In our travels this year at Jacobs Media, we have spent as much time talking with clients about the role of social media at their stations as we have music testing, sales remotes, and “bowtie clocks.”
I think this is a good sign because it signifies that broadcasters are discovering different avenues of communication with their audiences, as well as new ways to provide a better consumer experience.
But radio has a long way to go in this space. In yesterday’s post, we talked about the need for radio to act more like a magnet than a megaphone. As I have watched Lori Lewis speak at conventions and work with broadcasters in conference rooms across North America, many stations are still struggling to find the right “voice” on Facebook. Meanwhile, Twitter is still very much an afterthought and often misunderstood.
At this year’s Summit 16, I am hoping that we can advance the conversation. While our agenda is not about social media per se, that topic permeates many of the sessions. It pretty much has to, doesn’t it?
I believe that one of the high points on the agenda will be the presentation by 140 Characters Conference founder Jeff Pulver. In his recent blog post, “Finding Meaning,” Jeff talks about the role in which social media plays in giving people a voice. If you just look at Twitter as accumulating followers or reading Chad Ochocinco’s tweets, Jeff will provide you with an entirely different perspective and rationale that will give the real-time web context and meaning. You will have a new understanding of the real-time web after seeing Jeff’s presentation.
Social media will also make an appearance when Sean Parker and Lori Lewis get together to chat about how the NHL’s Washington Capitals use these tools to rev up their fan base. Hockey players are a lot like DJs, and the fanaticism of sports teams is very analogous to radio’s P1s. You’ll see how they’re doing it in a professional sports franchise and why it’s so important.
WTOP’s Jim Farley will be weaving social into his presentation about how his multi-faceted platforms work together to provide consumers with the ability to enjoy his brand’s content pretty much wherever and whenever they like. This is a radio station that is setting trends, and Jim is an eloquent spokesperson who is making it happen.
MSNBC and nationally syndicated radio personality Ed Schultz will speak to how he melds “retail broadcasting” – getting out on the street and meeting his audience – with the social tools that reinforce these relationships. Every DJ and programmer in the room will be taking copious notes.
And then finally, our “Future” panel hosted by RAIN’s Kurt Hanson will bring together some of the industry’s smartest content creators – WMMR’S Bill Weston, KUT’s Hawk Mendenhall, WTOP’s Farley, futurist James Cridland, and Dial Global’s Beau Phillips – to get down to the details about how these stellar brand managers and forward thinkers are using the new tool kit and what we can expect moving forward. This is a lean-forward panel loaded with incredible content people and great minds.
Summit 16 has other great speakers and representatives, so if you’re sitting at your desk as we head into the last month of the year wondering where it’s going and how can you get past doing “random acts of digital,” our afternoon in Baltimore is a great use of your time.
Not to mention Arbitron’s killer agenda, featuring Clear Channel’s Bob Pittman, and a host of other great sessions.
There’s still time to join us. Click here to register, and email me directly with any questions you may have.
There are lots of conventions every year in radio. We think you’ll find the Summit and Arbitron’s Client Conference to be well worth your investment.
See you at the Summit.
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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