Is New FM-Equipped iPod A Game Changer?

Probably not, although as Mark Ramsey notes, it is a breath of fresh air for the radio industry.

Happy Anniversary to the NRB!

Celebrating 65 years of influence, support and proclamation…happy anniversary to the National Religious Broadcasters!

Video Killed The Radio?

Radio stations sometimes use video to promote their product. Here are two very different takes on bad video production. Have to agree with the assessment that one is bad on purpose, the other is just plain bad. I’m wondering, did the radio sales team pull off these video productions? Sure seems likely.

Watch, and tell me: Did the video kill the radio station’s image? Which one will “stick” longer with viewers, and why?

When advertising, it is probably best to stay within the area of your expertise, or at least to hire someone better than you to do the creative.

Why New iPhones Don’t Have FM Tuners

Mark Ramsey knows.

VoiceOver…Radio…VO…iPod

Apple’s new “VoiceOver” feature for iTunes and iPods strikes me as a whole lot like adding a DJ to your iPod. Admittedly, that is one lifeless announcer, but still…another encroachment into radio territory. How will broadcasters react to this development?

Google’s Shifting Interests

Leaving two “traditional” media advertising sales efforts, Google is now planning to shuft their attention to…(surprise!) online streaming. Article here.

Makes some sense, in light of what Google does. Still, I think there is a lot to be made in traditional radio advertising. The medium has some 90% of the U.S. tuned in weekly. Where there are ears, there will be ads!

Worst Stock of 2008? It Is A Media Company

For this writer, “worst” translates to “uncomfortably likely to go to zero.” No surpise, it is a media company. I feel badly for a friend who owns a fair amount of this stock.

Professional Narration Makes Sense

Here’s an interesting piece about the pros and cons of paying for a professional voice talent. Intended for the those in the “e-learning” community, the advice is useful for anyone involved in communication. Hint: Read the comments for some very good interaction and real-world perspectives.

And, if you need to find a voice-over talent, contact Fuller Media. We’d be happy to help find a good fit for your project!

Cuts At Clear Channel

Trimming jobs to affect 1,500 at radio/advertising giant Clear Channel Communications. Targeted employees and budget cuts are said to include local programming hosts and production staff.

I’ll suggest that eliminating local programming is a mistake. While some of my favorite radio shows are nationally syndicated (and I happen to work for a national broadcast), there is a strong case to be made for a good local presence. That is what makes for good radio. And as the ol’ saying goes, “All news is local.”

Bad Numbers For HD Radio

I’m a big radio fan, but these numbers don’t bode well for the industry’s effort to make “HD Radio” the new standard for listening:

• Estimated 2008 sales of new HD Radio-enabled receivers and radios: 600,000
• Estimated 2008 sales of Apple’s iPod: 33 Million

Um, too little, too late? Yeah, probably so.