New KFOG sound...will this succeed?

[davideduardo]

It depends on what you're selling, David & David. Had a station on and the morning man did a remote from a car dealer. He sold 15 cars to people who came in and bought because that morning personality asked them to. Later, the same guy generated 3 Jag sales in one day at a dealer. Advertising is still not an exact science. I could give numerous other examples.

BTW, health products may not be the most glamourous items, but ads for them work like crazy with the older set. Everyone's trying to buy a little more youth!

Car dealers have a rather large area of brand exclusivity and since a purchase is not frequent, prospects can be convinced to drive across town for a better deal. This is one of the exceptions that prove the rule. Because cars are such a big ticket item, it is easier to justify the fact that it took 60 spots to sell 15 cars. That model does not work for McDonalds or Coke or P&G.

And car dealers frequently use agencies in larger markets, and the dealer associations definitely do. Note that most car dealers use some form of manufacturer credits and must focus on the target age of the manufacturer's own campaigns. A car that was strictly 55+, the Oldsmobile, was discontinued for that reason...

Of course, I have trouble on a more philosophical basis with the idea that someone would buy a Jag based on a morning guy's appeal. We're talking $60 k here, and I would think that such buyers were already decided on the car, and just nudged by either the talent or some special incentive offered by the talent.

As a sidebar, i've often thought that talent remotes at car dealers work because nobody wants to go into a car dealer alone... having your "friend on the radio" there makes you a visitor to a friend instead of an "up." Or, as was mentioned in a somewhat "humorous" set of buying tips in Consumer Reports recently, "If you buy a car and don't leave the dealership feeling dirty, fatigued and exhausted, you probably did not get a good deal."

 

[Madmansam]

David, what are the age demographics for Classical Music Radio?

 

[davideduardo]

David, what are the age demographics for Classical Music Radio?

Very old. The biggest issue the format has had for commercial radio is that it moved 55+ and then 65+.

 

[Dick Skinner]

Of course, I have trouble on a more philosophical basis with the idea that someone would buy a Jag based on a morning guy's appeal. We're talking $60 k here, and I would think that such buyers were already decided on the car, and just nudged by either the talent or some special incentive offered by the talent.

Yeah, that would be the free hot dogs, David.

 

[radioman148]

I'm in the same 'out of demo range'....born in '58,

You are still inside the sales demos... by next year, you won't be.

You better listen fast!

 

[Radical348]

The new KFOG sound is awesome.

 

[TomJF]

David, what are the age demographics for Classical Music Radio?

Very old. The biggest issue the format has had for commercial radio is that it moved 55+ and then 65+.

I wonder if KDFC's Off-to-School and After-school request feature is reflective of a changing demographic or an effort on their part to grow their share of moms/dads of school age children (though I think I've heard a couple of requests from grandparents)?

And, my interest in classical music didn't come from my parents and grandparents, who didn't listen to it, but from roommates/classmates when I was in college. I wonder if the actual demographics (vs what ad agencies tell you it is) of classical music are explained more along education/income/class lines than age lines.

 

[create]

I hope this does succeed. I am really enjoying the music on KFOG now. The station is sounding better to me than it ever has. It's definitely my most listened-to station right now.

 

[RadioJunkieMike]

I hope this does succeed. I am really enjoying the music on KFOG now. The station is sounding better to me than it ever has. It's definitely my most listened-to station right now.

I'm genuinely curious: would you be willing to elaborate? What specifically do you like? Is it the current songs (which are mostly standard-issue Triple-A chart stuff)? Is it just that the "older" old stuff is gone?

 

[create]

I hope this does succeed. I am really enjoying the music on KFOG now. The station is sounding better to me than it ever has. It's definitely my most listened-to station right now.

I'm genuinely curious: would you be willing to elaborate? What specifically do you like? Is it the current songs (which are mostly standard-issue Triple-A chart stuff)? Is it just that the "older" old stuff is gone?

It's mostly the getting rid of the 70's Classic Rock that sounds better to me. They do still play 60s and 70s tunes but the older stuff they play now seems to be more focused on 80s-Early 90s Alternative/Crossover bands like Cure/INXS/REM/Clash, and others that Live 105 used to play back in the day. I heard a great set this weekend driving over the Bay Bridge with "Love Is The Drug" by Roxy Music going into "Float On" by Modest Mouse and was just loving it. I like hearing new stuff like Death Cab For Cutie and Decemberists too.

 

[KCPR_Sound of SLO]

I agree the 70s stuff had just gotten so stale and overplayed. I've always hoped that KFOG would swing more contemporary as there are a lot of excellent artists out there making music which were not getting the radio play they deserved. That said, it appears that KFOG has gone a bit far with this and has evolved into a Top 40 format for the current stuff (Foster The People, Adele...playing hourly). I'd hope they cut back on the repetition, play a greater variety of new stuff and integrate the occasional oldie (yes Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin should still be included). The beauty of the format if worked right is the juxtaposition of the new stuff and old stuff. Staying current but not abandoning the past (having ones cake and eating it too). Oh, and by-the-way I bought a new bed this summer!

 

[DaveBayArea]

I appreciate it too. I used to switch off KFOG by at least the 3rd song when I heard something that I'd heard TOO many times before. It's still a bit repetitious for me, and a bit too guitar-synthesizer oriented. But I definitely find myself listening more & more. Now - if they'd add Rose's Pawn Shop that would be a big plus. Oh - and I went camping this summer with a blow-up mattress instead of a foam pad. So I'm officially in the older demo.

Dave B.

 

[RadioJunkieMike]

I agree the 70s stuff had just gotten so stale and overplayed. I've always hoped that KFOG would swing more contemporary as there are a lot of excellent artists out there making music which were not getting the radio play they deserved. That said, it appears that KFOG has gone a bit far with this and has evolved into a Top 40 format for the current stuff (Foster The People, Adele...playing hourly). I'd hope they cut back on the repetition, play a greater variety of new stuff and integrate the occasional oldie (yes Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin should still be included). The beauty of the format if worked right is the juxtaposition of the new stuff and old stuff. Staying current but not abandoning the past (having ones cake and eating it too). Oh, and by-the-way I bought a new bed this summer!

it appears that tweaking has already begun; some '60s tracks have returned (Velvet Underground!) and in fact tomorrow's "10@10" will be 1966. Unfortunately the repetition of currents increases cume (soccer moms in the carpool LOVE Matt Nathanson) even as it limits TSL, so we'll keep hearing Adele :

 

[goriajk]

I agree the 70s stuff had just gotten so stale and overplayed. I've always hoped that KFOG would swing more contemporary as there are a lot of excellent artists out there making music which were not getting the radio play they deserved. That said, it appears that KFOG has gone a bit far with this and has evolved into a Top 40 format for the current stuff (Foster The People, Adele...playing hourly). I'd hope they cut back on the repetition, play a greater variety of new stuff and integrate the occasional oldie (yes Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin should still be included). The beauty of the format if worked right is the juxtaposition of the new stuff and old stuff. Staying current but not abandoning the past (having ones cake and eating it too). Oh, and by-the-way I bought a new bed this summer!

it appears that tweaking has already begun; some '60s tracks have returned (Velvet Underground!) and in fact tomorrow's "10@10" will be 1966. Unfortunately the repetition of currents increases cume (soccer moms in the carpool LOVE Matt Nathanson) even as it limits TSL, so we'll keep hearing Adele :

BTW - Annalisa mentioned it's the 45th anniversary of STAR TREK's Premiere on NBC. I wonder if tomorrow's 10@10 will make some of us say "Beam Me Up" =) Joe

 

[RadioJunkieMike]

I agree the 70s stuff had just gotten so stale and overplayed. I've always hoped that KFOG would swing more contemporary as there are a lot of excellent artists out there making music which were not getting the radio play they deserved. That said, it appears that KFOG has gone a bit far with this and has evolved into a Top 40 format for the current stuff (Foster The People, Adele...playing hourly). I'd hope they cut back on the repetition, play a greater variety of new stuff and integrate the occasional oldie (yes Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin should still be included). The beauty of the format if worked right is the juxtaposition of the new stuff and old stuff. Staying current but not abandoning the past (having ones cake and eating it too). Oh, and by-the-way I bought a new bed this summer!

it appears that tweaking has already begun; some '60s tracks have returned (Velvet Underground!) and in fact tomorrow's "10@10" will be 1966. Unfortunately the repetition of currents increases cume (soccer moms in the carpool LOVE Matt Nathanson) even as it limits TSL, so we'll keep hearing Adele :

BTW - Annalisa mentioned it's the 45th anniversary of STAR TREK's Premiere on NBC. I wonder if tomorrow's 10@10 will make some of us say "Beam Me Up" =) Joe

going to the other extreme... it looks like we're getting the first-ever 2003 set on 10@10 today. Is anybody actually nostalgic for 8 years ago?

 

[Radical348]

I know I am. It does put things in a different perspective when a bunch of tracks are run from the same year (kind of similar to A-Z), as long as it doesn't sound too much like a KFOG or Hot AC sample hour. For some of us (in particular in the younger demo, I'd venture to guess), 8 years ago was a whole 'nother world.

I too will echo the sentiments of a few of the others in the thread. I love the current-based KFOG. Sure, they're playing pretty much all the national AAA Top 20, but where else in the SF Market can you hear these (save for a few, like FtP and Adele)? I'll gladly take one station playing Trevor Hall, My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Kooks, Snow Patrol, even Feist versus threestations playing the exact same top Hot AC tunes or four playing the same overplayed classic rock ones. And, KFOG is actually playing a fair amount of songs outside the chart, too.

 

[Dick Skinner]

Drove through the city last week...KFOG couldn't sound less like San Francisco than it does now. Such a shame.

 

[RadioJunkieMike]

Drove through the city last week...KFOG couldn't sound less like San Francisco than it does now. Such a shame.

which begs the question "What DOES San Francisco sound like?" God knows KFOG is playing Train's "Save Me San Francisco" enuf times a week

Seriously, I've had my gripes about some of what the new PD is doing... but what specifically did you hear that you didn't like? And what did you think was missing?

 

[Dick Skinner]

Drove through the city last week...KFOG couldn't sound less like San Francisco than it does now. Such a shame.

which begs the question "What DOES San Francisco sound like?" God knows KFOG is playing Train's "Save Me San Francisco" enuf times a week

Seriously, I've had my gripes about some of what the new PD is doing... but what specifically did you hear that you didn't like? And what did you think was missing?

I guess I expected to hear something from San Francisco's deep and rich musical heritage and some imaging that connects the station with its community. KFOG could be dropped into any city in America; it's a generic AAA with a typical AAA list and to my ear, quite boring. Furthermore, there's a host of titles on the format's chart right now that are not compelling and will likely fade into obscurity. Every format goes through cycles when the music just isn't that good. The PD should recognize that and adjust accordingly. Increasing currents in this cycle is just bad strategy.

 

[Radical348]

Drove through the city last week...KFOG couldn't sound less like San Francisco than it does now. Such a shame.

which begs the question "What DOES San Francisco sound like?" God knows KFOG is playing Train's "Save Me San Francisco" enuf times a week

Seriously, I've had my gripes about some of what the new PD is doing... but what specifically did you hear that you didn't like? And what did you think was missing?

I guess I expected to hear something from San Francisco's deep and rich musical heritage and some imaging that connects the station with its community. KFOG could be dropped into any city in America; it's a generic AAA with a typical AAA list and to my ear, quite boring. Furthermore, there's a host of titles on the format's chart right now that are not compelling and will likely fade into obscurity. Every format goes through cycles when the music just isn't that good. The PD should recognize that and adjust accordingly. Increasing currents in this cycle is just bad strategy.

Ehh...it's got the imaging (they seriously play that damned foghorn in between every song), & the playlist does have a definite NorCal bent. If you've heard the others, it's not (at this point) as generic as most AAA's. Sure, a few of their tracks are boring, but I'd rather hear boring AAA currents than boring RocketMan 27x.