There’s a lot of industry talk these days about what it means to be “live & local,” is it desirable, and does it matter. Too many stations in radio don’t do it, can’t do it, or think that by reading the local weather and mentioning a city or landmark, they are doing it.
In the rough and tumble world of infinite competition for the mind of the consumer, radio finds itself with new challenges – and opportunities. How can broadcast radio differentiate itself in a meaningful way in this environment? And what does it mean to be “live & local?”
Former Jacobs consultant, current client, and good friend, Dave Beasing, has been back in the programming trenches with Bonneville in L.A. at The Sound for the past few years. The station epitomizes what it means to be “live & local,” and in today’s post, Dave takes us back about 24 hours to just another typical L.A. day at The Sound. Enjoy. – FJ
1 minute after this morning’s 4.4 earthquake, Uncle Joe Benson and Andy Chanley were talking about it.
15 minutes later, Sound listeners were sharing their own stories on Facebook. So far, 550 have posted to this string. 25K+ have seen it.
25 minutes after, Joe “borrowed” a listener post dubbing this event the “Shamrock Shake” and was using this on-air. It’s also gone viral on Facebook. (You’re welcome, McDonald’s.)
1 hour after, we “called an audible” to play 10 SHAKING Songs on The Sound’s 10 at 10.
At 10 AM, Joe Benson emceed a press conference starring Kiss and Def Leppard at the House of Blues, announcing their summer tour.
Immediately after The Sound’s 10 at 10, Cynthia Fox played “Miss You” and shared the tragic breaking news that Mick Jagger’s girlfriend, L’Wren Scott, had been found dead in her apartment this morning.
At Noon, Julie Slater will introduce The Young Dubliners on Pershing Square’s downtown stage, a free St. Patrick’s Day concert for the lunch hour.
Tonight, The Sound Crew will make the party come to life at Tom Bergin’s Irish Pub.
Later, whatever happens, The Sound will be ready to capture the moment as only Southern California’s live & local Classic Rock station could.
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.
- Radio + Thanksgiving = Gratitude - November 27, 2024
- Is It Quittin’ Time For SiriusXM? - November 26, 2024
- Radio, It Oughta Be A Crime - November 25, 2024
This is a really fantastic breakdown, great work 100.3, something to aspire to for sure!
Absolutely. Thanks, Melissa.
Thanks for sharing this, Fred. If the response is any indication, JacoBLOG’s reach and impact is impressive.
In in the interest of modesty, I might mention that this was originally written as a staff memo. I don’t spend a lot of time working on self-congratulatory blogs. But I am proud of our team. They appreciate the opportunity Bonneville has given us to use our creativity to serve this community.
You should be proud of this. These are the days that truly test radio stations, and The Sound passed with flying colors. I’m honored to work with you guys, and I think it’s important that when good examples are set, they get the exposure they deserve. We are receiving a great response to it today because I think that positive, uplifting radio stories are good news for all of us. Thanks for sharing your staff memo with us.
I am such a geeky fan of 100.3 the Sound. Dave, pat yourself on the back. You deserve it.
This could only happen on a station where actual living human beings are a commodity. We’re so far removed from people being an asset to the organization. Employee’s are just a nuisance with a salary to be cut. Investing in people to make them great is a lost art in the business world.
GM: What if we train these people and they leave?
PD: What if we don’t and they stay?
Drew, great points all. Thanks for taking the time to point out something that is so true.
GM: What if we train these people and they leave?
PD: What if we don’t and they stay?
or maybe…
GM: What if we train these people and they leave?
PD: Then I’ll train more, that’s what I’m good at.
(Unfortunately, they’re probably aren’t many of those kinds of PD’s left)
Actually, I think you could make a case that the ones doing it – and as importantly, empowered to do it – are generally succeeding. And of course, maybe this is soemthing good consultants should be doing. 🙂
Dave should be applauded for being a smart programmer….
But the sad thing is, that here we are congratulating a programmer/staff for paying attention and being connected to their listeners and community by being topical and taking advantage of thelocal events/vibe and reflecting that on the air.
Radio should hang its head in shame….
Dave intuitively has a great sense for this brand of programming and his company supports him. Not everyone is convinced that “live & local” matters – even though they are key characteristics that separate broadcast radio from the new league of competitors. Thanks for chiming in.