Erica Farber is the CEO of the Radio Advertising Bureau in the United States. And the picture says it all: She loves radio! If you ever get the feeling that no one has your back in radio, stop by the website and you will remember the great things radio has going for it. There are tools, tips and tricks for non-members, but as we discussed - membership does have its privileges.She has a storied career that spans great decades at stations with legendary call letters. (Think KRTH, KABC and KIIS in Los Angeles) Many who enjoyed their radio years where an R&R magazine circulated the building, will remember her columns and contributions, including the infamous "back page". Titles like Publisher, COO and CEO came quickly after. You will be able to meet Erica across North America this year, including at the Western Association of Broadcasters Conference which will be held in Banff June 7th and 8th. Finally, the R.A.B.have launched a new podcast called Radio on Main Street. Please subscribe to the podcast! iTunes: The entire media landscape continues to undergo a paradigm shift driven by technology adoption and alternative platforms of content consumption. things like Facebook, Google and perhaps even podcasting have already changed the way you do business. But what’s next? And how is your organization adapting to these changes? What’s your plan for the next 3, 5, 10 years? what will your company look like then, what will your job look like? NLogic, sponsors of this podcast, believes in the power of radio and its potential to evolve in this changing landscape. technology and data will be two key drivers of this new world, and nlogic has the expertise to bring these two together to help you transform your business to focus on growth. they offer strategic insights, customizable products, market perspectives and their personal commitment to help you make sense of your Canadian radio and television audiences; and ultimately, they’ll help you grow your business. Also this week, we flash back to the launch of WKTU in New York. Or you can just listen to it right here right now.

Jason Barrett launched his sports media company just over a year ago. The Company is designed for sports properties to steer their way through the digital revolution we are all facing. While music has been dealing with the revolution since 2000, sports is inching closer to the breaking point. Cord cutting is changing the amount of money properties like ESPN and Fox Sports are receiving, while the price for the rights to broadcast sports is rising. We also spoke about the myth behind the declining NFL ratings, what happens when your team leaves town, and where the NHL stacks up on the broadcast landscape in the U.S. Jason also just launch a brand new podcast and just completed his latest instalment of the Barrett Sports Media Awards. His reasons for doing it are the kind of thing that does what radio doesn't spend enough time doing - recognizing our best talent. If you are in sports radio or have a sports podcast - he is well worth the follow, and his blogs always make for great reading. His newly launched podcast can be found on a number of platforms including: Stitcher iTunes Soundcloud Google Play This episode is brought to you by PromoSuite Next. For over 25 years you've known PromoSuite as radio's original promotions management system. Helping promotions teams and programmers manage their contest winners, liners, sales, requests, remotes, prize fulfilment, and much more. Today over 2500 radio stations across the United States and Canada use PromoSuite Next. Contact Rachel or CJ at 212.509.1200 to find out more. Or click on their names to e-mail them. We also had Dearblha Trainor tell us a little bit about her new podcast - the Beanstalk Podcast. She is also the host of the One Sheet, a Canadian music industry podcast, and also works as a voiceover artist. #sportsradio #sports #barrett #bsm

Jeff Vidler has been involved in research for a long time. After the podcast had been recorded, I remembered a time when, as program director of CJFM in Montreal, he would use his research to entice clients as much as listeners. As the years went on, I worked with Jeff on music testing, perceptuals, and format finders. All my experiences have been positive as research generally shone a light, showed direction, and moved our stations to where they needed to go. As the industry has changed, Jeff's research now includes the more complex listening habits and rituals that exist across all platforms. Last March, his company Audience Insights released their "Radio on the Move" study about in-car listening. Jeff and I spoke in detail about that, and gave us a sneak peak into forthcoming research. Jeff has shared a slide (it's at the bottom of the blog) from his research that shows in car listening to radio has remained stable, while other platforms have fluctuated to a degree. This episode is sponsored by NLogic and their latest cloud-based application Lens for radio. What would you do if you had more hours in a day? Seek new business? Meet with clients? Maybe grab a coffee? Wouldn’t that be great? Well now, with lens for radio, you can. From analysis to trading and booking, lens gives you access to the data you need where and when you need it. no more waiting for data to download or dealing with the fallout of incorrect data. join the 80+ clients already benefiting from this modern, intuititve, cloud-based tool that gives them the speed, flexibility and accuracy they need to do their job faster. Peter Anthony Holder is the host of the Stuph File. His show is as much a syndicated show as much as its a podcast. The show airs from St. Johnsbury, Vermont to New Zealand and Singapore. If you are interested in bringing the show onto your radio station, please e-mail Peter. You can subscribe to the podcast through his webpage. Finally, In my final question to Jeff, I asked: What is Radio's opportunity? Jeff said the opportunity lies in mobile. Which means that radio needs to rethink the way it presents itself. Six minute stopsets won't work for someone who is listening on headphones. So I asked Sean Pollack at Millennial Lab if they saw an uptick in their listening when they shifted to the #2MinutePromise on 107.7 The End in Seattle in 2014. We will be bringing Sean onto the podcast in the future to talk about Millennials and radio - e-mail your questions to me in advance. His reply: "We’ve certainly seen mobile listening increase – both through the app and through web streaming – as the adoption of smartphones has proliferated and as we’ve made upgrades to our overall digital presence/UX/UI. "I wouldn’t say that it’s a direct attribute to the introduction of the 2 Minute Promise – but it is related. Overall, we’ve seen a doubling (or more) of our average audience size and time spent listening since the introduction of the 2 Minute Promise; and as our listening audience grows and sticks with us for a longer period of time during their listening sessions; their more likely to want to take us with them when they leave the car or leave home. Additionally, we’re investing more of our resources in promoting the digital listening options – so that contributes to it as well." - Sean Pollack (MillennialLab.com) Coming Soon! #research #radio #vidler

​​Humble Howard and Fred Patterson rolled the dice five years ago. They had no terrestrial radio home and took their show online, distributed it in podcast form, and got picked up by Sirius XM. It's safe to say that the gamble has paid off. Fred Patterson tells me how to the Humble & Fred brand managed to stay relevant and vibrant. Take notes because it is fantastic lesson in personal branding and operating a business. Something else that they offer to radio people who find themselves out of work, is an opportunity to continue their craft in their studios. As we pointed out during the podcast, no one can take away the art you create, only the amount you are compensated for it. Speaking of those new studios - today Humble & Fred move into their new digs; a facility that they own. I would also like to point out that unlike a number of terrestrial radio operations, they turn a profit. Also on the podcast, I speak with Danielle Doiron who became the first female to call a professional baseball game in Canada. She called a few games down the stretch for the Winnipeg Goldeyes during their championship season. During the podcast, Danielle mentioned that her love of sports broadcasting was inspired by Kate Beirness from TSN. In the days after this podcast aired, Kate tweeted at Danielle. Thank you very much for downloading and subscribing to the podcast. There are a few ways to support it. You could take the Podtrac Survey to help keep us on the rails. We review some of the feedback we received in this very episode. We also thank Rockcastle Media and the Music Week Countdown for being apart of the show this week. If you would like to advertise on the podcast, please download a rate card. #baseball #humble #siriusxm #podcast

Fearless Fred is the morning show host at 102.1 the Edge in Toronto. During Fred's cross Canada radio career, we counted 6 cities and 2 firings on his journey to Toronto. Along the way, he worked with an A-List of Canadian radio people. He listened, learned, and took notes along the way - all while remaining blistfully unaware. As I listened to Fred recount his radio adventures across Canada, I discovered that two of the greatest things going for Fred were his ability to remain unaware of certain things, while having the ability to listen and react accordingly when someone is giving you advice. That's why he is - where is he is today. From Jeff Woods: I’ve got a new radio series I’m shopping to radio stations around the world and I’m thinking it’s a program you might love. It’s a weekly show with daily spinoffs – storytelling about music mostly. From the pillars of rock - to the legends that followed, Records & Rockstars takes you inside, delves into the stories behind the music and the people that make it; an opportunity for you to satisfy your appetite for knowing what happened to whom, when, and how. There’ll be occasional conversations with the bands too, and tributes to legends lost, and themes like Under the Influence, Strange Stories, The Beginners Guide. The possibilities are endless, and the music is the best, particularly if you regard guitars, bass and drums as the backbone of it all, and a great song and the story behind it as great radio listening. #theedge #Fearlessfred #power97 #edmonton #radio #rockradio

I remember my first tailgating experience. It was a cold and frosty day in January of 1992. In fact, leave it to the NFL to keep a living record of the game. My friends and I drove 23 hours from Nova Scotia to Orchard Park, NY. File that under "decisions that shouldn't be made on a Thursday night at the Swinging Axe Lounge." What I saw in Buffalo was off the charts nutty and I can confirm after going back 7 times - nothing has changed. So when I heard there was a podcast dedicated to the wonderful world of tailgating - life finally made sense. Podcasting and broadcasting are in the throes of intersecting. Podcasting is thriving because what attracts listeners is curiosity and interest. The ultimate lesson for the broadcaster is that if you are interested, you will more than likely make it interesting. John Largent is passionate about tailgating. For two years, he has done a weekly podcast called Tailgate Radio. Now I am no sports radio consultant (we had him on the previous episode) but I have to figure that there is a sports station in America that could use a half hour show on tailgating to fill the vast programming grid around Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd and Jim Rome. At some point, radio will learn to find its talent pool alive and well on iTunes. It's off with my Green Bay Packer loving lover to the opening of the new stadium in Minneapolis. Along the way we will catch an episode or two of John Largent's Tailgate Radio. Also on the podcast this week - Jeff Woods is back with a new radio show. If you are interested in having great classic rock stories on your airwaves, please contact him through his website. Finally, International Podcast Day is coming up on September 30th, and it's already shaping up to be more vocal than International Radio Day on February 13th. Podcasters will certainly fill your social media with #podcastday. #podcast #tailgating #football #nfl

This podcast happened to come out on the one year anniversary of Jason Barrett's foray into the world of entrepreneurship. He will be the first to tell you he is not a radio consultant; it's so much more than that now in the digital revolution: From the website: Barrett Sports Media is a full service sports programming and marketing company designed to help sports radio and television companies, professional sports teams, and sports agencies, enjoy long-term success in the audio, digital and social media space! Our relationships, strategies, and knowledge help our clients maximize their brand’s ratings, revenue, and digital and social media growth and engagement. I can certainly concur with Jason's sentiment about the consultant label. With program directors being asked to do so much, his role is more of a extension of the programming department. Jason gives us insight into Sports as it pertains to radio, TV and digital. Think of it as a format check up. If you love sports radio, you will enjoy his perspective and I encourage you to follow him on twitter. He really is the Adam Schefter of Sports Radio. Also in this episode, (and still staying with football) the passing of former Winnipeg Blue Bombers marketing director Jerry Maslowsky reminded me of a 1995 radio stunt that he was apart of as promotions director at a Winnipeg station. I'll let you listen to the bit play out, but understand that the station gave away trips to Miami to see the Super Bowl. #NFL #Sports #Radio #Twitter

You have heard all about the connected car and threats of its arrival. Well It's here. Radio is disappearing from the car dash board and is being replaced by a computer. When you think about it - that puts my podcast on equal footing in the car with your radio station. Something to consider. There's a 12 part podcast produced by Jacob's Media, who are actively tracking the progress of the connected car. It's a must listen series for those in radio. If you don't understand the connected car - radio is going get complicated. Seth Resler writes online strategies for on air pros on his website; he also does the digital media consulting at Jacobs Media and is the host of their podcast: Dash - The Future of Radio in the Connected Car. Seth also has a regular column in All Access. Also, Fall Ratings starts and Canada's diary markets feature something new. Online Diary submissions. Ross Davies and Natasha Arzumanian from Numeris answer our questions.

Our very first podcast episode featured Andrew Wilcox and what it was like to leave a radio station behind. We catch up with Andrew and get a status update on life in Fort McMurray and at 100.5 Cruz FM. What really surprises me is how Andrew describes the calamity with poise. I also called up my long time friend Yukon Jack at the Bear in Edmonton to share his story of bringing a recently emigrated Nigerian family who fled the Fort Mac flames last May. Many people associate Yukon with the picture seen here, and his daily feature, "Yukon's Big Yap!". However, there are charitable things he does that he doesn't always share with his audience. The Podcast this week is brought to you by Santa Clara and the new single "Be That Way." - Bring it to Your Music Meeting. Other things we touched on include: The 25th Anniversary of Pearl Jam's Ten CD is the first of many Quarter Century celebrations for grunge recordings. I take a look back to that era when Grunge had to find its way onto traditional Album Oriented Rock playlists, and share CHOM-FM's struggle with grunge. A "State of the Podcast" address basically asks you to advertise with us. Make your pledge here! I have two clients in need of filling some talent positions. Please e-mail me your demo and resume. There's a Podcast for that! The One Sheet Podcast: Dearbhla Trainor's podcast is a one-on-one conversation with successful leaders who are behind the glitz, the glam and the fame of the music industry, breaking down their particular role, giving insights, stories and advice. If you would like to have your podcast featured, please download the script here. #FortMacFire #Cruz1005 #YukonJack #bear #radio #rockradio

The unofficial start to our new year is actually the Monday after Labour Day. Kids head back to school, and families go back to their over-scheduled routines. That's great news for radio stations who market and target to those key demographics who are stuck in the car trying to get from volleyball to hockey tryouts in the middle of rush hour traffic. Routines are important to families and on air radio talent; right down the quarter-hour. It's also the beginning of a brand new radio fiscal year. If you stick around radio long enough, you will see the patterns that revolve around budgets and budgeting. If it looks like there are a wave of cuts every May - you're right. That's when budgets get set for the next fiscal year and companies part with the talent they won't be investing in any longer. Then there is August. That's when final budget adjustments are made and companies make the rest of their changes. Think I am making it up? As I type this, Country 94 in Ottawa is making a bunch of changes, leaving Airchecker scrambling for the body count. I will leave others to speculate if a tenth Virgin will (re)emerge in our nation's capital. As for my quip that summer is over, you can already feel the night time air dropping down to sleep friendly temperatures. I think I hear geese. All sure signs that you have two weeks to get your fall promotional campaign wrapped up, t's crossed, i's dotted, and try to steal one last three or four day weekend at the lake before the fall ratings period starts. Right about the time you fix that cocktail or pour that cold beer, another station in the market will flip to a format similar to yours and it'll be game on! Happy New Year!