For the love of radio...

Another great blog from a radio pioneer and watcher of the culture of broadcasting.

by Eric Rhoads

Spreading Radio Fires
What's Looming For Radio

As I sit behind my desk, I can smell and see the distant smoke of nearby wildfires. The fires are only about 10 miles away, yet I sit here smugly and safely, with a sense of confidence that someone will get those fires under control and they won't spread to my neighborhood. Instinctively, I know the fires could spread here in a matter of hours, but part of me is in denial: "It won't happen to me. It can't happen here."

Sadly, those fires have destroyed the homes of many people who didn't think it could happen to them. No, they couldn't have stopped the fires, but they could have been better prepared for the moment when they were given 10 minutes to grab whatever they could carry.

My complacency over the nearby fires makes me think about a fire spreading across the radio landscape, destroying our "normal" way of life. As we hear of spreading fires elsewhere, we hope things will remain stable and not affect us. It's human nature: Most of us are in denial about what we know will change our lives and the way we do business. So we remain unprepared even as we think, "I'll deal with it when I'm forced to deal with it."

We know instinctively that being prepared is the best thing, but life, business, time, and budget pressures get in the way.

The flames that are spreading across the media landscape are those of digital media. The statistics don't lie.

• 16.2% of all LOCAL ad dollars have shifted away from legacy media and are now online. That's expected to jump to 24% by 2015.
  
• 43.5% of every ad dollar spent online goes to Google.
  
• In 2011, retail e-commerce will grow 13.7%, to reach $188 billion. More local retail is disappearing.
  
• 71% of Forbes 500 companies consider Facebook and Twitter CRITICAL to their media mix.
  
• 85% of companies consider Facebook to be a successful tool.
  
• Facebook has now surpassed Google (66%) as the most widely used marketing method among local merchants.

Sources: Forbes, Wall St. Journal, American Business Journals, Ad Week, Ad Age


Begging Radio To Pay Attention

In 1999, I begged the radio industry to pay attention to trends that I believed would impact business. While most companies ignored my call for action, a few invested without evidence, based entirely on faith. Those companies today lead the Internet revolution in radio, and the others have never caught up.


It Won't Happen To MeThe digital revolution is upon us. Today most of my friends running radio stations think digital is something that will happen to someone else, think that there isn't enough money in it to invest the time, feel the returns are low, and believe digital is overly hyped. Most have the attitude that they will learn it they have to, and that they can always catch up.

But when the CEO of WPP Group, the largest agency in the world, says that virtually all advertisers are demanding digital options from traditional media and those who don't offer them will be left in the dust, you need to listen. Just because it hasn't hit your station yet does not mean it's not going happening.

Will these same women and men awaken one day with no cash flow because demand has shifted, and clients now require deep digital solutions before they'll buy radio? Will there be time to learn, get up to speed, and train your people? The wildfire of digital media demands from LOCAL and national business is about to engulf all media, and those who have not prepared themselves will find themselves badly burned.


A Well Kept SecretIn my consulting practice, I have seen under the tent at many companies that are quietly developing digital alternatives, which they package with radio campaigns. They're getting business others don't even know they're missing. I'm seeing a significant growth in revenues (approaching 20%) coming from digital strategies.

Meanwhile, other companies pretend digital doesn't exist and that radio as a standalone will always be strong enough. Which companies would you bet on? Will they hire you if you're not tuned in, with a deep understanding of digital media paired with radio?


This Is PersonalThe world is filled with uncertainty. Who would have predicted this year's radio acquisitions? Who can predict who will own your company next year, or what your company will be seeking once they realize how much they missed when the digital world caught fire? Are you confident? Do you have a deep understanding of digital? Are you willing to invest in yourself so you can remain employable when the flames hit at your station, or at your next employer?


The Two-Day TuneupYou can fly from anywhere in the United States on Wednesday, May 18, and be back in your office by Friday, May 20, having spent two days in what most consider the most informative, most cutting-edge, most intelligent, and most radical conference in radio. Convergence 11 is filled with visionary thinking and practical applications, and it's the most important step in being prepared for the digital fire that is sweeping over radio as we speak.

You'll learn what radio is doing successfully -- what works, what fails, and why. We will stretch your brain, make you squirm in your chair, and probably make you angry. Then suddenly, it will all come together at the end of day two, and you'll walk away with a deep understanding of concepts you probably didn't know existed. Our speakers are outsiders, not radio insiders. We've all heard the "insider stuff" for years. Our goal is to bring an exterior perspective.

Every attendee at every sold-out Convergence conference gives us high marks. We offer a money-back guarantee, and only once since 1999 have we had to refund a ticket (and that person didn't request a full refund). If this conference doesn't open your eyes and change you deeply, you have our money back guarantee.

With spring here and summer/fall budgets upon you, the call for digital will be loud. Some stations won't be ready for 2012. Will you?


Radio Ink Convergence 11May 18-19, 2011
Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus
Mountain View, CA


PS: Our hotel discount rates at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara expire on April 25, which means that if you wait, you'll have to pay a whole lot more for the host hotel. Plus, there is still time to grab great airline rates into San Jose, and our advance registration rate expires on April 29. Now is the time to save.


PS2: Lots of people have been asking if we have arranged for employee discount prices in the Microsoft Store at the Microsoft Campus. We have. As a registered attendee, you can buy software and other MS goodies, like Xbox and accessories, at the employee discount.

Guest post from a friend from "Down Under"

Australian Music to the World

by Donald J. Kay


Australian music from the sixties technically wasn’t recorded by Australians. We had overseas interests, migrants, which Australia would take under her wing and embrace and call them AUSSIE. Artists such as the Bee Gees, (UK) AC/DC (UK/Scottish), Easybeats (English Dutch), Billy Thorpe (UK,) Ray Columbus and the Invaders (New Zealand), to name but a few.

The record buying public went crazy over these artists, buying their records, watching every pop show we could, just so we could get a glimpse of our idols. Their concerts were sell outs, filled with mass hysteria, girls fainting in the aisles, having to be carted out on stretchers. The music was raw and poppy, selling in the millions. Unknowns became known and ‘till this day some of these artists remain legends.

Stories have been tossed around as to how the Aussie artists got their recognition in America. Some say, they made personal appearances on TV shows etc., while other’s say they got records released possibly because ozzie labels did deals with major/minor labels. Artists like Johnny Young, Normie Rowe, Russell Morris, Bee Gees, Johnny O’Keefe, Lynne Randel, and Dinah Lee all went to the UK or US, to record, and had records released there. It wasn’t until the 70’s with the advent of the video, that many major artists gained recognition, band such as: AC/DC, Midnight Oil,  The Church, Little River Band, Jimmy Barnes, Kylie, among others. During the ensuing years thousands of videos were made, cementing the Aussie icons onto the world stage of music.

One of the MEGA metal bands in the world today, AC/DC, had their foundation in Western Australia (as the Valentines). The band had great success playing to packed houses all over Perth. With a few singles under their belt, having recorded for the small Perth label called Clarion, the band decided to broaden their musical horizons and make the journey east. After establishing themselves in Melbourne, they scored a record deal with Philips, which would see them record two or three singles, plus an E.P., and then disband. Vince Lovegrove would go on to manage the ever popular Divinyls, while Bon Scott would join Adelaide outfit, Fraternity, who recorded in their own studios in the Adelaide hills. Again the total output would be 3 or 4 singles and 2 albums, which are highly sought after by collectors.


After Fraternity disbanded, another band was happening, waiting for Bon Scott to take hold of the reins and rock hard. Their first lead singer was Dave Evans, who lent his vocals to the track “Can I Sit next To You Girl.” Evans was soon replaced with the legendary Bon Scott, who would re-record the Dave Evans track, making it his own. Bon would go on to leave his mark in rock history with many great hits and albums under his belt, until his sad death on the Feb, 19, 1980. The band almost folded, but kept going for Bon’s sake, and recruited Brian Johnson, who remains as lead singer to this day.

Another great export to the world is the Sydney band, The Church, featuring lead singer, Steve Kilbey. They first came to prominence after recording a 4 track demo and scoring a record deal with EMI records, with such favourites as “The Unguarded Moment,” and their classic first album,” Of Skins And Heart.” They had great success with their singles and albums souring high in the world charts.

Furthermore, another legendary band, The Divinyls would cement themselves in the music world, when Chrysalis records signed them. Founding members Christina Amphlett, (cousin of Little Pattie), and Mark Mcentee, would recruit players Jeremy Paul (ex-Air Supply), Rick Grossman (Matt Finish) among others. They were very big on the US touring circuit, with their albums, “Desperate,” What a Life” and “Temperamental” and remain personal favourites to this day. Chrissie hasn’t been well lately; having being diagnosed with MS. Former guitarist Mark Mcentee has been living in Perth, W.A.managing a clothing shop with his girlfriend. 

Speaking of bands that got their start in Perth, before moving to the big smoke (Melbourne), INXS started out as the Farris Brothers, playing around the pubs and clubs of Perth, before relocating to Melbourne and teaming up with a very young Michael Hutchence, Kirk Pengily, and Gary Beers to become the explosive force known as INXS. Their first track, recorded for the small “Deluxe” label, was a cover version of Aussie band, the Loved Ones, track called “The Loved One.” Another 3 or 4 singles followed before they signed up to the giant WEA music group, which would launch them to the world stage with INXS becoming popular both with FM programmers and also a top billing stage act in their own right.

On the political fence sat one Peter Garrett, who would incorporate his political views in the music that was Midnight Oil. The group were playing pubs and clubs before signing up to Powder Works label, before moving to CBS records with such political motivated songs like “U.S. Forces” and “Blue Sky Mining.” At the present moment Garrett is heavily involved in the political arena, with his musical contributions firmly embedded in music history.

The ever popular Men at Work struck gold with their first self-titled album,” Men at Work.” The album would contain the now anathematic track “Down Under” which has become world famous because of its association with the “Americas Cup.” Enough said.

Nick Cave would leave his mark in music history, firstly with the Birthday Party, the Bad Seeds and a great duet with Kylie Minogue “Where the Wild Roses Grow,” a song reminiscent of the Nancy Sinatra/Lee Hazelwood duets of the sixties. His most memorable album is Murder Ballads.

In closing, there are many Australian bands making their mark, not only on Australian shores, but they’re being heard and appreciated by the music fans, Worldwide. Australia stand up and be counted.