Week of May 12, 2008

Friday 5/16, 2008

Can you believe that Memorial Day weekend is next weekend? (The 26th is Memorial Day) It's early this year! Format changes, tactical promotions and special programming all work together to make radio TSL high over this holiday. It's time to get out there! Get your brands on the street! You won't see any XM or Sirius vans at the beaches, mountains, mall, or anywhere else! Have a great weekend!

Thursday 5/15, 2008

Do you have a heavy fall political season coming? Most states do! Now is a good time to

This week is the halfway point in the Spring book. (Already? Yep!) There is still time to make your stations better. Challenge your PDs to come up with one on-air/online promotion before the end of the sweep. It must involve both media! Oh, and make sure it's sellable! See yesterday's tip.

Wednesday 5/14, 2008

Perhaps it's time for a new rule for your programmers. 2008 is the time to innovate! If you are running a contest that was run over three years ago, (say ... uh ..."song of the day at 7:20a"), you should not approve it. Just because it worked in the past, does not mean you are guaranteed a win this year. It's time change the world of radio from the ground system up!

Tuesday 5/13, 2008

The CEO of a major public radio company said on an earnings call last week: "The days of doing stupid talent deals are over!" He was referring to a national Talk show host whose contract is about to expire. Revenue-generating talent is rare. In many cases, like sports, Talk radio listeners are loyal to shows, not stations. No one wants to overpay for talent, but remember, there are other networks that may see a way to make expensive talent work. Ask CBS-TV when FOX took the NFL from it a few years ago. "Stupid deals" may launch a competitor.

Monday 5/12, 2008

Is it time to split your sales staff? One staff specializing in on-air, another in online? Internet revenues have surpassed network radio in 2007 to $1.6 billion. This is more than "value added" and way more than no charges you give as part of an on-air schedule. You should start slow adding people as the revenue warrants. Make no mistake: It is the future.