• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Philly goes "Fresh"?

T

Tiger1983

I looked at the new story saying that Jerry Lee might change B101 into a "Fresh" moniker, similiar to the one used by a station in NYC. The article said that he struck
a deal to incorporate the "Fresh FM" brand to the station. I don't know if this rumor is true or not but B101 has been around of years now and is dominating the Philly radio market.

So are they still going to keep the B101 name? Would it then change its handling to
"B101: Fresh Music?
 
Lee would be making a huge mistake rebranding the station. It is a winner as it is... and we only have to look up the turnpike to NY to see where rebranding a #1 station is leading to issues at WLTW.

I think this was to prevent someone else from coming in and using the brand.
 
I'm thinking the B101 switch to "Fresh" may be to block CBS from doing something here.

Dave Gardiner

WVCH 740/WNWR 1540

Philadelphia
 
wgliradio said:
Lee would be making a huge mistake rebranding the station. It is a winner as it is... and we only have to look up the turnpike to NY to see where rebranding a #1 station is leading to issues at WLTW.

I think this was to prevent someone else from coming in and using the brand.
Click to expand...

I couldn't disagree with you more. Haven't you realized by this point that anything Jerry Lee does works?

Remember, people said he was crazy when he changed the name from EZ-101 to B-101. I think that worked out OK.

I doubt very much that the on-air presentation, or the music, is going to change drastically. They will probably just update the imaging with the word "Fresh" in there every once in a while.

Truthfully, even if they did go full-blown FRESH, Jerry Lee's "Midas Touch" would probably continue.
 
WOGL was in danger under Jole Hollander.
When Dan Mason took over CBS Radio WOGL became alot less likley for a fomat change.
 
I haven't heard it yet, but according to All Access its a done deal. It will be branded at "Fresh FM".
 
Kyle D said:
I couldn't disagree with you more. Haven't you realized by this point that anything Jerry Lee does works?

Remember, people said he was crazy when he changed the name from EZ-101 to B-101. I think that worked out OK.

I doubt very much that the on-air presentation, or the music, is going to change drastically. They will probably just update the imaging with the word "Fresh" in there every once in a while.

Truthfully, even if they did go full-blown FRESH, Jerry Lee's "Midas Touch" would probably continue.
Click to expand...

It's a much different time now. That was 1993, eons ago in terms of radio. There is nothing wrong with the B101 brand, no reason to change it. Same went for Lite FM, although an argument could be made that the "Lite" part no longer fit. Be that as it may, the station was #1 and the highest billing in the country, why screw with it? Now, instead of 7's, it's in the 4's.

Don't fix what ain't broke.
 
They've been sliding in this direction with the on-air presentation for a while, working the word fresh into many of the promos--even the Tiffany TV spots talked about the fresh music mix. This seems more like part of an evolution than a revolution.
 
It's a much different time now. That was 1993, eons ago in terms of radio.
Click to expand...

Please expound on that.

The station has been at the top of the ratings for a very long-time now and I don't see that changing because they add the word "Fresh" into the imaging. I think many of you are making a lot out of nothing here.

They've been sliding in this direction with the on-air presentation for a while, working the word fresh into many of the promos--even the Tiffany TV spots talked about the fresh music mix. This seems more like part of an evolution than a revolution.
Click to expand...

Bingo, homerjay!

Tom Taylor wrote about this in his daily column today. The station had been looking into the "Fresh brand" for a while now and have worked it into much of the advertising and on-air positioning.

All I truly think this "official announcement" is, is that it takes the format out of play for the other stations in town that may have been contemplating a move to it.
 
All I truly think this "official announcement" is, is that it takes the format out of play for the other stations in town that may have been contemplating a move to it.
Click to expand...

That being said, if 101.1 does indeed officially go "Fresh," what's to stop Greater Media, Clear Channel, or whomever from grabbing The "B" moniker and flipping a current format to compete with "Fresh?"

B101 has been a staple in this town for years, and while the radio geeks may know that "Fresh 101.1" is the same station under the same owners, Suzy SUV and Average Joe Sixpack may believe that "The B" has moved to 95.7, 106.1, etc., creating an imaging disaster and a downward spiral in 101.1's ratings.

And on the flipside of that, even if CC were to debut "Fresh" in Philly, I don't think it would put a dent in B101's current ratings.

To the average listener, "Fresh" doesn't mean anything more than BEN.
 
Those RRRRs said:
All I truly think this "official announcement" is, is that it takes the format out of play for the other stations in town that may have been contemplating a move to it.
Click to expand...

That being said, if 101.1 does indeed officially go "Fresh," what's to stop Greater Media, Clear Channel, or whomever from grabbing The "B" moniker and flipping a current format to compete with "Fresh?"

B101 has been a staple in this town for years, and while the radio geeks may know that "Fresh 101.1" is the same station under the same owners, Suzy SUV and Average Joe Sixpack may believe that "The B" has moved to 95.7, 106.1, etc., creating an imaging disaster and a downward spiral in 101.1's ratings.

And on the flipside of that, even if CC were to debut "Fresh" in Philly, I don't think it would put a dent in B101's current ratings.

To the average listener, "Fresh" doesn't mean anything more than BEN.


I was thinking the same thing yesterday
Great minds think alike
Click to expand...
 
Well...

So when are they going to make an exact imaging change?

Would it stay as B101 and add a slogan relating to the "Fresh" brand?
Will it have a much expanded playlist than other AC stations in the country?
Would it have new jingles/imaging during the change?
 
Unless I haven’t read the same accounts, I haven’t seen that the B name is going away, just that they’re adding the Fresh positioning more prominently, therefore I don’t think anyone would have the opportunity to become B-something else.

I also tend to give the audience much more credit than to be easily confused by name changes, condescending characterizations aside. If the B did a complete format change, sure, someone picking up the B name and format could lay claim to it a la Smooth Jazz 97.5, but even if they really did just ditch the B part, I don’t think the audience would be so baffled that they’d flock to a new B when the same songs are playing on 101.

While this move may take the Fresh name out of play, I don’t see that it precludes someone from trying the format with a different moniker—it’s the fact that no one who has come after them from any direction has gained much traction that I see being the obstacle. Ben may be the strongest competitor they’ve had in eons, which says something.
 
There is a saying in business, "Never change the formula of Coca-Cola". When Coke did exactly that, the new product failed. Could WBEB be making the same mistake? It's already the #1 station in Philly...why fix something that isn't broken?
 
well this just in from allaccess.com http://allaccess.com

ALL ACCESS has learned that another large-market station is about to spin its handle to the FRESH-FM brand, licensed by MRH MARKETING. [EDIT]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



[EDIT-post truncated because originating material appears to be copyrighted
Unauthorized use of such content is in violation of Radio-Info's
TOS.]
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom