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Blue Water

B

brettmason

Who are these people? When it comes to current radio trends they seem to be breaking the mold.

Not only to they have website guy in the building, they want to hire an assistant to go to events
take pics, produce audio/video content etc. From their website:

Bluewater Broadcasting, Inc. operates 5 radio stations in Montgomery Alabama and is seeking an
Assistant Web Editor/Producer to assist the Chief Technology Officer in maintaining 5 radio station
websites. Top duties include: editing, posting, and monitoring blog entries; producing live content;
writing headlines and teases; graphic creation and editing; editing and mixing audio for podcasts, editing
and mixing video; liaison with disc jockeys to assist with blog entries; on‐site recording of press
conference audio; on‐site photography at station events.
 
No wonder they are in Chapter 11 with debts exceeding $20 million.
 
ricky-- u think you know the inner workings on bw?? I LAFF AT YOU- running a good cluster has nothing to do with bankruptcy--

what is it that you do..?
 
Bluewater has reached a consentual agreement with all major creditors and will emerge from chapter 11 with a very managable 4.5 million in debt and with cashflow around 1 million in 2010. That's for all the disinformation Ricky boy. What is it that you do? Inquiring minds want to know. Oh, and BW is hireing up on the digital platform side cause it's the future, son!
 
I laugh at the bankruptcy claim as well, if you knew what was REALLY going on you'd be agreeing with what Brett said above.

Radio is so far behind on the digital medium it's not even funny. Out of the big four (Radio, TV, Newspaper, Yellowpages) radio ranks dead last in Internet revenues. Everyone is so focused on selling air, they are missing the giant boat full of eager advertisers with fists full of cash. Want proof? Ricky Stokes makes more online than you do offline.

Start with the News/Talk websites, local news ranks #1 for views and revenue. Get a part-timer or two to update news, take pictures, add video and compete with TV and you'll have a solid web product.

You know why I love working here? B.W. is willing to break a few eggs...
 
Well I'm impressed. Most companies are retracting, sacrificing talent, running on a skeleton crew.
I remember reading a TON when this recession/depression first started about the companies
that came out of the great depression as economic powerhouses. Without going into a long
winded disertation, the ones who invested in their product, infrastructure and people dominated
the depression and when the depression was over they were the power houses of business.

I think it's a great move.

There is no way you can cut everthing to the bone without the product suffering. Of course an
argument can be made that the competition is making the same cuts so the playing field is level.
But I think that is the wrong way to look at it.

I can tell you during the past year and a half in my online marketing I do, I actually increased my
online advertising by 50% and ramped up my product. I am making less than I made in years past,
but I have seen two competitors go under that I competed with directly. And now things are getting
better as far as people spending...it's possible I could have my best year ever in 2010.

I took the financial hit to my wallet and rode it out knowing my move would pay larger dividends when
the spending started back. And I am seeing that already in 2010. May sales for first quarter are
up 60% over this time last year.

Just wanted to give kudos to a company who is being bold and powering through instead of whimpering.
 
lol. ok...I got an email this morning which prompts me to be VERY clear.

I'm not trying to get a job with Blue Water. I'm happy where I am.

I wasn't saying anything about MY station. I am blessed to be a part of
a staffed station where we are doing promotions and other things.
I haven't asked for anything I thought I needed and been turned down.

I was speaking to radio in general and some of the stories about clusters or
companies we have all read about.

As you were!
 
let me echo bretts sentiments-- as the radio people have been and continue to be a big part of my business.

i dont think i said anything negative here-- but i want to be clear-- i just want everyone to be happy--
 
Right, I don't think anyone is attacking anyone. But the industry as a whole needs to be "reinvest" in itself and product.

Listeners aren't interested in just a pic & bio of the jock. They are interested in connecting with their LOCAL radio personalities in way that they can be provided with LOCAL information on a PERSONAL level. What does this mean? In the old days it was answer the phones and take requests. In 2010 your station needs to reach out and touch the listener via their Cell phone and Facebook.

Your station needs to provide exclusive content FAST. For example: WDJR.COM school closings page during the snow day a few weeks back was HUGE...THOUSANDS of page views that day. Why? LOCAL CONTENT! Did anybody sell it? No. Did TV sell their school closing page? Yer damn right!

Podcasting, Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, Text Messages, Keyword contests are all things nobody is doing. Did you know that you can send a text message (for free) to all your followers on Twitter? WDJR is doing this with severe weather and contesting, but it's not being sold. This message hits 2,000 followers cell phones: "Severe Thunderstorm Warning Houston County until 4pm from 96.9 and ________" ............. and nobody can sell this?

Look, the whole reason radio has survived for 80+ years: WE ARE LOCAL. Local is what is saving our asses when the regional/national buys have become a distant memory. Local is what will see us through, and local is what you can take to the bank. Radio: REINVEST in your product and find new ways to engage the listener on a LOCAL, PERSONAL level and the advertisers will follow.
 
Dothan Radio said:
Right, I don't think anyone is attacking anyone. But the industry as a whole needs to be "reinvest" in itself and product.

Listeners aren't interested in just a pic & bio of the jock. They are interested in connecting with their LOCAL radio personalities in way that they can be provided with LOCAL information on a PERSONAL level. What does this mean? In the old days it was answer the phones and take requests. In 2010 your station needs to reach out and touch the listener via their Cell phone and Facebook.

Your station needs to provide exclusive content FAST. For example: WDJR.COM school closings page during the snow day a few weeks back was HUGE...THOUSANDS of page views that day. Why? LOCAL CONTENT! Did anybody sell it? No. Did TV sell their school closing page? Yer damn right!

Podcasting, Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, Text Messages, Keyword contests are all things nobody is doing. Did you know that you can send a text message (for free) to all your followers on Twitter? WDJR is doing this with severe weather and contesting, but it's not being sold. This message hits 2,000 followers cell phones: "Severe Thunderstorm Warning Houston County until 4pm from 96.9 and ________" ............. and nobody can sell this?

Look, the whole reason radio has survived for 80+ years: WE ARE LOCAL. Local is what is saving our asses when the regional/national buys have become a distant memory. Local is what will see us through, and local is what you can take to the bank. Radio: REINVEST in your product and find new ways to engage the listener on a LOCAL, PERSONAL level and the advertisers will follow.
Click to expand...

I disagree with the whole facebook/twitter thing ....What you are doing is driving listeners away from your station by posting weather warnings these. From a listener stand point they will be thinking "why should I listen to 96.9 on the radio they will send me a text,facebook,twitter message. and tell me all about it" So therefore by driving them away you are driving them away from your on-air advertisers.
 
Rrrrright. I remember back in the day where a PD hating airing TV spots because he was afraid That 70's Show would take away from his night guy's ratings. While your claim isn't that extreme, don't be ignorant enough to think refusal to embrace one service will only enhance the other. (Maybe if I ignore it will go away!)

Providing the listener with valuable information (right to their fingertips) only solidifies you as an "authority", AND "trusted source & friend" for LOCAL content. I'm talking about immediate returns on investment with a digital business model. Solid, proven, ACCURATE, digital numbers (followers, friends, page-views, etc...) with ultra-targeted demographics that advertisers (in this economy) would rather see apposed to the age-old "spend $20,000 on promotions and pray for ratings in the money demo so we can sell the numbers" business model based on a key diary placements.

I'm not saying we should do away with Arbitron, I'm suggesting we embrace both. Sell both. Advertisers are cautious where the spend their money these days, and I don't blame them. I remember seeing diaries skewed so far to the right because Granny listed to that "old country" for 14 hours a day. What advertiser would be apposed to being on-air AND pushed to the cell-phone screen of 2,000 listeners?

My whole argument is: If TV, Newspaper, and Yellowpages can do this (and do it well) why can't radio?
 
Now you understand why we have hired a CTO with web design experience and are looking to staff up further. Social networking isn't just a cliche. We used to create a sense of stationality and community through contests and appearances, and the phones. Now it's just as important - no strike that - it's more important to be on Facebook, and Twitter, and their iPhones. Anyone with web experienc want a job at a PROGRAMMING platform? It ain't just about transmitters anymore!
 
Umm, in keeping with my New Year Res, congratulations to media people who can sell. It's nice to see that they get some back-handed compliments (I think?) from the "talented" side of the business. The grunts, the grinders, the weasels that get out there and make the paychecks for everyone. Remember ladies and gentlemen that not everyone can get on air or stand in front of an audience and entertain but at the same time how many people can face the rejection of being told NO, face-to-face with specifics of why it is a no, 6 to 12 times for every yes that they get (and that ratio is generous in these economic conditions)? These boards tend to focus on the behind the control room board jobs rather than the on the street jobs. Try walking into/onto someone elses turf (store) being the 9th or 10th "rep" to walk in to sell advertising that day. Ever try and out negotiate a car dealer ...... think you can, then you need to be on the streets not in the control room.

Just go sell it.....these are not internet hits, these are not items most people like spending money on, they see advertising as a "necessary evil" rather than a tool (and that sentiment is backed up by a person they perceive as their smartest confidant, their CPA). This thread is a good discussion but I just wanted to ask you folks to remember with kindness the people who get out there everyday and lay their personal credibility, personality and livelihood on the line for the station and fellow employees every single day.
 
I appreciate our sales team and they know it. I think they do anyway.

I think our programming and sales department work together in ways that I have
never seen in radio before. It's a line that is hard to find sometimes but making
sure we work together is what is keeping the doors open and the paychecks coming.

As for the text and social updates being a mistake, that is just rediculous. Much like the
80/20 rule where you tease your upcoming story/bit with 80% of the information they will
get if they wait around, they want the other 20%.

You can't give in depth coverage in a tweet. But you can remind everyone who is on top
of the 'story' and when they can get to a radio you will be the one they tune in to. OR if they
happen to be listening to some oblivious jock who is dropping the ball they will change.

And if none of that matters, you are relating and having a conversation with your listener and
strengthening the brand.

The is NO downside to this. Everyone on our text list is there because we told them WHAT we
were going to do if they signed up. So they voluntarily opted to received what we send. And it
wasn't a bait and switch. We send the very type of texts we told them up front they would receive.
 
If I may, I would like to weigh in on this conversation. I have no vested interest nor am I employed by BW, but after spending 35 years in radio broadcasting in all sorts of management capacities, I think BW is looking forward and not back. Sure, bankruptcy is a dirty word, but is done for various reasons, some being your lendors getting antsy about ROI. Many other reasons, but in today's world, bankruptcy is not only SOP, but expected.

Now for the discussion to the move to digital and social networking. I think it's a little late and radio has traditionally been asleep at the switch on embracing new trends and technology. Twitter and Facebook are not the silver bullet to make radio whole again. That time has passed.

Pandora is my radio of. And a lot of others it seems according to Ando media ratings. No juvenile dj's, no loud commercials, my music of choice, not some corporate PD somewhere.

Iphone is my choice of communicator. Why should I wait for "traffic and weather together on the 10's" when I can get anytime on my phone.

Radio is still a good choice for many, but many more have moved on to newer technologies. It will never see the glory days again.
 
By all means, please list them, so I can search for them at the app store.
 
And before you mention "so is Pandora", let me say that the basic Pandora is free...not the "no commercial Pandora". Thus yeah, it's not free.

just sayin.......
 
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