Marketron

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.

Continue reading “Insights from The Infinite Dial”

Radio. It’s On!

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Cancellations, social distancing, empty streets, working from home, virtual classes – this has become the new norm for many of us. We are all anxiously waiting to get back to how it used to be. In the interim, there is one thing that everyone can count on. Radio. It’s On.
Continue reading “Radio. It’s On!”

It’s Not Business as Usual

Author: Jeff Schmidt, SVP, Professional Development, RAB

“Be safe, be mindful and be calm.” – Erica Farber, RAB President and CEO

One thing is for certain, we are in times of uncertainty. Change is happening hour by hour. Our government leaders, medical community, service organizations and our business communities are all trying to respond appropriately and immediately to the ever-evolving situation.

Continue reading “It’s Not Business as Usual”

Vital Help In Times of Need

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

“Tough times never last, tough people do.” Dr. Robert H. Schuller

There is no doubt that we are all experiencing a difficult and stressful time. Natural disasters and current events have everyone unsettled. Staying up to date on local news is important – whether you are impacted by the events or not.

Continue reading “Vital Help In Times of Need”

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.

Continue reading “Under the Weather? Radio Can Help”

Targeting the Affluent Consumer

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Today’s uncertainty in the economic landscape is top of mind among consumers and businesses alike. This uncertainty is impacting everyone – including those who are considered affluent.

According to the YouGov Affluent Perspective 2019 Global Survey, only 44% of respondents stated that they were extremely/very confident in the strength of their personal economy. Perhaps that is why 76% state that they are making fewer and more meaningful purchases.

Continue reading “Targeting the Affluent Consumer”

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.

Continue reading “Radio by the Numbers”

The Voice That Keeps You Company

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

During RAB’s team coverage of CES 2020, John Holdridge of Fullscreen, a social content company, believes that there is a pending social recession. He said that people may “optimize their time for their health and well-being, there may be a point of turn-off for social.” How can eliminating social media be beneficial to a person’s health and well-being? According to a survey sponsored by the Cigna Health Insurance Company, loneliness is at an all-time high and triggered using social media. On the other hand, some studies have pointed to audio and voice as an aid to battle loneliness.

Continue reading “The Voice That Keeps You Company”

Looking Into Her Shopping Cart

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Women make up most of the U.S. population – and they control $15 trillion in spending. They hold incredible influence in household purchase decisions – 75% to 80%. Marketing to women is an important element to the success of brands – but it’s not as simple as making things pink.

Continue reading “Looking Into Her Shopping Cart”

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.

Continue reading “Celebrating the Black Consumer”

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.

Continue reading “The Pulse on Audio”

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.

Continue reading “Insights into CES”

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.

Continue reading “Getting Perspective”

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.

Continue reading “Strictly Voters and Political Activists Are Listening”

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.
Continue reading “Radio’s Top 10 to Usher in 2020”

More Than Ever, Radio is Ready to Prove Results

Contributor: RC Williams, Account Manager, AnalyticOwl

In an increasingly competitive and evolving media landscape, and with growing advertiser demand for tangible, measurable responses, radio has never been more ready to meet the challenge.

Continue reading “More Than Ever, Radio is Ready to Prove Results”

Radio is Back in the Home

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

“What’s today’s weather forecast?” Did you know that is one of the top requests on smart speakers by their owners? Personally, that’s a question I ask my smart speaker daily. In fact, I often find myself wanting to ask that question out loud – even when I am away from home.

Continue reading “Radio is Back in the Home”

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.
Continue reading “Local Driving Business”

Culture is Driving Growth

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Over the next 20 years, the U.S. population will be comprised mostly of multi and intercultural individuals according to U.S. Census population projections.  This growth is attributed to the increase in the number of Asian, Blacks/African Americans and Hispanics/Latinx in the country and is being viewed as the catalyst of brand and revenue growth by advertisers and marketers alike.

Combined, these groups are projected to yield a buying power of $4.7 trillion by the year 2020 – up from $3.8 trillion in 2017, according to Nielsen.  Despite this projection, the dollars spent to target and advertise to  multicultural consumers remain relatively low.  While 37% of the U.S. population was comprised of Asian Americans, African Americans and Hispanic Americans in 2018, only 6% of advertising and marketing dollars were targeted to these segments, according to a study compiled and presented by Dr. Leo Kivijarv of PQ Media at the 2019 ANA Multicultural and Diversity Conference.
Continue reading “Culture is Driving Growth”

What’s the Deal With CBD Product Advertising?

Contributors: Brad C. Deutsch, Principal, Foster Garvey, P.C. and Benjamin J. Lambiotte, Principal, Foster Garvey, P.C

Ever since December 2018, when the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp and derivatives containing no more than 0.03% THC from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”), it seems that hemp-derived CBD products are everywhere – in grocery stores, pharmacies, online, and even in pet stores and restaurants. Sales and investment growth figures for the CBD industry are staggering and with that a lot of potential advertising revenue. However, any decision to take CBD advertising must be made with an understanding that the legal status of CBD-infused food, beverages, and dietary supplements remains unsettled and confusing. Although hard and fast rules are hard to come by (and probably will be for a while), here’s a summary of where things stand as of October 2019.

Continue reading “What’s the Deal With CBD Product Advertising?”