It is sometime baffling to me how new and innovative concepts often run into immediate resistance by a business that says – on the one hand – that we should be trying new things. But on the other, doesn’t hesitate to criticize these same new things when they are first released.
A case in point is NextRadio, championed by Emmis’ Jeff Smulyan, and led by Paul Brenner who will be part of an innovation in radio panel at DASH later this week here in Detroit. Many broadcasters jumped on the bandwagon, while many others criticized this model out of the box.
Do any of us really know what “the next big thing” will be – whether it’s a radio format or something we wear on our wrists?
Five years ago at CES, you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing every variety of netbook you could imagine. They were flying off the shelves at Best Buy’s all over the U.S. as everyone had to have one of these mini-computers. They were “the next big thing.”
Until the iPad came out the following year.
At that year’s CES, it was Tablet City as every technology company sent those old, “dated” netbooks off to warehouses and rushed to develop their own tablets.
So when a new format, a new device, a new innovation, a new business model, or a new app comes out for radio, the smart money would be to give it a critical look, but remain open-minded to the possibilities.
And that’s a big part of the story with “connected cars.” I have read some contrary thinking that suggests that it’s a waste of time for radio executives to study and rethink the automotive space. After all, “content is king,” so if you’re not producing worthy, compelling programming, what’s the point of studying what Ford, Toyota, and Cadillac are up to?
Well, of course, buzzworthy programming and compelling brands are always at the epicenter of everything that is successful in radio. But to be a “dashboard denier” is to drive away (at high speeds) from the new opportunity to partner with, learn from, and collaborate with an automotive community that has always shared radio’s DNA. It is no coincidence that these two industries hit the mainstream at about the same time in the early part of the 20th century. They have grown up together, paired up like peanut butter and jelly.
So why are so many executives and managers from a mashup of industries flying into Detroit this week to spend time with automotive bigwigs? I’ll bet if you asked the many radio people in attendance – those presenting and keynoting, as well as those participating in our unique roundtable collaborations – they’d tell you pretty much the same thing.
Between the car as a key “gadget” for radio listening and the industry’s value as a traditional advertising partner, everyone in radio is touched by the automobile in one way or another.
Clearly, radio and automotive are in a long-term relationship. But it’s changing, and that’s what DASH is about.
Ratings, revenue, the listener connection with our content- it’s all a part of the automotive/radio ecosystem. And after spending several years meeting executives, engineers, and marketers from the auto companies and Tier 1’s, I can tell you that they’re interesting, passionate, and dedicated to winning, making customers happy, and keeping us all safe.
When I look at just how many radio companies are being represented in one way or another at DASH, it makes me, Paul, and Radio Ink’s Eric Rhoads proud to have put this event together.
Radio got the memo about “connected cars” – and it’s moving fast to respond.
You’ve probably heard a lot about the automotive community members who will be in attendance. But here’s a partial list of just some of the U.S. radio broadcasters who will be in Detroit for DASH – on stage, in the audience, or both:
Entercom, Greater Media, Clear Channel, Cox, South Central, Lincoln Financial, Hubbard, Bonneville, CBS, Westwood One, EMF, SBSRadio One, Rubber City, Emmis, NextMedia, Crawford, Cromwell, Katz Radio Group, MacDonald, Saga, Max Media, Salem, American General Media, Delmarva, Bartlesville Radio, Lenawee, Lanser, Shamrock, Ingstad, Federated, Guaranty, Heritage, Jackson Radio Works, Badlands Radio, and a handful of individual station executives and radio people from smaller companies.
Every public radio station in America has a stake in this, too, and here are some of the people attending from that sector of broadcasting:
NPR, American Public Media, WDET, KQED, WWOZ, WBHM, Wyoming Public Media, Market Enginuity, and “On Being.”
Oh, and Canada is coming to the party:
Basyhore, Bell, Corus, Blackburn, Rogers, and of course, Canadian Music Week
And the following state broadcaster associations will be on hand as well, assessing how to deliver the “connected car” message to their varied membership:
Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Georgia, Indiana, Arizona, Wisconsin, New Mexico – and of course, the Detroit Radio Advertising Group and Bill Burton.
I’m thinking there won’t be any “dashboard deniers” at the Westin this week. Our DASH attendees are concerned, curious, and excited to help shape and define the role their industries and companies may play in the “connected car” space.
We welcome them all to Detroit and to DASH.
P.S. In case you’re wondering, yes, Art Vuolo will be there, too.
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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I don’t know any “Digital Dash Deniers” – but I have doubts of a different kind.
The Digital Dash is a tremendous opportunity for innovation. It should lead to a complete re-think of in car audio entertainment.
But then I look at that list of Broadcasters and can’t help but think most of them will be attending this event with one purpose: to secure shelf space. To make sure no other “audio option” is featured in the new Digital Dashboards as prominently as good old AM/FM Radio.
I fear that a whole new world of potential is being created right now – but all Broadcasters will be focused on is how they can keep the “End Caps”.
I hope I’m wrong.
But the general antagonism/derision our radio execs shamelessly demonstrate for audio not emanating from a transmitter betrays their interest in true customer focused audio innovation. Particularly if it encroaches in any way on a listeners TST – Time Spent with Transmitters.
Again. For the future of our business, I genuinely hope I’m wrong.
It would be great to get a memo from the CEO describing the new Corp Innovation Division, designed to create new customer focused mobile audio entertainment products for this exciting new landscape.
But the memo I expect to get is one with the CEO trumpeting how Broadcasters won a “victory” by making sure AM/FM Radio is the first option people see when they turn on their Digital Dash / Connected Cars.
Good luck Fred!
I think you are wrong, Jeff, and I say that respectfully. I have personally spoken to most of the broadcasters who have signed up, and I can tell you they are all genuinely excited to learn about the space and hang out with the auto execs and others from diverse industries. And truthfully, our agenda doesn’t even touch on an “end cap” mentality because it’s not possible. The automakers are committed to a “may the best content win” and “give the consumer what she wants” POV – and I think the broadcasters “get” that.
DASH is about starting conversations and collaborations. Radio has not been present at most automotive and electronics get-togethers – something we have long blathered on about on this blog. This conference represents the beginning of the dialogue. I look forward to the “takeaways” from DASH, something we’re committed to. We don’t want this to just be an interesting conference with a few memorable sessions. From our vantage point, it’s a beginning for two storied, connected industries to become reacquainted.
Thanks for chiming in, and I wish you could be here.
That’s encouraging to hear, Fred, thanks!
Fred,
Here’s something that will make you feel good as a “product guy”. When I asked NextMedia’s CEO if he would be sending someone to this event given it’s obvious importance to our future, he said: “Yea, me. And our director of sales.” I think there are some good intentions in that room and I am very glad you guys put it all together.
Thanks, Jack. The representation from radio has been very strong. People care about this and want to learn. Now all we have to do is pull it off! Thanks for the note.