Category: community

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.

Continue reading “America at 250: Radio’s Long Enduring Role in Connecting a Nation”

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.

Continue reading “Black Consumers, Brand Trust and Radio’s Unique Connection”

Five Key Reasons Radio Should Feel Optimistic

Contributor: Celine Matthiessen, VP of insights and analytics, BIA Advisory Services

As 2026 heads into its second half, local radio sellers and marketers are facing a complex but opportunity-rich marketplace.

Continue reading “Five Key Reasons Radio Should Feel Optimistic”

Boomers Hold the Wealth. Radio Holds the Connection.

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Marketers have spent years chasing younger consumers – following emerging platforms, evolving behaviors and cultural trends. But in the race to connect with millennials and Gen Z, many advertisers may be overlooking one of the most financially powerful audiences in America: baby boomers.

Continue reading “Boomers Hold the Wealth. Radio Holds the Connection.”

Think Radio is Dead? Better Convince 93% of America.

Contributors: Howard Robertson, CEO/founder, Spotset Media Network and Ryan Robertson, president, Spotset Media Network

The face is covered by a sheet, but the eyes are wide open. The pulse is strong. The heart beats steadily. And that pathway to the soul we call hearing? Completely intact. There is loud noise in the room, deafening yet clearly heard: about new directions, about who is in and who is out. But radio can hear every word of it. Because radio is very much alive. Those who have written radio’s obituary and left it for dead need to stop, collaborate, and listen.

Continue reading “Think Radio is Dead? Better Convince 93% of America.”

Close to Care, Closer to Action: Why Community Pharmacies Win with Radio

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Community pharmacies are evolving into frontline healthcare destinations – delivering everything from prescriptions to preventive care and wellness support. But as their role expands, so does the need to stand out locally and prove measurable impact.

Continue reading “Close to Care, Closer to Action: Why Community Pharmacies Win with Radio”

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.

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

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.

Continue reading “Audio’s Next Chapter”

Radio: The Purr-fect Medium for the Pet Care Industry

Author: Victor Texcucano, Content Coordinator, RAB

Automatic feeders, water fountains, grooming, training and veterinary care – not to mention treats and toys. The love we have for our pets knows no bounds, and pet owners willingly spend their hard-earned money to give their furry companions the best life possible.

Continue reading “Radio: The Purr-fect Medium for the Pet Care Industry”

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.

Continue reading “Hispanic Consumers Are Listening — Here’s Why Advertisers Should Too”

Audio Advertising Gets Some Fine Tuning

New measurement tools in audio give marketers a better sense of their ROI

Contributor: Matthew Schwartz, director of editorial and content development, ANA

Video didn’t kill the radio advertising star. Neither did social media, online gaming, nor Netflix. The rise of digital platforms has been a veritable boon for audio advertising, which encompasses ads on streaming music services, podcasts, and traditional AM/FM and digital radio stations. Despite the dizzying number of media channels — or maybe because of them — radio continues to provide advertisers with effective reach at lower cost per thousand than linear or streaming programming.

Continue reading “Audio Advertising Gets Some Fine Tuning”

Radio Drives Holiday Hunt for Fashionable Gifts

Author: Victor Texcucano, Content Coordinator, RAB

Tariffs, inflation and changing consumer preferences mean the clothing/apparel industry is in a state of ups and downs. With the holiday season here, retailer marketing is in full swing.

Continue reading “Radio Drives Holiday Hunt for Fashionable Gifts”

How Local Radio Turns Consumer Anxiety into Small Business Sales

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

The latest consumer confidence report for October just dropped. Not much changed from September, barely ticking down just one point to 94.6.

What is so interesting about this? It’s a total split between how people feel right now versus how they feel about the future.

Continue reading “How Local Radio Turns Consumer Anxiety into Small Business Sales”

Radio Pumps Up Marketing Effectiveness

Audio advertising can boost audience engagement from the top of the funnel to the bottom

Author: Tammy Greenberg SVP Business Development, RAB

The pressure is on almost every marketer. A whopping 95 percent of marketing leaders say their teams are under more pressure than ever to prove marketing’s value, according to “CMSWire’s 2025 State of the CMO Report.” Equally worrisome, the report, based on the responses from 515 marketing leaders, found that 69 percent of marketers feel the gravity of responsibility to deliver quantifiable ROI, up from 59 percent in 2023. Using audio media platforms to amplify brand-building efforts — and drive full-funnel results — could be the solution to relieve the pressure.

Continue reading “Radio Pumps Up Marketing Effectiveness”

Radio Drives Website Traffic for Restaurants

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

During the pandemic, many businesses and industries had to learn to (dare I say) pivot, in order to keep their doors open and succeed. The restaurant industry not only pivoted but experienced a seismic shift in all aspects of business. From food to staffing, from menu items and customer service – the need to change was critical.

Continue reading “Radio Drives Website Traffic for Restaurants”

Radio’s Powerful Role Among Black Consumers

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Growth opportunities. In today’s economic environment, this is what businesses large and small are looking for – growth in awareness, traffic and sales. Growth comes from change – a shift in strategies, tactics and marketing.

Continue reading “Radio’s Powerful Role Among Black Consumers”

Radio is Still #1

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

If you have read this blog in the past, you have read about radio’s inarguable strengths. You’ve read about radio’s ability to connect, engage and deliver results. This post is different.

Continue reading “Radio is Still #1”

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.

Continue reading “Humans Matter”

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.​

Continue reading “Why You Should Be Laser-Focused on Radio’s Strength”

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.

Continue reading “2024 – A Look Back”