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Radio Drives the New Auto-Buying Process

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

As one of radio’s top-spending categories, the role that radio plays in the car, as well as car sales, remains a dominant force. Radio reaches consumers (or auto-buying intenders) while they are in their car – on their way to work or just running errands.

As the events of this past March progressed and many people found themselves homebound, things changed. However, the role that radio plays in driving traffic to auto dealer websites did not. Radio was effective at driving search for dealerships pre-COVID-19 and continues to do so today.

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Celebrate Radio

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Radio. According to Merriam-Webster, radio is “the wireless transmission and reception of electric impulses or signals by means of electromagnetic waves.” At the Radio Advertising Bureau, these are just some of the words we use to define and describe radio: mass, personal, engaging, live, local, interactive, informative, entertaining. And yes, there are many more that can be used as we celebrate radio.

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The Spirit of Radio

Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB

Radio has long been known as a deeply personal, trusted and supportive partner for consumers, communities, and companies of all stripes. Fostering unity is part of the DNA of the more than 15,000 radio stations across the country. It is the spirit of radio.

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Navigating the New Auto Purchase Journey

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Think of the last time you went to buy or lease a new car. What were the steps you took? How long was the actual shopping and buying process? If you are like most people, it took about three months to shop, and a lot of it was done online.

The greater question is, what impact will COVID-19 have on the auto purchase journey?

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Under the Weather? Radio Can Help

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Recent headlines may have some Americans considering not only who their doctor is, but also when they last saw them – if they have one.

There are many ways to select a doctor or physician of any kind. Health.gov provides a few tips for adults on selecting a doctor. Those tips include asking for recommendations from family, friends or colleagues, as well as checking with insurance providers, considering distance to location and hours. Of course, most doctors have all this information available online, but how do you get them to the site? Radio, of course.

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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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Celebrating the Black Consumer

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

February is Black History Month, also known as African American Month. It celebrates and recognizes the roles that African Americans have played in shaping U.S. history. Originally established as Black History Week by American historian Carter G. Woodson, it was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1976.

As consumers, African Americans have a buying power of $1.3 trillion and are 47.8 million strong. They are socially active – as end-users as well as influencers. They also spend more time with media across devices – specifically radio, than the U.S. population in general.

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The Pulse on Audio

Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB

Staying in tune with the advertising community, with regards to their opinions as it relates to radio and audio, is key to success for radio stations and advertisers alike. Opinion research provides a solid read on the pulse of the community, who are surveyed on specific topics. Brands are able to see how their brand compares and gain valuable strategic insights. Radio stations can also gain insight into current perceptions that can be shared and addressed among the advertising community.  For these reasons, in 2019, RAB launched Audio Pulse™ – a polling mechanism to gauge the advertising community opinion on radio, as well as audio’s value and core competencies.

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Strictly Voters and Political Activists Are Listening

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Although the New Year is only entering its second week, one thing is certain.  The ad spending of political candidates is just starting to rev up as they each work to reach their constituency. Political ad spending forecasts continue to rise.

As candidates and PACs strategize and plan their campaign efforts, media options can deliver different types of voters – strictly voters or political activists.

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Radio’s Top 10 to Usher in 2020

Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB

As we leave one decade to enter another, we couldn’t be prouder of the progress that radio has made to continuously deliver first-class and relevant content to listeners any way they wish to consume it. Among consumers today, audio is hot and radio is hotter. Advertisers from Main Street to Wall Street are tapping into radio’s incredible power and unique attributes. Why? Because radio is emotionally engaging, personal and measurable with the ability to deliver ad messages in a safe and receptive environment.
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Local Driving Business

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Small businesses. They are the heartbeat of America and Main Street. Despite the current trend of online shopping, consumers across the country still love to support and shop at small businesses where they live and work. This Saturday, we celebrate small businesses across the country.
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Radio Generates 8X More Response

Contributor: Bruno Tabbi, President and Co-Founder, Ignition Toll-Free

Results. That’s what all advertisers want from any media channel they use. Radio has proven that it can drive in-store traffic and online traffic but what about phone traffic? Despite all the tech options available today, many consumers like to make their initial inquiry to a business over the phone. But using a random phone number on radio makes it incredibly challenging for listeners to remember how to reach the advertiser they just heard. That’s where vanity phone numbers come in. 

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Looking for Coverage? Radio Can Help

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

What’s the one thing that everyone needs but not many have? It’s also one thing that many adults won’t speak to their loved ones about. Life insurance.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, only 60% of U.S. adults had some form of life insurance and 20% believed that they didn’t have enough. The most common reasons for owning life insurance: cover burial and final expenses, help replaced lost wages of a wage earner and leave some money/inheritance.
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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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Radio’s Amazing Numbers

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Radio is an extension of every part of us.  It’s our ears that listen. It’s our fingers that touch the dial or app.  It’s our eyes when we want to know the traffic.  It’s our heart when we hear the songs that we grew up with, and it’s our soul when we hear of any devastation in a local community.

Radio is an incredible force and impacts listeners like no other medium does. A look at some of the figures that pertain to radio helps to both quantify and qualify radio as a powerful medium.

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Legal Woes? Radio Drives
Legal Services Search

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

There are certain times in life when you need an advisor — someone that can provide you with counsel.  How do you find this type of person that can provide you with this service?  Advertising a service can be difficult because you need to drive awareness, influence behavior and develop trust.

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Legal Services Search”

Radio Drives Fine Jewelry
Retailer Search

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Diamonds. Pearls. Rings.  Considered fine jewelry, these are all items that are purchased or gifted by many regardless of age group – yes, even watches.  According to Scarborough data, 93% of adults 18+ purchased fine jewelry in the past year.

Like other industries, the jewelry industry is experiencing changes in how consumers shop for fine jewelry.  Technology allows consumers to self-educate and research via various platforms and technologies.  While national jewelry retailers are an important source for fine jewelry purchases, local stores and department stores are tied as the second most-used locations, according to National Jeweler.

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Retailer Search”

Radio Drives Restaurant Search

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Food is fabulous!  And it’s even better when someone else prepares it and serves it to you – whether it is in a casual dining establishment, white tablecloth restaurant or even in a to-go bag.

The restaurant industry has undergone vast changes to meet the expectations of consumers.  They seek out unique foods and concepts that are authentic – in both flavor and experience.  They also expect healthy options that will delight the inner foodie in them.

Studies have shown that words and sounds (especially those related to food) can bring imagery to mind – one of radio’s many strengths.  And when you use any of these words or similar tactics within a radio commercial, radio drives restaurant search.

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Buying Attitudes of Radio Listeners
and Streamers

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Holiday shopping is in full swing.  According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), over 165 million consumers shopped online from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday.  When it comes to spending, 77% of consumers will spend the same or more this year than last, based on another NRF survey.

With all this news about shopping, we thought it might be interesting to look at the overall buying habits and attitudes of AM/FM radio and streaming listeners.

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and Streamers”