What are you doing tonight?
Chances are you’ll be doing something you haven’t done in a while. Or maybe ever.
The odds are pretty good that many of you will be curiously viewing the Republican presidential debate, along with what is sure to be a record number of Americans. You might even want to turn it into a family event. (Tell me that all those troubled Talk Radio stations are hosting viewing parties tonight at local bars and eateries.)
Writing a blog that touches on politics is always tricky. We live in a polarized country, and the moment you bring up the topic, you can be assured that at least half of the people you are talking to will instantly disagree with you.
So even though this post is about Donald Trump, it’s not about politics.
It’s about how masterfully he’s commanding attention because he understands the rules of the game better than anyone else. And isn’t that the essence of the game we’re all now playing – capturing the hearts and minds of audiences in a media world that is increasingly noisy, cluttered, and filled with more of the same?
It doesn’t even matter where you stand on the issues because Trump has created an aura unlike anyone else in the race. It has separated him from the
pack because he refuses to engage in politics as usual.
The net-net of the Trump phenomenon is that tonight’s Republican presidential debate will smash all previous viewing records. People will watch a political debate who haven’t watched this type of television ever. Americans (and people around the world) will change their plans to tune into this circus with Donald Trump as the ringmaster.
It won’t be just Republicans tuning in to see how their favorite candidate fares (and that could be Trump); Democrats, Independents, and political agnostics will be on hand as well, waiting for the inevitable fireworks to occur.
And every radio morning team and “Good Morning Des Moines” TV show on the planet will be talking about The Donald tomorrow morning.
How has he done it? He’s simply following his own playbook and remaining consistent.
And what can radio learn from Trump about how to truly win the battle for attention in an otherwise media arena where where mindshare is at a premium?
Here are 10 Trump lessons:
- Be bombastic
- Make up your own rules
- Break the rest of the rules
- Be true to yourself
- Be so unpredictable that people can’t stop watching you
- F*%# the establishment
- Don’t listen to what anyone thinks
- Ignore and badmouth the media (and they’ll show up in droves)
- Don’t be ashamed to lead with your strengths (wealth and ego)
- Position yourself as the outsider
- Be bombastic
And if you replace “radio” for “politics” and “Howard Stern” for “Donald Trump,” they all hold up very well. That’s because the “King of All Media” has been executing and perfecting these ten tactics throughout his entire career.
Enjoy the show tonight.
Thanks to Paul for his political sensibilities.
For a smart look at what Trump means in the Sports Radio world, check out Jason Barrett’s recent post here.
We welcome comments, but if they cross over into politics, they will be deleted.
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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No. 1 might be to know what the customer (listener) yearns to hear.
Yeah, there’s that. Thanks, Dimitri.
And as we keep upping the ante in the media universe in order to gain eyeball/eardrum share, “Kings & Queens of All Media” will resort to self-immolation in a last desperate attempt to gain attention from a tuned-out media world.
It may come down to that, Russ. Thanks for the comment and enjoy the debate.
There is something really genuine about Trump – he says what he thinks and doesn’t care if people don’t like his message or delivery. In a political world where everyone seems handled to a fault, Trump’s style rings really true.
Pundits attribute anger to the reason for Trump and Bernie Sanders’ popularity and I’m sure there is some of that. But both of them are straight talking and pull no punches and I think “genuineness” is propelling both of them as much or more than their messages.
I hope Trump stays in the race til the bitter end – he’s so entertaining and without him, the primaries would quickly devolve into issues based name calling. And that would be sooooooo boring.
Bob, I was slow in responding to your comment yesterday. And now after watching (most of) the debate, Trump stayed consistent with his persona. His impact on the other 9 candidates was felt all night. Thanks for taking the time.
This is a great piece, Fred. It’s been so entertaining to watch and read the appalled inside-the-beltway ‘experts’ calling Trump’s imminent demise. Meanwhile, he’s opened up a wide lead in national polls with climbing ‘favorables’.
And he’s totally unapologetic every step of the way. Reminds me of a certain morning guy…
Thanks for checking in, Dave.
Wouldn’t it have been great had a RADIO property bought exclusive rights to the debate? When is the last time anyone, anywhere actually made plans to be next to a radio station? Perhaps, The Kraft Music Hall in 1949. Who says every event has to be TV/Cable?
I was thinking that even those local avails before and after the debate would’ve made a world of sense. Thanks for the reminder, Bruce.