Posts in "Hot Topics"
May 29, 2020
Filed Under: Hot Topics
To say that “times they are a-changin” would be the grossest understatement of the last 20 years. Even before the pandemic-inspired shutdown strangled our economy, business as usual had been disrupted. Likely forever.
What the pandemic has probably accelerated is the dramatic rise in online shopping. While Amazon certainly created the category, we have reached a point where anything you want can be delivered to your front door.
This does have dramatic implications for radio. And it all comes down to a quaint term – customer service.
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May 18, 2020
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Clearly the COVID-19 crisis has changed people’s lifestyles and therefore their radio listening. In coordination with Cornerstone Research (XTrends), Research Director, Inc. has been tracking changes in radio listening in PPM markets. The shift in listening has been incredible.
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May 15, 2020
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Former Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green once uttered one of the classic sports quotes: “They are what we thought they were …” In the era of coronavirus-impacted listening, this applies to just about every radio station.
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May 7, 2020
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Before the FCC loosened their ownership limits, broadcasters could only own two stations (one AM and one FM) in a given market. At that time many markets had local market groups to help the radio broadcasters in their market.
Organizations like the SCBA (Southern California Broadcasters Association) were vital to the success of our industry on a local market level. While many of them had the primary duty of promoting radio to advertisers, they did so much more.
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May 4, 2020
Filed Under: Hot Topics
I was always taught to read a product’s instructions before using. No, this is not about the proper use of disinfectants. Instead, this is about Nielsen’s instructions on how to use their reports during these constantly changing times.
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April 29, 2020
Filed Under: Hot Topics
This may fall under the heading of “too soon,” but the pandemic is serving as a giant wake-up call for the radio industry.
Across the country, we are seeing PUMMs and cumes decline for most formats except those that deal in information.
The good news is that listeners know where they can turn for vital, local information. Radio has always served this need and continues to do so in grand fashion. The audience for news and information programming has exploded. Why? Because listeners have an expectation that radio can deliver when needed. In a normal life this need is variable, but will we ever return to normal?
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April 23, 2020
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Weathering the Storm – A Market Manager’s Perspective
Recently we have shared how sales managers and programmers have adapted to the new reality of COVID-19. Now we talk with two of our industry’s top market managers on how they are guiding their ship through these turbulent waters.
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April 17, 2020
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Recently, Research Director, Inc. got perspectives from three sales managers on how they have adjusted their operations as COVID-19 has impacted every portion of our economy. Today, we publish perspectives from three leaders on the programming side, to hear how they are handling their operations and serving their listeners.
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April 8, 2020
Filed Under: Hot Topics
Next week, Nielsen will be releasing the March survey data (survey dates February 27-March 25). While many consider this a 28-day survey, in reality it isn’t; it’s really 28 one-day surveys. Typically this is not a significant issue, but as I will explain shortly, it might be with this survey.
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April 1, 2020
Filed Under: Hot Topics
In recent weeks, Research Director, Inc. has written blogs on the importance of marketing during an economic downturn. We have also written about companies that advertised during the 1929 Great Depression and how that led to long-term success.
Now, we have interviewed a selection of professionals who oversee sales teams in order to understand how they are handling the present crisis with both their employees and their advertisers.
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To say that “times they are a-changin” would be the grossest understatement of the last 20 years. Even before the pandemic-inspired shutdown strangled our economy, business as usual had been disrupted. Likely forever.