Innholdsfortegnelse for April 7, 2025 i Radio Ink Magazine

In days long gone, watchmen patrolled city walls high above the rest, ever vigilant for signs of danger like fires, approaching enemies, or even shifts in the wind that could signal a coming storm. Their job wasn't just to react to immediate threats but to anticipate threats before anyone else. Heaven knows radio has our fair share of threats outside the gates today. Revenue streams. Talent pools. Staff morale. Ever-shrinking budgets. As the rest of the industry carries on with the business at hand, we have our own watchmen on the walls for these dangers: the leaders tackling these complex challenges every day — including the new generation rising to assume the watch from the old guard. That's why Radio Ink established our annual list of Top 20 Leaders. This…

When I first started selling jingles all those years ago, I had a small case of cassettes with a dozen or so jingle samples. Then came the compact disc era, and I happily dived in. My jingle library rapidly expanded, along with the size of my sound systems, wires galore, and a heavy binder of music CDs and jingle track reference books. With the advent of laptop computers and MP3 files, I quickly transitioned into digital audio, with still more wires and super-slow laptop startup times. I remember drafting my presentation with a slow-loading laptop ready to play samples, only to turn down, pack up, and move to the next client meeting. The cell phone era arrived, and I embraced the new technology with open arms. I remember being in…

Great leaders are almost never discovered during good times, easy-rolling revenue eras, or as soon as they inherit a new job. It's the crisis that creates the reveal. In the radio business, the current crisis involves the changes leaders are facing with buyers and agencies. Other issues: a leader's ability to recruit key sellers at an exceptional level, train both newer and seasoned sellers (without resistance to training), and help create team momentum. Bonus: Leaders who stay calm when others don't win more often. 1. Exceptional leaders understand that change is the only occurrence they can depend on. This includes changes among key sellers and key accounts, and challenges to the business itself. Great leaders are always recruiting, even if they are not hiring at any given moment. 2. Great…

If you ever find yourself in need of an infusion of joy for radio, there's nothing quite like attending a student radio conference. The Inter-collegiate Broadcasting System has gathered annually in New York since it began in 1940. IBS is the hottest ticket for the hundreds of students who gather from around the country to meet, connect, network, and learn in hopes of working in the field. IBS attracts speakers from a top professional talent pool and managers (and station owners) from the New York City and Tri-State area. For managers, it's fun to meet radio students, not just for their enthusiasm and infectious curiosity but also to find out what they're up to. And they're up to a lot — original radio theater, unique interviews, true crime podcasts, music…

If you believe people today have a short attention span, you are mistaken. FACT: We live in an over-communicated society. This is why we have learned how to quickly filter out messages that do not interest us. FACT: We will happily spend several hours binge-watching shows that appeal to us. Where's your theory about our “short attention span” now? If you want to get people's attention and hold on to that attention, talk to them about things they already care about. If people aren't paying attention to your ads, it is because A) you chose the wrong thing to talk about, or B) you are talking about it in a predictable way. I wrote an ad this morning for a jewelry store. This is how the ad begins: RICK: Sicily…

Radio is facing a big shift — our most seasoned account executives are retiring, and with them go years of client relationships, local market knowledge, and sales expertise. I recently went through this myself; a longtime AE at our station retired, and even with plenty of notice, replacing that experience and client trust wasn't easy. It reinforced something we all know: if you wait until an AE is walking out the door to start thinking about replacements, you're already behind. The bottom line? Retirements are coming, but if we plan — mentoring new hires, recruiting outside the industry, training for digital, and creating a strong team culture — radio can keep thriving. I've seen firsthand how tough these transitions can be, but they can be smooth and successful with the…

Most people I've met in marketing started with traditional media, then eventually moved into digital or inbound marketing. Or they've stayed in their respective marketing silos. My journey is a bit different. I got my start at an inbound marketing agency specializing in web design and HubSpot. If you're unfamiliar with HubSpot, it's one of the biggest inbound marketing platforms. Their entire philosophy is built around the idea that outbound marketing — radio, print, billboards, anything that pushes a message to consumers — is outdated and ineffective. Instead, they teach businesses how to game the system so that customers “find” them on their own. The psychology behind it is simple: if a consumer believes they discovered you organically, they're more likely to buy. I remember sitting in a HubSpot seminar,…

Radio first joined drivers in their cars right around 1930, when a pricy (but successful) aftermarket unit debuted. By the end of that decade, AM radio was considered a standard feature in new cars; it was joined by FM starting in the 1950s. And Zenith, launched in 1918, was along for the whole ride. This sign (dating from the 1930s-40s) was proudly displayed at service stations nationwide. GOT A GREAT RADIO PHOTO? Send it to lpetersen@streamlinepublishing.com, and you may see it on this page!…

The Radio Ink team gathered in Nashville for this year's Country Radio Seminar, and as always, CRS proved a hub of learning, networking, and incredible performances by country legends and newcomers. One highlight of CRS is the presentation of Radio Ink's Best Program Directors in Country Radio awards by President & Publisher Deborah Parenti at Bob Kingsley's Acoustic Alley event, sponsored by Skyview Networks, ASCAP, First Horizon, and Country Top 40 With Fitz. Congratulations to all of this year's honorees!…

You've often heard the phrase “follow the money” in politics. Well, today, I want to discuss following the money in radio. Wherever you look, you hear the same complaints: “Nobody under 40 listens anymore,” “Everyone prefers streaming platforms,” and, “You play too many commercials.” But let's separate perception from reality. Radio reaches 92% of Americans weekly — more than TV and streaming services. That's not an opinion. That's a fact. Another fact is that radio audiences are active listeners, not passive scrollers. They tune in while driving, working, and running errands. They engage with the content, and when done right, they form a deep connection with the station and its personalities. I'm a programming guy — always have been, always will be. My focus has always been on the product:…

Those who know me well also know my undying loyalty to my hometown Philadelphia sports teams. A few weeks back, one of those teams, the Eagles, convincingly won their second Super Bowl. When these things happen, the analysts come out of the woodwork with their theories as to how they won. Yes, they had a tremendous group of talented players, including arguably the best running back in the game today. But that's the end result of what owner Jeffrey Lurie set out to do 31 years ago when he bought the team. HOW WAS CULTURE THE DIFFERENCE? Vision and long-term commitment: Lurie was never afraid to make bold moves and invest in the team's future. This year, four key members of the Eagles' number one defense were either rookies or…

“I was drawn to NAB because it combined what I loved from my previous roles but also focused on something meaningful in a different way.” The radio industry now operates in a rapidly evolving legislative, regulatory, and cultural environment, providing opportunities and challenges that need to be recognized, understood, and addressed. Strong leadership has never been more critical, and, fortunately, several organizations and individuals have stepped up to advocate for radio stations, their advertisers, and the communities they serve. The National Association of Broadcasters is one of the organizations leading the charge on behalf of broadcast media. Advocating for free local media on Capitol Hill as well as Main Street America, its dedicated team is committed to ensuring that all Americans have access to news, information, culture, and entertainment. April…