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Category: Radio Listening

Take a Break with Radio

Labor Day – While its origins are based on the creation of a day to celebrate and honor the work of trade and labor organizations, it means something very different today. Labor Day is considered a day of rest and unofficially marks the end of summer, barbecues, days at the beach and summer sports.

Labor Day and every day, radio will be there to entertain, inform and keep listeners company. Radio will be tuned in in-car to provide weather and traffic details. Radio will be present at barbecues, parties and family reunions, providing music and entertainment.

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Reaching Sports Fans with Radio

Sports fans are amazing!  They will go to an event to watch “their” team play – whether it is 102 degrees or 2 degrees – they are there.  They identify with their teams and according to research on the subject, one professor of psychological and brain sciences was quoted as saying: “A huge part of who they are, where they derive a lot of their positive and negative affect, is from what their team is doing.”

Sports fans are very similar to radio listeners.  Both groups have strong emotional connections with the person or persons they are tuned in to.  So when you combine a sports fan that is also an avid radio listener, it’s a powerful combination.

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An Important Audio Device

Throughout the course of history there have been numerous audio and portable audio devices that allowed listeners to take their content with them wherever they went.  On July 27, an announcement was made that may have surprised some people – Apple revealed that it was discontinuing the iPod nano and shuffle.  These two products should receive some recognition because they made audio history and forever changed how people take audio with them.

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Radio speaks to the “Middle Child”

Whether you read ad industry trades, online or print news, there are always articles referencing millennial influences or changes impacting boomers. However, there is very little attention paid to Generation X, which Pew Research referred to as the ‘middle child’ in a 2014 article. Sandwiched between two larger generations, Gen Xers who in 2017 are somewhere between the ages of 38-52, are a much smaller group in size and therefore are often overlooked by marketers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Generation X spends more per household annually than any other generation – approximately $67K which is almost $20K more than what millennials spend. Additionally, they have the highest household income compared to the other generations.

So how do you reach this often over-looked and valuable generation? With broadcast radio — of course.

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Attention Back-to-School Shoppers

It’s time to get ready and get shopping for Back-to-School (B2S).  If you think it’s too early to reach those consumers, think again.  According to Deloitte’s 2017 Back-to-School survey, 71% of B2S shopping occurs during an eight-week period – July through August.

As the medium used closest to the moment of purchase, radio can help influence where they can get the best deals.  According to this same Deloitte survey, consumers are shifting from shopping at larger department stores and specialty channels to mass merchants and off-price venues.   Additionally, 20% of the respondents had not yet decided if they would shop in-store or online and “might be persuaded by targeted promotional efforts.”

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Dynamic and Interactive

That’s what radio is – dynamic and interactive.  So shouldn’t a website dedicated to providing all of the stats, data, research and information about radio be that way too?  Introducing the new dynamic and interactive Why Radio micro-site — an easier to navigate, extensive radio marketing and research guide.

OK, so this blog is supposed to be about sharing information and not filled with commercials according to the rules of blogging.  Well, rules were made to be broken, weren’t they?

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Celebrate with Radio

July 4th.  On this day 271 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was signed. In commemorating the occasion, we celebrate our collective patriotism and most importantly, remember all those who have and continue to protect and serve our country.

During this holiday like so many others, radio stations across the country will celebrate, honor and recognize those who have served and continue to serve – both overseas and in our communities.   Radio as a live and local medium has the ability to bring listeners of like minds, passions, interests and lifestyles together.  Radio celebrates with its listeners every day.

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Over-the-Air Radio Dominates —
Complemented by Streams

It doesn’t matter what state or city you are in or even the street you are on, smartphones are everywhere.  Smartphones have become an item that you can’t be without.  Think of the last time you forgot your phone.  Did you get that sick and almost lost feeling, like you were disconnected from everything?  It’s even harder when you live in a city where you commute using public transportation?  You have no choice but to read the signage on the bus or trains and even worse, look at people!!  Yikes.

OK, well maybe that’s a bit extreme, but I’m certain that brought at least a chuckle!  The point is that the smartphone doesn’t replace everything in a consumer’s life, but it does complement it.  Similarly, streaming or online radio complements broadcast radio.

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Complemented by Streams”

Men are Shopping, Buying and Listening

In recent years there have been studies and articles about millennial males and the increasing impact they have on purchases for everything from food to personal care.  While this may be true, it is because the role that men play in today’s American families has changed and continues to change.

According to Pew Research Center, “fathers today who live with their children are taking a more active role in caring for them and helping out around the house. And the ranks of stay-at-home and single fathers have grown significantly in recent decades.” The number of stay-at-home fathers varies based upon the source, ranging anywhere from 215,000 to 1.3 million.  Anecdotally, we all know that the number continues to grow – we hear about it more and more from friends, colleagues and family members.

This post is not intended to focus solely on stay-at-home dads, but to highlight how efforts to reach the male audience today has changed and is reflective of the shift in their role at work, at home and with family.  In the U.S. today there are nearly 120 million men 18 and older. So here’s what you need to know.

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Radio Reaches a $1.3 Trillion
Consumer Segment

Previous posts have focused on radio’s diversity – its diversity of music, formats and ability to reach different age groups. Radio also reaches a diverse audience – general market, Hispanic and Blacks/African-Americans.

According to African-Americans: Demographic and Consumer Spending Trends, a report released by Packaged Facts, African-American buying power grew 27% to $1.3 trillion – from 2010-2015. That buying power is forecast to grow 16% from 2015-2020.

While many pieces focused on Blacks/African-Americans’ rise during Black History Month, it’s important to note that this is a powerful consumer segment that should be reached for more than just that period of time. Read on to learn about some of the powerful ways that radio reaches this target audience.

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Consumer Segment”

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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Mom Knows Best, Best to Know Mom

 

Any way you slice it, U.S. moms are a massive group of passionate and loyal consumers who are decision-makers, multi-taskers, media junkies and have a collective buying power of more than $2.5T.

Not all moms are alike. There are stay-at-home moms, work-from-home moms, working moms, new moms, moms of older children and late bloomer moms, just to name a few. Generally speaking, moms are women who are making purchasing decisions not just for themselves but for the entire household. They are the consummate multi-taskers; they are socially active and aware; they value their time with family and their time alone or with friends; and they are constantly on-the-go.

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The Personality Connection

In case you missed it, read this commentary on youth and radio personalities.  Despite what some may think about youth and their communication via texts, half sentences, pictures and emoji’s, the human voice is still important.  And not just any voice, but the voice of a broadcast radio personality.

If you overheard a conversation and someone was referencing Mike and Patti, Letty B., Tad and Melissa or Ana Alicia, you might think that they were mentioning the names of friends.  Well, you are close. The names listed here are of those that seem like a friend to people on a daily basis – at least to listeners.  These are just some of the names of broadcast radio on-air personalities.

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Sports Radio Knocks It Out
of the Park for Fans

“There’s nothing like listening to my Red Sox on the radio outdoors or in the car.”

 “I listen to play- by-play more than watch games on TV since I do not have cable anymore.”

 “I enjoy the freedom of listening to the radio for sports programs as it allows me the freedom to be outside working on various projects.”

 “Announcers are funny. Commercials seem less intrusive and I don’t mind the interruption as much.”

These are just a few of the quotes we grabbed from an informal online survey regarding Sports Radio listening habits — sports radio simply works and works hard for those that are passionate about sports.  It’s not just the “big” games, it’s every game.  It’s the conversation, it’s the debate, it’s the voices, it’s the surprise, delight, defeat, and it’s simply the passion for sports that fuels the beast.

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of the Park for Fans”

Radio. No Secrets Here.

During the recent Association of National Advertisers’ (ANA) 2017 Media Conference, Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer at P & G, challenged CMOs to demand transparency from their digital media partners by eliminating ad fraud and making sure that the ad purchased actually reaches the intended  consumer.  Little to no audited proof of ad delivery should be considered unacceptable.

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Whet the Appetite with Radio

Isn’t it odd that when you hear someone talking about a meal they had you suddenly crave it?  And the more descriptive they become – using words like creamy, spicy, and juicy – that image comes to life, driving you to crave it even more.  These words don’t have to come from someone sitting next to you to whet your appetite; they can come from listening to the radio.

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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”

Radio + Smartphone = Constant
Companion

According to Statista, there will be well over 220 million smartphone users by the end of 2017.  These users will engage with radio in various ways – texting, downloading or just listening in.

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Companion”

Women – The Importance
of Communication

Everyone you know has a woman who has been influential in their life.  As people, we understand the important role that our mothers, aunts, sisters, and friends have played.  As women break through glass ceilings and help pave the way for others, the advertising industry has already recognized the important role that women play.  Radio, however, has always communicated to women and with women – from local radio personalities to nationally syndicated program hosts.

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of Communication”