Brandwidth On Demand

Seth Resler is the Digital Dot Connector at Jacobs Media Strategies. He really gets it when it comes to radio and digital media, and the perfect guy to help any radio brand step up their online game. He's a frequent speaker at conferences like the Worldwide Radio Summit, Podcast Movement, and state broadcast association meetings.

Also, he's got a knack for writing and has contributed to publications such as AllAccess.com, Radio World, and his many great blog posts.

Listen carefully to hear his 5 online tips, and some other great insights. (There's no prize if you identify them all, but IF YOU EXECUTE THEM, you're likely to see growth in your audience and revenues!)

Key Takeaways you won't want to miss!

(1:54) Seth has shared how media and audience patterns have seen significant changes or takeaways since the pandemic.

(4:44) Seth explains how stations, podcasts, and event personality brands can easily conduct a usability test for their brand's websites, and outlines some "no-brainer" steps that many radio station websites are missing.

(7:39) If a new client station had no online presence, including no website, streaming, podcasts, or social media, Seth would recommend some first steps to catch up, assuming they were interested.

 (11:13) For individuals wanting to take control of their own online presence amidst the constant reality of another round of cuts Seth shared some key shortcuts.

(13:25) With everyone needing more revenue, Seth notes that stations can now conduct webinars exclusively for their advertisers to gain traction with them and explains how it works.

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Andie Summers, the legendary morning host at 92.5 XTU in Philadelphia, has been on the air for more than 20 years. The love of her listeners and the admiration of the entire country music community have earned her numerous awards, including Best Major Market Personality from the ACM and CMA. But Andie's achievements don't end there. She's a woman with a heart of gold and a dedication to service. Her volunteer work for organizations like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the American Red Cross, and Wings for Success is truly inspiring.

In this episode, Andie shares the secret to how she balances being a wife, mom, and morning show host while still giving so generously of her time and resources. Her hardworking parents instilled in her the importance of keeping her head down and doing the work, making herself indispensable. The biggest lesson Andie has learned is to stay true to herself, no matter what market changes, program director changes, or morning show partner changes come her way.

Andie is a leader in the truest sense of the word. She's genuine, hardworking, and dedicated to making a positive impact on others. She's a shining example of what it means to be a true leader. Let's all learn from her example and strive to make the world a better place in our own unique way.

Time-Stamped Takeaways you won't want to miss!

(2:08) Andie shares the secret to longevity, with over two decades at 92.5 XTU, including changes in station ownership, management, and even partners.

(03:48) Having been through a lot of changes in 20 years at 92.5 XTU, Andie shares the top three changes that have had the biggest impact on her career…so far!

(07:17) Andie defines what she looks for when it is time to make a change with fellow cast members or somebody leaves -- and more importantly, how she knows if someone is going to gel?

(09:37) For somebody starting out today or somebody ready to make their second or third move in the industry, Andie shares some of the things she’d advise them to do or not.

(10:58) At this point, if the Andie Summers show could do ANYTHING that she could dream up, and if budget's not a factor, she tells us what she would most like to do! Her thoughts may surprise you!

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When it comes to music and radio, the one person our industry looks to is Sean Ross.

His Ross on Radio Insight is considered one of the leading info sources for today’s changing mediascape. Serving as Vice President/ Music and Programming, Sean is also a veteran of radio trade journalism at Billboard, Radio & Records, M Street Journal, and others. He is often seen at most radio conferences where he’s either a speaker, a panelist, or reporting on the highlights.

In this episode, Sean explores some trends that he sees shaping the radioscape in 2023. He also offers some interesting observations about things that worked so well that radio STOPPED DOING THEM!

 (1:52) Sean recaps the year 2022 in music, pointing out the most notable moves and a few format surprises.

(4:44) The Groundhog saw his shadow which means we’re officially out of the holiday season. As smart programmers debrief and start to plan ahead, Sean notes some very significant holiday trends – and radio’s impact from the increase of “all-holiday music channels” on Spotify, SXM, and designated channels on radio apps.

(8:01) Sean shares some of the biggest format trends he’s seeing for ’23.

(10:32) The hot topic right now is AI (Artificial Intelligence). Sean’s thoughts on how this may impact traditional radio stations may surprise you!

(14:56) If there were one piece of advice Sean would offer to every Music Director, PD/content manager or corporate music honcho… what would it be? He tells us!

One Minute Martinizing by David Martin

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Steve Goldstein is noted as a leading media thought leader and practitioner, and he shares a wealth of wisdom when it comes to the changing use of AUDIO in 2023. Clearly Audio will continue to dominate media consumption. The question: what level of listening will traditional radio earn?

Steve shares some great ideas on how radio brands can take better advantage of the opportunities presented by creating actionable plans and thoughtful, targeted content on-air, and increasing online listening to station-branded content.

That’s just one reason that we’re so thrilled to kick off our 6th season with STEVE GOLDSTEIN.

Time-stamped highlights:

[2:29] As the New Year begins, Steve shares some of 2022’s Key Takeaways that busy radio people may have missed. 

[5:10] For radio people, podcast opportunities still require a mental reset for many broadcasters. For those still struggling with this challenge, Steve offers some simple, effective suggestions – that can also earn revenue!

[8:35] You’ve pointed out that in podcasting, like broadcast, “average is getting crushed” and digs into the cultural trifecta of Heat, Awareness, and Discovery, and discloses what it means for radio.

[13:07] Steve reveals why the podcast market is not as crowded as many believe and unveils some great ideas on how radio can take advantage.

[14:32] Podcast ad spending will reach new levels again in 2023 and Steve reveals some of the smarter ways for radio to get their share.

Check out Steve's BLOGSTEIN

Dave Martin's ONE-MINUTE MARTINIZING

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Lee Abrams quite simply is a media genius.

He created a format called Album-Oriented Rock (AOR), helped create the legendary Burkhart-Abrams radio consulting firm, and was one of the driving forces behind Satellite Radio.

In short, Lee has dedicated decades in the trenches, helping reinvent over a thousand radio stations, along with TV stations, cable networks, and print publications.

He's is passionate about the past but focused on the future. He’s held a number of posts for large and influential companies, and is generally credited with developing the Album Oriented Rock format, and so much more.

Newsweek listed Lee as one of their "100 Cultural Elite”, and he was cited by Radio Ink as one of the 75 most important radio figures of all time. He was inducted into the Rock Radio Hall of Fame in the "Legends of RockRadio-Programming" category for his work with WRIF, and now explores current thinking and visions for brilliant media in the 21st century.

(01:59) As someone who has been on the forefront of moving Branded Media Content to other platforms for ages, Lee discussed on he sees traditional broadcast faring…and what it takes to really deliver a “360-degree Media Experience”.

(02:55) Lee offers an interesting look at where he’d look first to determine how a radio brand is doing, and where he might you take them.

(07:26) As somebody who’s expressed mixed emotions about streaming media – Lee shares his latest observations on how it fits into today’s mediascape - especially as we enter the G5 era.

(09:58) These days, Lee is investing a lot of time working on news content, and shares lessons broadcasters can learn from newspapers – including ‘playing the hits’. We ask whether there will be a role for RADIO news beyond ‘reporting what’s been reported by others’, or worse, just a rehashed recap of ‘recent history’.

 (11:07) In a recent blog post, Lee revealed some significant ‘21st Century Media Myths’. We whether the radio/audio industry will have a role, and if so, what it will be.

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This time, we talk to the morning hosts who are about "Real Life, Real Cleveland", as Bill & Morgan of the Q104 Morning Show join us.

Bill Ryan is a Northeast Ohio native and Kent State grad who is now on his second stint with Q104. He was originally part of the team from the mid-’90s to the turn of the century. In between, among other things, he produced the national JohnJay and Rich show, which we featured in season one.

Morgan Wright is also an Ohio native, growing up in Perry and graduating from Marshall University. She considers herself a pop culture expert and is active on social media…where her TikTok videos have scored almost 8 million likes!

Interestingly, this is a case where Bill and Morgan did not know each other before forming this show. Wait 'til you hear how they made it work...and work well!

Time-stamped SHOW NOTES

(02:21) Bill and Morgan explain how they 'fast-forwarded' the process of gelling as a Morning Team, and share some of the biggest factors a new team needs to consider.

(07:24) As a leading morning show in a legendary radio market, Bill and Morgan share what they look for from a good program director or coach.

(08:59) The team also notes some management traits or characteristics a PD might not realize they’re doing or just want to avoid.

(10:25) These days there are a lot of factors BESIDES ON-AIR performance, need to create a winning radio show. Morgan shares her recipe for making noise in the market -- and beyond!

(13:30) Looking to the future, Bill and Morgan tell us the skills THEY are preparing for TODAY, to stay viable in the future.

See Morgan's TikTok story on WKCY, Channel 3 in Cleveland.

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In times of uncertainty and change, who better to ask that a bona fide Radio Hall of Famer?

Lon Helton our guest is perhaps best known to listeners nationwide as the longtime host of one of Radio’s most popular radio shows Country Countdown USA with LON HELTON. This true Nashville Insider is well-known by all the Stars who keep him on speed dial!

In his spare time, Lon is also the Publisher of Country Aircheck, and is also Editor of the Mediabase Country Chart.

Lon’s trophy case is packed to the rafters with awards from every radio organization that matters, and just recently, he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame!

(03:25) Lon shares the one thing the industry as a whole is doing pretty well in our evolving mediascape, and shares what could (or SHOULD) be done better.

(05:12) From his position, Lon sees a lot of people making career advancements, on-air, in programming – or both! With budgets and openings shrinking, not growing, he notes some commonalities between those who are making moves and those who aren’t?

(07:06) With the COUNTRY FORMAT experiencing fragmentation into Hot Country, Classic Country, Young Country, and others, Lon shares where he sees the format heading next.

(09:43) So Lon reveals the first things he’d look at if he were taking over a Country radio station today, and what needed to happen to make it an even bigger inner?

Whether you’re considering moving your show to a new station, joining a media team, or trying to coach one as a Brand Manager/PD, this episode is for you!

Earlier this year, radio morning star Holly O’Conner experienced It’s the end of one era…and the start of a new one.

After stops in Ohio, Panama City, and a couple of stints in Tampa, she and co-host Miguel Fuller left mornings after seven years at Cox Radio’s Hot 101.5, and segued to iHeartRadio's HITS96.1 in Charlotte. Holly considers Miquel her best friend and radio soulmate, and just before their move, Miquel was married to his husband Abe, with Holly performing the ceremony!

In this episode, Holly shares:

• Valuable tips for moving your show to a new station and market
• What considerations to look for when ‘hiring a new boss’ (that is, consider a job offer)
• Future industry changes she’s preparing for NOW

(01:50) Holly shares some of the considerations when moving an entire show to a new market.

(03:29) Holly digs deeper into how she and Miguel first decided to team up and REMAIN a team as the show moved–even if that meant performing a live morning show from different locations.

(06:24) From a morning host perspective, Holly offers some good pointers on what qualifies PDs/Brand Managers as good coaches. She also shares some of the best pro tips and pointers that she’s received.

(09:50) By now, most good shows know that they need a strong online presence, including social media and their popular podcast, “Miguel and Holly Uncensored”. She offers a quick “How To” rundown on how the team divides responsibilities and the interesting criteria used to determine which content goes on your various platforms.

(12:12) With the media revolution continuing, Holly shares her thoughts on the biggest industry changes of the past year...and reveals how she's preparing now for things she expects will be different in the next few years

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Nothing brings radio to life like 'theater of the mind'. Yet the Art of Storytelling is often overlooked by radio and podcast hosts.

In this episode, Canada's leading talk host JERRY AGAR (based at CFRB NewsTalk 1010 in Toronto) shares some of the lessons learned after doing both music radio morning shows and years of talk radio including stints at Chicago powerhouses WLS and WGN, along with WABC/New York and others.

Key Takeaways You Won't Want to Miss:

(02:06) Jerry shares experiences from his days doing mornings on music stations to his transition to Talk -- and lessons learned along the way.

(03:09) One of the things that has made Jerry an international standout personality is his ability to make the listener FEEL what he's talking about -- especially working in a more tightly formatted music position.

(04:19) There are some or tips to help radio hosts get to the meat of the story and make the most of the time allotted. Jerry explains.

(06:12) Next to the payoff, perhaps the most critical part of telling a story is the setup. Jerry explains various ways of getting into a story.

(07:20) We also hear some signs of a really BAD Storyteller, and learn basic traps to avoid.

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