Talent tweeting from live news events and during their shows. Mobile websites that are designed for the frame of a cell phone. Using Facebook as a separate platform to engage audiences during on air programs. Video, video and more video on the homepage. Push text notifications and tweeting breaking news.
These were just some of the practical tools discussed at the panel I was on at the Talk Media Conference & Talk Show Bootcamp Friday in Dallas. Forward-acting media are providing multimedia content on all platforms to larger and new audiences. The delivery of News, Talk and Sports content has entered the Jetson’s age. Like George Jetson on the treadmill, there’s no getting off now.
The other panelists were Harry Tomasides, Cumulus Media’s Regional Digital Media Director, Berkley Wilson, who is Clear Channel’s Director of News/Talk/Sports Digital Programming, and former KFI-AM/Los Angeles PD David Hall, who is now a consultant to News/Talk stations.
Harry explained how Cumulus is starting to monetize digital audiences, and stressed that operational investments are needed to prop up digital and social media activity. Berkeley talked about the tools that Clear Channel talk talent have at their disposal, and by the way, how the iHeart Radio app is now open for business to other broadcasters. David noted the importance of unique content on the website and simple and attainable digital initiatives.
Add this up: The mobile revolution is only beginning. The younger generations of news consumers are expert at digital data gathering. Social media pours massive fuel on radio’s ability to engage audience.
What that tells me is that we’re about to hit the “hyperspace” button on the old Asteroids video game and no one really knows where we’re going to land.
Clear Channel is $2billion in debt, Corporate Suits have sent out memos cut all personnel, reduce all costs, sell spots, create and generate cash flow.
The Problem is who wants to advertise on Clear Channel when they are pushing 30 sec spots that nobody, nobody can even remember the content of? when they are putting Nightclub and Bar and Restaurant Spots in the worse times , unless they pay premium dollars for drive time that the demographics these businesses are trying to reach are not listening any longer/
The days of creative radio like Scott Shannon and PDs who had the power, the support and the money to pump up a new format and let it dominate their respective arbitron market are over.
Clear Channel is syndicating in so many cities, you are lucky if your morning show is even broadcast from your own community.
Netflix put blockbuster out of biz, Craigslist put newspaper ads out of biz, Radio needs to be far more aggressive and creative to even attempt to take on Sirus/XM people love satellite radio.
I was in radio for 40 years, started in Fort lauderdale on talk radio then went into just doing Spots, sixty second spots five or six a week off the top of my head all with different music. Never let a production person who just wants to get through their production schedule do a spot.
But now radio is over with.
Just like more “E” books are selling than hardcovers.
Times they are changin.
Your lucky if you see a video on MTV except certain hours.
Take Power 93 in Tampa,MJ, he is no RON and RON, but Bubba is great, so good the cbs local tv station put him on live on their afternoon news.
Personality that is unique and high energy.
Opie and Anthony, Imus still has it, Ryan Seacrest has it.
David Jones on WSRZ still has it. That’s about it.
No more billboards, no more huge money giveaways, remotes are a joke. But the beautiful Clear Channel hot sales women are still out there, bringing in those car dealer bucks.
You can debate it all you want, but Clear Channel or Greed Radio destroyed through acquisitions and debt structure any chance of even attempting to bring back their stations to dominance.
I eat sleep and breathe radio, Sports radio is the new and only growth segment, sure Hip Hop will thrive, but that demo is dangerous and callous. There are so many new far more powerful media to reach your specific demo and far less costly often even free.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Rich Unger
http://www.promotingnightclubs.com