At Power 106 It's All About The People

1-8-15

It's an anomaly these days. A major radio company, with one station in a major market, succeeding without the back-up of a big cluster sporting a menu of formats. Of course, Jerry Lee comes to mind in Philadelphia (market #8). The man's a legend in our business. In Los Angeles (market #2) Power 106 stands alone for Emmis and CEO Jeff Smulyan cannot heap enough praise on General Manager Val Maki and her team.

Smulyan fielded a question about how the station is doing so well, all by itself out there, after telling investors Power 106 took market share again in Q3. Smulyan credits Maki, her 32 years on the job and the employees who work for her. "They are the best radio station group in the U.S."

Smulyan said, "Val Maki is one of the best managers in America and I'll take all comers on that one. Power 106 is just a great station. Whatever they throw at us there, we're ready. The always humble Maki told Radio Ink last night that the success at Power 106 is all about teamwork. "It's really about the luck and privilege of an opportunity that started before me and that continues due to Emmis? extraordinary operating philosophy and strategy. Add to that the combination of talent, hard work, innovation, and teamwork of a great number of people over the years ? a truly magnificent group of people ? and it's impossible to isolate any one person. I hit the jackpot and I am very glad and grateful that I get to be part of it.

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Power 96 Miami Gets A GSM

10-2-13
She is Shari Gonzalez (pictured) and she takes over the sales effort at Beasley's WPOW-FM in Miami on November 11, reporting to D.O.S. Keriann Worley. Gonzalez's long career includes her most recent position as GSM of CBS Radio?s WPGC-FM in Washington, DC. Worley said, ?Shari rose pretty quickly to the top of the candidate list, separating herself from all other candidates by exuding true passion for the industry, detailing incredible ideas to drive revenue, and radiating a booming personality. We can?t wait for her first day at Power 96; she?s absolutely going to hit the street running!?

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(RADIO'S STORY) The World-Changing Power Of Radio

9-16-2013

I have never understood why, when we talk about radio, we rarely mention the changes in the world affected by the use of radio? Whether it be the Berlin Wall, Apartheid, Communism, Cuba, or a myriad of other world changing events, it was radio that made the difference. We know that the world is a different place today because of the Internet and television, but we may forget about the great changes due to the use of radio.

In the early 1980s, when I worked for McCann Erickson, I was asked to host a group of dignitaries from South Africa who wanted to study commercial radio in America. I was asked to arrange meetings with representatives from a cosmopolitan radio station, a rural radio station, and a political radio station. In the early 80s there were no political stations, only talk radio; and at that time Americans weren?t quite as angry as they have been recently.

I was torn emotionally by this request, as I was not a supporter of Apartheid and was not inclined to help people who promoted a political agenda to which I was deeply opposed. But, as a professional we are not given the choice of imposing our own views on the work we are asked to perform. I sat uncharacteristically still in the meetings, and never spoke or did anything except make the introductions and thanked everyone for their time.

As I listened to these men speak, it became apparent what their mission was. Radio was playing havoc with Apartheid and was changing a world thousands of miles away for the better.

Radio stations were popping up all over the borders of South Africa, radio stations that were sending messages to the people, messages that said ?you can be free,? ?you don?t have to be in a corral at 8 at night,? and ?you have rights.? I listened intently as I heard these men describe the competitive position their ?state-run? radio stations were facing for the first time in their recent history. They came to America to learn how to run their radio stations in a competitive environment. I was listening to history in the making, our world was changing and it was changing for the better; and it was all because of radio. Radio, a simple piece of equipment to build, a piece of equipment so many in our industry built as teenagers in order to play "disc jockey" and play rock and roll music. But, this piece of equipment, the radio, was making the difference in people?s lives and changing the world in front of my eyes.

So, why don?t we tell this story when we talk about radio? Why don?t we tell the world ?Radio makes a difference?? Why don?t we show the advertisers the effect radio has on the listener? We need to tell the story of Apartheid, Communism, the Berlin Wall, and the important world-changing events that were implemented, affected, or altered significantly by radio and radio?s ability to put communication in the hands of the common man.

I am proud to be in the business of radio, it makes a difference and in a good way. Let?s start telling the true story people need to hear, the world is a better place because of radio.

Lisa Miller is the President of Miller Broadcast Management in Chicago. She's also one of Radio Ink's Most Influential Women in Radio. Miller can be reached at Lisa@millerbroadcast.com or 312-454-1111.

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Pittman Tops Radio's Power List Again

7-16-13

He's never held any other position on our list of Most Powerful People in Radio. For the third consecutive year, Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman has been named the Most Powerful Person in Radio. Not only is Bob Pittman leading America?s largest radio company, he is radio?s self appointed evangelist. Radio Ink Publisher Eric Rhoads says, "Bob Pittman is transforming Clear Channel and as a result, impacting all of radio. His influence ripples throughout the industry with every new innovation and decision." Pittman knows how to build enthusiasm and followers for his compelling message about radio. His pitch and his commanding personality have made him the master of communicating radio?s ?Gospel according to Pittman.? The most anticipated issue of Radio Ink Magazine, identifying the 40 Most Powerful People in Radio, is now making its way across the country to subscribers. Here is some of our interview with the person who wields much of that power.

Glassnote Records CEO Daniel Glass says of his friend Bob Pittman, ?I think he?s a leader. I think he sets the tone. He?s exciting, progressive. If you look at what he does with his events and the excitement of them, I think he is a lightning rod for attention, because he loves it. I think he really loves radio, deep down. He loves local radio and he loves national radio. I think what he set out to do a few years ago, when he came back to Clear Channel, was to make it friendly, to make it cool, make it progressive, give it a zip, build those bridges again ? as evidenced by, twice a year, we are invited into an open forum as an independent label to play our music in front of everyone, and they bring programmers in from all over the country. He was a broadcaster; he was a radio guy. I think he really respects DJs. When he walks in to work, people in the radio business know he?s one of them. He gives his people a lot of freedom, a lot of leeway. I am also very impressed with the team he has assembled. There is no doubt that he?s the guy.?

Pittman's advice to everyone in the industry, would be to recognize how important radio is. "We take our success for granted. TV is America?s hobby, and people treat those programs like they do their hobby. But radio is America?s companion. I think that it is a much more powerful medium. It may not be something that people consciously think of, like they do the new Game of Thrones episode, or who was slaughtered this week on Game of Thrones, but if you stop and figure out what you did today, and what you interacted with, radio is at the absolute epicenter of what we do and who we are. If we would, for one second, just pause and realize how important we are to the consumer, and therefore how important we are to advertisers, that would probably cause us, first, to feel better about programming radio. We would be a lot more excited about what we are doing every day. And second, it would also probably cause us to be confident in selling it to advertisers, because we would be certain that we are offering them a valuable service that they don?t have if they are not using radio,
or not using enough radio.

Though anyone leading Clear Channel will be subject to criticism, Pittman has been changing the dynamic for the debt-saddled company, and for all of radio, by personally opening doors and meeting with CEOs from America?s top brands. Others may not get their calls returned, but when Pittman calls, meetings happen.  and he knows he can?t grow Clear Channel without growing the radio industry as a whole. So radio has become his topic, from that bully pulpit atop radio?s biggest player. Some even see him as the industry?s savior.

To order a copy of the 2013 40 Most Powerful People in Radio issue of Radio Ink ($10.00) call 561-655-8778.
To subscribe to Radio Ink (20 issues) for one year and receive this issue on your digital device ($49.00) today Go HERE

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(SOCIAL) Turn Social Video Into Listener Power

7-17-2013

If you have read my columns on radio and social media, you know that I am a firm believer that you need to be constantly visual to gain access to the attention of a lot of eyes across all social media platforms. Today we focus on video. After all, radio has so many video-based opportunities. There is absolutely no reason that your morning shows should not be very pro-video in their social media content and no personality on the radio should be left behind when it comes to being social media active with local listeners. So, let?s talk about how to develop a pro-video social media strategy.

1. Recognize that people are much more engaged visually than with the spoken word. Why do you think Google purchased YouTube? It was because of fear that people would stop using words (yes,that is for real) and they wanted to have a search engine that was not based upon words.  That bet has paid off for Google. If the recognition of the visual over words in content is good enough for Google, it should be good enough for your local radio station and personalities.

2. Let go of your fear over putting video up-front in much of your social media engagement. While I hope you will recognize my strong recommendation that you balance content and content delivery in social media (that comes from having an actual well-defined social media strategy with goals for the radio station), many broadcasters (this includes morning show talents and other personalities) have fear of using video regularly with listeners. What if it doesn?t look professional? What if I do it wrong? You must learn that letting go of this fear is the actual path to really having fun in social media and engaging your audience with easy-to-make video that will work in attracting the people in your market you want to have listening to your station and engaging you in social media. That?s that job here and it doesn?t have to be perfect or professional. People respond to imperfect people (like themselves).

3.  People read content or watch video to be entertained or to learn something or to be a part of something. They also share things that make them look smart or ?in the know.? Recognize this and build your video content around these things and you will be successful.

4. Regularly seek information on what is trending in online searches in your market. After all, knowing the "hot buttons" will help you better create content that puts you at the top of what your audience is looking for in the first place. This should be done continuously.

5. Your morning show and other high-profile personalities should link their videos to their blogs (they have a blog, right?), to your website, and to your social media assets (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). After all, you want to create a larger and larger local audience for your videos. Promoting the content is the key to driving your participation numbers higher.

6. Use Twitter to post your link for your content. If it is more evergreen content, you should think about posting the link 10 to 12 times in the first 48 hours over a variety of hours to maximize the ?pull.? 

7. I do also recommend that you include a call to action on or inside your videos to join your ?(radio station) loyal listener email to get more fun and free benefits.? You may not always get huge sign-up, but you will build traction over time and participation builds real familiarity and that builds real value if you focus especially on number 1, 4, 5, and 6 and above. After all, if this is a part of your overall content plan on social media, you will create a path to build real value regularly for these listeners. That?s real engagement.

8. Include your best videos in your monthly loyal listener email. This allows maximum coverage with high-participators who are likely to send your content to others.

Local ?listeners? on Facebook or Twitter or another social media platform are not just going to experience a video or your other social media content and immediately react to you by becoming a loyal listener of your brand. This is not advertising. It is targeting listeners that best match up with your brand in social media and giving them content that entertains, educates, and creates community they want to be a part of over time. That?s the real key. Social media offers you opportunity to engage and then influence them to become a part of the ?culture? you are encouraging at your brand.

Finally, here is a message for every morning show personality or other high-profile personality on radio today:  We?re halfway through 2013. This is the time for all personalities on radio to really develop deep, penetrating engagement in local social media within your market (no matter who you are). If your radio station doesn?t have a plan, you certainly should. This is the path to developing your own future so that you will have real career growth and value to other employers. Learn to excel with social media content and you will be learning to be more successful to meet the challenges of the future, connectivity, and loyalty with local listeners. That makes you a winner.

Good luck!
Loyd Ford is the direct marketing, ratings and social media strategist for Americalist and has programmed very successful radio brands in markets of all sizes, including KRMD AM & FM in Shreveport, WSSL and WMYI in Greenville, WKKT in Charlotte and WBEE in Rochester, NY. Learn more about Loyd here:  http://about. me/loydford. Get his radio-social media content sent directly to your smart phone or email for free here:  www. rainmakerpathway. wordpress. com. Reach out to Loyd via e-mail HERE.  Visit his Facebook radio social media page HERE.

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Salem Communications CEO Ed Atsinger is Christian Conservative Power

7-10-13

Ed Atsinger has been on Radio Ink's 40 Most Powerful People in Radio list for 17 years. That will be no different when the 2013 issue, and Atsinger's position on our list, are revealed next week. Salem Communications has a corner on the conservative Christian market. With nearly 100 stations pumping out $165 million in revenue, Atsinger and company are superserving its target audience, and no one has been able to compete in Salem?s particular arena. Here's a sneak preview of what Atsinger says about the radio industry in our power issue.

Ed Atsinger has been CEO, a director of the company, and a director of each of the company?s subsidiaries since Salem?s inception and was president from its launch through June 2007. He?s been engaged in the ownership and operation of radio stations since 1969, and has been a member of the board of directors of the National Religious Broadcasters for a number of years; he was re-elected to a new three-year term on the NRB board in February. He?s been a member of the NAB board since 2008.

Atsinger believes radio has not been able to tell a better story for two primary reasons, ?First,? he says, ?the sheer magnitude of technological developments impacting audio and video entertainment ? whether it be the creation of new audio platforms, complementary video platforms, or the technological evolution of existing platforms ? has so monopolized the popular imagination and so dominated the news media that there has been little room left to promote the impact and effectiveness of free, local, over-the-air terrestrial radio. Second, that same rapidity of technological development has presented a major challenge to the radio industry in terms of the emergence of a coherent industry consensus about that ?better story.??

Atsiner says ?Radio does have a better story.' In our 40 Most Powerful Pople in Radio issue, which you can order HERE, Atsinger summarizes his points in five bullet points. Here are two of those five:

?The automobile continues to be the number one location where audio content is consumed, and in spite of all of the technologically sophisticated talk of the ?wired dashboard,? safety, simplicity of use, local information, and being free of all costs, including bandwidth, will likely ensure radio?s prominence.

?In spite of online audio competition having a minor impact on time spent listening, terrestrial radio, with its 93 percent reach, is more effective today because the digital revolution allows terrestrial radio to more fully exploit its inherent advantages of being free, live, and local with enormously expanded interactive capability. This provides a richer experience for our audiences and improved accountability for our advertisers.

Salem owns the Salem Radio Network, which syndicates both secular and religious talk and news and Christian music to 2,000 affiliates; Salem Radio Representatives, a national radio advertising sales force; Salem Web Network, a leading Internet provider of Christian content and online streaming; and Salem Publishing, a leading publisher of Christian-themed magazines. Salem owns and operates 60 stations in the nation?s top 25 markets, with 29 in the top 10. And over the past year, it?s been gobbling up digital properties like Godvine.com and SermonSpice.com and has launched the all-new ChristianRadio.com.

To see what else Atsinger - and everyone on our Power List - has to say, subscribe to Radio Ink in time to receive the Top 40 Issue  delivered to your home or downloaded to your device.

(7/10/2013 6:45:55 AM)
I've known Ed and his brother-in-law, Stu Epperson, for 34 years. The wise counsel they offer their employees behind the scenes is deeply touching. If all employers related to their employees in the manner of Ed and Stu, I believe we would be a happier nation. Knowing Ed, I'm sure he's embarrassed by the headline, "Ed Atsinger is...Power." In their private lives, these guys do nothing that would indicate, "I have power." They're even gracious and kind to really bad waiters in restaurants.

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(SALES MANAGEMENT)The REAL Power Of Local.

5-22-2013

First, in order for radio to sell more advertisers, radio has to prove radio gets results -- shamefully radio?s most unsold and unmarketed ?story.? And for a very simple reason: Getting results for advertisers is not a priority among radio?s largest companies.

It?s all about cash flow, cash flow, and more cash flow. Imagine if we sold and marketed radio today as advertising?s only ad medium ?Famous for Getting Results? (no ad medium has ever made that claim!); how business would be today if industry leaders of the past had the foresight to make that a reality? Yet today, dollar-for-dollar, local radio does get better results than any other ad medium. Can?t compete with higher-rated stations and/or clusters in your market? The hell you can?t! Getting results blows away all other considerations including ratings! The first station in your market to become ?famous? for getting results, wins! Then, it?s all about marketing.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
___ !ncreased leads!
___ !ncreased rentals!
___ !ncreased turnover!
___ !ncreased deposits!
___ !ncreased cash flow!
___ !ncreased credibility!
___ !ncreased enrollment!
___ !ncreased table turns!
___ !ncreased case sales!
___ !ncreased awareness!
___ !ncreased stock turns!
___ !ncreased ticket sales!
___ !ncreased store traffic!
___ !ncreased co-op sales!
___ !ncreased market share!
___ !ncreased subscriptions!
___ !ncreased memberships!
___ !ncreased profits-per-unit!
___ !ncreased customer base!
___ !ncreased big ticket sales!
___ !ncreased weekend sales!
___ !ncreased vendor support!
___ !ncreased storewide sales!
___ !ncreased catalogue sales!
___ !ncreased repeat business!
___ !ncreased accessory sales!
___ !ncreased interactive sales!
___ !ncreased occupancy rates!
___ !ncreased same-store sales!
___ !ncreased department sales!
___ !ncreased fifth season sales!
___ !ncreased promotional sales!
___ !ncreased sales of new lines!
___ !ncreased private label sales!
___ !ncreased regular price sales!
___ !ncreased ?loss leader? sales!
___ !ncreased average ticket sale!
___ !ncreased special event sales!
___ !ncreased sales of new brands!
___ !ncreased national brand sales!
___ !ncreased sales per square foot!
___ !ncreased sales of special items!
___ !ncreased sales of new fashions!
___ !ncreased postal code penetration!
___ !ncreased mail and/or phone sales!
___ !ncreased beginning-of-week sales!
___ !ncreased leased department sales!
___ !ncreased perception among voters!   
___ !ncreased sales of advertised items!
___ !ncreased trendy merchandise sales!
___ !ncreased number of website visitors!
___ !ncreased number of credit applications!
___ !ncreased sales of higher margin goods!
___ !ncreased value of the company's brand!
___ !ncreased sales of seasonal merchandise!
___ !ncreased signs of the store's "buzz" appeal!
___ !ncreased sales of overstocked merchandise!
___ !ncreased customer satisfaction survey results!
___ !ncreased attention from the financial community!
___ !ncreased customer data base via credit card applications!
___ !ncreased success countering competitive price comparisons!
___ !ncreased success in getting more floor planning money back!          
___ !ncreased special market sales (military/ethnic/college/global)!
___ !ncreased sales over last year's weakest sales months and weeks!
___ !ncreased spillover sales (sales priced item + additional purchases)!

Dave Gifford has been helping salespeople and sales managers improve their skills for decades. Send a message to Giff here: talkgiff@earthlink.net

(5/22/2013 5:00:18 PM)
Stellar article, Dave. I had no idea of how many aspects of a retailer's business we could enhance. I'm getting tingles. :)

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New Comprehensive Research Confirms Power Of Radio

5-10-13

For what seems like years now, radio executives have been saying "We need to tell a better story." It was almost as if everyone wanted more information about the power of radio but nobody was willing to go out and produce that information. Until now. Clear Channel says it partnered with Latitude Research and OpenMind Strategy on comprehensive research that concludes radio remains very popular across multiple platforms. And the research says several key groups ? including millennials and generation Z ? remain especially attached to radio, finding it ?trustworthy,? ?human,? and ?relate-able?

The study, called "The State of Listening in America," is also in line with what Arbitron has been saying for several years. According to the research, 92 percent of Americans regularly tune in to AM/FM radio and much of this listening happens at or near a place of purchase ? radio?s significant and ?unique selling proposition.? Additionally, 85 percent of listeners feel radio is more accessible than ever, which demonstrates that digital media has fueled category growth and expanded radio?s accessibility and relevancy.

The study also says listeners enjoy connecting with their favorite stations and on-air personalities via social media. And a majority of listeners view on-air personalities as local celebrities and reported that DJs engage listeners regularly on both digital and broadcast platforms. ?It?s gone from calling in [to the station], to texting, to Twitter,? said one participant. ?It keeps getting easier? [to be part of the radio station?s community].

Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman said, ?This research confirms that radio?s reach and appeal remain strong regardless of the platform, geography, ethnicity, or age group. American listeners ? particularly younger generations ? feel a strong connection to their favorite on-air radio personalities ? which is made stronger by social media ? in a way that isn?t replicated by other media.? Listeners also revealed that they prefer on-air advertising that is creative, humorous, leverages on-air talent and is generally 'more like radio'.?
Clear Channel partnered with Latitude Research and OpenMind to survey more than one thousand respondents. Dr. Radha Subramanyam, EVP, Insights, Research and Analytics at CCM+E said, ?This is the first time the industry has looked so closely at the state of audio in America today. The study represents a major step forward in understanding how hundreds of millions of Americans engage with radio and audio content and advertising every day.?

The report also includes insights gleaned from live focus groups, ethnographies, and journals from Americans across the country. Here are some of the highlights from the study:

? 92 percent of all respondents listen to radio at least once a week.
? 69 percent agree ?streaming services do not replace radio.?
? 80 percent say radio is helpful in discovering new artists or songs.
? 82 percent say the first thing they do when they get in a car is turn on the radio.
? 66 percent agree that their favorite radio stations reflect who they are as a person.
? 78 percent agree that radio has the power to make a difference in the community and 72 percent believe radio is more community-oriented than TV.
? 85 percent say radio is more accessible than at any time before and 78 percent say they can access radio anywhere.
? Radio advertising is viewed more positively than ads on TV, Internet, and mobile apps.
? 72 percent believe that radio feels more ?human? than the Internet and 65 percent believe it is more ?personal? than TV.
? 71 percent say radio is a part of their daily routine.

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(TALENT) Muuusic Power – Gone

4-2-2013

During a recent drive to one of my out-of-town gigs, I had another opportunity to spin the dial and listen for what was going on in a number of small and medium markets outside  Toronto. As, over time, I have learned to expect very little, I wasn?t terribly disappointed. Modern, music radio everywhere continues to be as contemporary as a cassette and as appealing as the no-name brand of ?Cardboard-In-A-Can.?

Senior radio folks may recall when radio had a ?figure-four leg lock? on their target audiences. Many stations targeted everybody by offering ?block programming? ? an hour or so of Country, multiple hours of MOR (middle of the road), evenings of rock ?n roll with a ?candlelight and wine? equivalency stuck in there somewhere at night. And? they pulled it off! If someone wanted to hear some tunes, they either bought them or they got them from the radio. We had our audiences herded into pens; fish were jumpin? and the cotton was high.

As a jock, all I really wanted to do was rock out ? ?talk dirty an? play the hits.? Still, the experience of approaching and attempting to communicate to audiences other than my peers was invaluable. I actually did gain some appreciation for music to which I was not naturally predisposed. Yes, I actually introduced Buck Owens and The Buckaroos as well as ?the twin piano magic of Ferrante and Teicher.? (I still love their rendition of ?Exodus? and so many others. Really.)

A few of us ? and our organizations ? are continuously making transitions to more contemporary times, modes and approaches. Radio is not one of those. To the contrary, where some stations desperately cling to the old forms by day-parting their playlists, others have given up altogether and just roll the music through in the hope that audiences will be impressed with non-stop tunery and may not punch-out for some other station?s offerings of the same thing. (We are now also aware of a Florida station that has turned the playlist over to an online audience. The technical term for this practice is: ?surrender.? I could offer other examples.)

There was a time when a station?s declaration of ?Muuusic Power? actually had an impact. But then, Stevie Wonder started sporting some facial hair. After that, stations still just kept on brandishing the same forms of braggadocio. They haven?t let up since.

Given the proliferation of signals, the necessity to carve up a generic music approach into ever-tightened niches has made stations? potential at reaching large and diverse audiences non-starters ? even as fantasy. This is the case. But it doesn?t have to be the case.

As we already know, choosing any music format is no more than a general, demographic, targeting strategy. And that is where we stopped. We have to continue making outrageous claims ? with an expectation they will be accepted like sweet nectar. ?Buffalo Groin, Montana?s Best and Most Music.? ?The Greatest Hits of All Time.? A listener could legitimately wonder: According to whom? Compared to what? When? These are worthy inquiries. But, we?re in radio. So, we don?t actually pay much attention to what we say on the radio. We just keep on saying what we have always said ? in just the same ways we have always said it.

Even when Top 40 radio had a monopoly on the younger demos, programmers were ? for a few years anyway ? aware that the tunes were not enough. Even ?The Hits? were not universally enjoyed and cherished. Top 40 was not a rock n? roll format ? it was a ?pop? format that included rock cuts ? heavily day-parted rock, it must be noted. The accepted reality was one in which programmers required the skills and appeal of on-air personalities in order to make much of the music at least tolerable enough for an audience to stick around. For the time it lasted, radio had a great one-two punch ? tunes and talent!

Indeed, programmers were well aware that personalities were essential to supporting the format. Strong, intelligent, witty, sardonic, politically and socially aware personalities were available in greater numbers than there has ever been since.

For the sake of accuracy, these personalities were not as pervasive as many might remember. Nor did the phenomena last for all that long. By the time the ?Drake? format hit, and was then poorly cloned and bastardized by less-than-competent PDs, the shutdown had already begun. Little by little the personalities ? and their incomes ? were being culled out of the stations in favor of music-intensive programming. And, to be fair, it worked ? for a while.

Now music radio finds itself in a situation where the music is no longer monopolized by radio. And without letting any cats out of the bag, our appreciation as an extraordinary and unique advertising medium has also slid off the charts. Plus, since most of the talent has already been carted away a long time ago, there is little relief from that department.

Radio no longer has either the power of the music or the power of the personalities. Barely tolerable (sometimes) tunes and even less tolerable syndicated programming or voice-tracked breaks make a mockery of what could still be a dynamic and ?live? medium. Yet, those people who are still working ?live? are, for the most part, so weak in their presentations as to be an embarrassment to the stations they represent and an insult to the audiences they are supposedly trying to reach.

To regain any credibility, radio must re-train its on-air and creative staffs. This is not a suggestion to take a ride on Peabody?s ?Way Back Machine.? It is, rather, an admonition for music radio to get skilled, get contemporary, get real and go ?live.?

Ronald T. Robinson has been involved in Canadian Radio since the '60s as a performer, writer and coach and has trained and certified as a personal counsellor. Ron makes the assertion that the most important communicative aspects of broadcasting, as they relate to Talent and Creative, have yet to be addressed. Check out his website www.voicetalentguy.com

(2/4/2013 3:08:11 PM)
Perhaps I might have also added "... and get 'local'" in the piece. But then, maybe I shouldn't have to.

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Beasley's Power 96 Miami Launches New Morning Show.

5-29-2012

WPOW-FM launched a new Morning Show Tuesday featuring Afrika, Big Lip and JP. Afrika and Big Lip are already part of the Morning Show team and are welcoming JP to morning drive from nights where, for the past six years, he hosted Power 96?s number-one rated nighttime show. A Miami native, JP was raised on South Beach and lives and breathes the Miami lifestyle. ?I grew up in South Florida listening to Power 96,? says JP, ?to have this amazing opportunity to host mornings on Power 96 is both a dream and an honor.?

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FCC Unveils Low Power FM Channel Finder Tool

4-13-2012

The Media Bureau has announced that its updated Low Power FM (LPFM) Channel Finder search tool is now available at http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/low-power-fm-lpfm-channel-finder. Users enter NAD 27 latitude and longitude coordinates of a potential transmitter site into the tool. Surveyors are often retained by applicants to help them determine precise coordinates.

The tool allows potential applicants with the means to tentatively identify FM broadcast channels available in their area. The viability of search results are contingent on such factors as terrain and interference from other stations, even those some distance away. Other issues that can limit radio station transmitter site options, such as zoning laws and environmental considerations, also need to be taken into account.

For more information about the LPFM Channel Finder search tool, contact James Bradshaw or Jorden Brinn, Audio Division, Media Bureau, at (202) 418-2700.

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(PROGRAMMING) - The Power of Local Greatness

2-7-2012

(by Buzz Knight) One of our strongest assets in the radio industry is understanding and maximizing the power of local greatness. As we observe challenges in a disruptive climate that our content faces, I?m convinced that realizing what our local assets are and growing their importance within our culture is a big step in the right direction. Here are some idea starters with a bit of a different approach that might benefit all of us in the weeks and months ahead.

For the purpose of my deep dive into the importance of local, allow me to use Santarpio?s Pizza, a landmark restaurant in East Boston is an illustration. They were established in 1903 as a bakery and began serving their delectable pizza in 1933 to the delight of locals an out of towners.
RADIO LESSON NUMBER ONE
As we seek to always improve our local greatness, force your staff to get out of the building and reacquaint themselves with local iconic brands. It?s not only an exercise that?s fun, but it will give you a deeper connection to your market and to the local flavor. The rest of my radio take away points come from enjoying the Santarpio?s experience.

RADIO LESSON NUMBER TWO
Keep your brand pure.
Even though the recipe is a guarded secret the key secret is fresh and pure ingredients.
Nothing store bought?all fresh!

RADIO LESSON NUMBER THREE
Guard your secret! I witnessed a pretty funny event when I was recently at Santarpio?s, when a customer wandered mistakenly into the kitchen and the speed with which they were steered by the staff to their original destination (the bathroom).  It was incredible.
RADIO LESSON NUMBER FOUR
Hire original characters to do the job. At Santarpio?s, Lefty the bartender has been employed there for 42 years. If you were casting a movie in East Boston, you?d have to have Lefty because he?s authentic.

RADIO LESSON NUMBER FIVE
Your staff has to be connected, focused and motivated. The staff at Santarpio?s is a family and it?s totally obvious. The cohesion that exists within a local iconic restaurant is a marvel to watch and something radio stations should emulate.

In summary, take stock of your local market and force your staff to do the same. Sometimes when you live in a market, you take for granted the areas of local importance that you can learn from and positively embrace. 

Buzz Knight is the Vice President of Program Development for Greater Media and he can be reached at bknight@greatermediaboston.com. Knight was named among ?Best Programmers? by Radio Ink Magazine in 2007 and 2010. He has served on the programming subcommittee of the National Association of Broadcasters(NAB) and is currently a member of the Arbitron Radio Advisory Council and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) COLRAM Committee.

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Katz Creates Power of Sound Presentation

According to Katz Marketing Solutions President Bob McCurdy (pictured) the presentation was created to highlight the many ways that  sound  influences our attitudes, our behavior and our purchases. "Too many within the ad world have lost sight of the fact that sound truly motivates and is deserving of more respect than its currently being given. Most commercial communication is visual but sound, when properly used, is as powerful as anything visual. In fact it can be often more powerful. Our brain is the ultimate screen and what we hear greatly impacts what we see in our minds."

McCurdy says anyone who devotes 5-10 minutes a day for a week and then takes the time to really master this information would become more effective in communicating the incredible power of the radio medium. "Sound is what we?re selling in radio and anything we can do to understand how it impacts us on a conscious and unconscious level will enable us to represent the medium more effectively. So much of what we hear goes into our subconscious but that doesn?t mean it is not influencing what we do, think and how we act. We felt it was time to bring the subconscious power of sound into our conscious. The Human Response section really brings this to life. It?s also curious to see how different marketers use sound to sell and communicate values about their own products yet often neglect to use sounds, i.e. radio when marketing these products."

Take a look at the Power of Sound HERE. If anyone has any thoughts as to how this presentation might be  refined or if we missed any great ?sound? examples let us know: bob.mccurdy@katz-solutions.com

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