Attending the NAB/R&R Radio Show in Dallas?

[Holland Cooke]

Wednesday, September 20, 330-6PM, in the DeLaSalle Room:

TALK THAT WOMEN REALLY WANT:
Programming and Selling the new Money Format for Women 25-54

Speakers:
Larry Rosin, President, Edison Media Research
Mike McVay, President, McVay Media
Margaret Bonner, The Bonner Group
Lisa Gergely, VP Sales & Business Development, GreenStone Media

Special Address from Gloria Steinem

Your invitation to the-most-talked-about Talk radio session is at http://www.HollandCooke.com/DallasInvitation.pdf

See you there,
HC

 

[TheLaffer]

Gloria Steinem and Jane Fonda [EDIT] about the all women network. Typical BS. Oh it's so different, unique, bla, bla, bla. just because it's WOMEN doing it. Oh Puuulease!

Trust me. Like Error America it too will fail.


[EDIT=inappropriate language]

 

[Holland Cooke]

I AGREE! "...just because it's WOMEN doing it. Oh Puuulease!"

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT!

There's a station in Baltimore trying-to-do-that right now.
Just changed formats this Spring.
All-shows-that-happen-to-be-hosted-by-women.

NOT shows-FOR-women.
Shows-BY-women.

So what?

I AGREE WITH YOU, that "just because it's WOMEN doing it" is nothing new.

That's not what Greenstone is up to.
And, yes, doing something DIFFERENT sure DOES take some dough.
The kind of money that famous people can raise.

Here's what's different:
1. Why now: http://members.aol.com/cookeh/NOWtheyGetIt.pdf
2. Measureable marketplace demand: http://members.aol.com/cookeh/greenstoneresearch.pdf

AND HERE'S THE REAL PROBLEM...

NOBODY wants to be first-on-their-block to try something new.
EVERYONE wants to be third.
Evidence: Last year's "Jack" fiasco.
Radio is a monkey-see-monkey-do business.
Fads become formats.

So -- for the reasons outlined in download #1, and demonstrated by download #2 -- a few nervy early adopters who find success with chicktalk will cause others to pile-on.

THEN what happens?
More right-target/wrong-approach situations like that Baltimore station.
Talk-BY, not FOR, women.

And when THOSE stations bomb, talk-for-women will get a bad rap.
After all, there sure won't be TWO chicktalk stations in a market.
First-in wins.
First loser taints the format.
"They tried that here, and it didn't work."

Off to Dallas,
See y'all there?

Holland Cooke
News/Talk Specialist
McVay Media
www.HollandCooke.com

 

[upstate29651]

Women tend to not listen to N/T. "Chick Talk" is already a running concept, as evidenced by Charlotte's 107.9 Link.

G

 

[Holland Cooke]

RE "Women tend to not listen to N/T."

And why would they?

It's dominated by politically-obsessed, overweight, white, 50+ males.
They talk about the same thing day after day after day.
And, often, the tone apes cable channels' mud wrestling.
"I'm right, and you're wrong, and that makes you a bad American."
More heat than light, at a time when listeners need INFORMATION.

NO WONDER women have been seeking refuge in iPod-land.

Now that they're wearying of the umpteenth replay of "Year of the Cat," radio has a REAL opportunity...

 

[fred flintstone]

If women were really interested in men's conversations, they wouldn't keep going to the rest room together.

 

[Holland Cooke]

May I quote you?

If women were really interested in men's conversations, they wouldn't keep going to the rest room together.

GREAT LINE!

Yet the ownership/management establishment -- still largely men -- still wonder, when the ratings come in, and women aren't using Talk radio. NOT a mystery.

 

[upstate29651]

Re: May I quote you?

Yet the ownership/management establishment -- still largely men -- still wonder, when the ratings come in, and women aren't using Talk radio. NOT a mystery.

Did it dawn on you that women are NOT the target audience in N/T?

Spill it....what's your REAL agenda here? (as referenced by your "dominated by politically-obsessed, overweight, white, 50+ males" comment)

G

 

[Holland Cooke]

"Did it dawn on you that women are NOT the target audience in N/T?"

Moi?

Clearly, IOU an apology.
I -- a professional communicator -- have failed-to-communicate.

RE "Did it dawn on you that women are NOT the target audience in N/T?"

We haven't met.
As you'll surmise poking-around www.HollandCooke.com, I do that for a living.

And YOU BET that the garden-variety non-music AM targets males.

IF, that is, they think-it-through that far.

Many are just robotically in the business-as-usual mode:
** Information-intensive morning show; possibly including the station's only full-time news voice.
** In ET/CT time zones, the mid-morning show is likely local. MT/PT, Rush begins in mid-morning.
** Many Rush stations segue to Hannity.
** At night, play-by-play.
** Weekends? More sports, and how-to shows (many of 'em guy stuff).

Sound familiar?

Whether the-mostly-male-cume is cause or effect varies by situation.
Many aren't consciously "targeting," doing things to CAUSE mostly-men to want-to-listen.
But that's the EFFECT.

Too often, the News/Talk AM is "the red-haired stepchild" in the multi-station cluster.
The GM, often too-young-to-have-grown-up listening-to-AM, doesn't understand the station's potential.
He/she came from sales management at a music FM.
He/she wants the largely-automated AM to go-sit-in-the-corner-and-behave.
(The OPPOSITE of what the most successful News/Talk stations do.)
Most management think-time, HR, and promotion resources are allocated to sister FMs.
Propping-up jukebox stations already measurably losing the battle to new media.
My point: You may be giving management too much credit for "targeting."

AGREED: MOST NEWS/TALK LISTENING IS MALE.
Although not-much-more than 50%, based on gender skew ratio of many News/Talk AMs.
After all, women-seeking-news/weather/traffic might only FIND it on News/Talk AMs.
But -- because typical Talk fare doesn't talk to them -- women tend not to be partisans.
"P1s," as the Arbitron guys say.

Still with me?
NOW...
Here's the unmet need, and it's not insignificant.
It's a hole you could drive a truck through.
And that's NOT anyone's opinion.
Data: http://members.aol.com/cookeh/greenstoneresearch.pdf

DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.

RE: "Spill it....what's your REAL agenda here? (as referenced by your 'dominated by politically-obsessed, overweight, white, 50+ males' comment)"

As a former boss of mine used to say, "I'll answer your second question first..."

RE "your 'dominated by politically-obsessed, overweight, white, 50+ males' comment:"

DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.
Listen-around, from-town-to-town, up-and-down-the-dial.
Do you hear different?

RE: "Spill it....what's your REAL agenda here?"

What-it-IS, Part One: As disclosed elsewhere @ radio-info.com, Greenstone is my client.
So I'm in a position to clarify what they're up to.
AND -- hopefully -- to get those-of-y'all-who'll-be-in-Dallas to join us on Wednesday.
http://www.HollandCooke.com/DallasInvitation.pdf

What-it-IS, Part Deux: Grab the arm rest...
COLLEGIAL INDUSTRY DIALOGUE.
Yep, actual shop talk.
Admittedly I'm working a tough room here...

What-it's-NOT: Buzzboard business-as-usual.
Not just more adolescent sniping from anonymous posters tossing lit matches.

Good afternoon from Block Island,
HC

PS: Any news people looking in? I'm currently recruiting for TWO news director openings. Both GREAT markets, GREAT owners (NEITHER Clear Channel). RSVP to [email protected]

 

[fred flintstone]

Steinham Sez: Women Do Like An Arguement

Radio Programming for Women, Whatever That Means

...Among adult women who do listen to radio, the percentage spending some time with talk shows has increased, however slightly, in the last eight years, according to the Arbitron ratings service. But GreenStone, as Ms. Steinem explained in a CNN interview last week, is predicated on the notion that women have abandoned radio, and the talk format specifically, because it is “too hostile and argumentative and crazy” and because women are “not nearly as hostile and argumentative.” Certainly the participants on, say, Urbanbaby.com, an online community for young mothers, would dispute that assessment, tackling as they do the issues of pediatricians or foreign policy with the ferocity of the Achaeans at Troy...

READ FULL ARTICLE

 

[Holland Cooke]

En route to the NAB/R&R Radio Show in Dallas...

Good morning -- via blazing-fast airport WiFi -- from Atlanta Hartsfield.

Travel tip: Opti-Fi wireless access here is the best deal, $5.95 for 24 hours.
Other plans are $7.95.

GREAT Talk radio call-in topic for a deadly-dull news day: "What have you seen, that you wish you DIDN'T see?"

(OK, grammatically, it should be "...that you wish you hadn't seen;" but "DIDN'T see" sounds more-approachable.)

You won't BELIEVE the stories callers will tell.
Some hilarious.
Some tearful.
Some borderline-keep-your-thumb-on-the-Dump-button.
But you'll light 'em up.

 

[Holland Cooke]

GOOD crowd.

Hello from Dallas, and the NAB/R&R Radio Show.

With all that radio's been through -- since the '96 Telecom Act visited consolidation upon us -- it's easy to notice how conventions like this are smaller-than-they-used-to-be.

So it's encouraging to see an early crowd here late this afternoon...even though the show itself doesn't start until tomorrow.

More soon...
HC
www.HollandCooke.com

 

[smedge2006]

Admittedly, the news-talk gender balance isn't as tipped as, say, all-sports.

But virtually all of the news-talk female audience is 50+.

At least some of the male demos in news-talk are under 50, although even the male side is aging.

Therefore it seems the male demo contingent is bigger than it is, because it is more important to the bottom line.

---

In the 1980's, male and female demos were both 50-plus.

In some cities (Tampa and Miami among them), programmers found a way to make news-talk compelling to male baby-boomers.

In most places, they just grabbed Rush's coattails and hung on for dear life.

Some programmers and syndicators, like Ed Graham of the American Radio Network, and like a certain consultant, worked in a direction opposite to these pioneer talk programmers. They urged bland, non-confrontational radio. They avoided hard-rocking bumper music like the plague.

How successful was this strategy?

Just answer this question:

How many of you have ever heard of the American Radio Network?

 

[Holland Cooke]

Well said!

<< In most places, they just grabbed Rush's coattails and hung on for dear life. >>

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE.
Too few Talk stations' managers are really thinking-it-through.
They're merely piecing-it-together.

And the crying shame is how much unrealized upside these under-loved News/Talk/Sports AMs have.

If you'd just LOVE these stations more...simply TRY HARDER...they could grow LOTS more than music FMs will in-the-age-of-iPod.

Good evening from Dallas,
HC
www.HollandCooke.com

 

[Holland Cooke]

Wednesday early-early morning Dallas update

Bon giorno from the NAB/R&R Radio Show in Big D.

Last night, the buzz was contagious and encouraging.
More-folks-here-earlier than many-of-'em seemed-to-expect-to-see.

At host hotel Hilton Anatole, room key cards are ads by ABC Radio:
"Introducing FM News for Music Stations. ABC FM News. Customized. Targeted. Relevant."
Until 9/11, "FM news" was largely an oxymoron.
Fast-forward to the iPod era, and jukebox FMs realize that what-they-do-BETWEEN-songs matters.

Best marketing I've seen here so far: The Dave Ramsey Show.
(NOT a HC client, but a show I sure do recommend: http://www.hollandcooke.com/weekendgold.pdf)
If you're not in Dallas, look for Dave's ad on the back of the new Talkers magazine.
It's one-of-a-series, featuring real-people-looking models, identified, i.e.,
"Melissa, a talk radio listener and stay-at-home mom from Dallas just lost her husband.
He didn't have life insurance. The last thing on her mind is politics!"
SMART

There's SKEPTICAL interest RE will-Stern-return-to-radio? Many here think this buzz is a publicity stunt. Sirius Senior VP Patrick Reilly tells Inside Radio Howard is "thriving on Sirius. There has never been any discussion of Howard Stern in any way, shape or form being anything but exclusive to Sirius."

Party-to-hit-tonight: RAIN Reader Cocktail Party, 7PM at Anatole Gossip bar.
(http://www.kurthanson.com/archive/news/091906/index.asp)
Radio And Internet News publisher Kurt Hanson's new book and blog debut:
"Radio Revitalized: Global Opportunities for Broadcasters in the new Wireless Internet-Delivery World."
(http://radiorevitalized.com)

But first: 330-6PM, in the DeLaSalle Room:

TALK THAT WOMEN REALLY WANT:
Programming and Selling the new Money Format for Women 25-54
Speakers:
Larry Rosin, President, Edison Media Research
Mike McVay, President, McVay Media
Margaret Bonner, The Bonner Group
Lisa Gergely, VP Sales & Business Development, GreenStone Media

Special Address from Gloria Steinem

Your invitation to the-most-talked-about Talk radio session is at http://www.HollandCooke.com/DallasInvitation.pdf

HC
www.HollandCooke.com

 

[Holland Cooke]

GOOD first day here.

Lots to tell.
While I'm organizing my notes, here's something of value that showed up in my email.

A George Cook (no relation), whose signature block ID'd him as an "Audio Entertainment and Marketing Specialist" offers the following advice, which will serve you well at ANY industry convention.

Thanks George!
Back soon,
HC
www.HollandCooke.com

Be A NAB/R&R Conference Commando

Everyone in our industry is excited about the NAB/R&R conventions convening now in Dallas. While enjoying the standing room only sessions, take a moment to notice who is standing next to you. Could it be a new potential client or ally, or another industry insider or an old friend?

To make the most of your convention networking, here’s some great advice from master networker Keith Ferazzi on connecting with connectors.

15 tips to help you become a Conference Commando:

Tip #1: Remember the 7P’s: Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance – Get focused. Think about: Why you are attending? What you want to achieve? Who you want to meet?

Tip #2: Know your targets. Get a list of conference attendees and keep that list with you at all times during the conference so you will know whom you’ve met and who you still need to meet.

Tip #3: Gather intelligence. If you want to get to know someone, the first thing you should do is figure out how you can help them. Find your currency for them—your experience, knowledge, contacts or resources that can make them more successful.

Tip #4: Strike early. Don’t wait until the conference to start your networking.

Tip #5: Never attend a conference. Well, never just attend a conference. You should be sure to speak, too, even if your name isn’t on the program. Acquire a 30-second commercial for your brand by asking a thoughtful question during Q&A.

Tip #6: Slight the speakers. Don’t waste time standing in line to meet a speaker after his or her song and dance. There will be so many other brilliant people at the conference; go meet them!

Tip #7: Get a wing man. Start more of the relationships you want. Team up with a partner. You and your buddy can provide each other motivation, guidance and assistance.

Tip #8: Draft off a big kahuna. Get to know some of the most well-known folks at the conference or the conference organizers themselves and hang with them. The important people will rotate by them sooner or later. If you’re there, you’ll meet everyone who matters.

Tip #9: Be an info-hub. Get really familiar with the conference program. Then pick the brains of the conference staff and anyone else willing to share the ins and outs of what’s happening in and around the big meeting. If you’re in the loop on the private parties and after-hours special events, everyone will come to you for the goods.

Tip #10: Work hard on break. Don’t run off to stuff your face or check e-mail between sessions. You should attend to your bagel and BlackBerry while boring speakers are blabbing on and on, so when break time comes, you can get out there and do what you really came to the conference to do—meet people!

Tip #11: Hijack a dinner. True commandos aren’t constrained by the agendas they receive at registration. Arrange a dinner at a special place out on the town you’re visiting with people who care about a particular topic that matters to you, or modify a conference meal that’s already paid for by inviting specific people to join your table as you meet them during the day.

Tip #12: Let your guard down. When you engage at target contact, skip the small talk and dive into the stuff that really matters to you and them: interests, passions, struggles, and greatest needs. Intimacy and Giving are the two keys to making quick connections that jumpstart lasting relationships.

Tip #13: Master the Deep Bump. Once you’ve successfully taken your conversation with a new acquaintance down deep, past the shallow small talk, secure an invitation to reconnect later. Then bump! Move on and meet more people. You've invested too much time and money in this conference not to take the opportunity to meet many different people. You have a lifetime to build relationships with people at the conference, but only a few days to meet them.

Tip #14: Take names (and notes). Before you conclude the Deep Bump, and move on after making a new acquaintance, be sure to get a business card. Flip over the card and jot down a few words to remind yourself of what you two discussed, any relevant personal details you wish to remember, and, of course, when and why you’re going to follow up later.

Tip #15: Follow up or fail. Don’t wait until you return home from the conference to ping people whose cards you collect. Shoot out follow-up emails each night of the event or write them during your flight home.

 

[fred flintstone]

Holland, you may be seriously over-estimating the portion of readers of this board who work in radio or have ever worked in radio - let along the portion who have held management positions (and go to conferences).
Most of these boards are mostly radio geeks.
This one is mostly political groupies.

 

[Holland Cooke]

RE "Most of these boards are mostly radio geeks."

YOU said that...not I.

<< you may be seriously over-estimating the portion of readers of this board who work in radio or have ever worked in radio - let along the portion who have held management positions >>

Not after reading many of the snipes here.

But I say, "aim higher!"

Heck, this is JUST-the-kind-of-stuff I wish I knew back when I was wondering-what-happened-at-these-conventions.

I can assure you of ONE thing: It's ALL BUSINESS here in Dallas!
http://members.aol.com/cookeh/NABR06Xhall.jpg

 

[Holland Cooke]

Home from Dallas...but just for a pit stop...

Hello from Block Island.

Am gathering notes, press releases, convention hand-outs, scraps-of-paper-in-blazer-pockets, etc., and organizing-into a NAB/R&R Radio Show summary you will read in Talkers magazine and can download @ www.HollandCooke.com

And I better write fast.
After only-a-couple-nights-at-home, ANOTHER CONVENTION.

The 2nd annual "Portable Media Expo," this coming week in Ontario CA.
(http://www.portablemediaexpo.com/)
Yep, the podcasting convention.
Radio-without-the-transmitter.

Last year's first-ever was a REAL eye-opener.
"The Woodstock of podcasting," SEVEN HUNDRED attendees.
That's more than Talk radio conventions draw.

You can listen to one of the keynotes @ http://members.aol.com/cookeh/podcasting.html
And I'll post notes on this year's show here @ radio-info.com, when I'm back.

HC
www.HollandCooke.com

 

[fred flintstone]

Customized, Targeted News

At host hotel Hilton Anatole, room key cards are ads by ABC Radio:
"Introducing FM News for Music Stations. ABC FM News. Customized. Targeted. Relevant."
Until 9/11, "FM news" was largely an oxymoron.
Fast-forward to the iPod era, and jukebox FMs realize that what-they-do-BETWEEN-songs matters.

It seems to me I've heard that song before.
An Oldie from 1968.
When ABC launched four radio "networks" (replacing one-size-fits-all) - including The FM Network (they kept the ABC brand off all four at first), they promised customized and targeted news.
The writing styles and delivery on each "network" differed some - but less so as time went on.
The only thing that was different in each newscast 55, :00, :15, :30) were the spots and the newsreader.
Eventually, modern technology made it possible for ABC to feed the same newscast with different spots for each network. They did away with individual network "brands" completely and started using "ABC" and the TV news sounder only.
Only a few attempts have ever been made to produce customized, targeted, relevant news. Among the most notable: CKLW 20/20 News from Drake Top40 "The Big 8" in Windsor, Ontario (and back then targeting the Detroit market). And, of course, there is still Paul ........ Harvey (a holdover from an age when "commentators" each produced uniquely customized and targeted newscasts).
Question is: Why not? Why - in age when everything else is customized and targeted - is not even a minimal attempt made to craft news for target audiences?
If stations even bother to rewrite wire copy, they turn it into something that sounds like wire copy.
Maybe it's a lack of good writers.
Maybe it's a lack of creativity in radio in general.
Or timidity.
But will ABC Radio - after dropping the ball almost 40 years ago - really do customized, targeted, relevant news this time?
My guess: Probably not.
Radio always did hype better than anything.
Too bad.