The story that Howard Stern will become a judge on America’s Got Talent is fascinating news all around. For Howard, it’s a chance to get back on center stage. Sure his investment portfolio has been greatly inflated since joining Sirius, but his influence, power, and buzz have been diminished since he’s been on a much smaller stage.
Now with the reach and viral quality of a show like AGT, Howard becomes a household name again, in much the same way that Stephen Tyler was able to expand his circle in ways that even his sappy crossover Top 40 hits could not accomplish.
But I have a different Howard on my mind today because as Stern expands his platform to include Reality TV, there’s actually something very interesting happening back at Radio Ranch.
It’s much harder these days for radio to become a part of a larger conversation. Howard’s move to television – hopefully in a format that is more conducive to his talents than past efforts – is an indicator that radio people can make news headlines of their own.
In this cluttered environment, radio personalities and stations have to work harder to get attention. Sure those Ted Williams’ stories or natural disasters come along a few times a year – a chance for radio to take center stage for a moment or two.
But the real impact of radio is felt in local communities and hometowns when a radio station jumps into the fray and reflects what its audience are thinking about.
So, I’ve been thinking about a different Howard these past few weeks – Jimmy Howard, goalie of the Detroit Red Wings. He may not be the very best in the league, but he’s pretty damn solid, and he goaltends for a team that’s been as good as any in sports over the past two decades.
So when the NHL left Howard off their All-Star ballot this year – and included 18 other goalies from around the league – well, it just wasn’t right. And WRIF’s Meltdown, the station’s hockey-worshipping p.m. drive personality, sprung into action. They’ve got a wrapped RV working its way around Metro Detroit, drumming up interest and votes. And wouldn’t you know it, Howard is working his way up the list.
Now there are bigger issues facing the Motor City – schools, budget overruns, law enforcement, funding for light rail, urban blight – you name it. But this is one of those “issues” where true Joe Sixpacks actually believe they can make a difference.
So a write-in vote for Howard – Jimmy Howard – is a vote for local radio. And in their infinite wisdom, the NHL lets you vote as many as 30 times. They take 6 goalies so Howard has a great chance to make the cut – something that would be a great feat for the Red Wings as well as Meltdown and WRIF.
So while one Howard will be demonstrating the power of radio on TV, another Howard may be proving just how powerful local radio can be.
Stay tuned.
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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