Marketron

Category: Automotive

Insights from The Infinite Dial

Contributor: Laura Ivey, Director of Research, Edison Research

The most telling image from The Infinite Dial 2020 presentation is a screenshot of our presenters, Edison Research SVP Tom Webster and Triton Digital President of Market Development John Rosso, leading the webcast with over 1,500 attendees from their respective homes. No one could have anticipated that our setup would be driven by social distancing precautions. Now seems like a most appropriate time to talk about the most recent findings on the “infinite dial” of podcasting, digital, audio, radio and social media that connect us all.

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Radio by the Numbers

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Artificial intelligence. Autonomous vehicles. Robotic pets. It is easy to become enamored with technology and the latest gadgets, because they provide us with something that we didn’t know we needed or wanted. However we have also seen some technology or gadgets that some thought would be the next hottest thing, fizzle out.

Despite these tech advances, people today still use and appreciate the value of Radio. At its core, Radio remains relevant and prevalent, regardless of the device or platform used to tune in.

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Insights into CES

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Once viewed as an event for techies, CES has radically evolved. CES 2020 was not about consumer electronics, it was about the consumer experience. Technology is shifting everything. It is driving brand transformation and enhancing the experience for consumers, while also having an impact on everything they do – banking, cooking, shopping and raising families.

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Getting Perspective

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

When it comes to consumer behavior, awareness of their views and attitudes will be an important component to understanding their purchase journey. In fact, 2020 is being deemed as the Year of the Consumer across various industries. Like it or not, today’s consumer has greater opportunities and platforms to express their views and opinions – ranging from goods, to brands and causes.

Consumers today are used to immediate satisfaction and “get it today” – all driven by emotion and attitudes.

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Radio Matters Rewind

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Today is Memorial Day. It is a time when we remember and honor those who have died protecting and serving our country. It is also the unofficial kickoff of the summer season – with parades, picnics, barbecues and family gatherings.

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Lessons Learned from Auto Advertisers

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

There’s no doubt that technology is impacting all industries.  When it comes to the auto industry, the impact has been tremendous.  From interactive dashboards to navigation systems to on-board safety features.  Despite all these features, certain drivers still want simplicity and just be “able to turn their radio on or off” according to Tom Payton, AVP, Marketing Operations with American Honda Motor Company.

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Radio Matters to Auto Dealers

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), auto dealers had a trillion dollars in sales in 2018. Sales for 2019 have been difficult due to winter storms, the impact of the government shutdown and lower tax refunds. While vehicle sales may be affected by external influences, dealerships continue to advertise.

As a top spending ad category across multiple media, it’s important to understand the view dealerships have of the media options available to them. Continue reading “Radio Matters to Auto Dealers”

Resolutions and Reflections

Authors: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB & Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Happy New Year!  It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by.   Right now all of us are working toward our resolutions for 2019 — both personal and professional — as well as remembering the numerous highlights of 2018.

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Radio Drives Auto Search

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Consumers today, specifically auto-buying intenders, shop differently.  Reasons for differences in their shopping behavior are due to age, brand awareness and ad influence.  Thanks to data collection via technology, there are now ways to quantify the impact of advertising and more importantly, the specific impact that can be attributed directly to radio.

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Radio Drives Store Traffic

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Consumers today continue to shop and buy at brick and mortar locations, despite the surge of online shopping. In fact, according to a survey released by GroundTruth, a global location tech company, 38% of consumers believe they spend more money in-store.  What influences that spend?  The experience.

According to an article published in Forbes earlier this year, what will be critical for the retail industry is “the customer experience.” The same rings true for automotive.  An Autotrader study found that 54% of consumers would buy from a dealership that offers their preferred experiences, regardless of cost. When it comes to the QSR (quick service restaurant) industry, the experience is key.  The interaction customers have with the employees is just as important as the food that is being served.

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Auto Disclaimers Help Drive Purchase Intent

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

One of radio’s biggest creative challenges has been the disclaimers that are mandatory for commercials of specific ad categories.  The long list of rates, money down, and other qualifiers once considered audio noise contained within auto ads may in fact be influential for those consumers who are in the market to purchase/lease a vehicle.  Based upon a recent analysis of auto dealer ads, these along with additional findings can be a game changer for increased revenue opportunities for radio.

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Hispanics – the Fastest Growing
Consumer Market

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

$1.5 trillion.  That is the buying power of the Hispanic consumer – the largest minority market in the U.S.  According to the Selig Center for Economic Growth, this group’s economic clout has grown 203% since 2000, which makes it one of the fastest growing consumer markets here in the U.S.  This group represents nearly 18% of the country’s population.

Advertising to ethnic audiences was once considered an afterthought.  However, as the buying power of Hispanic consumers continued to increase, its importance as a target audience for advertisers grew.

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Consumer Market”

Reaching the Auto Buyer

The automotive industry is anticipated to see a slight uptick at the end of 2017.  Although October was slightly down, end-of-year incentives should provide a boost to November and December.

However, it’s not just about incentives.  Auto buying intenders are well educated prior to entering any dealerships.  The question is how do you reach them?  And when you do reach them, you need to understand their auto buying and auto servicing preferences as well as their radio listening habits.

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There’s Something for Every Ear

“I’m a purple person.”  “I prefer basic black.”  “I like to wear bold colors.”  People have distinctive tastes and preferences when it comes to clothing or accessories.  These preferences are personal, similar to that of radio listening, and similarly, music choice.

A researcher at Heriot-Watt University in the U.K. studied over 36,000 participants’ ratings of 104 music styles and found a direct correlation to their personalities.  The study showed that heavy metal music fans are normally calm and comfortable around others, while classical music lovers are often shy and creative.  Hard-working and outgoing would be words to describe pop and country music listeners.   The relationship between radio and the listener has always been an emotional one but what they listen to is not just personal, it is an extension of who they are.

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Radio Rules the Road

“It’s Saturday night, about time to go.  Got my white leather jacket and a neon soul.  Once I turn on the radio I’m ready to roll.”  Those lyrics from Maren Morris’ “80s Mercedes” resonate with everyone.  Who doesn’t know that feeling of getting in the car, turning the radio on and listening to your favorite songs? Continue reading “Radio Rules the Road”

Scale. Storyteller. Relationships.

"Digital portable clock radio with red illuminated lcd display. Radio has a wooden body, metallic buttons and antenna. Isolated on white background."

These are the words that have been used to describe radio by some of the most widely recognized national brands and large advertising agencies.  During the 40th Annual Fall Broadcast Management Conference and the 16th Annual Power of Urban Radio Forum, speakers and panelists discussed radio’s strengths, future as well as what radio can do to help advertisers address their challenges.

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Auto Stays On Course with Radio

Colorful Cars Inventory. Dealership Cars in Stock 3D Illustration. Aerial View.

Radio plays an important role for the auto industry both in-dash and for sales.  According to the Infinite Dial 2016, of those adults 18+ who had driven/ridden in a car in the past month cited AM/FM radio as their most used in-car device – specifically 84% general market Adults 18+, 80% African-Americans 18+, 79% Hispanics 18+ and 77% of Adults 18-34.  When it comes to sales, radio is a steadfast component of auto sales.

For the past five years, radio’s share of U.S. auto dealers’ ad spend has remained consistently strong, while other traditional media have experienced extensive declines – especially when compared to spending in 2002.

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