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.

You’ve no doubt heard the phrase “Content eats strategy for breakfast.” It underscores the importance of making sure everyone in your radio company – from the CEO to the receptionist – is on the same page. And as broadcasters hustle to implement change and new digital initiatives, company culture has never been more important. Today’s #TBT blog post is a reminder of the degree of difficulty of pulling this off especially in today’s ultra-competitive business environment.

What kind of qualities are radio companies prioritizing in program directors at a time when the industry is shrinking and consolidating these positions? What skills and sensibilities are most important today? Sometimes, we can learn more about our business when we step away from it. That’s what today’s blog post focuses on: a brand manager, showrunner, PD, but in actuality, her title is editor-in-chief of a magazine. And she can teach us a thing or two about radio.

In a world of exponentially more audio competition – podcasts, streaming services, satellite radio – how can a broadcast radio brand stand out, get noticed, and make a positive impression? It’s an important question many brands are grappling with in a radio industry struggling to remain visible and relevant. In today’s post, let me pose a possible pathway, albeit for a limited number of players who wish to make their mark and aren’t afraid to go in a different direction. The path to success isn’t an easy one nor is it cheap. But there’s evidence that suggests it can work.

A new opinion piece from a content marketing maven jumped out at me late last month. It poses key questions about how we’ve used tech breakthroughs to improve our product over the past 25 years or so. And now that we’re staring that freight train known as AI in the face, what have we learned earlier regarding developments about creativity and innovation? I don’t purport to have all the answers, but I can promise you today’s post contains key questions you might want to ask during your upcoming end-of-year evaluations. Happy Monday.