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Everyone has experienced a different career journey. For many, the road has had its share of bumps and side trips. For a few, it’s been a relatively easy ride. But we all could have benefitted from the perspective we have now. Imagine being able to give your young self some advice from your perch today. Here’s what I would tell my early radio Fred.

Its coming up on that time of year – when we kick back and lean into countdowns. Those end-of-the-year lists intrigue us. And now Netflix is getting into the act. Today’s post looks at the godfather of countdowns, Casey Kasem, who explains why they work. Who’s #1?

Black Friday has become the ultimate test for local retailers. Are they providing a great customer experience? Do they have a robust ecommerce platform in place? Are they meeting their customers where they are? New research shows consumers tend to trust hometown businesses, but there’s a catch. Today’s post looks at what retailers are going through, and the obvious analogies to local radio.

These days, most radio stations are in a battle to get attention. In an overcluttered world of media, it’s increasingly harder to break through. That’s why there’s the “Two Guys Sitting A Bar Test” – where one turns to the other to talk about something truly amazing on the local radio airwaves. Two of those moments occurred this past week. And to pass my own test, did you hear about them?

We are indeed living in strange, highly polarized times. Whether it’s in the halls of Congress, the courts, or the airwaves, there are very different ideas about what’s truth, what’s fantasy, and what’s utter nonsense. Earlier in the week, controversial talk show host, Alex Jones, suffered high profile defeats in a series of lawsuits filed by a group of Sandy Hook parents. Will radio feel any collateral damage? Stay tuned.

It’s not just in radio. Marketers in all industries struggle to find just the right language to position their brands and services. A new research study frames the dilemma, pointing to simple solutions that are both efficient and inexpensive. How confident are you in your station’s positioning language? In a world of SEO and AI, words matter more than ever.

You want some social media “best practices?” I’ve got ’em right here. The challenge? How do you manage the social media department for the worst team in professional sports – bar none? That’ what the social media team for the Detroit Lions faces every week. And it turns out, they are among the best in the NFL. Here’s how they’re pulling off a digital miracle, and how your radio station can do it, too.

Yesterday’s post introduced us to Ford’s dynamic new CEO, Jim Farley. He runs a proud legacy company facing the changing winds of new technology, the ripple effects of the pandemic, and outside competitors in the process of redefining the auto industry. Sound familiar? Today’s follow-up takes a closer look at Farley’s plan, his management style, and his leadership. We need all the inspiration we can get.

As the economy recovers from its 2020 pandemic “hit,” companies are rapidly reassessing the state of their industries, as well as looking inward at their own progress and challenges. The automotive world didn’t stand still during COVID – far from it. Electrification, autonomous, and data are all megatrends impacting the car business – and by extension radio broadcasting. Last month, Ford’s CEO addressed his troops in a “town hall” talk, the likes of which you’ve never heard before. Today’s blog post lets us be that fly on the wall.

It’s being called the “Resignation Economy,” and it is affecting more than just baristas and wait staff. It has been a painfully stressful 20 months for radio pros, trying to keep their stations on the air and profitable during these worst of times. Today’s blog post offers some startling job stats, but more important, a look at radio’s capacity to attract and hire strong people as we head into 2022. Of course, that assumes radio is hiring.

We love to talk about those generations. But do the labels – Boomers, Millennials, etc. – get us in trouble? Or worse, lead us down the wrong strategic path. New research suggests the generational stereotypes are often inaccurate and create more friction. Yes, even in radio.