How else would you describe the absurd stunt that Clear Channel pulled on Detroit radio listeners this week? On Tuesday, they announced the demise of WDTW and drove listeners to the website 1067needshelp.com. At least, the website was well-named. The smart money was on a switch to Country, but the stunt suggested otherwise.
The site claimed that Detroit radio listeners would choose the new format by registering online and submitting songs they wanted to hear. Local Clear Channel execs stated to the press, and presumably their own staff, that this was the real deal, and that the next format was not secretly chosen, waiting in the wings.
The Detroit Free Press didn’t buy it, nor did veteran radio observers. Isn’t this sophomoric stunting nonsense a thing of the past? Apparently not. 106.7 played goofy Jack-like music for a couple days, and then "broke the news" Friday afternoon that somehow, Detroiters "chose" a second Country station. (Had it been truly the people’s choice, Atreyu and Lamb of God would kick Kenny Chesney’s ass any day.)
These types of shenanigans erode the credibility of radio in the media community. And the exciting promotion 106.7 signed on with? YOU get to name the new station.
Yet another blow to radio’s reputation.
POSTSCRIPT: On Monday morning, Clear Channel Detroit announced the name that Detroiters "chose" – The Fox – on 1067needshelp.com. It was prematurely posted before the promised noon announcement. Later in the morning, they took that page down – apparently the "competition" to choose the new name wasn’t over – and replaced it with the original "naming contest" page. Then at noon, they re-posted that same name, and yes, The Fox "won." And if you hurry, you can "choose the logo."
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Ugh. How LAME. What is it, 1983? Do they really believe this garbage works? Why must we LIE to our listeners?