After nearly eight years of writing daily blog posts (Monday-Friday), I am still a bit surprised when readers give me feedback about my philosophies, views, and isms.
I’ve been told that I’m anti-sales, pro-HD radio, anti-radio, pro-Pandora, or simply not balanced in the way media topics and commentaries populate this blog. But this isn’t The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal (as if they don’t have a point of view). There’s no equal time provision in the blogosphere.
But I try very hard to be fair, to be open, to be a good listener. I try to call them as I see them. And I even admit when I’m wrong, a difficult task especially for consultants.
So today’s entry should stir up some folks on both sides of the radio aisle, and the great thing is that I didn’t write it. But I thought it was fascinating enough that I should link to it and let you decide for yourselves.
It comes from Canadian advertising whiz and thought-leader Terry O’Reilly, and it’s a commentary from his “Under the Influence” show. You can read more about O’Reilly’s interesting background here.
The episode that caught my ear is called “Radio Is Dead. Long Live Radio.” The title alone should give you a sense for the bipolarity that many feel about the medium that first enchanted us as kids, and proved to be a fun and rewarding career path for many of us as adults.
In this piece, O’Reilly takes us on a journey that I’ll bet that the most seasoned radio pros, as well as those hungry newcomers, may be surprised by. His premise is that radio is as healthy as ever, IF those who write, produce, and create for it use the medium to its fullest potential.
And unlike many commentators and pundits who speak hyperbole and use the most cliché terms, O’Reilly illustrates his ideas with examples of radio done right.
So what’s the problem? Well, there really isn’t one, and I think you’ll be inspired by some of his choices and examples. But you’ll also note that none of them comes from American radio stations, commercial or public. Instead, O’Reilly entices us with examples of amazing radio from places like Germany, Israel, and Puerto Rico – not Los Angeles, Des Moines, or Miami.
O’Reilly calls radio “a remarkable medium of possibilities.”
But that’s only if those of us in radio exercise its full potential and use the power of our creativity to innovate, surprise, and enchant on the airwaves.
Radio needs to live up to its potential. And I would love for his next installment to include examples of stations that we know.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks to Brian Thompson, music marketer, podcaster, blogger & good guy for making me aware of O’Reilly’s show and this particular episode. You can check out Brian’s goods at www.thornybleeder.com.
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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Radio does work. With the work I do for Rosenberg Media we prove that everyday. What was ironic about this great article was that none of his examples were from the US…
Steve, I saw it the same way – no U.S. stations. I’m sure Terry would love to get some great American examples. Thanks for taking the time to read our blog and comment.
Hey thanks so much for the shout-out Fred, I appreciate it.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Radio is the surviving powerhouse. It’s wireless, free and everywhere. But, as stated: ” IF those who write, produce, and create for it use the medium to its fullest potential….” just make sure the owners and managers are on that same page, Great ideas don’t cost money….they make it. Think about the product, the service and the sound. Top stations make money. Know the audience, effectively message, position properly, treat your people well….. and do it!
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Clark.