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Hopefully it’s not a trend, but more sports teams and networks are cutting costs by eliminating radio affiliates, radio play-by-play teams, or both. The newest slight is happening this season in Toronto. But the good news is that a certain Canadian rock star is making his displeasure known. If this sounds to you like something the broadcast radio industry ought to tackle this season, you’ll enjoy today’s blog post.

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The best brands in the world know how to engage their audience, their region, and their life group. In today’s post, we take a leisurely drive to the Great White North to pick up social connection tips that are priceless. The coffee’s on me.

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More and more, we find ourselves asking the same questions? When do we get back to “normal?” And what will “normal” look like? Today’s blog post tackles both of these questions. And as always, raising a few more. How can media executives and their teams prepare to “meet the moment” that will be be upon us before we know it?

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“Live & local” isn’t just a catch-phrase. It is a bona fide strategy, available to any station in Any Market, USA. After the Year of COVID, we are looking for that bounce-back. Doubling down on your hometown isn’t just a good idea. It’s a way forward. Today’s post provides data and common sense about why it’s not too late for broadcast radio to embrace “live & local.”

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In the first three months of 2021, a hot new medium emerged that everyone is talking about – or talking on. Thanks to Clubhouse, social audio is a bona fide trend, and other big players are jumping into the space. Radio broadcasters are asking lots of questions about how they might participate in this Audio Renaissance. But are they asking the right questions about how and where they can remain viable and relevant in the audio ecosphere?

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In-car dashboard technology was a key trend at CES this year. Some displays are so big they’re referred to as “pillar-to-pillar,” spanning the entire width of the car’s interior. But there is one tech challenge that has eluded engineers for decades – installing a skip-free turntable in cars that will play standard vinyl records. That is, until now. .

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There’s a new “Big Three” in town – Google, Facebook, and Amazon. And while they have made a powerful mark over the last decade, their COVID ad revenues are astronomical. Today’s blog post looks at the percentage of every ad dollar spent with these three companies – it’s bigger than you think. And what that means for traditional advertising media – like radio.

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Ready or not, the EV revolution is here. At least that’s what the automakers are hoping. Is America ready for electric vehicles? Is radio? Today’s blog post goes down the EV path, including a bodacious company name change. No, not from Entercom – from Volkswagen.

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For heritage brands, the challenge – and the opportunity – is in digital transformation. But as we’ve learned over the years, that’s easier said than done. So, I recently ran across a landmark brand that is successfully evolving, growing, and adapting. And while the example seems like an unlikely analogy to the radio business, it’s actually a great fit. Today’s post is all about 8 best practices for how heritage brands can digitally transform – and thrive.

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It may be every on-air radio personality’s worst nightmare. No, not the “dead air” dream. When it occurs, this one can be a problem that sometimes turns into a threatening, toxic situation. Today’s post is about the unbalanced listeners who become stalkers and their impact on innocent talent and stations themselves.

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Many business have been disrupted by COVID. But local auto dealers have been especially challenged by the onslaught of online car sellers like Carvana. Local radio broadcasters can be the conduits to help hometown car dealers get their mojo back.

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Local broadcast radio has a distinct advantage – being in the moment and connecting with an audience on an emotional level. That’s been especially the case since the onset of COVID. In today’s post, a renowned marketer opens his exclusive playbook to share the concept of creating “empathy@scale” – a quality that helps a brand stand apart. It’s a brilliant approach and I’m glad to share it with you.

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News/Talk radio – commercial and public – has enjoyed the “Trump Bump.” But with a change in the White House, are we beginning to see a ratings “Trump Slump?” Or worse, a “Trump Dump?” As we reach a turning point, today’s blog post focuses on radio in 2021, and where it’s headed in content and in the ratings.

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With more than 2 million podcasts now in existence, it would seem to be a stretch for someone to come up with a concept that hasn’t been done before. So, leave it to the wizards at IKEA, the famous Swedish retailer, to create a podcast that is truly original, unlike anything you’ve heard before. And it could inspire a whole new genre of podcasts, another signal the audio renaissance is the real deal. I’ve got a great example of this innovative effort so you can check it out for yourself.

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At one point or another, we all get asked “the question.”
Would you advise a high school kid to pursue a career in radio? Of course, it’s complicated. But this week, a retirement was announced – the end of a 45 year radio career. You may not know this guy, but after you read his career recap, you’ll feel like you do. And you might have a better answer to “the question.”

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Thanks to all those advancements in technology, we all have social media and email “blasts” at our disposal, designed to reach tens of thousands of consumers with a single keystroke or click of a mouse. But when it comes down to how a radio station can truly impact its audience in a meaningful, attention-getting way, a very analog form of communication may be making a comeback. And all it will cost you is a little time and some postage.

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The world is changing, and so is the audience. And for radio stations and companies reinvesting in their brands by commissioning audience research, what are the new protocols. The same old questions will yield the same old answers. To truly gain insights, we may have to do something we haven’t done in a while: listen to our listeners.

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2020’s roller coaster ride presented challenges for every radio station, trying to navigate the disruption. And while most suffered losses, research indicates that for those who stayed tune, their connection to their P1 station actually grew. Today’s post will show you how we measure loyalty, and how every radio station can leverage this engagement in the new year.

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2020 was a tough year for radio, right? That’s the conventional wisdom, based on lower listening levels and the resultant hit in sales. But public radio’s metrics guru cuts the data differently than anyone else, and his take is not only encouraging, but also goes a long way toward explaining where we are – and where we might be headed in the entertainment and information landscapes. I think you’ll find it an eye-opener.

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The music industry landscape is always fertile ground for great stories. In today’s post, I’ve put together a trio of great stories you might find unbelievable. The effects of heavy metal, an interactive music map of the U.S., and a strong opinion about the future of rock from one of its most visuals. Hopefully, it’s a great start to the weekend. Thanks for reading it.

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