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Many stations are going into the fall perplexed about promotions and contests. With concerts and sporting events on hold, what resonates with audiences of all ages and formats? The answer may be sitting on your lap, begging for food, or chewing your slippers. New stats on pet adoptions – especially dogs – are off the charts. And that makes pet promotions this season’s low-hanging fruit.

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I know what you’re thinking…if you hear the phrase “new normal” one more time…. So, I won’t say it, but I will tell you today’s post is all about helping all of us working in radio regain some much-needed equilibrium – and revenue – as we head into the fourth quarter of the Worst.Year.Ever. It’s going to require creativity, imagination, a little spunk, and some data to help guide us through this dumpster fire of a year. We’ve got some ideas about how to make that happen, and we share them in today’s blog post.

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During COVID, many of our conversations have changed. In radio circles, the “connected car” was a hot topic for many years. Our DASH Conferences brought radio and automotive people together to discuss partnerships and synergies. It’s a different world today, but there is still automotive innovation – if you know where to look for it.

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The power of the radio host is in the cross hairs this morning in American radio. On the one hand, testimonials and live reads from personalities are experiencing a Renaissance. On the other, those folks who make their living behind a mic have had a bad year that may get worse before it gets better. Is radio in the U.S. at cross-purposes with itself – or is this all part of the plan?

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For decades and decades, there’s been a great partnership between broadcast radio and pro sports. But in 2020, some teams showing signs of taking that radio relationship for granted. The latest is the Orlando Magic. They’ve dumped their radio play-by-play team and will simply simulcast the TV audio. What does that mean for fans? And what does it say about radio’s perceived value to sports franchises, especially during a year when anything – and everything – goes?

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As the pandemic enters its seventh month, consumers are getting antsy – and aggravated. Companies that keep tabs on their customers, ensuring they’re providing top-level service have the inside track. And in its early days, Home Depot developed a clever hack that provided genuine feedback that didn’t involve focus groups, off-sites, brainstorms, or (gasp) consultants. Here’s how they did it.

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Earlier this week, Nielsen announced its policy on “adjusting” ratings in PPM markets to take headphone listening into account. We’ve been talking about this issue for several years, and conducted research earlier this year to gain insights into which demographics tune into radio the most frequently via headphones. Here’s a blog post from earlier this year, updated in light of Nielsen’s new policy.

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Ask any Hollywood director and they’ll tell you the secret to making a great film or TV series is in the casting. The same is true for popular radio shows, especially the ones built to last. Today’s post takes a recent story suggesting every actor (or actress) is a Batman or a Joker. A journey up and down the AM and FM dial reveals that casting a great show may be a bit more complicated than that. See how your show(s) stacks up.

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Media analysts are scrapping the old playbook because 2020 has been the most disruptive year of our lives. The ways in which consumers interact with their media is changing. A new “take” on audience participation suggests we have entered “The Era of Live.” So in today’s post, we pose an important question: Is broadcast radio ready?

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There are lots of ways to succeed in radio. When asked “How did you get in the business?” it occurs to me virtually everyone’s career path was different. In today’s blog post, we get the wisdom and counsel of Al Roker, a multi-media star who’s made a career out of being a “second banana.” It’s great advice no matter where you’re at on your life’s journey, especially at this critical moment from a guy who’s been there and done that.

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Every dog get his day.  And with all respect to our canine friends, these “special days” can get hard to keep track of. Last week, it was National Radio Day on August 20th, and many of you celebrated your alphabet soup of call letters that grace your resumes.  It’s always fun to follow radio people […]

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Six months into the pandemic, and we’re thinking about what life will look like on “the other side” of this tragic event. One thing’s for sure. Radio station workplaces may be forever changed as companies take this opportunity to reassess – and downsize office space. The “station culture” so many worked hard to build and nurture may be a thing of the past. What impact will that have on current station staffers, as well as inspiring broadcasters who want to work in radio?

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A university team of scientists is running a unique experiment – a test to determine how to use safety protocols to put on live concerts similar to pre-COVID shows. Using 1,500 volunteers, they created three scenarios with various safety levels. Today’s post examines their efforts, and talks about the way forward in returning the economy – and our lives – to some semblance of “normal.” And you may ask why we’re not doing this here in the U.S.

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COVID has changed the game – especially the economy, including who’s spending and who’s struggling. A well-respected sociologist strongly believes there’s a shift underway, causing the emergence of a new, more financially healthy demographic. Will broadcast radio be able to capitalize on the opportunity?

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A new poll is out – no, not a political one. This ranker by Morning Consult measures our love for hundreds of major brands, from Amazon to Netflix to Oreos. You may not believe who’s ranked #1 this year. It’s a brand that’s in the news right now, a source of great controversy. I was surprised when I saw who topped this respected ranker, and I think you will be, too. But no matter what, this is a brand that delivers on its promise. And in a pandemic, that’s exactly the job we hire them to do.

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Among all the other “breaking news” headlines yesterday, you may have missed this story: Apple is now worth $2 trillion, a milestone no other U.S. company has ever reached. And their newest venture is another “old school” attempt to reinvent radio with new offerings and channels that will sound familiar to broadcasters. When a company with the impact and resources of Apple sets out to “make radio cool again,” it should get our attention.

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Some pretty unimaginable things have happened to our lives, our systems, and our businesses over the past several months.  While the radio broadcasting industry is facing its most daunting challenge ever, other verticals have been virtually stopped in their tracks. The transportation and recreation industry – airlines, cruise ships, theme parks – have all been […]

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