Every day, you check the trades...you read the BLOGS... you talk to friends...and you hear the negativity about radio. I may be crazy but I (still) love radio!I love radio for what it's meant to me from the time I was young and first discovered the power of the music...the DJs...the commercials...the games and contests...the whole package. At its best, it was the original social networking site. I was turned on to new music. I heard about all of the cool things that were coming to town. I felt connected to the jocks on the air. It was just the beginning of a life long love affair.
I love radio for what it became: my livelihood...my passion...my mistress...my creative outlet...my business. You oftentimes hear about people that destroy their passion by making it their daily job. For me, it fuels the fire.
I (still) love radio for its future...the unrealized potential...the opportunities...the next generation of ideas--the innovation. Will it be different? Of course it will be. Change is constant--whether we choose to see it or not. It's been changing all along and many folks have gone kickin' and screamin' fighting the evolution.
We're so focused on technology and the rapid changes in the potential delivery systems, measurement systems, and of course a terrible economy...that many of us are failing to see the opportunities for programming innovation. All of the changes taking place right now are presenting an interesting challenge--but a chance to develop deeper, personal relationships with our listeners/users/viewers/consumers.
I (still) love radio because it can be as powerful and meaningful as we want it to be...as we dream it to be...the centerpiece for digital content distribution.
I (still) love radio and the other passionate, talented individuals--that can take all the pieces, mix them up, shuffle them, edit them, combine them, divide them, re-organize them, and turn these pieces into audio/video magic that other people actually care about, seek out, share, and save. I've met and worked with some of the most brilliant, creative, innovative, passionate, driven pros in programming, sales, promotions & marketing, management, and ownership. When I compare them to the people I've worked with in television, cable, print, and others...radio people usually outshine them---but rarely get their deserved credit.
I (still) love radio for its business potential. The business may be off track due to the economy, but do you doubt the money-making opportunities that exist? Companies with dwindling Wall Street values are still billing millions upon millions of dollars in advertising revenues. Once the expectations become more realistic, smart business people will realize that radio is a GREAT advertising medium for businesses large and small.
I (still) love radio for its ability to change and adapt. The change may be slow at times. The change may be forced on the industry...but radio just keeps on adjusting and morphing to fit the needs of its listeners and advertisers. Radio will figure out a way to stay relevant and profitable.
I (still) love radio in all of its shapes and sizes: from small markets to major markets...from big groups to mom & pop ownership. Big town-small town, major corporation or not, each presents its unique opportunity to succeed and grow. A tough economy is the great equalizer. When advertising and promotional dollars are virtually non-existent, it comes down to who has the better ideas...and who has the passion and drive to implement and execute better...programming, promotions, and sales!
I (still) love radio for all that it has been...and all that it will be. Radios are everywhere...we just need to give listeners enough incentive to turn them on and use them. We need to develop programs that help advertisers get results. We need to harness the power of veteran leadership vision and combine it with the innovation and youthful multi-media awareness to develop our new arsenal of products and services.
I (still) love radio...I have a fiery passion...a keen, pragmatic business savvy...an innate ability to see the bigger picture while never losing sight of the day to day ratings and revenue goals...a finger on the pulse of pop culture, technological innovation, and talent development. Protect the license...build the brand...manage the systems...lead the people...improve ratings...make budget. We now live in a multi-station, multi-format, multi-media, multi-tasking environment. Everything I dreamed of when I first got into the business...how exciting!
I (still) love radio...Do you?
