’m afraid to tell you that you missed a good one.  Maybe a great one.  Steve Goldstein summarized some of the sessions in a well-read post here last week. So I’m an unabashed fan.  I’ve read the books.  I […]

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Recently, we talked about Yahoo’s new policy to keep employees in the building when they banned telecommuting. But today, I want to potentially anger my friends and clients behind the mic by exhorting you to get out of the studio and put yourself in front of the people you serve and entertain. Why? Because it […]

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These days, the more common question that everyone is asking is: “Is Rock Radio Dead?”  But I think that misses the point because any established brand, format or individual station can be successful in today’s environment – but not by mailing it in. For me, this new phase of the debate restarted a few weeks ago […]

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You may have heard the story about Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer’s edict banning her staffers from working out of the house.  The story is developed a number of odd tentacles, but if you focus on Mayer’s main message – that her employees should show up at work – there’s something interesting to talk about. Mayer […]

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Thanks to NBC News, photos from the street leading up to St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican give us a picture book lesson about how the mobile age has changed people, events, culture, and the world in just a few short years. Here’s a photo going back to 2005, as people crowded the area watching […]

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All the talk this week about radio’s place in the “connected car,” along with the release of Mark Ramsey’s study, reminded me of something: We actually asked a question about car options and features last winter in Techsurvey8 – and again in our new study that’s just out of the field, Techsurvey9. The question was […]

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So this morning’s post is a little different.  And while it’s for everyone, I believe that our friends and clients on the public radio side of the street will derive the most benefit from it. It’s about a video that’s been making the rounds in music circles that you may have seen.  Bob Lefsetz included it […]

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The buzz this week has been about Convergence, especially that “connected car” session.  But a couple thousand miles away, Gordon Borrell was holding a much larger gathering of media companies.  Saga’s Steve Goldstein (pictured) writes today’s guest post with a look back at the Borrell event with some added perspective about where radio fits into […]

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Yesterday was an interesting day for us and for many radio people – lots of blog traffic, comments, phone calls, and off-line emails about Eric Rhoads’ letter and what it might mean to radio and the car industry.  The day ended with Radio Ink publishing a letter from General Motors’ Chief Infotainment Officer (great title, by […]

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