Our Latest Industry Blogs

In a recent CNBC interview, Ben Affleck does a deep dive on AI.  Many of his viewpoints echo many of ours: AI is disruptive, but it also has the potential to save time and could potentially create new revenue streams. He asserts that AI cannot replicate the nuanced artistry of human actors or the creative genius of…

Radio and televison have always been the source of an ongoing talent merry-go-round. Never known as stable industry, many on-the-air broadcasters have moved around throughout their careers – in many cases, a lot. But in the past year, job changes, terminations, resignations, belt tightening have plagued the industry, causing instability and less reliability. Today’s post looks at a number of these changes in ’24, and what they might mean to the year ahead.

No one could have predicted 2020. And that’s why prognosticating what our lives will be like next year – or four years from now – is absolute folly. But that never stops analysts and futurists from making their predictions known about “where the puck is going to be.” Today’s blog post – a #TBT entry from exactly four years ago – is about accountability. Did those seers and forecasters get it right about radio back in 2020 during the throes of COVID – or did they sell radio short? If the suspense is just killing you, click “READ MORE” and all will be revealed.

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.