When we started our “Radio’s Most Innovative” program back in August, we briefly discussed just how long the initiative might run. How easy or difficult might it be to find innovation in radio week in and week out?
Well, almost five months later, it’s apparent – at least to us – that there is no shortage of innovative things from the present and the past in and around radio that are worthy of recognition.
Radio is an industry that is under a great deal of pressure. And when that happens, it becomes easy to laser focus on achieving financial goals, and then start all over again the next quarter. Like a car dealership with a tough monthly quota, the radio business is highly pressurized to cut expenses, pare staff, and do more with less – at just the time when innovation is so necessary to the industry’s survival.
That’s why some of the innovative things that are happening – or have occurred in the past – are so important to radio’s future. We can learn from those who are innovating today – like Mike Dougherty’s Jelli, Michael’s Hill’s UK Radioplayer, or even the afternoon team on KISW – the Mens Room – who have launched highly successful, branded alcoholic beverages (hey, innovation comes in many flavors).
And we can be inspired by radio’s past innovators – Andy Economos, who launched Selector, Joel Denver’s All Access, and Dr. Demento – who essentially launched himself.
In these past few months, we have shined the light on people as diverse as Kurt Hanson, Jerry Lee, Jim Fox, Norm Pattiz, and John Fullam – people who are forging new trails in and out of radio stations.
From the invention of the All-Christmas format to Mediabase to Mr. Skin to Rockline, the radio business has always been famous for fresh ideas, new concepts, and startups – many of which have come from unlikely people and outside places.
Or like risk-taking radio stations from the past that had George Gimarc’s imprint, or the digital wizardry at WTOP today by John Meyer and his group,
That’s healthy. And we’ll continue to showcase the best, the brightest, and the most interesting as we start the new year. We hope these profiles inspire you, and serve as reminders that the radio industry has always had inventive thinkers – at times wild-eyed, but innovative nonetheless. And there are lots of people and teams taking big risks today in the hopes of creating something very special that can keep radio vital and essential.
The innovators we have profiled are all very different. Some own stations, some are programmers or GMs, and some have never spent a day working inside a station in their lives. But one thing they have in common is a spirit that embodies risk-taking. We’ve asked each one for their advice to innovator wannabes – and they all say pretty much the same thing:
“Believe in yourself and your idea.”
“Do not be afraid to fail.”
“Make one small step, and you’ll be surprised how different the world looks.”
In his book Poke The Box, Seth Godin writes about the initiate and ship philosophy. So many would-be inventors and entrepreneurs just don’t put their ideas out there.
That’s not the case with the people and teams we’ve profiled this year. They are truly initiators and shippers.
How long will “Radio’s Most Innovative” continue?
Maybe the answer is this: until the good ideas run out.
Let’s hope we have a lot of trophies to engrave in 2015.
We will be back with our next “Radio’s Most Innovative” story on Friday, January 9th.
Submit your innovation at [email protected]. Thanks to Mike Stern for his expertise and effort on “RMI.” And to Joel Denver and the All Access team for continuing to provide prominent coverage.
INNOVATION QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
Albert Einstein
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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