Certainly one of the most recognizable images in the history of radio is the ubiquitous RCS Rainbow Screen – the gateway into Selector. And while Program Directors today enjoy the stability of version 12.53j, which includes a bevy of options they can customize to their station’s needs, we rarely stop to consider what the world was like before computerized music scheduling.
The man who may be most responsible for the way that music stations have evolved over the past 3+ decades is Dr. Andy Economos who launched his company, Radio Computing 
Services, in 1979. Long before there was a PC (let alone two) on every desk in radio, Selector became ubiquitous in radio. The service took root quickly, rewarding stations that invested in the new technology with higher ratings and a distinct advantage over their competitors.
Before Selector, boxes filled with 3×5 cards representing each song, sequence sheets, and jocks arranging their music using category systems was the way that music was presented on the radio. Suffice it to say, there was very little accountability, poor archiving and tracking, not to mention songs that somehow “disappeared” from the box because they weren’t popular in the air studio.
Selector came along, and music radio has never been the same. In some ways, the Selector wasn’t just about the introduction of music scheduling for radio – it was the gateway for computers at many stations. For today’s edition of Innovation Friday, we asked Andy to share his recollections of developing the program that revolutionized radio and became the industry standard.
JM: How did the idea for Selector come about?
AE: The first thought of Selector came when I headed up computing activity at NBC. I asked Walter Sabo, who was heading up NBC FM Radio, how we kept track of the payments to the royalty societies. He explained that those were easy bulk payments, but said the real problem was scheduling music properly; rotating the songs and blending the sounds.
JM: Here’s Walt Sabo’s side of the story:
Walt Sabo: When he left NBC, Andy Economos asked me if there was anything I felt he could develop that radio stations needed. We were crossing Sixth Avenue in front of Radio City. I told him they needed music scheduling computers. He then did it. He and his wife provided outstanding customer service as the company grew. The company succeeded because of his humility. Today’s IT people are arrogant and hated by their co-workers. Not Andy.
JM: How did you get from idea to development?
AE: I tried to add building a scheduling program to my department’s agenda, but it kept being rejected as not important enough for NBC to devote the resources. Their main focus then was TV. But when I left after 15 years at NBC to start a one-man software company focused on developing systems for the broadcasting industry, Sabo was still interested in a scheduler. He and I worked with NBC’s program director for the Chicago FM station to develop the first draft of what the system should do. I called it Selector.
JM: What were some of the biggest hurdles in building the system and how did you overcome them?
AE: The first big challenge was that it was the early 80’s, years before there were PCs or any inexpensive computers available. For perspective, there was a new line of small computers the size of a closet that cost about $30,000 each. So this was not only a new idea, but expensive, too, which meant only big radio stations were candidates.
The second big issue was the jocks giving up control of the music to the program director. Only the innovators and most creative radio people, like Scott Shannon and Randy Michaels, were willing to use the system. But that got easier when it became evident that stations using Selector were getting better ratings.
My personal hurdles were the same challenges that face most new companies. Trying to build a talented staff that buys into your dream and finding the money to pay for everything. I went four years without being paid, living off my savings and my wife’s small salary.
JM: What was the initial reaction to the product when it first became available?
AE: When we first came out with Selector, there was a great fear among most people in radio, but there were also the pioneers who wanted to learn this new technology. Remember, in the beginning we were selling computers to stations who had never used one for any application not even accounting or payroll. But overall, the early word of mouth was wonderful.
JM: Since computers weren’t common, was it hard to train people to use the software?
AE: We trained a lot of people in radio to use a computer. And yes, it was difficult, but it was also a select group many of which had knowledge about electronics.
JM: Today, crowdsourcing and beta-testing computer programs is the norm. How were you able to test the software and get feedback as it was being developed?
AE: Throughout my 30 years of building this company, we grew a great client base with the best radio stations, great program directors and jocks, and consultants who recommended us to their clients. They were always forthcoming with wonderful feedback and ideas to improve and enhance the product.
When we made changes, we always tried to test the system in-house first. Then we would give it to a few forgiving and knowledgeable clients as our beta testers. Then we would make it a general release. Over the years we had some good ones and some real bombs.
JM: Did you have any indication of the impact Selector would have on the radio industry? Did it work out the way you thought it would?
AE: Selector became a dream product. When I sold the company after 30 years, it had become the industry standard with some 6,000 client stations in 100 countries. We had offices in 22 different countries to support our stations.
JM: Is the program being used the way you intended?
AE: I loved the way the stations used the program and invented new ways to maximize the existing capabilities.
JM: Looking back over your involvement with the program, what was the best part?
AE: The best part for me was building a company with a very talented and devoted staff. I am very proud of our company and the part we played in radio. In those days, radio was such an important industry full of creative and talented people who were a pleasure to know and work with. What a fun industry to be part of. Another thing that delights me is that the company is still successful and making more money than it did when I ran it.
JM: Is it true you awarded a gold floppy disc to the first program directors to adopt the software? Who was it?
AE: Yes, we stole the idea of giving gold discs from the record industry. We awarded a gold computer disc to Terry Danner, our first client who was the music director at KYUU in San Francisco.
JM: What advice do you have for someone starting out on their own with a new idea?
AE: I don’t have much advice to give on starting new businesses. There are so many problems to be overcome. For those few who started businesses and became an overnight success bless them, but that is not my story. For me it meant hard work, long hours and surviving scary financial times. It was a wonderful journey and, if you do make it, it’s more fun and rewarding than running for a 100 yard touchdown and winning the game; it just takes more time.
Thanks to Mike Stern for writing this “RMI” profile.
INNOVATION QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship…the act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth.”
Peter F. Drucker, author and consultant
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Hi FRED, Couldn’t agree more with your nomination of ANDREW ECONOMOS as one of radio’s most innovative. When you consider the global radio impact his software had, and continues to apply to the way radio manages its content today, it’s hard to find a comparative. I had the pleasure of meeting Andy in the early days of Selector when it was being introduced to radio in Australia. What struck me immediately, (as Walter Sabo noted) was his humility; a quality that engaged you as he presented the program and it’s wealth of capabilities. Like many in radio, Selector in it’s various permutations, became a constant and invaluable partner for me in radio in many parts of the world, over the years since… (and I had to smile when I saw your screen-shot of that RCS menu). Salute Andy. A job well done.
I appreciate that, Lee. There have been many innovations in radio over the past few decades, but none that have touched as many stations and altered as many strategies as Selector. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
The PERFECT candidate for this award! The first computer I ran Selector on was a washing machine-sized DEC (Digital) brand unit and it was a wonder. Two short years later when I moved to Chicago, the Viacom owned station I programmed added Selector at my request and it ran on a personal-sized Digital computer. Took all night to schedule a day! Then the IBM PC came along and cut that time to about 5 minutes. Everything moved so fast back then. But through it all you could still call RCS on a weekend and there was a good chance you’d get Andy or his wife Judith. And with the patience of a saint, they would walk you through your problem. Cheers to Andy. He is the Steve Jobs of Radio Computing Services!
Now that’s a high honor, Jack! I had forgotten that Selector essentially was a gateway to computers appearing in programming departments, giving many PDs their first experiences with a keyboard and a mouse. Thanks for the comment.
Fred, talk about disruption!
I owe Andy and Judith so much I’m not even sure where to begin. I worked with him in the early years of RCS from 1981-83. Andy was brilliant indeed but also kind, generous and very, very patient as any client or employee can attest. Over the years Andy mentored so many people in RCS and throughout the radio industry around the world it’s hard to imagine the world Before Selector. Apart from the impact of his revolutionary contributions to radio programming, he taught many of us by example how to conduct oneself in business and in life. I’m forever grateful.
These are the kinds of comments that I have hoped would accompany our “Radio’s Most Innovative” series, Larry. So much of the “success” part of success stories has nothing to do with the innovation itself, but the quality and character of the people doing the innovating. Thanks for that great background info and insight.
Andy was an unsung hero in our business. I knew almost nothing about computers, but Andy said we were so great at using the programs because “we thought like computers”. Undeniably, KVET and KASE were two of his biggest early winners in our size market (Austin, Texas). Believing in the old adage, “people RESPECT what you INSPECT” Andy worked with us valiantly and will forever have my gratitude.
Ron Rogers
Thanks, Ron. You point out one of the biggest reasons why he earned the Radio’s Most Innovative honor. There are a lot of people who make huge contributions to radio but who receive little credit or fanfare. Thanks for reminding us we made a good choice.
Fred! Selector music scheduling has been a major part of my daily life since the early 80’s! Andrew was an unique visionary who invented a program that truly stands the test of time…yes, even DOS version 12 is embraced by so many programmers to this day for it’s ease of use and get ‘er done/down to basics ability to not only schedule, but sort, report and analyze. I remember when Dr. Economos visited WWWW/Detroit…(he drove in from NJ)and did the initial set up from our multi-colored index cards that had governed our music rotations. We were mesmerized when Selector spit out a day’s log in LESS than 30 minutes! The key was the great customer service ala Nordstrom or Disney…but better because no matter what time of day or night, Andy, Judith and the great RCS staff were available to help! We even named that first programming computer “Andy” in his honor…CONGRATULATIONS to my most influential Doctor!
Barry, thanks for checking in with a great Andy Economos story. It’s great to be innovative, but to back it up with exemplary service speaks volumes about why RCS succeeded.