Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
With temperatures around the country on this rise, who wants to cook? Dining out or taking out is the way to go.
Continue reading “Radio is on the Menu for Restaurants”Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
With temperatures around the country on this rise, who wants to cook? Dining out or taking out is the way to go.
Continue reading “Radio is on the Menu for Restaurants”Author: Team RAB
As we kick off the July 4th holiday weekend, today’s blog is a little bit different. A celebration of collaboration, creativity, the joy that summer brings and, of course, the power of radio.
Continue reading “A Story About Radio”Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB
Navigating the complex world of attribution is not that complex with new measurement capabilities in play for radio success
There is a misperception in the advertising community that an audio ad’s influence on a consumer’s purchase journey can’t be measured to the same degree as ads that run on digital media. This inaccuracy is grounded in radio’s broadcast nature, which makes attaching a digital pixel for tracking individual listeners from exposure to purchase an impossibility.
Continue reading “If You Can Dream It, Radio Can Measure It”In the seventh episode of the series, you’ll hear the conversation RAB’s Mike Hulvey had with Nicole Ovadia, vice president of forecasting and analysis at BIA Advisory, focusing on BIA’s local advertising forecast and the opportunities she sees available to radio to grow its share of wallet and revenue. Nicole provides a snapshot of what she sees happening in the marketplace in 2024 and broadcasters can drive revenue to their local stations by helping local clients be better marketers and helping them understand changing consumer behavior. Above all, she speaks about radio’s ability to be quick, nimble and responsive to their clients’ needs.
Click Here to watch the interview on our YouTube channel.
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Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
Partnerships are important. Ask anyone who is trying to grow their business, and they will admit that along with their own hard work, the partnerships and relationships they build with both consumers and other businesses has helped their own growth and impact.
Continue reading “Radio is the Perfect Partner”Contributor: Steve Passwaiter, President, Silver Oak Political
Last week, I provided some background into local races. I also focused on the importance of sharing insights and information about radio listeners, dispelling misperceptions about radio and tapping into the creativity that is synonymous with radio. This week it is about execution.
I think I’ve likely given you some definite clues about taking care of executing political advertisers. Armed with solid data about how adding radio to schedules helps increase the advertisers reach to voters, you’ve got a talking point to get someone’s interest. What are you doing to promote that? Radio has multiple platforms to reach listeners AND advertisers. It’s worth using some of those to make the results of this study known in your market.
The one indispensable piece of advice I can provide is the one that is used in the title of this blog: Don’t forget your backyard! Use your local influence; get out and meet the people within an hour’s drive that are going to control millions of local dollars. Get to your state’s capital and introduce yourself to the people that run the political parties at the state level. This is a group of advertisers running a massive one-day sale in November. How can you help them deliver their message to the market? Think about bundling those digital assets they can use, too. (Many are unaware that radio can do that too.)
Remember – you must play the long game in politics. That means that you don’t stop once the election is over. There will be dollars in play in 2025, and the “off” years are not so off any longer. This is a great time to expand relationships and explore new ways of helping.
I once was told by one of my old radio sales managers that the best time to sell is when nothing is happening. He was right about that. You’ll find that political agencies and political contacts will be more likely to hold a meeting with you, especially if you’ve have people that will recommend you. Sales is like politics – it is all about relationships.
As we consider the rest of 2024, pay particular attention to your properties that reach into the African American and Hispanic communities. Political parties will plan to spend not just candidate dollars but, dollars aimed at increasing voter registration and participation in both communities. Recent polling is showing a shift in voter attitudes and that likely translates to each political party having to do more work and spend more money to bring these voters to their side or keep them on their side.
There are local coordinators that are in charge of these efforts and it’s time to get to know them and see what you can do to help them to do their job. The financial rewards are obvious in the short term and the relationships you build are a bonus in the long term – with future election.
Former Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, was credited for saying that “all politics are local.” For radio broadcasters who work hard and who are part of their communities, it’s time to change the rules of engagement. It is time for broadcast radio to reap the shares it deserves in political advertising.
In the 11th episode of Radio on Main Street at the ANA Masters of Marketing, RAB’s Erica Farber chats with Rachel Conforti, senior vice president of marketing at LoopMe, a technology company that uses AI to prove consumer resonance to messaging, gain audience insight, improve advertising outcomes and gain key learnings in real time. Rachel’s perspective on the future of measurement, attribution and AI is thoughtful and meaningful. And LoopMe’s methodology and research has shown that audio delivers and most definitely works.
As a new feature, we are now including a video version of this interview on YouTube. Click here to watch.
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Contributor: Steve Passwaiter, President, Silver Oak Political
We all know it. The projections are everywhere. Political ad experts are estimating spending ranging from $10 to $16 billion during the 2024 political cycle. A sizable portion of that will end up as part of what looks to be a rematch between our current and former president. However, there will be a lot to explore for media sellers in down-ballot races this year. A quick look at some recent races gives us a clue about what has changed and what awaits us.
Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
During CES 2024, companies displayed new technologies and innovations. If you have read or seen anything, the future will be interesting with what will hopefully be available for us. But where do consumers, more importantly radio listeners, fit in? What do they think about the technology available to them in the devices they use?
Continue reading “Technology and Trust”Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
Entering a new year, people will often do something new or make a change to start fresh. What better way to start fresh than to move?
Continue reading “Radio Moves People to New Homes”Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
Here we are. Welcome to the first week of 2024! This first week is when many will start something new. Whether that “new” is exercise, reading more, taking on a new hobby or something else, it is also a good time to remember some of the things from 2023.
Continue reading “Radio Highlights to Kick Off 2024”Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB
The current economic environment and consumer concerns over inflation are challenging marketers and media alike to do more with less in an increasingly complicated and competitive marketplace. Add to that the ongoing threat of another health crisis, the rapid influx of advancing technology, and the multiplicity of events in 2023 and their long tail impact, one thing has remained stable, efficient, results-driven, and a trusted partner to marketers. Radio.
Continue reading “Radio Works to Drive Business Forward”Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
Jewelry is a reflection of a person’s individual style. Whether it is a bracelet, ring or watch, it can be a statement of one’s personality or culture, but it can also be reminiscent of a family member.
Continue reading “Radio Shines for Jewelry Retailers”Author: Victor Texcucano, Content Coordinator, RAB
Stay-at-home orders are but a distant memory in the minds of the average consumer. People are ready to see attractions near and far from their homes. Consumers are ready to relax on the beach, take a trek through the mountains or travel for shopping excursions on Rodeo Drive or on Fifth Avenue. In short, travel is back.
Contributor: Vanessa Lontoc, VP of Marketing, Engagement Labs
In the ever-evolving landscape of media impact, radio emerges as a potent catalyst for brand conversations. The study “Radio Drives Brand Conversations,” commissioned by RAB in partnership with Engagement Labs, dives deep into radio’s role in driving brand discussions and explores its profound influence on purchase intent, societal discourse and the bottom line. In this blog, we dissect key findings and offer actionable recommendations for brands and advertisers looking to harness the untapped potential of radio conversations.
Continue reading “Amplifying Brand Buzz: How Radio Redefines Conversations and Influence“Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
The restaurant industry has had to juggle a few plates in the past few years, and some of that juggling continues today. Inflationary food costs, competition and patron expectations are just some of the challenges restaurants are experiencing.
Continue reading “A Menu of Opportunities Await Restaurants”Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB
The phrase “Think globally, act locally” was popularized by the environmental conservation movement in the 1970s, but it holds relevancy today for marketers looking to drive brand growth. Regardless of the size and scope of a brand, the ultimate point of purchase and consumption is often within a local community.
In a recent CMO Council report based on a survey of more than 140 marketing leaders in B2C and B2B brands, a third of respondents say 40 percent or more of their company’s revenue comes from local business partners. Yet, the report says, less than 30 percent of small businesses have fully recovered from the pandemic. The report underscores national brands’ responsibility to drive local demand to grow revenue and aid the performance of local partners.
Supporting local economies and resonating with people in local communities (i.e., keeping them informed, entertained, and connected) is a fitting definition for radio. As CMOs face pressure to reach profitable goals and are often expected to do more with less, radio can help brands drive local demand and sustainable growth in neighborhoods coast to coast.
Eighty-nine percent of radio listeners believe that one of radio’s primary advantages is its local feel, and appreciation for local content among listeners is on the rise, up 33 percent over the past five years, according to the 2023 Jacobs Media Techsurvey. Couple that with Horizon Media’s finding that 72 percent of adults appreciate brands that try to get to know their local culture and community and using radio becomes an obvious path for brand marketers to drive local engagement and action.
According to a recent Katz Radio Group survey, localizing radio messaging leads to increased attention and impact among listeners. The study tested generic and localized versions of audio advertising for a retailer, insurance brand, and healthcare provider in different geographical areas. The study found that while every ad improved purchase intent, ads that incorporated local elements averaged a 24 percent lift in effectiveness.
The same is true for contextual messaging. When there is synergy between an audio ad and the content, the better the outcome up and down the purchase funnel. Reaching people at the exact right moment and place with relevance and with local nuances can move KPIs.
Arguably, part of the effectiveness of local radio can be attributed to the bond shared between radio’s local on-air influencers and their listeners. “Imagine picking up the phone and calling a friend and chatting twice a month for a few years,” Damon Amendolara, host of The DA Show for CBS Sports Radio, told Barrett Sports Media in a recent interview. “With how much we text today and how infrequent we all actually call one another, a caller to a radio show may actually have a closer bond to you than some of your friends or family. Hearing that person’s voice regularly creates a deep connection.” Brands can leverage these connections in authentic ways for more effective campaigns.
Community engagement and experiential marketing can build strong connections and foster a positive brand image. Arguably, radio pioneered experiential marketing to mass audiences through live, in-market events that provide entertainment and information to local communities. And now that live, in-person events are back following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, brands can leverage the immersive experience of radio-hosted events such as music festivals, fundraisers, and block parties to build relationships, boost demand for local products and services, and, ultimately, drive growth for their local business partners.
Indeed, when brands make the most of what radio offers, the results can exceed expectations. In 2022, Nissan, in collaboration with iHeartMedia, the Black Effect Podcast Network, and popular on-air host and podcaster Charlamagne Tha God, developed a campaign to invite students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to sign up for a groundbreaking mentorship event focused on professions in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The vast majority of HBCU scholars who participated in The Black Effect Podcast Network’s Thrill of Possibility Summit indicated the event met or exceeded their expectations and provided an unforgettable learning experience.
Lanae Jackson, senior manager of multicultural marketing strategy at Nissan, speaking at the 2023 ANA Advancements in Measurement Conference, said the campaign “performed better than they ever could have imagined.” The combination of efforts to promote the Nissan-sponsored event leveraged iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s platforms, including broadcast radio, digital and social media, and podcasts, to not only drive massive lift for the auto brand, which saw a 73 percent increase in upper funnel metrics, including unaided awareness, but also worked to solidify the brand’s commitment to increase Black representation in STEAM-related careers.
The concept of thinking globally and acting locally brings together a brands’ global aspiration with relatable local value.
As consumers continue to seek out local businesses and prefer brands that understand the nuances of their community, brands that drive resonance within these communities and at national scale through the power of their local and national radio partners will undoubtedly achieve sustainable growth.
Contributor: Todd Kalman, SVP of Sales, Marketron
Radio still has plenty of ears listening. The latest listener data highlights that AM/FM radio is the No. 1 mass-reach audio medium, with 91% of Americans age 18 and older listening monthly. Ad-supported radio also wins in share of ear and time spent listening. These are vital metrics demonstrating that radio is still a dominant presence and the best way for many advertisers to connect with audiences.
Continue reading “Radio Is a Powerful Ad Channel Across the Sales Funnel”Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
Since the start of the pandemic, there has been growth among various industries and by-product services. However, when it comes to product categories, one in particular has seen incredible growth – in sales as well as within various products – CBD.
Continue reading “CBD-Infused Skincare – A Growing Category”In the ninth episode of this continuing series, we hear the conversation Erica Farber had with John Rosso, President & CEO of Triton Digital, whose focus is to support the digital aspirations of radio broadcast companies.
As live streaming of broadcast stations continues to grow and podcasts continue to see remarkable audience growth, the majority of radio’s revenue today continues to come from the broadcast side. John feels as an industry it is important that broadcast inventory is available for purchase in the places where people are making their purchasing decisions and more and more that’s sitting in front of a digital demand site platform and currently broadcast inventory in not there. Listen to the entire conversation and understand why John believes this could be transformational for the industry.
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