The Weekend Classic Rock FM

70° - scattered clouds at 10:10am
left: busboard for WXRT/Chicago - more on 'XRT below.

Its been some time since we wrote about PPM on this board. Yesterday the trades reported on the NYC Arbitron breakfast - formally introducing the meter in the nation's largest radio market.

First "pre-currency" PPM data from The Big Apple is scheduled for release on November 7th. Many taking a deep breath November 6th.

PPM Wisdom. From Paragon Media's Larry Johnson regarding the immediate feedback opportunity with PPM:

"...we need to keep perspective of what we’re observing. For example, it takes about a year for a new morning show to settle in and reach its potential. Guard against trying to cut off a new morning show’s head when PPM panelists register discontent when their favorite morning show has been displaced."

Yep. More insights on PPM from the Paragon blog here.

PPM Rulebook. From Tom Taylor's newsletter this morning - two more PPM programming and marketing "rules" - contributed by Chris Conley - former WBEB/Philadelphia programmer (now with McVay Media):

• Afternoon drive programming is just as important as morning drive.
• Brand strategy marketing is more important than hit-and-miss marketing games.

Its my take that much of the PPM Rulebook applies just the same to all markets. Any market can take advantage of the insights and listener knowledge thats coming out of the metered markets.

Very cool campaign. From one-time progressive rocker - now AAA WXRT/Chicago:

Lewis Lazare of The Chicago Sun-Times writes:

"WXRT's new interactive ad campaign, supported via a heavy round of advertising on taxi tops, buses and billboards, was developed in-house and designed by Brainforest/Chicago. It encourages fans of the station to post on the radio station's web site....how they would complete the thought "Chicago without 'XRT would be..."

A very cool promotion and marketing campaign that only a heritage station like 'XRT could pull off. A station that has not only had the time - but has taken the time to cultivate a bond and long-term relationship with its listeners. Something any station could start working on today.

Read the Sun-Times article here. See the campaign on the 'XRT website here. Have a great weekend.

The Weekend Classic Rock FM

72° - overcast/rain at 11am

Welcome to the weekend (close enough).

Fall Book Promos. Noting stations getting their on-air tactics together with forced listening "Workforce Payroll" promos in the plans so far for a couple stations:

WIMZ/Knoxville kicks off Workforce Cash this Monday - ahead of the book - with $100 an hour plus a chance at $1000 bonus each Thursday. P.S. to WIMZ: you might want to check the dates on those official rules - oops!

One of Tony Soprano's fav stations - WWUZ/Fredericksburg is banking a bunch of bucks on one day with a $500 an hour Workforce Payday on Thursday, September 27th.

More fall promotions in the days to come.

WVIC/Lansing continues "Chords For A Cause". Last month, I wrote here about the Eddie Money autographed guitar being auctioned off on-line.

This month WVIC has another guitar - this one autographed by members of Foreigner - to benefit another local charity. A great promotion and fine work by PD Joe Thomas.

SNL Radio. Westwood One adds Saturday Night Live audio and resources to its lineup. Details in the press release here.

I've always preferred access to raw audio to produce and customize as I wish on the station level. For use in station-branded bits and imaging. Hopefully its part of the package in addition to any "produced" features.

Real Time with PPM. Minute-by-minute results. Larry Johnson of Paragon Media writes:

"The minute-by-minute genie conceivably could be used by programmers to review the exact content during which people tuned out. While this has the potential to be a good coaching tool, it could also zap the stuff that Fans love. If programmers try to cut objectionable programming, they may be homogenizing content that generates Fans to the station."

Read Larry's complete piece - with reader comments - here.