Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Can American Optimism Fuel Radio Business???

Americans are optimistic about 2011. Fifty-eight percent of Gallup poll respondents say 2011 will be better than 2010, the naysayers only add up to 20%, and 21% say it will be the same. Optimism about 2011 follows all demographics with 69% of respondents 18-34, 58% of 35-54's and 51% of 55+. Will that optimism result in improved radio revenue? There are some signs that indicate it will. U.S. auto sales reached their briskest pace in 16 months last month and car makers think they're in a good position to sell more cars this year, according to Inside Radio. To be sure, there's no reason to believe that radio would get the bulk of car radio advertising but if the dollars spent on ads is substantial enough, it would help to get Q1 off to a welcome start...

Kantar Media reports that radio spending in National Spot Radio jumped 15.9% in Q3 of 2010 with local radio gaining 3.8% while network radio had a small increase of 1.7%. 2010 Fourth quarter figures are not in yet but if they mirror Q3, the first quarter of 2011 could be better than expected. In addition to car business, financial and retail should do well and let's not forget Geico, the boss of all bosses when it comes to advertising money spent on radio...

There seems to be a pattern of optimism that builds just before Christmas, not just this year but every year. The optimism carries over into the new year until something bad happens. Let's hope that's not the case this year. The economy has been down for so long, we all need a reason to believe the nightmare is over...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1896] A radiant discovery: Austrian Wilhelm Rontgen discovers the type of radiation that becomes known as the X-Ray. The public scoffs saying they can see right through this ruse…
2.1940] “One, one, one“: The first test of FM radio is heard by the FCC. It will be one year before radios with FM capability will give the public new static free signals…
3.1948] Stop and smell the roses: Warner Brothers-Pathe shows the first color newsreel which contains the Tournament of Roses Parade and highlights of the Rose Bowl Game. In the game Michigan crushed USC 49-0…
4.1957] Curtains: Jackie Robinson retires rather than play for the crosstown Giants, a team he was traded to by the Brooklyn Dodgers…
5.1972] Outta Space: President Richard Nixon orders development of the space shuttle…
6.1981] Ripper zipped: Police in England arrest Peter Sutcliffe, a truck driver later convicted of the “Yorkshire Ripper” murders of 13 women…
7.1993] Hang 'em high: The state of Washington executes Westley Allan Dodd, an admitted child sex killer in America’s first legal hanging since 1965…
8.1994] ‘Happy Trails’: Former House Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill dies from colon cancer at 81…1998] Sonny Bono, pop-star turned politician is killed when he crashes into a tree while skiing in South Lake Tahoe (CA) at 62…
9.2000] Ellll-e-uhnnnn: INS Commissioner Doris Meissner rules that 6-year old Elian Gonzalez “belongs with his father” and must be returned to Cuba. Any day now Elian will be elected president of Cuba…
10.2004] I’m Confessin’: After 14 years of denials, Pete Rose publicly admits that he bet on baseball while manager of the Cincinnati Reds. The world is not shocked by this admission…

Music Memories:

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":

January Jones (33), Pamela Sue Martin (58), Chris Stein (61), Ted (Isaac of 'Love Boat') Lange (63), Diane Keaton (65), Charlie Rose (69), Robert Duvall (80), Walter Mondale (83) and legendary St. John's basketball coach Lou Carnesecca (86)...

Timeline Countdown: 3 days until NFL Wild Card Playoffs, 10 days until Division Playoffs, 11 days until MLK Day, 18 days until the NFL Conference Championships & 32 days until Super Bowl XLV...

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