CPR Coronavirus

My first email to my clients about what has become known as COVID-19 was on January 23rd, just suggesting that they keep an eye on this thing. I would never have imagined that it would have gotten to where we are now.

On March 2nd, Fred Jacobs let me pen something for him and again, looking at it now, we simply had no clue.

I firmly believe that this is Radio’s Finest Hour and that Jerry Clifton nailed it, “This is Radio’s last chance to ever win back the hearts and minds of the listeners.”

And there have been some great things done since early March.

Scott Mahalick at 98.9 The Bull in Seattle has been ahead of the curve on this from the beginning and ordered facemasks on March 5th. By the time they finally arrived the hospitals had run out so he donated them all to local health centers.

The Bull was also the first with a "pep video" for their market.

If you’re in the Class of 2020, boy will you have stories to hold over YOUR kid’s heads when they’re 14 and whining. Energy 95.3 in Bakersfield has done a page for the parents, sibs and friends to boast about their grads

WDJX in Louisville is going to have a Virtual Prom for all the kids in their market with their sister station B-96. Music and video on the station and through Instagram, with video hair, nails and dress tips and digital engagement for the kids to connect with all their friends at their Quaran Dances.

Virtual is “big.” Stations have done virtual workouts, bedtime stories and game nights. John & Tammy at KSON in San Diego were the first to host Virtual Happy Hours with lessons on cocktail making. Lo at Live 95.5 in Portland hosted a couple.

Boomer and Pebbles at Jammin’ 107.7 in New London have added cooking lessons to their cocktail making.

Duryan with the PK In The Morning Show at Power 96.1 in Atlanta has been hosting Quarancuisine sessions via video

myTalk 107.1 in the Twin Cities is hosting a drive to raise money for the local diaper bank.

BIG 98.7 in Fargo was the first station to start doing Front Line Hero shout outs. Here’s a sample from Kiss 102.3 in Albany.

93Q in Syracuse… saved Easter and hosted a Virtual Egg Hunt on their site. WQYK in Tampa has an on-line egg coloring gallery.

95.7 K-Rock in St. John’s, Newfoundland created a great resource page for parents who are suddenly stuck trying to learn their kid’s right.

The KVJ Show at WRMF in West Palm has been facilitating the adopting of bartenders by their audience.

The JACK stations with Rogers Media in Canada were the first out with coloring books for their listeners’ kids.

With businesses staying afloat just on the sale of their gift cards, Operation Gift Card across the Beasley brands has been a homerun.

And 92.5 XTU in Philly is giving the audience the opportunity to show off their hair and their masks