It is interesting to observe how the key issues that impact radio have shifted over the years. Twenty years ago, the conversation was all about which companies were buyers, which were sellers, and who was in line for the next IPO. It was all about multiples, EBITDA, and consolidating our way into a thriving future.
The Internet? Streaming? It was all just a hi-tech pie in the sky fantasy back in the ‘90s. Only bleeding edge nerds believed there was a “there there.” Radio had survived every challenger throughout the decades, and another tech fad would be easily managed and controlled.
Today, the narrative has been altered. Digital is the conversation, as new terms and concepts enter the radio broadcasting lexicon.
Programmatic. Podcasts. Pandora. Meters. Voltair. ROI. Satellite radio.
This is the language that dominates radio’s trades, as well as boardroom strategy sessions.
But of all these disruptors, the “connected car” may be the one issue that has gained the most traction over these past few years because it impacts every department in the radio station.
The car continues to be the primary listening location for most people. That’s especially the case among progressively younger consumers, many of whom may not even have a radio in their apartments, homes, or dormitories.
And then there’s the revenue reality. Year after year, the RAB releases data that point to automotive as the dominant sales category.
Both of these franchises for radio and the car, however, are on progressively shakier ground. The dashboard continues to morph, offering more options via WiFi, smartphone connections, and embedded apps. The average vehicle in America is more than 11 years old, so as the economy improves and more consumers are in the market for a new car or truck, the changing reality of the “center stack” will most definitely impact the radio industry.
Satellite radio, smartphone apps, and music collections are all part of the new menu facing drivers as they get behind the wheel of that new Fusion, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Scion, or Volt.
The DASH Conference was created to address these issues, help the radio broadcasting industry frame the challenges and the opportunities, and bring automotive and radio together for two days of learning, networking, and exploration.
And it’s worked. For the first two DASH Conferences, radio broadcasters were introduced to Ford’s Julius Marchwicki (the guy behind SYNC), GM’s Rich Martinek, Toyota’s Wayne Powell, and other execs from the OEMs and Tier 1s. We’ve been treated to keynotes by the CEA’s head guy, Gary Shapiro, as well as David Field, Peter Smyth, and Jeff Smulyan – concerned and engaged radio CEOs who get it.
From Visteon to iHeartRadio to Pandora to Panasonic to Pioneer to the RAB, they’ve all been there at DASH, underscoring the importance of the radio + automotive relationship.
And it gets better for DASH 3.0 because we are excited to announce that Radio Ink’s (our partners and friends) “Radio’s Most Powerful” for 2015 – Bob Pittman – will be keynoting this year’s conference.
What does that tell you about the importance of the “connected car” space and what it means to the radio broadcasting industry? iHeartRadio has been front and center in the center stack, thanks to the vision of the company that guided the realization that automotive is the lifeblood of the radio industry. At DASH, Bob will talk about what the two industries mean to each other, and the impact of automotive on today’s radio companies.
Bob’s appearance at DASH sends a message to everyone on the automotive side that radio cares about and is invested in the car and that a great historical partnership can only get better.
And the message it sends to all of us in radio is that the DASH Conference matters. The radio industry – from its CEOs to its market managers to its PDs to its digital teams to sales management – needs to show up in force to make the statement that broadcasters are engaged in this space. Automotive execs rarely sees radio broadcasters at conferences like Telematics Update or even the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. DASH presents the opportunity for radio to be seen and heard. It is clear that Bob Pittman is in-sync with that mission.
From Bob’s view from the top to in-dash content like podcasting and apps to the dealership dilemma, DASH will cover it all. It’s the information that radio broadcasters need to survive and thrive in the automotive ecosystem.
Registration info is here, and we hope you can make the commitment and the investment in your company, your station, and your career to be a part of this electric conference.
More announcements on speakers and panels will be along in the next few days, and I think you’ll like what you see.
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing many of you at the NAB RAB Radio Show later in the month in Atlanta. I’ll be a part of a great “connected car” presentation with fellow consultant Alan Burns and Entercom L.A. programmer (and ex-Jacobs Media exec) Dave Beasing. It’s called “Dashboard Disruption for Programmers: How Can Local Radio Stay Strong in the Car?” and it looks to be a great session.
This is the year. See you at DASH.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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This is a great win Fred, you and the entire DASH team should be thrilled.
We’re psyched, Dave. It’s shaping up to be a great conference. Thanks as always for your support.