Monday, October 4, 2010

Radio Closes Out The Year Optimistically...

With eyes on improving revenue streams in 2011, radio moves into the fourth quarter optimistically. Most analysts are predicting a fourth quarter single digit revenue rise before moving into the new year. "It feels like the industry is hopeful about the future, with most operators projecting growth of 3-5% in 2011" says Wells Fargo Securities analyst Marci Ryvicker. That's her message to clients on the heels of the RAB-NAB Radio Show. Radio's growth has always depended on new business and a great percentage of any new growth will have to include mobile business. That's the consensus coming out of a mobile advertising conference that wrapped just about the time the radio show closed. There were all sorts of traditional media represented at the conference and they mostly agree that mobile is a "must" for their future and provided examples of how they are already moving there...

According to Borrell Associates, mobile advertising will account for 64% of all online advertising in five years with local mobile advertising ballooning to $14 billion and national mobile ringing up almost 40 billion. That prediction applies to all traditional media. Paul Jacobs, VP/GM of the radio consulting firm Jacobs Media says selling digital coupon ads will be the next wave for radio. Jacobs added that stations have other companies create mobile applications they can then sell, and the next generation of these apps will focus on "life groups" such as women or skiers. Doug Sterne, VP of audio sales at Pandora mentioned the success of his company's mobile audio application. "Pandora listeners are spending more time interacting with their phones than they are with their computers." ...

Sterne raises a good point. Each station, music service or radio group must determine a mobile strategy that favors its format and audience. New business has always been the lifeblood of radio and for the medium to compete in this digital era, it must find the best way to tap into that revenue stream...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1931] Premiered on this date: "Dick Tracy" makes its debut in the Detroit Daily Mirror...1957] "Leave It To Beaver" makes its debut and lasts 6 seasons...
2.1955] Who's a Bum?: That was the New York Daily News headline when the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the Yankees to win their 1st World Series. 8 years later: 1963] The Los Angeles Dodgers sweep the Yankees in 4 games behind the brilliant pitching of Sandy Koufax who strikes out 15 in the 1st game and is named WS MVP...
3.1957] The Space Age dawns: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first man-made satellite into orbit...
4.1964] The Point After: Boston Patriots place-kicker Gino Cappelletti goes 6-for-6 in field goal attempts and kicks 3 extra points in a 39-10 victory over Denver. Do you remember Gino's "Point After" bar/restaurant in Boston???
5.1970] “Happy Trails“: The body of Janis Joplin is found in a Hollywood hotel room. Janis, who had just finished her “Pearl” LP, dies from a heroin overdose at 27…
6.1976] Babwa WaWa: Barbara Walters joins Harry Reasoner at the anchor desk of the "ABC Evening News" - not a match made in TV News Anchor heaven... 7.1986] What's the frequency Kenneth?: That was the question posed to Dan Rather as he was about to be mugged...
8.2001] Tied up: Barry Bonds hits his 70th home run to tie Mark McGwire's single-season record. This is #71. Bonds will finish the season with 73 jacks...
9. 2002] Gotcha!: John Walker Lindh, the so-called 'American Taliban' receives a 20-year sentence...
10.2002] Foot Stomping: Richard Reid pleads guilty in Boston to trying to blow up a trans-Atlantic flight with a shoe bomb. Reid is now serving a life sentence...

Music Memories:

Commentary...
The Tampa Bay Radio Reunion is set for Saturday, November 6, 2010.

Please RSVP Sandy Hall at swoodworth@embargmeil.com or call 813-205-5247. Sandy needs a headcount for the reunion. Tedd Webb adds that "if you missed it last year, you missed a good one, so pass along the info and come swap lies and have a few brews." The reunion will start at 2 PM...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Alicia Silverstone (34), Liev Schreiber (43), Jon Secada (48), Russell Simmons (53), Linda McMahon (62), Susan Sarandon (64), Sam Huff (76) & Leroy Van Dyke (81)...

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until the MLB playoffs begin, 24 days until the 1st game of the World Series & 28 nights until Halloween...
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