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Radio on Main Street Podcast Featuring Christina Albee, CMO at Cumulus Media

A Chief Marketing Officer, also known as a CMO is a c-level corporate executive responsible for activities in an organization that have to do with creating, communicating and delivery offerings that provide value for customers and clients. At Cumulus Media that go-to person is Christina Albee.

Erica Farber, President & CEO of the RAB talks with Christina about the challenges of balancing her time between the company’s significant national initiatives with the local connections of over 446 owned and operated radio stations in 90 markets across the country.

Digital Integration Pays Big Dividends For Radio

Author: Dave Casper, RAB/SVP Digital

“Digital has been integrated into all facets of broadcast radio’s offering both in programming and sales, and the results are definitely paying off,” stated Erica Farber, President and CEO, RAB.  “As radio continues to provide integrated marketing solutions to its advertisers we expect to see continued growth.”

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Radio on Main Street Podcast Featuring Current MIW spokesperson Denyse Mesnik, President of The Mesnik Group

The MIW group consists of top level women across the county who volunteer their time to use their influence and resources to support women in radio to develop strong management and leadership skills.  The current MIW spokesperson is Denyse Mesnik, President of The Mesnik Group.

In this episode of Radio on Main Street, RAB President & CEO Erica Farber and one of the original founders of the MIW’s talks with Denyse about some of the current initiatives for the year plus they also discuss the findings of the recently released 2017 MIW Gender Analysis study.

Radio’s Influence on Music

Radio is the number one source for new music discovery. The raft of new technologies and devices are opening up new discovery methods, but also providing new ways for radio stations to deliver content – most notably via streaming. 37% of music listeners say that one of the things they like most about listening to traditional radio – and that adds to the enjoyment of the music – are the DJ’s (Nielsen Entertainment’s 2017 U.S. Music 360 Highlights).

According to the latest Nielsen Entertainment 2017 Music Year-End Report for the U.S., the surge in streaming continued throughout 2017, topping all forms of music consumption (Albums + Track Equivalents + On-Demand Audio streaming Equivalents). Streaming continued its leadership over downloads as the dominant music consumption platform of 2017, fueling the music industry’s overall volume growth of 12.5% year over year. The increase was led by a 58.7% increase in On-Demand Audio streams compared to 2016.

The addition of streaming data to the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which both reflects and drives hit radio playlists, means that streaming is now playing an important part in determining which songs are played on radio. Radio programmers today are influenced by traction demonstrated by artists and songs performing well on streaming services.

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Radio on Main Street Podcast Featuring Laurie Kahn, Chief Multitasker of Media Staffing Network

Recruiting and retaining employees is one of the biggest challenge businesses in general face.  And when it comes to broadcast, no one understands this issue better than Laurie Kahn.   This past week Laurie, who describes her title as Chief Multitasker of Media Staffing Network just celebrated the company’s 25th anniversary.  RAB President & CEO Erica Farber talks with Laurie about the art of hiring the right person for the right job and her thoughts on what radio can do to insure a great future for the next generation of broadcasters.

The Big Game and Radio

The practice of listening to the home town team on the radio and watching the game on TV is as alive and well today as it ever was. The connection formed between the radio broadcaster and the listener is extraordinary! This is a trusting relationship only radio can provide. This connection can drive sales and help to build your brand.

The big game is a big deal for radio stations and it is here next weekend! And you can bet everyone across the country will be tuning in to hear the Pats and Eagles play-by-play. Westwood One will cover the game nationally. Listeners coast-to-coast can hear the game called by their favorite announcers including Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason, and this year also includes Hall of Fame reporter Ed Werder. Local announcers in Boston and Philadelphia include WBZ’s Bob Socci and Scott Zolak, and WIP’s Merrill Reese and Mike Quick.

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Radio on Main Street Podcast Featuring Dave Van Dyke, President of Bridge Ratings Media Research

In this episode of the Radio on Main Street Podcast, as multitasking becomes the norm for all age groups, the average American spends more than 15 hours a day consuming media from dozens and dozens of sources.  RAB President & CEO Erica Farber talks with Dave Van Dyke, President of Bridge Ratings Media Research who for the second year in a row released his finding with a new Bridge Ratings consumer study focused on digital platform preferences and consumer prioritization of digital media content.

Dave’s study confirms changes in behavior to help guide digital media content producers and also provides a strategy for radio to further engage with their audiences.

The Power of a Sonic Brand

 

Ba da ba bah bah.  Bah ba da bah duh bum bum.  Ding ding ding ding ding.

That looks like gibberish or baby talk, but when you HEAR it, they are iconic brand audio signatures from McDonald’s, Farmer’s Insurance and T-Mobile.

There has been an exhaustive amount of research done over the past several decades on the power of sound and how it impacts moods, influences product sales, influences consumer spending, stimulates our brains, aids in healing, is reassuring, keeps us company and triggers all kinds of reactions.

According to Harvard Business Review research, the strategic use of sound can play an important role in positively differentiating a product or service, enhancing recall, creating preference, building trust, and even increasing sales.

At the end of 2017, Veritonic released an update to their groundbreaking audio logo index that objectively examines and measures the impact of audio signatures through their proprietary EchoTime™ technology that tracks emotions and engagement among an online panel of more than 1,000 targeted panelists.

Key findings from the study include:

  • Jingles increase success
  • Brand audio logos/cues enhance uniqueness of message
  • Clarity and focus on a product drives purchase intent
  • Multiple product mentions in a single spot diminishes impact
  • Emphasize your products, not the competition
  • Millennials respond more positively than older adults

So you see, a brand’s audio signature is incredibly valuable and should be leveraged in radio.  The sound of a narrator’s voice, the music featured in the commercial or a slogan can trigger an immediate consumer response and for new radio advertisers, perhaps they already have an audio asset that can be transformed for impactful radio.

For more information on Veritonic, the Audio Index methodology or to view the full executive summary, click here.

Radio on Main Street Podcast Featuring Automotive Consultant John Ellis

In this episode 0f Radio on Main Street, Erica Farber, RAB President and CEO, sits down for a conversation with consultant John Ellis at the recent CES in Las Vegas.

John actively consults clients whose businesses intersect in automotive, software, consumers and mobility.

CES 2018 Las Vegas

 

Among the biggest stars at CES 2018 were the newest smart speakers and the latest skills they offer. With it comes many new opportunities for radio as audio, and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) devices like Alexa are influencing the way consumers are tapping into their favorite stations using these skills. The machine learning is improving the way we interact with the technology. So it’s no surprise that this year’s CES theme was AI! Everything is getting smarter due to data. As the devices get smarter, audio will play a larger role.

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Radio on Main Street Podcast Featuring Steve Koenig of the Consumer Technology Association and Shawn DuBravac of Astra Insights at CES 2018

In this episode of Radio on Main Street, Jeff Schmidt, SVP of Professional Development at the RAB, talks with Steve Koenig, Senior Director of Research for the Consumer Technology Association, following his “Tech Trends to Watch” presentation.

Jeff also speaks to Shawn DuBravac of Astra Insights about “smart speakers” and what the future holds for that technology.

Radio: Consumers’ Weekly Leader


2018 is now in full swing, and with so many retrospective articles across publications it is also a great time to take a new look at media comparisons. 2017 seemed to be the year for digital and social media as seen in so many articles.

However, figures in other research publications and newsletters painted a very different image.

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Radio on Main Street Podcast Featuring “Resolutions for 2018” From Some of America’s Top Radio Industry Leaders

In this episode of the Radio on Main Street Podcast, Erica Farber, President and CEO of the RAB sits down with some of America’s top radio industry leaders.

Many of us will make personal resolutions to improve ourselves in the coming year. We wanted to find out how radio executives resolve to see their own companies improve in the coming year and what resolutions they would like to see come to pass for the entire radio industry.

Getting Fit with Radio

Now that the holiday eating and drinking events are behind, consumers will suddenly feel guilty about all of their indulgences.  One look at any talk show, home TV shopping program or even ads on the internet seems focused on one thing – getting fit.

While there are some adults (okay a lot) that will make health and fitness one of their resolutions, there are many who go to the gym or exercise on a regular basis.

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2017 – It’s Been An Incredible Year

It’s incredible to believe that 2017 is coming to a close.  The year just seemed to fly by.

There were so many events that took place around the world this past year and many of these events left a mark in the world of pop culture.  Similar to events that shaped pop culture, there were events that shaped and influenced how radio is perceived. Continue reading “2017 – It’s Been An Incredible Year”

Radio on Main Street Podcast Featuring Caroline Kraddick, CEO of Kidd’s Kids

In this edition, Erica Farber, President and CEO of the RAB speaks with Caroline Kraddick, CEO and Chief Happiness Officer of Kidd’s Kids.  Caroline is the daughter of the well-known radio personality Kidd Kraddick who died suddenly in July of 2013.

In addition to hosting a number one-morning show based in Dallas, Kidd was also the founder of Kidd’s Kids whose mission is to provide hope and happiness by creating beautiful memorials for families of children with life altering conditions.  In this podcast they discuss how Caroline is keeping her Dad’s vision alive and thriving and how you can help support the mission.

Dining During the Holidays

By now, the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping is reaching a crescendo for many of us.  With aching backs and feet from all the window shopping for ideas to shopping in-store, there is nothing better than sitting down for a good meal.

There are numerous dining options for consumers – from quick-serve to fast casual to sit-down restaurants.  With all of these options, enticing their taste buds can be a difficult challenge.  How do you reach consumers that are on-the-go or right before they are about to shop?  With radio, of course.

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Radio on Main Street Podcast Featuring Dan Mason, Chairperson of the
Broadcasters Foundation of America

In this edition of the Radio on Main Street,  Erica Farber, President & CEO of the RAB, speaks with the Chairperson of the Broadcasters Foundation of America –  Dan Mason.

As a former CBS Radio President & CEO Dan is one busy guy.  In addition to his work with the Broadcasters Foundation he is a senior advisor for Broadcast Relations for iHeartmedia.  He is also a play-by-play basketball announcer at Coppin State University and is a co-host and analyst for the Horse Racing Radio Network.  As the year is coming to a close Dan shares his thoughts on the importance of supporting the Broadcasters Foundation plus he shares his advice for all broadcasters for the coming year.

Is Radio Ready for 2018’s Political Advertising Bonanza?

Today’s blog post is courtesy of Gordon Borrell, CEO, Borrell Associates

A radio owner yawned the other day when I told him about the record year ahead for political advertising — $8.5 billion in all, and all headed for local markets. “We have music stations,” he said… “Political isn’t really something we pursue.”

I’m sure people who listen to music are also voters. And I’m pretty sure that, in a world where big bucks are being thrown at persuasion marketing, radio’s personal connection with listeners makes it perhaps the most persuasive medium.

Continue reading “Is Radio Ready for 2018’s Political Advertising Bonanza?”

Radio on Main Street Podcast Featuring Matt Bailey, President of
Integr8 Research

In this edition of Radio on Main Street, Erica Farber, President and CEO of the RAB speaks with Matt Bailey, President of Integr8 Research. Matt’s company works with broadcasters to help them determine what music is most popular with their listeners and how to keep them tuning in.

With new devices and listening options available to consume audio, they discuss a recent project addressing AI devices and AM/FM listening.