Our Latest Industry Blogs

The world of video streaming may be the most competitive category in the media ecosystem. Once Netflix carved out the path to success, other wannabes rapidly followed, crowding the space. So if you’re a new entrant, how do you gain traction with the biggest players in the space? You don’t. Instead, smaller, well-defined niche players that stream narrower content categories are enjoying success with video streaming. And wouldn’t you know it – there are lessons here for radio companies trying to gain a foothold in the growing media landscape.

If you think iHeart or Audacy own the most radio stations in the U.S., think again. A Japanese company plans on broadcasting in more than 12,000 locations by the end of 2026. Their name? 7-Eleven. Gulp.

The term “mass media” suggests reaching a vast, undifferentiated audience with “one-size-fits-all” mainstream content. But more and more, consumers of all generations appreciate personalized content especially created and curated just for them and their unique interests and tastes. For a mass medium like broadcast radio, this presents a profound challenge. Yet, there are ways to customize and personalize the experience to create stronger connections with consumers and advertisers. Today’s blog post explores what that looks like.

AI is continuing to shake things up, pushing boundaries and igniting debates. Apple and Baidu are diving into smart glasses, OpenAI’s SearchGPT is gunning for Google, and Meta’s AI-powered news partnerships are stirring the pot. On the creative front, Universal bets on “ethical” AI music while the Beatles snag a groundbreaking AI-assisted Grammy nod. But…

Everyone has experienced a different career journey. For many, the road has had its share of bumps and side trips. For a few, it’s been a relatively easy ride. But we all could have benefitted from the perspective we have now. Imagine being able to give your young self some advice from your perch today. Here’s what I would tell early radio Fred.

Technology has a habit of giveth and taketh things away. Not to go all biblical on you, but for every new innovation – like the ability for you to make your own playlists by choosing from millions of songs – we lose things in the process – physical music, artist curation, and album artwork, to name just a few. That’s what happening to those “greatest hits” albums – once a wildly popular staple of the music industry, now experiencing a serious decline. But for a certain radio station, the “greatest hits” could rekindle much-needed on-air energy. Click “READ MORE” below and I’ll tell you all about it.

There are momentous things happening in radio this time of year. But today’s blog post is about a more trivial matter that won’t make a ripple anywhere. After considerable thought, I deactivated my Twitter account last night. Holy Lori Lewis! But of course, there’s a reason, and it opens up a can or two of worms. So, now that I’ve hooked you, here’s my story and why I’ll be using different platforms in which to engage with you socially. I’ll miss tweeting with you, but it was time to say, “Gotta go!”

And the RIFs just keep on comin’. Last week, the largest radio company in the U.S., iHeartMedia, held its earnings call for the Wall Street investment community, explaining the past quarter’s performance. But the highlight of the call was Bob Pittman’s forecast for 2025…and beyond. What are the implications of his plan, and what can talent – or anyone else working in radio – do to better position themselves for an unpredictable, challenging future?

As media content options expand exponentially while attention spans shrink, the creative class is grappling with the best ways in which to present entertainment and information. In radio, most stations have played “The PPM Game” for more than a decade. And that dedication to keeping content short, concise, but entertaining is becoming part of a much larger, multi-platform trend. Long story short, keep it short.