Would you guys agree that Clear Channel is much more aggressive in marketing and format changes/tweeks than Cumulus? Depending on the interest in this topic, I will elaborate further on why I'm leaning towards yes. This is based on some recent changes in Macon radio and the ongoing stagnation of cumulus stations in Atlanta.
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Cumulus vs Clear Channel
- Thread starter acheron1982
- Start date
Well I consider Clear Channel the worst of the two, but I despise large corporate radio station ownership as a whole.
And both have shown (repeatedly) their intentions are not to program what the listeners prefer, but what their consultants/researchers say people want. Give any suit a calculator, a demographic chart, and he will try to program a radio station. If someone tells him his target audience should be left-handed red heads who like Polka music he'll say that's the format.
Neither are creative or uplifting. Look at the wreckage they have made of Atlanta. Even Cox, with all their money, bombast, arrogance and power have not destroyed liked those two. But predominantly Clear Channels.
To paraphrase a famous commanding general, those two corporations are neither strategists, nor schooled in the operational arts, nor tacticians, nor generals, nor soldiers. Other than that, they are great corporate broadcasting organizations, I want you to know that.
Neither are creative or uplifting. Look at the wreckage they have made of Atlanta. Even Cox, with all their money, bombast, arrogance and power have not destroyed liked those two. But predominantly Clear Channels.
To paraphrase a famous commanding general, those two corporations are neither strategists, nor schooled in the operational arts, nor tacticians, nor generals, nor soldiers. Other than that, they are great corporate broadcasting organizations, I want you to know that.
I'm not sure it's about consultants and researchers. It's about trying to run things as cheaply as possible in order to service the huge debt.
RoddyFreeman said:
I have no reason to believe they're doing anything to pay down the debt. Last time I saw the number, it didn't seem any lower.
I think the real problem is advertising revenue is dropping like a stone, and they don't want to get deeper in the hole.
Regarding consultants & researchers, they don't just make this stuff up. They actually speak to real people in the target demo. The stations get all the details and specifics on those people and what they say. So the bottom line is that it's what the listeners want.
TheBigA said:
Bull TRIPLE S MAN, how can you say thats what peeps want to hear?????? it is nauseating what is on Atlanta radio>>>>Are they interviewing 12 year olds that make no money.???? The real listeners live in the SWATS and Hooterville, and are still suckling their mothers utters. Somewhat like the consultants and so called idiot researchers. BS...........
AMEN!!!!! And to hell with quality, nurturing talent, entertainment …
But we all know if you go into market analysis with a preconceived notion or goal, it will make no difference what the public tells you; the answers will be parsed to support the desired outcome. And if the boss's secretary/girlfriend really doesn't like Easy Listening but gets all hot for country, you can peel the Peach and bring on the Bull.
Do you know why Atlanta has as many stations playing Bieber and Nicki?
Advertisers would rather reach gullible twentysomethings who will buy a product upon hearing an ad than Boomers who are too loyal to their brands to switch upon hearing an advertisement.
Advertisers would rather reach gullible twentysomethings who will buy a product upon hearing an ad than Boomers who are too loyal to their brands to switch upon hearing an advertisement.
But if you know what it is they want to hear you'll be sure to give them the message they want.
Remember the Emperor's New Clothes?
And I wouldn't doubt for a minute that some of the advertisers are supplying some of the subjects for marketing focus groups and interviews.
Mike_Rafone said:
There is only one agenda: Making money. They'll play dogs barking Jingle Bells if it'll make them money. There is no message they want to hear. They want results. If you don't deliver, there's a line of consultants waiting in the hall.
Advertisers do their own market research to check what the stations present. There are a lot of surveys going on, with competing information. That's why I laugh when you guys invent this stuff. This isn't a hobby. It's their job. Their paycheck depends on it.
Good Morning! I'm the moron that created this thread but you guys have taken it in the wrong direction.
Let's get one fact straight: Cumulus and Clear Channel ARE the reason for the state of radio in Atlanta. I'm not suggesting one group is better than the other so lets get that out of the underwear real quick like.
Here is the deal; Im wanting to know which company is quicker to make changes either by tweeks or complete format flips. I wanted to hear some of your opinons on that specific question but we have got side tracked with our hate of both companies (which is understandable mind you).
Let me answer my question based on what I see and tell me if you agree. If you have two CHR stations in Atlanta and one is owned by Cumulus and one is owned by Clear Channel, I would suggest that Clear Channel would be first to make tweeks, take more risk, and if needed, switch formats all together. Cumulus tends to play things safe and make conservative, calculative moves (not risks). In Atlanta, a perfect example would be the Power and Q war and in Macon, the current Q106 and Rock 1055 war. In both cases, Clear Channel seems to be the aggressor while Cumulus tends to be the more conservative player. See where I'm going with this or have I lost everyone.
Let's get one fact straight: Cumulus and Clear Channel ARE the reason for the state of radio in Atlanta. I'm not suggesting one group is better than the other so lets get that out of the underwear real quick like.
Here is the deal; Im wanting to know which company is quicker to make changes either by tweeks or complete format flips. I wanted to hear some of your opinons on that specific question but we have got side tracked with our hate of both companies (which is understandable mind you).
Let me answer my question based on what I see and tell me if you agree. If you have two CHR stations in Atlanta and one is owned by Cumulus and one is owned by Clear Channel, I would suggest that Clear Channel would be first to make tweeks, take more risk, and if needed, switch formats all together. Cumulus tends to play things safe and make conservative, calculative moves (not risks). In Atlanta, a perfect example would be the Power and Q war and in Macon, the current Q106 and Rock 1055 war. In both cases, Clear Channel seems to be the aggressor while Cumulus tends to be the more conservative player. See where I'm going with this or have I lost everyone.
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