Radio and Social Media – A Perfect
Combination

Berlin, Germany - May 28, 2016: Apple iPhone 6s screen with social media applications Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Google, Youtube, Twitter, Vimeo, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumbl etc.

Radio is the original social medium. It’s always been the connector between the community and listener, and at the top of that connection is the radio personality who guides the conversation. But that connection also extends well beyond the broadcast. Naturally, it moves from traditional media to social media and back again.

Listeners are passionate about their radio stations, the on-air personalities on those stations that speak to them every day and the impact that radio has on their lives. And there’s no better proof than hearing directly from a radio listener. A recent piece in our “Matter of Fact” newsletter detailed just one listener’s story.

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Auto Stays On Course with Radio

Colorful Cars Inventory. Dealership Cars in Stock 3D Illustration. Aerial View.

Radio plays an important role for the auto industry both in-dash and for sales.  According to the Infinite Dial 2016, of those adults 18+ who had driven/ridden in a car in the past month cited AM/FM radio as their most used in-car device – specifically 84% general market Adults 18+, 80% African-Americans 18+, 79% Hispanics 18+ and 77% of Adults 18-34.  When it comes to sales, radio is a steadfast component of auto sales.

For the past five years, radio’s share of U.S. auto dealers’ ad spend has remained consistently strong, while other traditional media have experienced extensive declines – especially when compared to spending in 2002.

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80 Days and Counting

The words "Countdown 2016" with American flag.

That is how close we are to electing the next president of the United States.  As much as this cycle has been filled with controversy, one thing is true: This election year has been like no other in its imbalance of earned media versus paid media by both presidential candidates.

With Election Day just 80 days away, we asked Leo Kivijarv, Ph.D., Executive Vice President & Director of Research of PQ Media, to provide us with a perspective on the current state of political advertising and what it can mean for radio.  Before we share those insights, here are just a few simple reminders about radio:

  • According to Nielsen’s Q1 2016 Comparable Metrics Report, over 90% of voting aged adults listen to radio each week.
  • Radio delivers messages, content and information.
  • It is an especially important communication medium for political candidates because of its incredible reach.
  • Radio, with its varied formats, can reach potential voters according to their language, lifestyle – at home, in-car or on the go.

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Personality Makes a Difference

radio station microphone close up

Radio station personalities are arguably the single most important differentiator for radio.

These talented individuals introduce people to favorite and new music. They share current, local and national news, play-by-play sports reporting and coverage, and updates about weather and traffic in the cities they live in. They convey the information that their listeners seek (even if they don’t know they are seeking it) in a very personal and relevant way.

These are the people that make you laugh, make you cry and have the ability to provoke 6-8 emotions in less than 3 minutes. They know their audiences. They REALLY know their audiences and they know how to have a dialogue with them. Many of these individuals share their own lives and the listener is instantaneously connected — feeling like they are part of the conversation.

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Radio Matters to Millennials … A Lot

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You can’t tune in to radio, watch TV, read a newspaper or click on the internet without hearing a piece or seeing an article about Millennials, and here is another one! The reason we are so focused on Millennials (now the largest generation in terms of numbers) is because they have a different way of experiencing life. They were the first generation to be born and raised in our modern digital world. They not only rely on social media and apps for leisure and convenience, but they are trendsetters and influencers who are set to break records in terms of consumer spending (Accenture has predicted that by 2020, the Millennial generation will annually spend $1.4 trillion in the U.S. alone). As such, Millennials play a pivotal role in the success of just about everything – brands, advertising, media, etc., proving that younger consumers need to be heard, but do they listen?

Yes! They listen to what matters to them.

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Radio Impact Reports

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We are the RAB, the trade association for America’s broadcast radio industry, the #1 reach medium. We have created this Radio Impact Reports blog site to share current news, information and insights about broadcast radio while using this social space to encourage an open dialogue with broadcasters, advertisers, agencies and even listeners.

On a regular basis, you can expect to hear from RAB’s president and CEO Erica Farber and the rest of the team including business development, insights, marketing and professional development experts.

Topics will range from research and insights

One thing is for certain – our focus will be on continued growth and innovations taking place, ensuring radio’s bright and exciting future.

Follow Radio Impact Reports and join the conversation!

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