> > For nearly 20 years I have been involved with Oldies as a
>
> > > programmer and air personality in markets ranging from
> Los
> >
> > > Angeles to San Francisco to Jacksonville to Savannah. In
>
> > > every single case, the company I left decided that
> oldies
> > > wasn't going to work for them financially. They either
> > > flipped it within a year after my departure or, most
> > > recently, they made me and my staff company casualties.
> > It's
> > > been discussed on this board time and time again that ad
>
> > > agencies aren't interested in that older demo anymore.
> We
> > > all know that they are staffed by folks that are in
> their
> > > 20's and 30's and they certainly couldn't care less
> about
> > > buying time on an oldies station. The question becomes,
> > are
> > > the agencies serving their clients best interest?
> > >
> > > Adults over 45 generally have far more spendable income
> > than
> > > an 18-44 year old. They (actually, "We") are not as
> "brand
> >
> > > loyal" as we used to be. We shop at warehouse clubs now
>
> > > instead of being loyal to department stores. So much for
>
> > > "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". The business
> > that
> > > gives us the best price is where we tend to flock. We
> > aren't
> > > stupid. We try to make our money go as far as we can. We
>
> > buy
> > > sportier cars than the 45-64 year olds of yester-year.
> > Have
> > > you seen how lucrative the plastic surgery business has
> > > become in the last decade? We DON'T want to get old as
> > fast
> > > as our parents did!
> > >
> > > Our music will always be sacred to us. It's when
> stations
> > > get away from the oldies genre and try to incorporate
> > disco
> > > and classic rock into the mix....that's when they fail.
>
> > > Now, it's taboo to play anything prior to the Beatle era
>
> > > because, honestly, it makes the station sound too old!
> > > Oldies stations (or classic hits, if you prefer), can
> move
> >
> > > deeper into the 70's so long as it's done cautiously.
> They
> >
> > > can play some disco/dance music BUT it can't be part of
> > the
> > > regular rotation. It needs to be showcased as a
> "special"
> >
> > > feature.
> > >
> > > I've had a lot of success with this format over the
> years.
> >
> > > It's very sad to see a lot of companies throwing in the
> > > towel. Oldies can be saved by having a fun presentation,
>
> > > great creative imaging and less experimentation with
> songs
> >
> > > that should be left alone.
> > >
> > > A good sales department that understands the format CAN
> > make
> > > the money come in. It may not be the heavy-hitting
> > national
> > > business but certainly the locals.
> > >
> > > I really hope I have the opportunity to program another
> > one
> > > of these great stations. If you're lucky enough to be
> > > programming one now you really need to take a real good
> > luck
> > > at what's on the air. Is it the same-old "Good times &
> > great
> > > oldies" imaging over and over? Or, are you being
> creative
> > > and being comtemporary? Do your jox talk about poodle
> > > skirts and surfboards? If they do, you're dead! Freshen
>
> > it
> > > up and save your station while there's still time!
> > >
> > > I would be interested in hearing what you guys have to
> > > say......
> > >
> >
I agree. Well stated.
<P ID="signature">______________
Chuck Matthews Voiceovers
[email protected]
http://voices.planetcharley.com
http://chuckmatthews1.voice123.com</P>