Intelligence Briefs

At a company gathering on Sunday, RBR+TVBR saw for the first time a portable HD Radio. Who even knew it existed? The bigger, perhaps more depressing question, is this: Who cares? There's a reason why we ask, and it is one the radio industry's leadership may wish to read at their leisure today.

Organizations often launch diversity and inclusion initiatives as strategic imperatives to create more equitable and inclusive work environments. While it’s the right thing to do, it’s often assumed that there’s immediate buy-in across the board. That’s not always the case, however, culturally integrated market research agency ThinkNow says.

"Those who utilize these technologies and end-resulting capabilities can more fluidly understand their audiences, how those audiences are reacting to creative content and ultimately drive attribution models resulting in real-time, data enhanced and directional outcomes." That's the conclusion of AdImpact VP John Link, who offers an exclusive thought piece for RBR+TVBR.

Public speaking on Zoom is not a panacea for nervous speakers. On the contrary, it poses its own set of challenges that can be overcome with practice, focused exercises, and good coaching. In this column, Ravinal provides a variety of exercises and techniques to counter glossophobia, the scientific term for performance anxiety or stage fright.

As the competition for consumer attention heats up with traditional, big-tent broadcasters continuing to launch their own streaming services — i.e. Peacock, Paramount+, and Discovery+ — one big question arises. How can local TV broadcast networks stay competitive with streaming apps of their own?

Nielsen has some happy news for those who own or manage radio stations. Listening levels are at their highest point since April 2020.  That said, were radio listening levels acceptable prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic? Here's a RBR+TVBR OBSERVATION you won't want to miss ... and will want to respond to.

How can you take a playful approach to planning and practicing for your next gig? If you are going it alone without a public speaking coach, here are six steps from veteran PR pro Rosemary Ravinal you can take on your own to prepare for your presentation through playtime.

The term "Latinx" has emerged in recent years as one used when discussing Hispanic Americans without making a gender specification. Some have argued that the term needs to be retired, as few Hispanics use the term themselves. A new Gallup poll solidifies this argument, while also showing that Blacks aren't clamoring to be defined as "African American."

After taking a close look at domestic digital advertising growth, noted media analyst Michael Nathanson uses the word "only" to describe the acceleration in dollars for the GAFAN group.  What does this mean for broadcast media companies set to release their Q2 earnings reports, if Facebook, Alphabet, Twitter and Snap were disappointments to Wall Street observers like him?

There are thousands of stories all around you. You simply need to understand what makes for good stories and how to use them for strategic communication, veteran public relations executive Rosemary Ravinal notes in this column.

Conventional wisdom, in the words of MoffettNathanson Senior Analyst Michael Nathanson, calls for "a massive reacceleration in subscriber growth starting in Q4," flowing into 2022 with some 28 million new Netflix subscribers. But, what if that conventional wisdom is wrong, Nathanson asks. 

When you are communicating your big ideas, persuading, and inspiring others, it is your voice that helps establish your authority and humanity. Yet audio problems continue to plague meetings on Zoom and other platforms. Here are some tips to help overcome those challenges, courtesy of veteran PR pro Rosemary Ravinal.

In an exclusive column, the newly named CEO of LG Ads notes that the demise of this structure and linear TV in general has long been prophesied and discussed, but still commands the majority share of overall video advertising.

In this RBR+TVBR Observation, our Editor-in-Chief takes the DeLorean to a time before he was born to listen to the biggest pop music station in the nation. His assessment? What a horrible specimen on something deemed so great by radio historians. The problem? Commercials. Lots of them.

Though most broadcast media have returned to their studios, many interviews will continue to take place on Zoom. The bar has been raised for showing up looking sharp and professional. How should you prepare for a press interview? Veteran public relations executive Rosemary Ravinal offers these tips.