Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Radio Ad Market Headed In Right Direction - UP...

SNL Kagan expects U.S. commercial radio to realize a 6.4% revenue gain, to $17.1 billion. "For the first time since 2006, radio station revenues in 2010 are expected to turn in a positive performance." The 6.4 percentage growth puts radio fifth on SNL Kagan's forecast list in 2010, behind mobile which made an gigundo gain of 40% (!). Radio also lags behind broadcast TV, Internet and cable but ahead of outdoor, magazines, newspapers and all other media forms. Keep in mind that the measurement discussed is in expected growth percentage which is hopefully more accurate than your local weather forecast. Also up in the SNL Kagan forecast are radio's digital revenues by "strong double digits, with new mobile applications being launched and a stronger focus on monetizing a station's website, along with better CPMs on streaming audio ads. Our projections for radio's digital revenues are up 15% for the year, but only 3.3% of total ad sales at $552 million." ...

With all the good news coming out of SNL Kagan, the firm also attaches this disclaimer: "Our industry will have to put together a string of positive growth years to recover from one of the most challenging periods in radio's 100-year history." So how challenging has it been? SNL estimates revenues dropped from $21.9 billion in 2005 to $16 billion in 2009, with most of the plunge coming in 2008-09...

At least radio was up as opposed to daily newspaper revenue which is disappearing like an (allegedly, of course) juiced up Barry Bonds laser shot. Business publications and newspapers will show the largest ad revenue percentage declines, SNL believes: "It's unlikely old-media sectors will recover from the flight of ad dollars to new media." Taking mobile and other media forms ranking higher than radio, SNL foresees the overall U.S. advertising market rebounding 2.8% to $210.5 billion after two years of decline. It expects the overall market to continue to grow in the coming decade...

10 Timeline Memories
:
1.1664] Dutch Treat: The Dutch surrender New Amsterdam to the British, who rename it New York...
2.1921] There she is: Margaret Gorman of Washington (DC) is crowned the 1st Miss America in Atlantic City (NJ)...1945] Bess Myerson of New York City becomes the 1st Jewish Miss America...
3.1965] A call for Monkees: A Variety ad announces auditions for "The Monkees" TV show. Those who fail the audition include Stephen Stills, future Three Dog Night member Danny Hutton, Paul Williams and Charles Manson (yes that Charles Manson). No need to tell you who passed the audition...
4.1965] Jack of all A's: A's infielder Bert Campaneris becomes the 1st player ever to play all 9 positions in a game (won by Kansas City). The Twins' Cesar Tovar repeats the feat 3 years later...
5.1966] Premiered on this date: "That Girl" starring Marlo Thomas...1968] "Funny Girl" starring Barbra Streisand...
6.1974] I beg your pardon: President Gerald R. Ford grants an unconditional pardon to former President Richard M. Nixon...
7.1975] Boston Public: Boston's public schools begin a court-ordered citywide busing program amid scattered incidents of violence...
8.1996] Emmy Gold: "ER", Dennis Franz and Kathy Baker ("Picket Fences") are the big winners at the 48th Emmy Awards...
9.1998] With A little help from his friend Andro: Mark McGwire hits his 62nd home run breaking Roger Maris' 37-year old record of 61 (McGwire winds up with 70 with a little help from Andro)...
10.2004] Bush league: Dan Rather gives us something to remember him by as "60 Minutes Wednesday" airs a report questioning George W. Bush's National Guard Service. Memos featured in the report were challenged as forgeries...

Music Memories:
  • 1954] Long live the King: Alan Freed becomes the "King Of Rock 'n Roll" when he begins his 5-year reign at 1010/WINS New York...
  • 1974] #1 on this date: "I Shot The Sheriff" - Eric Clapton...
Commentary:
The Audio Engineering's New York Section will hold their September
meeting with a screening of "Copyright Criminals" with a panel discussion
to follow, hosted by Roger Johansen of Tangerine Mastering. The
screening and panel discussion will be held at the New School's jazz
performance space, 55 West 13th Street (5th fl.). The event will be held
Tuesday, September 14 at 6:30 pm...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Pink (31 ), Brooke Burke (37), David Arquette (39), Willie Tyler (70) & Lester (70 tree rings), Lyndon LaRouche (88) and Sid Caesar (88)...

Timeline Countdown: L' Shanah Tovah! Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown, 1 day until the NFL opener (Minn. @ New Orleans), 10 nights until Yom Kippur, 15 days until autumn, 28 days until the MLB playoffs and 53 nights until Halloween...