Contributor: Dr. Leo Kivijarv, EVP/Research, PQ Media
Last week’s post focused on the 20 unknowns of this year’s political cycle. This week, the focus will be on political media buying, trends and broadcast radio’s role and opportunities.
Continue reading “Elections 2024: Initial Projections for 2024 Political Media Buying“Highlights of the Data & Trends from PQ Media’s preliminary Political Media Buying 2024
Contributor: Dr. Leo Kivijarv, EVP/Research, PQ Media
For the seventh time since 2012, PQ Media is sharing its outlook on political media buying from its election cycle report with RAB members. During a recent presentation, I noted how this election cycle differs significantly from every previous cycle due to a plethora of unanswered questions that still exist. Some of these questions come seven months before the elections, which for this blog I’m calling the Great Unknowns – there are 20. That’s how unpredictable this year’s election cycle has become in determining how much will be spent by candidates, political action groups (PACs) and advocacy groups promoting or objecting to a ballot referendum.
Continue reading “Elections 2024: The Great Unknowns“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.
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
Political views and interests by Americans have been the topic of many news articles and stories. Yet, how Americans view their state and local governments has been favorable. According to a Pew Research survey in 2022, 66% of American adults have a favorable view of their local government, and 54% have a favorable view of their state government.
Continue reading “Radio Works for Local and State Government Agencies”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“Contributor: Leo Kivijarv, Ph.D., Executive Vice President & Director of Research of PQ Media
Since 2012, PQ Media has been offering opinions and data to the Radio Advertising Bureau during federal elections, and PQ Media has been publishing political media buying estimates since the 2004 elections, with 2022 being the 10th election cycle analyzed. This is part two of our analysis.
Continue reading “Political Media Buying 2022: Where is Maxwell Smart When You Need Him as 2022 Political Landscape in Chaos! Part Two – Political Media Buying to Reach $10.2 Billion in 2022”Contributor: Meg DiMattina, Account Director/Claritas
With so much happening in the United States over the last several years, from concerns about the economy and inflation, rising healthcare costs, the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in abortion rights, and more, it is understandable that many Americans are dissatisfied and feel that the country needs major changes.
Continue reading “Radio – A Key Channel to Target Voters”
Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
In less than a month, Americans from all walks of life will use the opportunity to make their voices heard. They will vote.
To say that this election will be like no other would be a great understatement. While campaign advertising started early, over the next few weeks, the airwaves will be inundated with information, facts and promises to influence and sway voters. During this emotionally charged year, connecting personally will be vital to the success of a candidate’s campaign. No other medium connects and engages personally more than broadcast radio.
Contributor: Stephanie Digeon-Heath , Client Services, The Media Audit
On November 3, 2020, Americans will head to the poll and decide whether to reelect Trump or whether to elect former Vice President Biden as president. For loyal supporters of either candidate, their minds are most likely made-up. However, this may not be true for all Independents. Independents are thus considered pivotal voters. “Presidential general elections are generally determined by two factors: the size and relative enthusiasm of each major party’s base, and which way the swing voters in the middle go,” said Charlie Cook, a political analyst and founder of The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan online newsletter. The closer the race, the more pivotal Independents voters become.
Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
February is Black History Month, also known as African American Month. It celebrates and recognizes the roles that African Americans have played in shaping U.S. history. Originally established as Black History Week by American historian Carter G. Woodson, it was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1976.
As consumers, African Americans have a buying power of $1.3 trillion and are 47.8 million strong. They are socially active – as end-users as well as influencers. They also spend more time with media across devices – specifically radio, than the U.S. population in general.
Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
Although the New Year is only entering its second week, one thing is certain. The ad spending of political candidates is just starting to rev up as they each work to reach their constituency. Political ad spending forecasts continue to rise.
As candidates and PACs strategize and plan their campaign efforts, media options can deliver different types of voters – strictly voters or political activists.
Continue reading “Strictly Voters and Political Activists Are Listening”
This week we are bringing back one of the best of the year podcasts. With the election season heating up we didn’t want you to miss this one.
In this edition, Erica Farber, President and CEO of the RAB speaks with Steve Passwaiter, VP & GM at Kantar Media/CMAG where he has oversight of the Political Ad Intelligence unit.
Political messages are looking to make connections with those “narrow slices of persuadables” in the most efficient manner possible. Radio has a strong case to make but our marching orders are clear that we need more “feet on the street”.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Contributors: Brad C. Deutsch, Principal, Foster Garvey, P.C. and Benjamin J. Lambiotte, Principal, Foster Garvey, P.C.
Just as the 2020 federal election campaign shifts into high gear, on October 16, 2019, the Federal Communications Commission issued two significant orders “clarifying” broadcasters’ political public file obligations in response to complaints filed against several stations. In both orders, the Commission made it very clear that it is station licensees – and not political ad sponsors or their ad buyers – who are responsible for ascertaining, collecting, and uploading in a timely manner to the FCC online political public file, all the information required by Section 315(e) of the Communications Act and the FCC’s political broadcasting rules.
Contributor: Leo Kivijarv, Ph.D., Executive Vice President & Director of Research, PQ Media
In June, PQ Media projected that political media buying could exceed $8 billion in 2020, possibly as high as $8.5 billion. In Part 2 of the blog post, PQ Media reviews recent issues, events and state of the economy and provides insights into the 2020 political ad forecast.
Continue reading “Where Does Radio Fit in the 2020 Elections? – Update”
Contributor: Leo Kivijarv, Ph.D., Executive Vice President & Director of Research, PQ Media
In June, I posted two RAB blog posts regarding the upcoming 2020 elections. I stated that PQ Media is forecasting $8.33 billion is going to be spent by candidates and their PACs, as well as by special interest groups supporting/not supporting ballot initiatives or referendums. Radio was predicted to do well, fueled by candidates targeting multicultural audiences.
Continue reading “Political Media Buying 2020: Still Way Too Early Prediction”
Contributor: Leo Kivijarv, Ph.D., Executive Vice President & Director of Research, PQ Media
Just to recap, based on previous elections, PQ Media projects that political media buying could exceed $8 billion in 2020, possibly as high as $8.5 billion. Monies have already been spent in 2019 that exceed 2015 figures, particularly on marketing services like public relations, direct marketing, telemarketing, promotional products, experiential marketing and market research.
Continue reading “Political Media Buying 2020: “Where Does Radio Fit?””
Contributor: Leo Kivijarv, Ph.D., Executive Vice President & Director of Research, PQ Media
When the Radio Advertising Bureau reached out to PQ Media a few months ago to continue our tradition of prognosticating political media buying, this time for 2020, I felt like the football and basketball reporters at ESPN and Sports Illustrated who release a Top 25 poll for the following season the day after the FBS Championship and Final Four. It’s too early to predict with so many unknowns, particularly given the political discourse of the past days, weeks and months. But I’ll give it my best shot, based on previous election trends.
Continue reading “Political Media Buying 2020: Way Too Early Prediction in June 2019”
Authors: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB & Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by. Right now all of us are working toward our resolutions for 2019 — both personal and professional — as well as remembering the numerous highlights of 2018.
Contributor: Leo Kivijarv, Ph.D., Executive Vice President & Director of Research of PQ Media
Similar to 2016, the use of past trends to predict the outcome of an election that have been applicable for decades are now void. Thus, “it’s about the economy, stupid,” coined by Democratic strategist James Carville during the 1992 Bush-Clinton presidential election, should have been important in the 2018 election – it is not. Although the economy strengthened during the summer, which normally is an indication that the incumbent party will maintain control, the Republican Party continued its downward spiral during that period. It was not uncommon over the past three months to look at polls, and subsequent political forecasting websites each week, and find a House, Senate and/or gubernatorial seat considered safe in July had shifted to being likely, leaning or tilting Republican, which meant that the lead over the Democratic candidate had shrunk substantially. Furthermore, too many Republican seats that were likely, leaning or titling Republican in July have become toss-ups, while other Republican seats that were toss-ups in July shifted to likely, leaning or tilting Democratic. For example, one political forecaster switched 11 Republican safe seats in July to likely, leaning or tilting Republican in September. Another forecaster expanded the number of toss-ups from 24 to 30 seats during that period, with the Republicans bearing all the bad news. It should be noted that it wasn’t six new Republican seats that became toss-ups – it was more – as numerous toss-ups in July are likely, leaning, and tilting Democratic in September. Meanwhile, the Democratic party gleefully watched some of the Democratic toss-up seats become likely, leaning or tilting Democratic, as well as likely, leaning or titling Democratic seats in July that are now safe seats in September.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room once more – control of Congress. Have the odds changed dramatically during the last three months that will allow the Democrats to regain the majority in both the Senate and House? Has the addition of new candidates, once thought safe, resulted in candidates and SuperPacs raising more money? If the answer is yes to the previous question, are there certain media platforms that will benefit from the rise in political media buying?
Continue reading “Political Media Buying 2018: Late September Update – Where Does Radio Fit?”
