Innholdsfortegnelse for January 5, 2026 i Radio Ink Magazine

For decades, the Consumer Electronics Show was a must-attend event for broadcasters. A chance to see the latest innovations, network with tech leaders, and glimpse the future of how our content reaches audiences. But this year, I’m staying home. Here’s the thing: when someone’s actively working against your industry, showing up to their party feels less like exploring the future and more like funding your own funeral. Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shapiro has made his position crystal clear. He’s not just opposing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act — he’s weaponizing it. Shapiro wants to tie AM mandate legislation to the American Music Fairness Act, essentially holding free emergency alert access hostage on behalf of record labels and royalty collectors. But it doesn’t stop there. Shapiro has suggested…

You see it in almost every post: “The industry is changing.” “Budgets are tight.” “Teams are leaner than ever.” But here’s the part that never makes the headlines: radio is still hiring. Executives are still scouting talent. And if you’re a seller, manager, or executive in radio, you can use your digital footprint to position yourself for your next great opportunity. It’s not about reinvention, it’s about visibility. Here’s how to do it effectively and professionally. Showcase Your Expertise, Not Just Your Role Radio pros have deep knowledge of client strategy, storytelling, local engagement, revenue growth, and talent management. Share that. Short posts about sales wins (respecting confidentiality), creative solutions, client insights, successful integrations, or lessons learned on the street resonate with industry leaders. Your value is bigger than your…

Digital isn’t radio’s future anymore, it’s radio’s present. In 2024, one in five radio revenue dollars belonged to digital. In 2025, it was one in four. The growth is so compelling that talent is now flowing in reverse: digital-native professionals are choosing radio over pure-play tech platforms, drawn by the combination of sophisticated targeting capabilities and something Google and Meta can’t replicate: genuine local market authority. This “Sweet Sixteen” of sales professionals speak fluent attribution, deploy AI-assisted workflows, and can dissect a customer’s search behavior as deftly as they can organize a 60-second spot. They’ve turned digital from an awkward add-on into their greatest competitive advantage. They’ve never apologized for being with radio companies, because they’ve started proving radio is something better: a marketing partner that actually understands how Main…

No matter how talented or experienced you are, your success at work often hinges on one thing: relationships. The way you connect with your boss and co-workers can be the difference between surviving and thriving in your career. Leveraging those relationships doesn’t mean being manipulative; it means building trust, demonstrating value, and creating genuine partnerships that drive mutual success. Start with your boss. Understand what matters most to them: Goals Pressures Success metrics This allows you to align your efforts with theirs. Be proactive in solving problems, anticipate needs before they’re voiced, and deliver results that make your boss’s job easier. That builds confidence and establishes you as a reliable ally rather than just an employee. Regular, transparent communication helps ensure you’re on the same page and gives you an…

You’re facing rising demand for digital visibility, faster content cycles, and new revenue expectations. You also want to support talent, grow sponsorship opportunities, and reach listeners across more platforms. With these pressures, it’s time to rethink the role of a Digital Producer. To understand how the role has shifted, Radio Ink spoke with Allie Gold, Social Media Director for The Zach Sang Show. Gold previously worked at iHeartMedia in Los Angeles and New York, and she knows first-hand how digital support influences reach, revenue, and listener behavior. Where You’ll See Digital Impact First Right now you’re probably relying on producers and on-air teams to post social media clips during tight breaks or at the end of long shifts. Your sales team is searching for more digital inventory, and your programmers…

If you want different results in 2026, you can’t keep sending the same “Got a few minutes to talk about advertising?” emails. The difference between being ignored and securing a meeting usually comes down to one thing: did you show up with a real, specific reason to talk or a generic pitch? That’s where AI becomes your daily assistant before noon. AI can create more innovative pre-call research and Valid Business Reasons (VBRs) in minutes. THE “PERFECT PROMPT” FOR PRE-CALL PROSPECTING Here’s the core prompt to enter into your assistant of choice. Brackets indicate where to fill in the blanks: You are an expert B2B mar keting strategist who understands local radio, digital, and small-business challenges. I’m a radio/digital sales rep preparing to call on [type of business – e.g.,…

A the heart of every successful enterprise is a key individual: VITO. VITO, which stands for Very Important Top Officer, is the ultimate decision-maker in every small, medium, and large company you encounter in your market. This powerful concept was first introduced to me through Anthony Parinello’s seminal 1994 business book, Selling to VITO: The Very Important Top Officer. Based on this principle, I made a conscious choice long ago to bypass gatekeepers like General Managers, Sales Managers, Marketing Directors, and advertising agencies when seeking appointments for my client jingle presentations. My recommendation to radio stations for booking these crucial meetings is based on three simple, non-negotiable qualifications: Owner Presence: We must have all registered owners (VITO) present in the meeting. Firm Commitment: It must be a firm, confirmed appointment,…

Jeff Warshaw is sitting in a conference room in middle America — Iowa, to be exact—and he’s smiling. Can you blame him? His acquisition of Alpha Media’s assets catapulted Connoisseur Media into the top 10 U.S. radio operators by revenue. And he’s not celebrating from a corner office in Connoisseur’s home state of Connecticut. Warshaw is doing something radically different: he’s visiting his new radio family in the heart of winter. Warshaw last graced Radio Ink’s cover in 2013 under the headline “Turning Debt into Diamonds.” Back then, he was the scrappy underdog, the guy who saw value where others saw red ink. Now, with the Alpha acquisition, and as our Executive of the Year, he’s playing at a different scale — but with the same instincts. As he campaigns…