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Is radio about music genres – or are great stations about lifestyle – tribes? Today’s blog post will get your juices flowing. Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s lean into it.

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Great brands have the potential to engage in successful marketing that generates lots of money and even plenty of buzz. But the other side of the coin is marketing concepts that should never have made it off the launching pads. We can learn by mistakes as much as we do “best practices.” And today’s blog post highlights three tacky merch efforts from brands you know well.

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MTV turns 40 this week – an amazing story of innovation, irreverence, and maybe just a little hubris. It changed the way we consume music, and impacted FM radio – especially in the ’80s. I was fortunate enough to provide research and consulting services to MTV (and later, Vh-1) – an outside-in perspective on this media juggernaut.

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COVID has presented a challenge for everyone in radio – on an off the air. But those behind the mic have been tasked with even more responsibility since the pandemic broke out. Today’s blog post debuts brand new findings from AQ3, our survey of commercial radio air talent in the U.S. It is eye-opening, and we hope it leads to more industry-wide, as well as broadcasting company conversations.

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It’s a pretty safe bet few radio stations – even in the biggest markets – have a hefty promotional budget for the upcoming Fall book. But a million dollar budget? Not a chance. But a little back-of-the-cocktail-napkin math, inspired by consultant Randy Lane, is a reminder every radio station has valuable promotional inventory that often is poorly managed or randomly deployed. Today’s blog post looks at what can happen when those valuable avails are put to smart and strategic use.

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Radio’s sellers have faced tough challenges in recent years. Among them, fending off accusations that a broadcast radio buy lacks accountability – and R.O.I. Attribution has proved to be difficult. But now, a new political campaign has been launched that’s 100% radio ads in a controlled environment – better known as Kentucky. Mitch McConnell is providing broadcasters with a unique opportunity to make their case: that radio ads still work.

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Would you recommend a young person pursue a career in radio today? An Internet “hack site” is telling its readers how to get into the radio business. If you think the timing is interesting, please read on.

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Building great brands is always a challenge. But during the pandemic, it has put even greater pressure on companies – radio stations among them. Today’s post sums up a 6-pack of “best practices” from an unlikely category – airlines, not usually thought of as good marketing citizens. But this particular airline is listening to its customers, acting boldly, and even providing an element of surprise. There are great lessons here for both station and personality brands.

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After two cancellations, the Rolling Stones “No Filter” tour is back “on.” Organizers announced a 13-city itinerary. But one of the stops could be called unlikely – New Orleans’ iconic Jazz Fest. There’s a secret behind how festival organizers were able to book the Stones. They asked. Today’s blog post is all about why we shouldn’t hesitate to make “the ask” – for our radio stations and ourselves.

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We’ve all felt our share of stress these past 18 months. According to a new study by the American Psychological Association, the pressures on all of us are mounting, especially since COVID. And that’s especially true in radio’s air studios. Our data is back from AQ3, radio’s only survey of air talent. And today’s blog post provides a sneak peak at what it’s like to be under pressure when you’re paid to entertain and inform on the airwaves during a pandemic. It’s an eye-opener that hopefully stimulates a conversation about our industry and where we’re headed.

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In an advancement of Amazon Alexa “skills,” iHeartMedia has launched an interactive request feature in four markets. In our blog post today, we look at how Alexa’s responses can be the most realistic.

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Earlier in the week, HD Radio celebrated its 15th anniversary, a period loaded with both promise and disappointment. Today’s blog post looks at the glass half empty / glass half full history on the technology, exploring what worked and what might’ve been. Where do YOU weigh in? Something tells me you have an opinion.

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New data on the music consumers listen to and purchase are showing signs that American tastes may be undergoing great change. These deviations from years past suggest new music discovery has moved away from radio, but is no longer as potent as it once was. Is there an untapped opportunity here for broadcast radio?

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New research reveals that looks matter – especially online. Traditionally, radio has been a medium where a great voice used to be a difference maker. A new study speaks volumes about online personas and why they matter. See if your station and your airstaff can pass the test.

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Podcasting is on a growth spurt, in spite of the pandemic. But now, there are now more than 2 million podcasts in the marketplace. And thanks to a new initiative by Anchor (owned by Spotify), there could be even more amateur productions to sift through. Is it possible to create and produce a podcast in one hour. Anchor says yes. I say no.

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Imagine the commissioner of the U.S. Trademark and Patents Office declared, “Everything that can be invented has been invented.” Now consider Charles Duell made that heavy statement back in 1902. In actuality, some of the best innovations today are often reinventions – taking an existing product, turning it on its side, and making it better. Yes, that’s what we have to do for broadcast radio. Today’s post hopefully provides some food for thought.

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Great athletes are a job to watch. But as we’re learning, the pressure from the bright lights, the media coverage, and the competition itself can be debilitating. The same may well be true for radio’s “jocks” – the folks behind the mic, sounding bright, upbeat, and engaged – even when their lives have taken a wicked turn. Today’s blog post looks at a tough topic – mental illness – on the field, on the court, on the ice, and on the air.

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The media landscape gets more crowded and competitive with each passing month. Now, one of the web’s most established players is going back to the drawing board, experimenting with new innovations. Is there a lesson here for radio broadcasters about change and how to communicate it? Stay tuned.

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