Brands

America at 250: Radio’s Long Enduring Role in Connecting a Nation

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

As America approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on the people, innovations and industries that helped shape the nation. Few media platforms have been as closely connected to the American experience as radio.

For more than a century, radio has informed communities, entertained generations and connected Americans through moments of celebration, challenge and change. From presidential fireside chats and wartime broadcasts to moon landing coverage, breaking news and local storytelling, radio has long brought history to life in real time.

Black Consumers, Brand Trust and Radio’s Unique Connection

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Black consumers continue driving cultural influence, purchasing behavior and marketplace trends across industries ranging from beauty and fashion to technology, food and entertainment. Their influence extends far beyond direct spending power, shaping what becomes culturally relevant, socially amplified and commercially successful.

From Backyard to Business Driver: Why Lawn & Garden Is Growing and How Radio Helps It Thrive

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Lawn and garden has evolved far beyond seasonal upkeep – it’s now a reflection of how Americans live, spend and prioritize their homes. What was once about mowing and maintenance has become a category driven by outdoor living, wellness, sustainability and long-term home value.

Audio’s Next Chapter

How radio and audio advancements in measurement, content, and AI are expanding marketing value for brands

Author: Tammy Greenberg SVP Business Development, RAB

Audio is delivering a new level of value for marketers. Innovations in measurement, content production, and artificial intelligence (AI) are enhancing what brands can accomplish, enabling clearer visibility into performance, greater flexibility in activation, and more confidence in outcomes. As these advancements take hold across radio, streaming, and podcasts, audio is emerging as a key channel that combines scalability and accountability — two integral priorities at the center of marketing decision-making.

Hispanic Consumers Are Listening — Here’s Why Advertisers Should Too

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

From the music in our headphones to the some of the food and flavors we can’t live without, Hispanic culture is influencing America. Hispanics in the U.S. represent a powerful and rapidly expanding consumer segment that no advertiser can afford to overlook. With a population of 68 million and rapidly growing along with a purchasing power projected to surpass $2 trillion, Latino consumers are driving growth across nearly every category—from retail and technology to entertainment and automotive.

Why Radio Starts the Year Strong – Even When the Economy Feels Uncertain

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

January often brings a mix of optimism and caution. Businesses are setting new goals, reviewing budgets, and closely watching economic signals. For advertisers, uncertainty can lead to hesitation — but with the help of broadcast radio, businesses can seize the opportunities that still exist.

2025’s Most Read: Radio’s Biggest Trends & Takeaways

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

As we look back on the past year, our blog explored a wide range of topics—each shining a light on why radio continues to be America’s top media platform.

My 2025 in Review – Audio, New Data and MMM

Contributor: John Fix, John Fix Ltd. – Consulting P&G retiree

I was fortunate to work with many great people and companies this year. Cumulus Media, iHeart, SiriusXM and In4mation Insights were great partners and the RAB and IAB have done great things with audio. The majority of the conversations were around the role of data and every road somehow led to MMM.

Holiday Shopping Creates Big Opportunities for Local Media Advertising

Contributor: Mallory Bouslog, senior account executive, Marketron

Despite fourth quarter signaling the end of the year, it is also actually a huge advertising opportunity for the year. Retail and other industries see bumps in spending, making it critical to promote their business to rake in holiday shopping sales.

It’s Time Marketers Hear the Truth About Audio

Misconceptions about audio could leave brands missing out on a valuable medium

Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB

Audio consumption has seen significant growth in recent years due to an expanding landscape. With consumers turning to audio for the convenience that it provides – allowing them to multitask – and the plethora of content to suit all moods and needs, it may be no surprise that WARC reports audio has grown significantly faster than media consumption overall, across demographics. However, there is a significant gap in the investments marketers allocate to audio versus other media. WARC projected that, by 2024, audio would account for 24.5 percent of all ad-supported media consumption but only 8.4 percent of ad investments. The disparity between engagement with audio and investment in audio is profound.

Why Radio Should Be on the Shopping List

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

If you find yourself browsing weekly supermarket circulars to find out which of your favorite brands are on sale, you aren’t alone. Consumers are working hard to fight the inflation battle at the registers.

Humans Matter

Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP Business Development/RAB

In the age of AI, audio’s ability to forge deeply personal and trusted relationships with listeners is an opportunity for brands.

Why You Should Be Laser-Focused on Radio’s Strength

Authors: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB and Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Radio has transformed, progressed and modernized as the overall media industry has expanded and consumer choice has become more robust with media behavior fragmented.

2024 – A Look Back

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

During this time of year, we all try to find some time to take a breath and look back at the events of the year. Some will make you laugh, while others may make you cry.

Why Radio Should Play a Central Role in Multicultural Campaigns

Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB

The constantly evolving makeup of today’s American population has made it one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations in the world. From a marketing perspective, multiculturalism is a challenging concept to activate; developing creative and selecting the right mix of media that will achieve relevance across a multicultural spectrum is a difficult feat. For efficiency, many brands will market in a way that either appeals to the cultural nuances of a total market, a specific race, or communities of people who share the brand’s values.

Electronic Retailers Have the Goods This Holiday Season

Author: Victor Texcucano, Content Coordinator, RAB

Electronic retailers are one of the more popular places where consumers shop for gifts for loved ones. Whether it’s a new tablet for the kids, a new laptop for a college student or a brand-new 80” 4K TV for the living room, electronic retailers sell many high-ticket goods valued by all consumers.

Radio is a Must to Reach Hispanics

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

According to new estimates released by the U.S. Census, the Hispanic population accounted for nearly 71% of total U.S. population growth. In 2023, Hispanics were the second largest group per this data.

As Millennials Go Through Life, Radio is There to Reach Them

Author: Victor Texcucano, Content Coordinator, RAB

While the oldest are now nearing their mid-40s and the youngest not yet 30, millennials now represent the largest generation group in the U.S. The U.S. Census in 2022 estimated that there were more than 72.24 million millennials.

Technology and Trust

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?

Radio Highlights to Kick Off 2024

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.

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