Intelligence Briefs

Cavell Martz's Gary Cavell and Garvey Schubert Barer attorney Erwin Krasnow both believe potential owners can learn a lot by being observant when walking around a station. Here are some great pieces of advice, in an encore Media Information Bureau column you don't want to miss.

Another day, another gunfire-fueled tragedy. This time, the murder of five staffers of a newspaper in Annapolis, Md., hit home for RBR+TVBR's Editor-in-Chief. Numb and not yet ready to deal with the mourning yet again of victims of gun violence, he tuned to a Class A FM serving Maryland's state capital just before 10am Friday. "Radio provided the perfect way to grieve and soothe the soul," our editor writes.

This is what every radio station should accomplish, says Gary Begin, the owner and consultant of Sound Advantage Media. "Think of rebranding not as an occurrence, but rather a procedure," he notes in an encore Media Information Bureau column that still holds high relevance to readers today.

Until Tuesday's Form 314 filing of an asset purchase agreement that gives control of an AM-FM combo in Iowa to a new entity created by the stations' office manager, the owner was ready to turn off the transmitters. It's not a unique scenario, Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner notes. Many questions go through the minds of station heads faced with a tough business challenge. Here, he reviews how to perhaps best answer them.

In late May, RBR+TVBR Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson took notice of a report from eMarketer with the alarming-to-radio headline "Young, in Debt, and (Maybe) Holding Back on Purchases." Today, the Los Angeles Times offered its readers a Bloomberg report largely echoing this statement. If that's the case, why are so many radio stations chasing listeners that have no money to spend, when few are targeting their parents?

If you have sales reps who claim to have a "hot prospect," only to find that the buyer can't or won't buy, this column is just for you. In this latest Media Information Bureau installment from expert sales trainer Barrett Riddleberger, five questions that you should ask your salespeople about each new opportunity are discussed and explained. It's great learning for your sales team!

Just shy of two years ago, Editor-in-Chief Adam R Jacobson agreed to take over the reins at RBR+TVBR. In doing so, he pledged that RBR+TVBR would not be another of the many radio industry trade publications to continuously offer glowing commentary about the "great" state of the business. Guess what? He's got something to say about the "pathetic" lack of presence radio presently has in two markets ripe for opportunity.

This Media Information Bureau installment is one that featured columnist Ken Benner promises will be welcomed by all stations with FM translators. It offers two significant items of interest: a source of information to determine compliance, and a means to self-certify and, quite frankly, save a good chunk of money.

In this Media Information Bureau column, noted D.C. communications attorney Erwin Krasnow shares his insight on what the FCC's decision makers actually read, if hefty fines are truly meant to fuel the FCC budget, and if the Commissioners "have unbridled discretion to make public interest determinations," among other hot topics.

Two weeks ago, the CRTC published a digital report on the future of programming in Canada. The report proposes to the federal government in Ottawa "new tools and regulatory approaches to support the production and promotion of audio and video content made by and for Canadians." What does the CRTC want? A digital creative levy. Could the FCC be thinking about the same thing?

The variety of tech devices and services that consumers use today is very different from what was available in 2003, or 2008. Pity the VCR? Smartphones and PCs are found in more than 75% of U.S. homes, and newer devices and services like smart TVs, internet-connected devices, and SVOD services are growing at what Nielsen calls "a significantly fast pace." What does this mean for your business?

"Your sales reps can differentiate themselves by asking great questions," says featured Media Information Bureau columnist Barrett Riddleberger. "However, the art of the follow-up question can really set them apart." With that, Riddleberger offers the following advice, meant for C-Suiters to share with their reps as a guide for improved sales performance.

As a broadcasting consultant with more than 30 years in the industry, RBR+TVBR featured columnist Kelly Orchard stays fully connected to what's impacting radio -- and those employed in broadcast media. Orchard is also a licensed psychotherapist, and she's penned another great read on how C-Suiters and staffers can both improve their mental health in an ever-challenging business environment.

Well, that's a provocative headline. And, who else but Media Information Bureau featured columnist Ken Benner to write a piece that delves further into his obsession with Federal government "complexification." Here's his latest effort, which should make for some fine weekend reading.

With more choice, more access to information, and less incentive to be loyal, today’s customers are firmly in control of their relationships with companies. Understanding today’s customer has become increasingly difficult — both for advertisers using radio and TV and for the broadcasters themselves. That's why Salesforce developed its “State of the Connected Customer” report, and its second edition is now out. RBR+TVBR perused the report, and here are the key points.