I’ve been especially vocal this year about the premium value of personalities to broadcast radio, particularly when new RIFs are announced. But now we’re seeing proof that talent trumps playlists. In fact, brand new data from our soon-to-be-released Techsurvey 2025 shows the audience is onto recent talent cuts.

A 1,300 job radio RIF? It happened last week to Voice of America and its associated services. Of course, it’s a political story and a radio story. Most Americans tune in shows like Elvis Duran and Delilah, but more than 420 million listeners around the world cume VOA – or at least they did. Thoughts on what it all means in today’s blog post.

Were radio DJs from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s the original “influencers?” Maybe so. But today’s social media pitchmen and pitchwomen are likely pocketing a lot more revenue than radio personalities ever made from bar nights, phone store grand openings, and live endorsements. Is “influencer marketing” a place where still-popular radio personalities can go? And what can they learn from both teenage and geriatric influencers with big followings and the ability to sell lots of stuff?

Eight years ago right now, the 45th President – Donald J. Trump – was about halfway through the first 100 days of HIS FIRST TERM. Here we are exactly eight years later, and it’s a case of “deja vu all over again.” What did the media – especially radio – learn from the chief executive where the “gold T” stands for turbulence. Welcome to this week’s #TBT.”

It was a tough day for the radio family yesterday. We lost the best and brightest. Bob Rivers left us after a long but gallant fight with the ravages of cancer. I wrote this two-part post in 2014 when Bob left the radio studio. I’m republishing it today as a tribute to his life and all that he meant to so many of us.