Our Latest Industry Blogs

I “attended” Apple’s announcement yesterday because I was curious about their AI announcement.  I wasn’t disappointed – here is my summary about what Apple’s AI release means for broadcasters in a special Tuesday edition of The AI Edge. Yesterday, at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the trillion-dollar tech giant announced a slew of forthcoming technical…

Since the darkest days of COVID, consumers have been itching to get out, travel, and enjoy life with family and friends. And records are being set for leisure and recreational spending. It means there’s more competition for the entertainment buck as new, innovative and fun concepts spring up in cities and towns all over the country. In Las Vegas, it’s Sphere, but in other locales, consumers are throwing axes or playing elaborate rounds of mini-golf. In 2024, it’s all about the experience. And wouldn’t you know it, radio plays a larger role than you might think. What’s the coolest new entertainment concept you’ve experienced in the past year? I’ll be happy to show you mine. Just click READ MORE.

Radio’s not the only traditional media platform struggling in the revenue column of those harsh spreadsheets. In fact, network television has had a financial famine for some years now, due in large part to its aging demographics. But now a philosophical shift in marketing focus is spreading throughout the TV industry. Could it provide radio “cover” to make an attempt at the same strategy?

The “AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act” continues to ricochet around the nation’s capitol. Over the past year, the idea of car companies removing AM radio from the dash – once unspeakable – has become a regular conversation in automotive and radio broadcasting circles. But across the pond, a couple of car makers have quietly omitted a radio altogether, and they hope no one notices. Thanks to an industry colleague, we’ve noticed. And if you click on READ MORE, so will you.

Apple Seeds AI Next Week The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is next week, and the anticipation could not be higher.  Since last month’s major AI release from OpenAI (4o) and Google Gemini presentation, techies and portfolio managers have been speculating on what Apple will bring to the table for AI, with the company’s valuation approaching $3…

Some radio stations feel like crime scenes. And wouldn’t you know it, True Crime has become a very popular podcast genre. And now, a former DJ has combined the best of both worlds – a whodunit suspense novel set in – where else? – a radio station. No spoiler alerts here, but you have to read today’s post to learn how this classic radio mystery turns out. (Can you stand the suspense?)

The tension between traditional radio and digital departments has been palpable over the last many years. Yet, media organizations that combine modern digital assets with the broadcast megaphone called “radio” would seem to have a distinct edge over companies that only offer digital. I call it “the sum of the parts,” and it’s a reason to invoke the rarely uttered phrase, “Advantage: RADIO.” Today’s blog post focuses on how to make the intersection of radio’s Venn diagram work.

Oh no, not another blog post about AI! Alas, it is. But today’s post takes a contrarian point of view to the irrational exuberance that has accompanied AI since ChatGPT was launched just18 months ago. Is AI overhyped and has it already peaked, slowed down by the need for billions of dollars of investment where the returns remain paltry? Has AI already become commoditized as its engines all produce pretty much the same output? And what does it all mean for radio broadcasters. Hit “READ MORE” and let’s have a conversation among us humans

When I think about radio broadcasters keeping pace with new technology, I always see it through the programming lens.  

What type of content should we be creating in order to stay competitive?  And what distribution outlets should we be focusing on? But of course, there’s the all-important sales side.  And it’s another area where radio companies haven’t always kept up.  That’s the view of our digital revenue strategist and AI guy, Chris Brunt. And for today’s post, he’s got the keyboard and a post that should give radio’s revenue generators something to think about.

It’s easy to get caught up in the crazy daily headlines of AI and miss many of the positive things that generative AI is starting to enable.  Sure, there’s Google’s crazy AI search results (see below), squabbles between OpenAI and ScarJo, and lots of deep-in-the-weeds AI security and economic worries. On the other hand, there are marketers who are using AI to write client copy in…