Mark Ramsey and I aren’t always on the same page, but we noticed the same piece in Inside Radio’s "INsight" column, written by Bonneville’s New Media Director, James Webb.
Urging stations to stop thinking about cumers as listeners, but as users was the highlight of Webb’s piece. And as importantly, he asked, "Why is radio so late to the New Media party?"
That’s the question. And the answer is a combination of denial, fear, and "that’s the way we’ve always done it."
If you’ve worked in radio more than a couple of decades (which probably describes 90% of the industry), you were conditioned to think about attracting listeners, broadcasting to the masses, and a top-down mentality. We broadcast – you listen.
Webb also notes that our metrics are changing but many in radio haven’t gotten the memo (email). As he points out, it’s about the size of the web audience (uniques), what we know about them and how we connect with them (the database), and their propensity to come back to the site for more (return visits).
In many ways, it is similar to the "old way" of attracting an audience, and most radio programmers and managers could easily make the transition – if they were focused on achieving these goals.
And that’s the reason why our W.T.D.A. campaign was developed. As a programmer mentioned to me after receiving his green bracelet, it’s a modern-day string around your finger. And of course, that’s the point. We need a constant reminder that radio’s role – and our own jobs within the business – are changing. For every challenge, there’s an opportunity.
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.
- Baby, Please Don’t Go - November 22, 2024
- Why Radio Needs To Stop Chasing The Puck - November 21, 2024
- Great Radio – In The Niche Of Time? - November 20, 2024
Spin can be entertaining, but it can also place people and organizations in danger of being out of touch with the world around them. Just look at your senator, General Manager, PD or Sales Manager.. They’re all out of touch and actually believe their own bull. Truth be know, they’re really afraid of the future.
When a man has something of value to lose, he’ll risk less and by doing so will live in the past. When a man has nothing to lose, he’ll gamble everything and his rewards for taking risks will propel him into the future.
The current crop of radio leaders, are stuck in the past.