Regular readers of this blog know my position that radio has essentially become a visual medium by virtue of the available digital tools. From websites to social media links to YouTube videos to webcams, the opportunity for radio to “supply pictures” has never been better.
But many radio traditionalists fight this idea, thinking that they still have a front row seat in the “theater of the mind.”
Antony Young, CEO of Mindshare, recently wrote a piece in AdAge about the importance of the visual culture in the social space. The growth of Pinterest, Instagram, and other channels, along with the knowledge that pictures on Facebook and Twitter motivate sharing should not be lost on the folks sitting behind the mics or scheduling music logs.
A number of radio people are doing a great job in this space, something that I will be talking about at this year’s Morning Show Boot Camp. Leo LaPorte (“The Tech Guy”) was talking about the power of using a webcam for every one of his radio shows way back at Summit 13 in 2008.
And from the Bonneville stations in Chicago to Entercom Sacramento to Andy Chanley’s daily venture into video at Bonneville’s KSWD/Los Angeles, more and more radio people have gotten the video memo.
>EMAIL RECIPIENTS: CLICK HERE TO VIEW ANDY CHANLEY’S VIDEO<
As Antony Young notes, “Consumers are compiling and sharing photos and video, like an earlier generation collected LPs and bumper stickers, as their version of defining and projecting their individual identity.”
That earlier generation Young talks about is us – whether we were wearing Loop T-shirts or plastering our cars with WRIF and KQRS stickers back in the ’80s. These visual signposts were a reflection of who we were and the type of images we wanted to convey to others.
The chief revenue officer of Luminate, Chas Edwards, calls it an “image strategy,” and like mobile and social, it is now becoming standard operating equipment for media brands.
Even in radio.
Especially for radio.
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 video from The Sound in L.A. ! It was especially fun for me to watch this because I programmed & did mornings on the same signal (KQLZ) when it was known as “Pirate Radio”, and when we flipped it to the short-lived but fun “100.3” alternativw. Thanks for taking me back through my own personal rock history !
Thanks, Greg. The Sound is a whole lot different than Pirate, as is the ability to connect with audiences today. Appreciate you taking the time.
Understood. We use a some very similar video updates to engage with our online students at Full Sail. Great idea !
It’s simple and opens up a whole new world – to your students and to listeners of traditional radio. Thanks again, Greg.
I completely agree with this – we are actually trying out some new strategies on Facebook that are visually-based…if you want something to go viral on Facebook, it’s all about photos. Radio stations are typically not equipped or don’t have their first “go-to” content to create be visual or photographic in nature. We need to create original, branded, entertaining content that could be shared amongst our brands and enable them to spread our brand message for us. That’s the holy grail! t will be exciting to see how it plays out!
Emily, thanks for your perspective from the POV of a company that isn’t afraid to take risks and try new things. We share your excitement and appreciate you chiming in.
Fred –
Another very timely topic broadcasters need to be knowledgeable about but more importantly need to act upon. I wanted to share what I thought was inspiring comments from Roger McNamee, highly respected visionary and voice in Silicon Valley. Besides being partners with U-2’s Bono in a billion dollar equity fund he’s a musician and plays hundreds of shows a year.
Roger is famous for statements like – social networks are so 5 years ago…Google has missed social, the world is evolving away from Google and the “hyper-net” is the future. Roger believes its about “video anywhere” on any device. It’s getting consumers the content they want in a mobile setting.
topics.bloomberg.com/roger-mcnamee/
I felt this was a very enlightening interview that will cause everyone to think about how “what’s next” applies to broadcasting as an industry and to us as individuals in broadcasting.
Mike Anthony
Roger is a great speaker, loaded with ideas. Thanks for sharing a good one & of course, for reading our blog.