Sunday Morning Odds & Sods

81 - sunny at 11am

Happy Sunday.

This afternoon its game #2 of my 8-year old's flag football season. Last week his team ("The Chiefs") won 20-8.

Listening. Yesterday - to WDRV/Chicago's HD2 "Deep Cuts" channel - hosted by Steve Seaver. Still hearing tunes on that channel that I haven't heard in years.

Yesterday's highlight was a Simon & Garfunkel track - "The Only Living Boy in New York". Kudos to whoever has their fingers on The Drive's HD2 Selector database. And the research.

Weird....haven't heard that track for at least 30 years but I could still sing along in my head. My second Simon & Garfunkel moment in as many weeks. And I haven't had any S&G in my collection since I got rid of all my vinyl.

Also listened a bit to WCSX/Detroit yesterday and "Saturday Morning Over Easy". Plus WBFX/Grand Rapids.

This morning its coffee with "Rock & Roll Roots" on WDRV - Bob Stroud celebrating John Lennon's birthday (67 this coming Tuesday. Lots of great tunes.

At 11am eastern - its a switch to another "Rock & Roll Roots" on Milwaukee's WKLH. Steve Palec featuring the music of Harry Nilsson - lots from the Nilsson/John Lennon era of the mid-70s.

Streaming is a wonderful thing; if anything to listen to 'KLH and commercials for car dealer Ernie Von Schledorn. So Wisconsin.
Memo to WKLH: Please fix your streaming insertion.

Alan Mason. In his latest post - Alan writes about listening to your critics - your detractors - about what they're saying (or writing on the 'net) about your radio station. Alan blogs:

"If someone says something bad about your station, the worst thing you can do is react defensively. Instead you need to keep listening to those conversations, and thank your detractors for making you better. Some conversations are worth avoiding all together. Others are ones you can join into, but not direct or lead. Talking isn’t the goal, listening is."

More from Alan here. I suggested some ideas here a few months back ways to keep an ear on the 'net about your station.

I recall something that CBS Radio President Dan Mason said during one of the recent R&R sessions in Charlotte: "I may be the only president that reads radio message boards but I want to know what the people are saying about our radio stations".

Bruce. Tonight "60 Minutes" talks to Mr. Springsteen. CBS-TV 7pm Eastern (or right after NFL Football).

Might be worth rolling tape/TiVo for bites.

Imus. Lots of mixed reports whether its a done deal or not - but Citadel apparently very close to a deal to put Imus back on the air by the end of the year; likely on WABC.

Citadel boss Farid Suleman quoted as saying “He did something wrong. He didn’t break the law."

Added: Lee Arnold here with "Why Can't I Get Tickets To The Concert?"

Lee's story - from the New York Times - mentions that fans have sometimes found tickets to a concert or event at many times face value - just minutes after the public sale has begun. Say what?

Added: Rick Kaempfer profiles WFGR/Grand Rapids Program Director Len O'Kelly here.

Len a fellow Chicago person; I love his story about having a young airstaff and being "the old married guy".

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.

Listeners Showing Off Their Racks...

75° - sunny at 1:52pm

No - not those racks.

Hmm...classic rock station. Heavy male demos. Hunting season underway.

Here's consumer-generated content for your website and an opportunity for your sales department to pick up some NTR dollars. A no-brainer.

See "Rate My Rack" from WBFX/Grand Rapids here.

See "Rack Of The Day" from WAOR/South Bend here.

Your mileage may vary given your region - but this is a great lifestyle promotion that a good chunk of your audience can get into.

50 Years Ago Today...

I'm reminded this morning by our friends at Google about an event on October 4, 1957 that totally rocked our world:


Sputnik. The first man-made object to orbit earth. 183 pounds and the size of a basketball. It changed everything.

More - including audio - here.