The Internet continues to totally change our realities. Products that used to be staples in the home or at work – like your travel agent, the fax machine, and the pager – are all rapidly being replaced by better, faster, and more efficient digital innovations.
There is a new item to add to the endangered species list – the once ubiquitous nightstand clock radio.
In radio, we counted on this venerable device to help consumers start their day on the right note – listening to our morning show. Well, at the NAB "Radio Show" last month, my room at the Marriott (yes, the convention hotel) didn't have a clock – or a radio.
And as we've seen in our Tech Polls each year, more and more consumers are waking up to their mobile phones – not a clock radio.
And it's not just kids using the bells and tones on their iPhones, BlackBerries, and other devices – it's mature adults. Our newest survey for public radio – PRTS2 – illustrates the trend clearly:
So you can only imagine what's happening among 18-34 year-olds and their wake-up patterns. How does this affect your station, your morning show, and the ways in which consumers start their days? And what are the implications moving forward?
To get an even better understanding of how mobile is changing bedroom habits, consider that nearly half of all Americans say they sleep with their phones, according to a survey by Synovate. That's an incredible piece of data, and it shows the growing connection between consumers and their mobile gadgets.
While many of us are focused on consumers being able to connect their iPods in cars, the day starts in the bedroom – a place where radio used to rule the roost.
So how can radio fight this growing trend? Well, it may not be a perfect solution, but our jacAPPS division has developed an alarm clock feature for our radio apps. You set the alarm time on the device, but instead of digital bells and bongs, you wake up to Bob & Brian, Drew & Mike, or Morning Edition, depending on which app you prefer.
Of course, this feature needs to be marketed on the air, but that's our burden and challenge – teach consumers how to use radio via new gadgets and devices. We have the brands, but unless we become more aware of changing consumer habits and we keep developing access to new platforms, radio will go the way of the Yellow Pages.
And that brings to mind a promo produced by The Loop, submitted by JacoBLOG reader and Emmis Chicago Ops Director, Kyle Guderian. Enjoy this clever promo about how stations can connect those dots.
Download Mp3 File
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 article on Power Of Sound…in advertising,too…reminded me how we use to show clients that through radio advertising they could target potential customers when the listener was using, wanting, needing their product or service. With high percentages of bedrooms equipped with clock radios and radio’s intrusiveness a lot of mattresses, beds, furniture and other “bedroom” related products and services were sold.
Of course, then, radio was everywhere and customers were targeted everywhere.
It was about the power of sound of (including commercials)and radio’natural birthright: creativity.
I know there are iPhone/FM rumors out there, but can’t Radio get in bed with Sprint or some cell company and urge them to install FM radio in a phone? Then the 41% who wake up with cell phones can wake up with radio again If I were a cell phone manufacturer, I’d approach the entire radio industry and say- you promote the “Sprint” FM Radio/Alarm phone (with all the other stuff) and we’ll make ’em. And if we make ’em and you get people to buy them, you’ll get more listeners.
Tommy Griffiths
https://www.imeem.com/tommygriffithsradio