Our Latest Industry Blogs

Are you a “gamer” or are you someone who wonders what all the fuss is about? In either case, the video gaming industry is larger than the film and music businesses – combined. And now, there’s an indication games can have therapeutic benefits that match meditation. In fact, “cozy games” can help people deal with their angst and stress levels. And that got me wondering whether radio stations couldn’t rethink their “deliverables” to help their audiences cope with the pressures of the day. 2025 is already shaping up to be a challenging year, and this might be a way to “meet the audience where they are mentally.”

If the AI era kicked off with the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the first AI-driven Super Bowl ad followed just 74 days later. During the second quarter of Super Bowl LVII, Google aired an ad for the Pixel 7, showcasing its AI-powered photo-editing features—removing photobombers and exes from photos—without ever mentioning the term…

It’s been said that “perfect is the enemy of good.” But sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with seeking true perfection in our work, especially when it comes to the art of producing and editing video and audio. Late last month, we were treated to a great example of this when the trailer for “SNL’s” 50th anniversary music special was being promoted. Whether you’ve seen the video or not, today’s blog post gives you the story behind this amazing piece of production…that is, perfection.

Any time we discuss the “ideal lengths” of content, whether it’s videos, podcasts, or on-air breaks, we’re dealing with a lot of opinion and subjectivity. But a look at content trends over the past decade or more tells us that in general, short is good. And shorter is better. Today’s #TBT blog post walks you through how content has evolved, and what that means to how we advise our talent to create better, and more mainstream radio.

The gap between statistically driven research (quantitative) and focus groups (qualitative) has long been a point of debate among analysts who specialize in audience behavior and perceptions. And now, along comes AI and the promise it can inexpensively replace the traditional process with “synthetic respondents,” creating the research version of “digital twins.” But AI has a higher value and more reliable purpose when utilized strategically and sensibly.

In yesterday’s post, we talked about how Netflix’s “TUDUM” initiative is helping to differentiate themselves from their many video streaming competitors. Radio can use some of these same techniques. And today’s post provides prescribed action steps successful stations can employ to create their own “TUDUM Tactics.”

The world of media and entertainment continues to get more crowded and competitive, forcing brands not to just excel this quarter but differentiate themselves with smart and savvy strategies and tactics. While radio broadcasters may be feeling the heat from digital distribution, the need for emphasizing the industry’s unique differences has never been greater. Even independently owned radio stations can learn a thing or two from major media behemoths, including Netflix, a brand leader that continues to innovate and blaze new trails. In a word, TUDUM!

DeepSeek, a two-year-old Chinese AI startup, has shaken up the tech world with the launch of R1, an AI model that reportedly operates with 95-97% fewer resources than its competitors. After surging to the top of the Apple App Store this week, its impact is forcing a major rethink of what it actually takes to…

At the end of a momentous week, we look back at Monday’s epic news in the AI sector, the release of a new AI innovation from a Chinese company. DeepSeek took the tech world by storm, triggering a one-day crash of market leader Nvidia. And it raised questions about how easily this sector could be disrupted. Just like radio. We turned to our AI maven, Chris Brunt, for clarity and perspective. Today’s guest blog post provides some “AIsplainin'” but it raises questions about where media and technology are going – and how we can future-proof our assets. Buckle up!

Media personalities often live conflicted lives – loved and adored, but also insecure and guarded. Today’s #TBT is about a “brush with fame” encounter I had back in 2018 with Jeopardy’s iconic host, Alex Trebek. At the time, Trebek was undergoing a life-shattering experience – a stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis and an unprecedented outpouring of emotion from his fans. There are lessons here for media personalities, including those behind the mic on the radio. It’s about appreciating what you have, something we can all afford to experience.