Betty vs. Veronica.
Ginger vs. Mary Ann.
Jennifer vs. Angelina.
Taylor vs. Katy.
There have been epic rivalries between female icons throughout the ages, both in fiction and in real life. But the battle between Alexa and Siri is shaping up to be an important one for media brands – especially radio.
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal by Trip Mickle outlines the lengths that parents Amazon and Apple are now going to achieve dominance in the smart speaker space.
Amazon has a reported 70-share at the moment, while Apple has yet to introduce its HomePod, coming at the end of 2017. And don’t count Google out either, because of its data and its reach.
All three behemoths are rushing to staff up, while partnering with a variety of other brands to make their virtual assistants as ubiquitous as possible.
Amazon has already put together deals with Ford and Sears (think Kenmore refrigerators: “Alexa, how many beers do I have left?”).
Google is opening up its assistant (it answers to “OK, Google”) to Sony, as well as LG Electronics. And to compete against Amazon’s retail empire, Goolge recently teamed up with Wal-Mart so Google Home owners can order via voice from the retail giant’s massive catalogue.
Apple’s plans are fuzzier, but Siri is already embedded in its operating systems including iPhones and Macs, so there’s loyalty and reach.
The smart speaker gold rush is reminiscent of what went down when Apple introduced its App Store nine years ago, spurring an applications development race that is still going strong. We know from our Techsurveys that voice commands in all devices – from smart speakers to connected to cars to mobile phones – are becoming more comfortable for consumers of all stripes. More and more, voice is the way we’ll access media, entertainment, shopping, and home functions in this rapidly approaching future.
It’s not hard to envision scenarios where consumers at home, work, and in their cars will call up content without the aid of a tuner or an app. And that means radio needs to be sure its brands are easily and clearly accessible on the array of smart speakers already in stores or soon coming to market.
It’s table stakes, not just a cool thing to do. And the smartest broadcasters are moving quickly to make sure they’re prepared. It’s why we created our SonicAi brand to provide not just voice command technology, but programming strategy, to a new vertical rapidly finding its way onto nightstands, kitchen counters, work benches, and desks.
We’ll continue to research the space in our Techsurveys – another reason why it’s so important to participate each year – with detailed questions about smart speaker usage and radio’s role in these platforms.
But in the meantime, going to school in the space isn’t just a good idea – it’s now a radio required course. It starts with going out and purchasing an Amazon Echo (for starters), and becoming familiar with the technology, its strengths and its potential. Radio people are smart and innovative, and these devices open up some fascinating promotional and marketing doors for the best, brightest, and most ambitious.
We’re already seeing that at work in a number of situations where Alexa is becoming the “6th man” – OK, “6th woman” – for radio stations integrating this technology into their programing and marketing fabrics.
Just last week Beasley’s BEN-FM added Alexa to its DJ lineup for an afternoon, giving away Echoes and Dots every hour throughout the day. Brilliantly conceived by programmer Chuck Damico, Alexa pulled a shift, frontsold songs, took listener requests, and took winner calls. (And reportedly arrived in the studio prepped one hour before her show and didn’t ask for Saturday off).
And down the hall, WMMR is using its powerhouse morning show, Preston & Steve, to acquaint fans with these devices as well as the station’s cool new skill. This is a great example of how they’ll be marketed to consumers and fans. Here’s the short video:
In many ways, the virtual assistant competition is a double-edged sword for radio. It’s yet another distribution platform requiring knowledge, investment, creativity, and yes, innovation.
But the upside is that if this technology indeed becomes the common way to access content, radio can be right there, ready to go, when consumers are unwrapping their smart speakers this coming holiday season. In a scenario where AM/FM radios are disappearing from homes – especially among younger consumers – having Alexa and Siri on hand can continue to provide broadcasters with in-home and in-office access, thus preserving radio’s ubiquity.
Alexa, am I right?
Steve Goldstein of AmplifiMedia/SonicAi will be talking smart speakers and podcasting at the Radio Show, tomorrow at 4-5:15pm in the Lone Star Ballroom. Info here.
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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Great, honest materials Fred. Almost like you’ve been an expert in the space 🙂 Just going out on a thought limb, here is part of A vision to share. I feel strongly that radio & music has never ‘lost’ the generation we label lost, or under 25/30. Ironically, this demographic in reality has simply yet to discover radio.
Once technology offers distributed content in the formats that they are accustomed with ‘radio’ will be ‘re-discovered’ – and fresh.
Just one more step ahead, it feels like media firms as a whole, particularly radio, has always adapted to the technology. Forever. Using the auto dash example; newer visualization tools such as standard dual/quad passenger screens, then changes broadcasting audio itself into a visualized experience. This applies to advertisers as well. Once equipped; they can advertise in dash & most creatively target.
I look at the current change in dash (and spectrum, grid needs) as the ‘bridge technology’ for media. The coming hybrid radio format will help brands advertise best and fuel more formats to catch on .. Thus becoming discoverable, delivered as a ‘new’ format, new to the ‘lost’ and effectively most capable- for music discovery. We have not ‘lost’ the under 25’s who simply require the tools to ‘think’ ‘consume’ ‘behave’ .. Thoughts? Too deep ? A Talent with vision… I’m in!
I’m presenting a new study at the NAB about dashboard displays, and the advertising piece is an important part of that initiative. Technology could be an advertising game-changer, but it also requires a radio industry open to rethinking the “givens.”
As always, Josh, appreciate the comment.