Media Trend Watching: Radio Right Now
Labels: cellphone, FMQB, Google, HD Radio, Internet, John Parikhal, Joint Communications, Jointblog, Karmazin, Media, Media Trend Watching, MySpace, PPM, Radio, Sirius, XM
Joint Communications marks 30 years this month advising the radio industry through format programming, consulting, market research, marketing development and media strategy services.
The month of April also means it's time for John Parikhal's annual spring check-up as this week's featured FMQB cover story to discuss radio and the evolving mediaspace challenges radio faces in the immediate future.
Among the discussed topics:
> The proposed XM/Sirius merger -- including the financial and competitive implications as well as Mel Karmazin's catalyst role (puzzling; Stern probably helped save Sirius; Mel sees opportunities)
> The trend led by Clear Channel and other big groups toward privatization (more squeeze and bleed? And Clear Channel gets rewarded?)
> HD Radio (just another local spectrum)
> PPM ratings measurements (consistency of measurement will help)
> The cellphone (risky for electronic ratings measurement)
> Blink spots and other "Less is More" initiatives (applaud the experimentation; spare listener energy; don't invade the consumer)
> Radio's needed presence on the Internet and its mishandling of opportunities that went to MySpace instead (getting better...but still behind due to insufficient support staffing and streaming fee penalties)
> Google's new deal selling radio ads ("It's nonsense")
> The lucrative potential of selling and targeting the 30-59 year old demographic (so much money radio could grab)
> An updated look at radio's emerging trends (demographics!)
FMQB's chief editor Fred Deane gets it all started by saying:As the radio industry evolves at a rapid pace, critical decisions about the medium’s future become increasingly more urgent. Technology issues have enveloped the industry to such a challenging extent, that the call for radio leaders to be actionable has never resonated so loudly. John Parikhal has never met a challenge he didn’t like, he relishes the very concept. While Parikhal’s client list continues to remain firmly entrenched in radio, the macro version finds him involved with a variety of media and marketing companies. His latest foray with strategic Internet initiatives with some large clients has him thinking about the future 24/7. It’s spring and time for our annual check-up with one of our industry’s deep thinkers.
Thanks, Fred. All that and more...just click here for some great reading. Then come back and add your thoughts here on the Jointblog.
Additional reading: Thinking Through The Decision Making Process
posted by Unknown @ Friday, April 27, 2007,
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All the world is NOT a stage; All the world is a cellphone
My 12 year old wants a cellphone.
"But Dad, all my friends have one", she says. Why is it this annoying phrase that has lasted for multiple generations keeps getting ressurrected? Is it because...it's so effective? Guilt, guilt, guilt...subversively and innocently delivered...now that's effective marketing. Especially when it comes out of the mouth of your 12 year old.
According to American Demographics, a majority -- 57% -- of teens aged 13-17 now have a cellphone, but that’s far below the 80% of adults 18-plus who own a phone. Still, for a glimpse of the future, look no further than what is now being labeled "Generation Wireless".
Or another new label is "SuperConnectors"
These kids have never known a world without cellphones. Apple rumors say an iPhone will be released before year-end that will blow away the Razr and Sliver with iTunes. Apple likes keeping everything in-house in its distribution and manufacturing system. With special attention to DESIGN -- the capitals are intentional and earned. All the world is not a stage, as Shakespeare may have believed; all the world is a cellphone.
Cellphone users aged 13-17 are connected to their phones by ear, eye and touch like no other age group. They are far more likely than other demographic groups to use a broad range of cellphone data services, and they will be first in line to try emerging offerings like cellphone TV.
Now, only 12% of 8-12 year olds really have a cellphone...far fewer than the "all my friends" line from my daughter.
Okay, when Apple releases its iPhone, my daughter will be 13. Maybe then she can have one.
Read on about cellphone usage with a related AdAge.com article here (free log-on required)
posted by Unknown @ Tuesday, March 21, 2006,
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Custom Cellphone Wallpaper...Cool!
Labels: Audience, cellphone, Cool Idea, customizing, Jointblog, Logo, New Media, wallpaper
OK, anytime we bump into a claim for 'world's first', our media trend watching radar perks up. If you're looking for a cool idea, how about this...
Custom cell phone wallpaper.
San Francisco's START MOBILE, a gallery selling art for cell phones. Part of the START SOMA gallery, the venture sells thousands of original works of new art from hundreds of established and underground artists, to be downloaded onto mobile phones. Wallpapers are billed $1.99 USD, with the artist receiving a small cut.
Cool Idea: If you are in media, why not contact Start Soma and have their artists put a pop culture spin on your logo integrated into art for your audience's cellphone? Or, better yet, set up an affiliate marketing relationship to help sell the cellphone wallpaper artwork through your company's website, where you pick up a small cut for each transaction driven through your website. Good for your NTR initiatives.
posted by Unknown @ Sunday, March 12, 2006,
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