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The only things worse than bad ratings is when your audience falls over that dreaded “demographic cliff.” The last thing a radio brand needs is a listener base that has “aged out.” Meanwhile over on television, some of the biggest new hits on broadcast TV and streaming video platforms stars gray-haired AARP members. What gives?

The media ecosphere is ever-changing and in a constant state of flux – with one exception. The popularity of Classic Rock – as music, a radio format, and as a prime part of our pop culture – is a constant. And today’s blog post is evidence of that – three remarkable stories from the “Classic Rock Highway.” Enjoy the ride.

Did you get your exclusive, personalized Spotify “Wrapped” package, a your musical consumption summary for 2024? This year, Spotify rolled out new features, leaning heavily on AI. Yet, reviews on their value are mixed. What do you think of the growing trend in personalized usage trends and what do they say about us as consumers? Today’s blog post is a look at how technology is being used to track our lifestyle habits.

While most broadcast radio companies are immersed in their mad dash to plump up Q4 and close the books on a mostly dismal 2024, SiriusXM is in a race to put the finishing touches on a new/old strategy to redouble its efforts in the car. Translation: AM/FM radio is in SXM’s crosshairs big-time, an effort to achieve dashboard dominance in this rapidly changing audio environment in cars. How will their plan fare? Should radio broadcasters be concerned? To learn more and engage in the conversation, just click on READ MORE. And buckle up.

Smart marketers and savvy brand managers use a little trick that ensures they’ll earn a usage increase when they need it most. McDonald’s is a prime example of this technique with their McRib limited availability strategy. But great radio stations use similar devices to drive cume and awareness, as well as buzz. Can your station (or show) pass the test? What’s your station’s McRib?

Broadcast radio has changed a great deal in recent years, but a welcome fixture is the skill, the appeal, and the pure craftsmanship of the talented people behind the mic. Last weekend, one of the best was recognized by one of the major TV networks. It was a celebration of what makes radio great, then and now.

As the media landscape becomes even more congested by more options and choice, how can radio broadcasters make sense of their opportunities as well as the threats posed by AI. Rather than trying to be more machine-like, shouldn’t radio be looking for ways to more radio-like: that is, to accentuate the human connection – to the music, to the issues, to sports, to life…and to each other? Click READ MORE and let’s talk about it.

Over the holiday weekend, major brands revealed their holiday marketing campaigns. And a fascinating contrast appeared between Apple and Coca-Cola, and the use of AI and real people to tell each brand’s story. In today’s post, we run a head-to-head comparison. And you make the call.

What happens when you ask 13 radio pros from all corners of the industry how they define gratitude as Thanksgiving approaches? Why, you get 10 very different interpretations of thankfulness. Actually, they have a lot in common, and I hope their musings bring you a sense of joy and gratitude as you scroll through them. And I’d feel gratitude if you left a few of your own thankful thoughts in the “comments” section at the end of today’s blog post. And while I’m at it, THANK YOU for reading our blog.