Radio – like other mass media – is adapting to a faster pace, as change and disruption are in the air. But perhaps one of the changes that’s been under the radar is the increasing number of women – not only behind the mic, but in leading roles on personality shows, as well as handling the heavy lifting for station imaging and voicework. Today’s post looks at these changes, as well as new research data that bring the power of female voices to light.

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Increasingly, media brands are expanding their reach into the multi-platform space – and radio is no exception. But while most companies go out of their way to promote new platforms and outlets, radio broadcasters have been hesitant to play the “Show & Tell” game. Today’s post digs into the reasons why radio needs to step up its self-promotion of multi-media platforms as the audience continues to fragment.

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We’ve become accustomed to building playlists to suit our every mood and occasion: working out, celebrating milestones, and even at our funerals. And it turns out, there are definitive lists of the most popular songs that accompany burials – by genre – thanks to a funeral co-op in the UK. You may be surprised by the most popular songs to symbolize a life well-lived. And as you ascend that “Stairway to Heaven,” which song would YOU choose?

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Amidst all the shootings, it’s hard to keep them straight. But when a gunman stormed into the Chabad synagogue in Poway, California, a couple of Saturdays back, some pointed to the lack of radio news coverage during this tragedy. Radio continues to tout itself as the live & local go-to medium when an event like this occurs. But too often, stations are mired in automation and voicetracking. Today’s blog discusses the issue, along with the need for an emergency plan to ensure that when tragedy strikes, radio is serving its communities.

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The Digital Era has put pressure on thousands of brands across myriad industries. But for traditional businesses – like radio – it’s been an especially challenging transformation. These days, there’s no better example of grabbing digital by the horns than the trucking business – including one of the oldest companies in America. It doesn’t get more traditional than Mack Trucks, doing an amazing job of embracing digital.

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At most radio stations, a greatly under-utilized programming and sales marketing tool is email. Many stations don’t segment their databases – a strategy that could be highly effective for ratings, revenue, and audience retention. Today’s blog post looks at some of the basic tactics any radio station can implement to up its database marketing game.

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Sports teams routinely retire superstar player numbers, and the National Register designates landmark buildings. The sale of WPLJ and it’s impending format change is another reminder that it’s time to start honoring historic radio station call letters. Today’s blog discusses the importance of remembering iconic radio stations.

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Facebook is under intense pressure these days. And they’ve developed a new focus – targeting small businesses with new features that provides education AND a simple way to advertise. For local radio sales teams, it is a trend that is well worth watching.

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We’re living in an age of endless data, but to truly understand the emotional state of your listeners, there is no substitute for sitting in poorly furnished conference rooms, listening to a group of perfect strangers. Focus groups have been a staple of my career and my companies, and today’s post explains why they could be a difference maker for you and your brand, too.

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Conventional wisdom says that ads in a podcast are more credible than commercials that run on broadcast radio. And new research supports the notion that “live reads” in podcasts by trusted hosts are especially credible. Or are they? Today’s blog post takes on the thorny issue of ads that run on the radio and in podcasts. You may/may not love our conclusion, but hopefully, it will stimulate you to give consideration to the marketing opportunities and challenges ahead.

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Traditional media outlets have often struggled to compete against content-rich digital brands. But 168 year-old Reuters has taken a novel approach to expanding its content – with the help of readers. Here’s how they’re pulling it off.

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There are legendary names connected with those early concert hall days, like Bill Graham and his Fillmores. In Detroit, it was Russ Gibb and the Grande Ballroom. But “Uncle Russ” was much more than a concert promoter. He was an educator, a tech innovator, and a local radio legend. And one day in 1969, he stopped the world with the rumor that Paul McCartney was dead. Russ Gibb passed away earlier this week, and his student and family friend, Bob Kernen, remembers him in today’s blog post.

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Succeeding as talent in the Digital Era means presence on a growing number of platforms. Podcasting, video, blogs, and community work are all part of the daily regimen for more and more radio personalities throughout the country. Today’s blog looks at the expanded workday, but also the potential rewards of becoming a multi-media star. And the best news? It’s a win for both talent and the company.

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For decades, broadcast radio OWNED traffic reporting. But the advent of mobile apps providing real-time traffic information changed all that, shifting the way commuters navigate their way to work. Now, thanks to partnerships with apps like Waze, radio may get its traffic mojo back.

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What happens when someone breaks the rules, whether we’re talking about the radio ratings game or a TV game show like “Jeopardy?” That’s precisely what’s happening every night as America watches a bold gambler break “Jeopardy” – a show that’s more than 50 years old. And remind us that even in traditional games, there’s always a clever, innovative way to play it differently.

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Since Arbitron discovered the stratification of radio listeniing – known more familiarly as P1s, P2s, etc., – programmers have debated the optimal strategic approach to scoring strong ratings. Is it smarter to program to the broadcer cume, hoping to convert casual users into core listeners? Or does it make more sense to maximize ratings by doubling down on über fans? For inspiration, we turn to one of television’s most successful franchises, which has lately focused on its hardcore legions of fans.

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After a dozen years, podcasting is still very much the Wild West. With more than 700,000 podcasts to choose from, discovery continues to be a challenge. But smart minds are working on the problem. And this week, a new social media platform was launched, designed to make it easier to find that next great podcast. Here’s an early look.

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As the media world’s AI machines increasingly serve up predictable content, based on our personal data, broadcast radio has the challenge and the opportunity of creating content that surprises, enchants, and delights. As a follow up to yesterday’s post about the rapidly increasing number of media choices, we look at the tools broadcasters can use to recapture the audience’s attention. And it may boil down to just one little word.

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Did you hear the big news last week? Amazon and YouTube rolled out free streaming music platforms. And no one seemed to care. That’s because the audio streaming landscape is already littered with brands and choices. In today’s blog post, we talk about how radio broadcasters need to see that bigger picture in order to stand out, get noticed, and continue to remain relevant.

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