Dan O'Day On Radio

54° - cloudy with light rain at 6:59am

Good Morning from Okemos...

This past weekend, the brilliant Dan O'Day posted this on his own blog (I found it via his post on Facebook). Dan prefaced the post with a note that this may offend radio executives.

I believe there's some truths here that need to be heard and at the very least can give owners, executives, GMs and PDs something to think about:


Dan's blog btw, an excellent read here. Make it part of your daily diet.

Podell Goes Obama

50° - overcast at 1:44pm

No, beyond my wife and myself, I have no idea who anyone (including this guy) voted for on November 4th.

Clearing that up - below is a great example below of a lesson learned from the Presidential campaign from WCSX/Detroit PD Doug Podell. This past Tuesday the station announced (see blog post here) the departure of its longtime J.J. and Lynne, leaving many WCSX listeners to wonder "what's next"?

As our President-Elect did announcing a running mate (among other things...), Podell is inviting WCSX listeners to register now to know the next big announcement first via email and via text messaging:

And if you're keeping score - this is only the third post on 'CSX this week...LOL.

Leo LaPorte: Digital Opportunties For Radio

47° - overcast at 6:50am

Had some time early this morning to watch some video from the Jacobs Media Summit 13, held during the NAB/R&R Convention in Austin back in September. One video that really caught my eye was digital world rock star Leo LaPorte. I've been a fan of Leo's since his ZDTV/Tech TV days.

In this session, Leo offered some great tips and advice for radio - including all the (free or almost-free) resources for stations on the web, building audience relationships, revenue opportunties and the power of live reads.

Very well worth your time - scroll down and see here (then check out the rest of the videos - including "The Presidents of Radio").

Thanks to Fred and Paul Jacobs for sharing.

Recommended Viewing: You Tube 101

Actually the title of this is "An anthropological introduction to YouTube" - a presentation by Kansas State University Professor Michael Wesch at the Library of Congress this past June.

But it goes far beyond that. Lots of insight into the consumer generated media world.

Share with everyone at your station:



Kudos to Bob Lefsetz for the tip.

Added: This morning's post from Fred Jacobs. Subject: YouTube.

Monday Monday

24° - overcast at 7:31am

Welcome to the work week.

If I may recommend some reading today - its a couple of pieces that I read with my morning coffee. I believe that you'll get something out of each and find a common theme.

First this by Fred Jacobs - which includes:

"Traditional media is getting the message loud and clear, and their corporate bosses are removing the handcuffs. More and more are investing in digital content, and specifically, video efforts. Radio simply has to get on board this fast moving bus and to do so, needs to develop talent that can translate its great audio content into video streams. More and more, stations that have launched CGM contests are finding to their pleasant surprise that there are incredible young "craftspeople," skilled in video production and editing, living in their markets."

And then this long piece from Seth Godin - which includes:

"To succeed in the old days, here's what you needed to do (choose any two!):

1. Grab a piece of the electromagnetic spectrum, hopefully one limited by the government

2. Buy up the supply of actors or writers
3. Establish long term profitable relationships with distributors and retail outlets

Welcome to a new century. In the new century, we all have the same goal:

1. Establish a direct and positive relationship with the end user.

It sounds easy. It's not. It's scary. It's likely to wreck your business before it saves it. Doesn't matter. The truth is: businesses that don't aggressively pursue this tactic will disappear."

One Franchise. Two Platforms.

....and its all about storytelling.

Monday Monday

82° - sunny at 1:08pm

Good afternoon.

AC/DC and Verizon Wireless: "....another reminder about how critically important mobile phones and Classic Rock are in the new media scheme of things." - Fred Jacobs.

Read here.


Great Monday Ideas

From Jaye Albright's Breakfast Blog: "Watch the latest web video from Lynch & Meyers as they prep their show for The Brew/Milwaukee. Thanks to Sean Lynch for sending it along."

"WSSL/Greenville was the first station (almost 15 years ago now) that I heard put their daily morning show promo on the station's music on hold, so everyone who calls the station hears a plug for tomorrow's morning show while they wait for their party at the station."

Thanks Jaye. Love the Brew/Milwaukee morning prep video. Reminds me of a few morning drive moments in my career!

And we have this thought from Dave Martin's PPM News & Comment Blog: "The early days of PPM include a growing store of advice, counsel on how to win in a PPM world. My thought is one of the most important and effective strategies not yet getting the attention deserved. Keep a diary.

As a practical matter keeping a diary, or journal if you prefer, affords an outstanding return on investment. Your diary will prove invaluable in gaining an understanding of PPM data. What is happening? What is not happening? What are the players doing to influence the action?"

PPM is giving us insights we never had before about our audience; continuing education for everyone. A great idea Dave - thank you!


Personal note: a few weeks back I wrote here about the passing of WITL's Jay J McCrae. Jay a program director I had the privilege of working in the same building with at the Citadel cluster in Lansing, Michigan.

I mentioned that Jay's wife and partner of 25 years - Jordan Lee - also handles middays on the station.

A post on the Michigan Radio Buzzboard noted Jordan's return to work this morning saying on air: "...Jay was not only my husband, but one of the toughest program directors to work for and I can hear him saying get back to work... so here we go." Welcome back Jordan.

More here tomorrow.