Radio Groups In Virginia Join Forces

11-5-13

Rival radio groups in Hampton Roads, VA, joined forces for a great cause sponsored by the Hampton Roads Automobile Dealers Association to raise funds for its Youth Automotive Training Program. The program is called Drive For The Dream and it brought together 17 stations from Saga, Max Media, Entercom, and Sinclair. The stations provided a month-long, pro-bono campaign valued at almost $300,000 to support scholarships in automotive technology at two local colleges.

For an entire month, each person test driving a new vehicle at any participating HRADA dealership on a Tuesday or Wednesday was entered to win a $5,000 dream vacation from a random drawing. Each test drive generated $25 from the dealer toward the HRADA scholarship fund. The radio campaign included almost 2,000 60-second spots, on-air live promotion, online, e-blasts, and in-store materials at the dealerships.

Students receiving these scholarships earn two-year degrees at TCC or TNCC. On the day of graduation, they also receive fulltime employment with an HRADA dealer of their choice. Many graduates receive up to a dozen job offers. Graduates agree to work for an HRADA dealer for at least two years as a condition of the scholarship.
Winners of the $5,000 Drive For The Dream drawing were Kimberly and Raymond Wilson of Virginia Beach. They test drove and had purchased a new vehicle at Priority Chevrolet in Chesapeake.

Pictured  left to right are Wayne Leland Saga Communications, Dave Paulus Max Media, prize winners, George Ranson Hall Automotive and HRADA president,  Lisa Sinclair of Sinclair Communications, and Bennett Zier, Entercom.

About the collaboration, Saga Communications' Wayne Leland said, "At the beginning of the year the HR ADA invited me to join their board as an Allied member. George Ransom the Board President had a vision to grow the scholarship program to unprecedented levels. A subcommittee of the board, Along with Dave Paulus from MaxMedia, came up with this idea to raise money through a test drive program. I contacted the general managers of the other three groups to see if they were willing to invest in the organizations vision. Everybody was quick to join. All of the radio groups saw the potential to be able to help out the organization that represents our largest advertising category and to do some good in the community.  Not only did we help them out as a group, we began to forge relationships that could help grow the radio industry in Hampton Roads."

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

Armed Forces Network To Air Bob & Sheri

4-1-13

Greater Media says Armed Forces Network has chosen the "The Bob & Sheri Show" as the new morning show on the AC Programming Format. The show will be carried live daily on AFN to members of the U.S. Military serving abroad and their families. Joe Radio on AFN carries the programming to 177 countries and on all U.S. ships at sea (approximately 150).

View the original article here

ARNN Adds Armed Forces Radio

9-30-2012

America?s Radio News Network has been selected as the source of top of the hour news for the Armed Forces Radio Network. The hourly newscasts, delivered by America's News Network, replace CNN on Armed Forces Radio. American Forces Radio Network Worldwide Director Jef Reilly said, ?The troops want news, not agendas, and I think you?re delivering that.? Combined with America?s Morning News and America's News Network (ANN), ARN now has over 375 affiliations nationwide.

Since 1942, the mission of American Forces Network, brand name for the United States Armed Forces American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFTRS), is to provide apolitical broadcast quality radio and television services and expanded internal information products to all DoD members and their families stationed overseas, on contingency operations, and onboard Navy ships around the world.

Today, AFTRS utilizes seven satellites along with digital compression technology to provide multiple television and stereo audio channels to more than 1,000 outlets in 178 countries and U.S. territories, and onboard 150 U.S. Navy ships.

America?s Radio News Network, America?s Morning News and America's News Network are exclusively represented by TRN Syndications, Ltd. Reserve your market now by calling 888-383-3733 or visit ARN online at www.AmericasRadioNewsNetwork.com where you can also listen live.

View the original article here

(CRS) Join Forces With Country Media

(By Joel Raab) Today is day one of the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. It's a perfect opportunity to point out that endless opportunities exist for radio and country-related media and industry to work together to further our respective goals. For radio, it's all about increasing ratings and revenue. In 25-plus years, I have learned how to locate and maximize those opportunities.

Some examples (and these just scratch the surface):

Use the CMA: Membership is cheap, considering what you get. Did you know the CMA has a research department, available at your fingertips? Do you want to know what TV shows Country listeners are watching? How our listeners are using social media? Ask the CMA. They have lots of sales-related material as well.

Create Access: Even in an age of slashed budgets, radio stations can provide access to artists, and that is priceless. Be creative. Artists, labels, and management are receptive to good ideas and reasonable requests -- and not just for listeners. (See my next point.)

Perks for Clients: Don't be afraid to ask for backstage passes for important clients. Creating an unforgettable experience for a client pays dividends both financially and interpersonally. We don't do this enough. Stations in all-sized markets with all-sized audiences can obtain passes -- you just have to ask. (Here's a shameless plug: Your consultant can be helpful here, too!)

New Artist Showcases: I have always encouraged radio and Nashville labels to work together to bring baby acts to the listeners and to smaller venues. When an artist comes to the conference room, host a "Nashville Newcomer" luncheon for your listeners and clients. Bring sponsors by to see these hot new up-and-coming stars. Entertain your listeners, too. It'll be a classic win-win.

Create an Annual Station Event Involving Artists of all Statures: This is one of the best ways to help brand your station. The "10-Man Jam" or station anniversary show will score major points with listeners and can be leveraged into large client buys. The Detroit Downtown Hoedown may be the largest free live country show in America, and it's co-sponsored by WYCD. The Nashville community has been great at working with radio to help make these events happen.

Enter Your Station in CMA/ACM Broadcast Awards Competition: Just being nominated provides you with bragging rights, especially in competitive situations. Having judged both CMA and ACM awards in the past, I know how prestigious both nominations and wins can be. Plus they are great exercises for your staff to gather materials the sales department can then use.

Get Involved: Volunteer to be on the CRS agenda committee or board of directors. The ACM has a radio committee and board as well. Belong to the CMA. Volunteers from all-sized markets are welcome and encouraged to participate. Being involved helps you know where the bodies lie! You'll find out about opportunities your station can take advantage of long before the rest of the world hears about them.

It's a great time to be in Country radio. Enjoy the ride!

Joel Raab is a nationally recognized consultant specializing in Country radio programming and country-related media. www.joelraab.com email: joel@joelraab.com T: 215-750-6868.

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here