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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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We’re hearing from more disenfranchised people these days, thanks to the raw nature of these crazy times. Women, in particular, are being heard like never before. And today’s post is focused not just on women in radio, but in ROCK radio. That’s a topic I know a lot about. Whether I’m the right person to deliver that message is something you’ll decide when you read today’s blog post.

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Smart speakers could be broadcast radio’s hopeful answer to disappearing AM/FM radios in homes and workplaces. But a surprising percentage of consumers are wary about bringing voice technology into their personal spaces. With each story about privacy breaches and “listening into conversations,” are consumers becoming more suspicious of Alexa?

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COVID has raised anxiety levels, impacting all of us. More and more, people are seeking calm and tranquility, and oftentimes, they’re finding it through nostalgia touchstones – including music, of course. Multi-generational nostalgic music discovery is becoming an everyday phenomenon, thanks to YouTube and social media. And it’s now finding its way to the radio on a show that combines rock n’ roll with mental health – perfect for our COVID times.

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After more than five months of being virtually housebound, many American consumers believe they’re running out of media. Television is under the gun because of the logistical and safety challenges of creating new content during the pandemic. And that spells opportunity for radio, a medium that is flexible and less people-intensive. Today’s blog post addresses what radio can do to keep it fresh, interesting, and engaging this fall. Hope you’re listening.

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2020 has been a crazy year, making it especially challenging for trend watchers to get their heads around where pop culture is heading. On the music front, it’s been just as challenging, as the music and radio industries deal with stagnation and a dearth of big hits. But one trend that’s flowering this year is the proliferation of cover songs. Whether you call them “remakes” or “reboots,” everyone is doing a cover. The results, however, range from fantastic to embarrassing. Today’s provides a look and a listen.

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Nine years ago, Tim Cook replaced Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. And during that time, the value of Apple has quintupled. The art of choosing and grooming a successor is one of the most important tasks a manager undertakes, whether you’re making smartphones or radio. What are the key qualities for “who’s next” and how can executive teams ensure the best choice is made?

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One of America’s leading think tanks, the Brookings Institution, has recently updated its demographic profile of America. And the results may shock you. They certainly run against the grain of broadcast radio’s aging trajectory, and they provide a challenge to those of us working in radio today.

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These days, the little gestures of appreciation and gratitude can go a long way. In radio, the angst, anguish, and stress are everyday occurrences. So when a video thank-you note ended up in my email box, it was a welcome message. The pandemic may be global and its impact may be sweeping. Yet, even in this environment, it is a lesson that from small things, big things one day come.

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Every business enterprise – including broadcasting groups and individual stations – are carrying around brand baggage that can obscure success. Coke’s CEO, James Quincey, calls them “zombie brands,” and his company eliminated more than 275 of them in the first six months of 2019. How can we look at our own businesses to assess where our efforts are being misspent – and where we can focus our resources to ensure our best brands get the support they deserve?

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2020 has already seen many heritage brands – from Lord & Taylor to Hertz – call it quits. In today’s post, marketer – and optimist – Simon Sinek offers up three great pieces of advice to companies. But my favorite? Treat your business like a startup. And thanks to the pandemic, we have the perfect excuse to do just that. What if radio didn’t exist, and we were launching it from scratch? Here’s what that might look like.

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One of the stories we’ve been following in this crazy year of sports was the Oakland A’s opting to go “all-digital” on their play-by-play coverage. To expand their fan base, they became the first team without a broadcast radio partner. Six games into the shortened season, that all changed. Yes, this story has a happy radio ending.

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