INK TANK

A Lifeline For AM Radio?

An Open Letter To FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai

 

Dear Commissioner:

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai

As a child, I was thrilled with AM radio. The stations and air personalities in my hometown got me so excited about radio that I am now celebrating my 45th year in this great industry. I loved radio, and I loved that I could listen to distant signals at night to hear stations in faraway places.

 At the time, my radio stations were on the AM dial. But it wasn't long before I became enamored with FM, which could offer better audio fidelity (in stereo!). I soon discovered that it wasn't AM radio I had been in love with, nor was it FM radio. It was just great radio. But as my generation grew up, so did FM, and it eventually took over the majority of listening on the dial.

Today's modern radio stations are having to compete with lots of digital alternatives, and today's youth don't have to try to tune in distant signals at night. Just about any any radio station in the world is just an app and a few clicks away. AM was invented for a time when there were no better technologies.

You have mentioned the need to improve the AM situation and made it part of your mission at the FCC. I'd like to encourage you to take this further and faster.

Though there are plenty of successful AM stations around the country, the recent abandonment of AM by Radio Disney is just one more reason to make AM radio's needs a higher priority. Disney's research indicated that AM wasn't where their listeners were coming from. Frankly, it was no secret in the industry that their initial plan to reach kids and moms on AM was flawed because young moms are primarily FM listeners.

AM listening appears to be hanging on with baby boomers, who may be more accepting of the sound and reception issues that come with it, but aging listenership will make the survival of AM an even bigger issue. AM has become the home of Talk radio, Sports radio, and many specialty formats that were created to aid its survival. Just the same, AM needs help.

When I was a young radio DJ, I worked for a number of stations. One was a daytimer, where we were required to shut down at sundown. Other stations I worked for reduced power in the evening and could no longer be heard by parts of their audience. Though I always understood the whole interference issue, it always seemed odd to me that some stations, some signals, were granted privileges others were not.

At this risk of irritating my successful FM station readers, who have their own survival and financial issues with a difficult economy and what some might say is an oversaturated radio dial, I think it's time to find an innovative solution to create more equality among broadcast station owners. No one can afford an inferior signal today.

In an ideal world, all signals would be on a single band -- FM -- and all would be equal in power and signal coverage. We are living in an age where technology is making new, formerly unimaginable things possible, but we're not yet able to accomplish that ideal. HD Radio is helping FM to some extent, but interference issues keep AM from working nearly as well.

Yes, I do understand that there are not enough frequencies available to move every AM to FM. But what if there were very smart technology that could make that possible? Is anyone working on such a concept?

Respectfully, the signals of AM and even FM stations were designed for a different time. Stations originally slated for smaller cities are now unable to serve the entire community, which has grown around them and expanded miles outside the signal area. In the interest of safety and radio's role in communicating in an emergency, these antiquated allocations are no longer valid in most cities radio serves.

While addressing the options on this AM problem, may I suggest you review an alternative that not only gives AM better (and hopefully equal) coverage, but allows all FMs to provide equal coverage in their markets. Though creating such a giant jigsaw puzzle is a tall order, the problem will only worsen as our population centers grow and radio's coverage can no longer serve them. This is the time the FCC needs to address the whole picture for proper and equal community coverage for all signals.

I know the commission is considering offering FM translators to AM stations. It's a start, but frankly, it's not a great alternative because they will still be disadvantaged compared to higher-powered, full-coverage signals. Consumers aren't likely to understand why one FM fades out while they're still in the market and another doesn't. Translators aren't the long-term solution radio needs.

And some AM owners, especially the big gun signals, probably wouldn't want to give up that position (though most would like to be on FM as well). Some suggest that part of the FM dial should be dedicated to must-carry simulcasts of all AMs, but that is obviously fraught with technical issues and political challenges.

I can almost hear some of you saying, "But Internet radio solves all these problems!" Yes, Internet radio does put everyone on a level technological playing field. But as of now, it's not the right playing field for broadcasters, who need to serve the entire local market -- including those who may not have Internet service, or who can't run up their data bills with streaming audio. And, crucially, without an over-the-air signal, radio stations would not be able to serve their communities during emergencies.

Many FCC leaders have come and gone in my 45 years in radio. Some left a legacy, while others did not. Your legacy, Commissioner Pai, could be as the man who saved AM broadcasters and gave consumers a better experience.

Though you're surrounded by loads of very smart people at the commission, I'd like to propose you conduct a symposium on this issue. Gather all the smartest people in radio technology, the manufacturers, the NAB team, and the broadcasters who are affected. Explore new technologies and broadcaster needs, and see what the outsiders can bring to the table. For instance, I know of one unproven technology that claims to make AM signals better and eliminate the interference issues, allowing AM to do better in an HD Radio environment. Chances are there are lots of smart people with lots of smart solutions that did not exist even a few years ago.

I understand that addressing this issue of AM-FM equality seriously may be not be popular politically. Many people may not want a solution, and they certainly don't want more competition. But at the end of the day, this has to be about consumers and the best experience for them. The market will work its way through every challenge.

Could you start with a call for ideas, needs, and solutions, go through them, and invite people to participate in an "AM Radio Day" at the FCC to discuss issues and propose ideas? Though this is bigger than a one-day symposium, it's a starting point.

My fear, honestly, is that government will push a solution that may not be helpful in the long run -- like FM translators. By opening this up to a true dialogue among broadcasters, tech experts, and brilliant minds who understand new technologies, you could affect true change that benefits consumers and broadcasters.

No matter what direction you choose, I encourage you to listen to the broadcasters and provide a solution that gives them the ability to fully succeed.

Eric Rhoads

Connecting The Dots

 

Perhaps you recall a moment when I leapt from my chair to challenge the panel of automotive experts at our Radio Ink Convergence conference, when they stated that AM/FM radio could potentially disappear from the auto dashboard.

That was followed up by a blog with an urgent message indicating that automakers were considering dropping broadcast radio at some point in the future. Reaction to that blog was the strongest I've ever received. It made a lot of people angry, I had calls to retract it (which I did, but only correcting the time frame that had been stated), angered a lot of my friends in the broadcasting business, and even got picked up by hundreds of other blogs and press. I knew it was a giant issue when I got a call from a national TV news reporter wanting me to go on camera. I declined.

That blog came out in June of 2013, and since that time so much of what was predicted would happen has already begun. In response, Radio Ink started the DASH conference with Jacobs Media and connected car expert Valerie Shuman in order to address these concerns and keep radio in a dialogue with the auto companies so that radio remains a high priority -- and doesn't disappear.

Radio's Biggest Issue
I daresay the connected car is radio's biggest looming issue. Though my blog received a response from the chairman of General Motors stating that GM had no intention of removing AM and FM radio from the cars -- qualified with "in the near future," which was a bit disquieting -- the connected car issues have become huge even if AM and FM are still in cars. BMW just announced that one model will be removing AM radio entirely, citing an electrical interference issue. Porsche has done the same with one model.
 
Radio's Great Disappearing Act
Whether or not the auto companies are actually declining to install radios is not really the biggest issue. The issue is consumers and how easy it is for them to use AM and FM on a digital dash. As we revealed at last year's conference, consumers are having trouble even finding AM and FM on many of these new connected cars. A recent blog post from Saga Communications Steve Goldstein states that maybe I was right. After purchasing a new car, he discovered there was no AM or FM -- or so he thought. Ultimately he found broadcast radio after scrolling through screens of options. Will consumers go to that much trouble?
 
At last year's conference we showed videos of consumers who got into their new connected cars and were instructed to find the radio. Many could not find it, could not figure out how to make it work, or, worse, found other options so much easier these self-proclaimed loyal radio listeners said they had stopped using radio and started using services like Pandora, which they'd never expected they would do. It was discomfiting when they said they wouldn't buy a car for one of those services, but since it was there, decided to use it and found they liked it better than radio. Ouch.
 
Changing How Radio Is Discovered
We also learned that anyone who drives a new connected car has to control the radio differently, often with voice commands or complex multi-step touchscreens that are difficult to use when driving. The video shows several frustrated consumers trying to get the radio to find their favorite stations, but discovering it couldn't recognize voice commands when they cited the station name, frequency, or slogan. Unless the command was stated exactly as programmed -- such as "find WXXX 94.7 FM" -- the system couldn't find it. Even simple commends like "Go to 95.5 FM" will get no results on some systems. This -- and other things we discovered about how consumers use radio -- were a red flag that programmers need to train their users to use radio differently.
 
Two Giant Players Enter the Car Audio Battle
I wasn't sure how long this connected car buzz would last, but based on the level of activity and the people coming into the space, I think this is the birth of a new age, and a sector that will evolve rapidly for many years to come. Since last year's DASH conference, two NEW major players have decided to try their hand at dominating the audio and app portion of the dash -- and they're both accustomed to winning. The entry of Apple and Google shows just how important in-car audio is and how this battle for dashboard presence and ownership will impact your world. Chances are their interests are not in consumers spending time with AM or FM but with iTunes radio or Google Play.
 
Playing Packed Rooms
Fred and Paul Jacobs, Valerie Shuman, and myself are receiving invitations to speak about the connected car all around the world, and rooms at these events have been packed. Advertisers, radio people, and even tech companies are very curious about what they can do with this changing dashboard, how to respond, and, for radio, how to maintain its dominance in the car. Our DASH connected car conference is designed for people who need answers and solutions.
 
Anger – Resentment – Rage
Many broadcasters are angry at me, as though my discovery of this issue was my fault. I just happened to stumble into it when I put these car manufacturers on the stage at my conference so we could get an update on the space. Never did I imagine I would hear some saying they thought radio would eventually disappear completely.
 
The Critical Role of the DASH Conference
I could not stand by and let this happen to the industry I have participated in for the last 45 years. Speaking loudly about it was not enough -- and it was being met with deaf ears by those who didn't want a dose of potentially very unpleasant reality. By starting this conference with Jacobs and Shuman, we have already achieved some moments when the auto industry has stood up and said, "Wait, maybe we should listen to these guys."

We managed to get executives from major auto manufacturers into a room and even orchestrated a lunch, which we hosted, with top-level auto people and top radio CEOs to create a dialogue. But that is not enough. It's just a start. Radio as an industry needs to make a show of commitment. The room at DASH is filled with auto people, OEM people, car dealers, and others who care most about selling cars that people love. Radio must again become top-of-mind with the auto industry players, some of whom who have been led to believe broadcast radio is less relevant than it once was.

You need to be there to reinforce your story in your town, and talk about how you interact with your audiences. Last year we had lots of feedback from people at the automotive level who told us they never had any contact with radio before and were excited to learn all the good things they weren't hearing about. This needs to continue.
 
How Professionals Respond to Change
The challenge in this rapidly changing world is that we have to know about changes in order to be a valued resource to our advertisers and our own survival. Anyone running, programming, or managing radio stations today has to be up to speed fast. Since in-car makes up at least 50 percent of all radio listening, this issue of the connected car is of paramount importance to you and your stations and your future. You not only need to understand what changes are coming down and how to respond to them, you need to know what else is being offered in the auto world, how it's being sold, and what your new competitors for the car audio space are planning. Professionals know that ignoring these trends, or failing to understand them, is not an option. Professionals learn obsessively and respond to change fast. It can mean life or death in this rapidly changing world.
 
Relevant to Radio
The DASH conference is relevant to your world today. Your eyes will be opened to things you probably never could have imagined are possible, things your advertisers will get excited about, things that will change the way radio reaches people in the car, and information on what car dealers are doing now to sell cars and the role radio does (or does not) play. You will be in the room with dealers, automakers, and OEM people who hold the future of the car dashboard in their hands. Your attendance can not only make a difference in your future, you'll take home relevant information to help you sell more automotive advertising in your market. Guaranteed.
 
To sign up for the DASH conference, call 561-655-8778 or visit www.dashconference.com.

 
PS: I just responded to an e-mail from a wonderful, successful small-market radio broadcaster who accused me of being melodramatic about changes so I could sell more magazines. But if I'm being dramatic, it's because there is major change happening around you and this is the once chance we as broadcasters will have to keep radio front and center on the dashboard.

If you think it's a sure thing, you probably did not attend DASH last year, where those in the room met with the realities we face as an industry. My "drama," if you will, is not about selling magazines, it's about keeping radio strong, relevant, and viable in a changing digital world. Shooting the messenger only makes sure the message does not get through. The auto is turf we must protect and fight for, and it's in the hands of people who are willing to join us in Detroit to dialogue about it and keep an open mind. Your role, your story could be critical. We hope you'll attend.

 

 

No, Radio Is Not Dead. Digging Deeper into the Disney Discussion

Reading the comments of my last blog and reacting to emails, as a communicator, I obviously failed, or perhaps some are reading between the lines and assuming some things I'm saying, that I'm not saying in the blog about Radio Disney.

In the interest of clarity....

1. Radio Is NOT Dead. The point of this article is that Disney is a respected media company, which is dropping radio because, as they say, radio is not what their audience is using anymore. I'm saying this FUELS our PERCEPTION problem with the media, with advertisers, etc who will MISREAD this announcement as radio being dead. Radio is not dead, nor do I believe it is dying. But Radio listening is eroding, TSL is in decline, and there are some others who are stealing SOME listeners. Its not over but there is an unfortunate PERCEPTION that it is over because WE as an industry are not promoting ourselves well.

2. Radio Disney is not the issue here. As stated I don't think this is really about Radio Disney. What I mean is that Radio Disney has always seemed to be a flawed concept when trying to reach young moms and younger kids with AM radio, whose demos are typically much older. The fact is that this was probably not a great strategy from day one, and now with them dropping radio, this concept of their research indicating that they are not getting audience from AM anymore (they only had one fm) is no surprise. The reality is their story is probably about a smoke screen to give a reason for eliminating their expense of station operations and a reason to sell off and raise additional capital. Had Disney been really committed to Radio Disney they would have bought FMs, which would reach young moms. The real issue, again, is that OTHERS will misread this as a "radio is dying" story. Radio isn't dying.

3. Its been suggested that I did not offer solutions.

Read again. Radio needs a PR effort and a sales effort that combats this negative press that continues at every turn. That is offering a solution when suggesting we need a budget, a PR firm, and Ad agency and a big promotion team. Pandora now has local sales offices in many markets and a large, well trained team and a powerful presentation about their business.

I've seem it and watched advertisers loving it as they showed what they can do that radio cannot do. I watched advertisers lining up to buy. Its compelling. The reality is that advertisers are NOT SEEING a compelling presentation about radio and the reality of our numbers. WE HAVE A GREAT STORY TO TELL. My recommendation is that we need a PR effort, we need a team selling radio that can match or exceed the size of the pandora team, and one thing I did not say, but should, is that we need a UNIFIED PRESENTATION ABOUT RADIO that dispels the rumors, shows our compelling research and overcomes some of these INCORRECT PERCEPTIONS. Bob Pittman has a great presentation and has a compelling pitch. (They don't call him Bob Pitchman for nothing). We need something like that for every seller in America.

As an industry we need to SELL RADIO FIRST, have a unified non-defensive message that is told at every pitch to overcome this MISINFORMATION. So in fact I am offering solutions. Should I take action and create this on my own? Perhaps, but the reality is I don't have $20 million a year to contribute to radio to do this, though I'd happily lead the effort and engage a PR firm and ad agency to combat this if I had the resources. In reality NO ONE has the resources. The big players are trying to get out of massive debt and contributing a few million each to RAB marketing efforts is not going to happen, even if it means we as an industry cannot fight this PR battle.

4. I'm Not Positive and pro radio. Last night I got a private email accusing me of being negative about radio. Sorry Im sending that message. I was told I should not raise these issues but should just be positive about radio all the time no matter what. Really? Leadership is not always about happy talk. Leaders help their teams deal with tough problems and solutions. Yes, perhaps they do so with encouragement, which I try to do, they know their teams have to deal in reality. This industry is filled with happy-talk speeches talking about how great the industry is. I've watched some people embarrass themselves and radio in front of a crowd of advertisers spewing a lot of positive pro radio stuff and watched advertisers mumble in disbelief and talk about how out of touch we are. Yes we still have a powerful story but it starts with finding a way to convince advertisers of this (see above). Its a fine line. Tough we must encourage our own troops, we cannot ignore perceptions we must overcome, even if not true.

This September I'm celebrating 45 years in radio. I love radio, this industry and the people in this industry. I have devoted my entire life to Radio Ink for the last 25 years, and I speak up when I see a freight train coming. I've done this dozens of times and been told I was being negative, yet once the train hits, I've been told "we should have listened." Sometimes I'm wrong, sometimes I'm right, and I'm usually early. Take it for what it is... one mans opinion about what could happen.

If I did not believe in radio, I would not have stuck with Radio Ink for over two decades, I would not have reinvested in our industry by buying Radio & Television Business Report (RBR TVBR), would not have bought and relaunched Radiodiscussions.com, would not have started five conferences including RADIO Forecast, RADIO Convergence, DASH Connected car RADIO conference, Hispanic RADIO Conference, and sports RADIO conference. Though I have other magazines and conferences in my business, the majority of my business is RADIO because of my commitment to radio. If I was not committed I would not speak out.

Signaling problems and issues is not being negative. When you see your kids in the road and see a car coming, you don't let them figure it out on their own, you scream at them to get out of the street, and if you can you grab them and pull them out of it. Doing this is not negative, it shows love. When I passionately warn this industry about problems or issues they need to solve, its the same. Its out of love and passion for the industry. Yeah, when I yell at my kids to get out of the street they will say "dad, you're yelling, stop being so negative." They don't think about how I prevented the car from turning them into pancakes.

If you're perceiving negativity, please understand I have a perspective, which sometimes see's things on the horizon that are problems. It does not mean I lack belief. There is a very real problem in radio. Our leaders love this industry and have passion, and even if they believe there is a serious problem, they have to keep a happy face for investors, employees and advertisers. Everything is fine, all of this is overblown, they say. They have to show belief. They cannot admit to problems and even perception issues even if they secretly believe it. Someone, therefore has to play that role of providing some reality. They cannot do it for fear of demotivating employees and investors. There are people who need to play this role. I'm not alone.

This is a wonderful industry. We have a GREAT RELATIONSHIP with our listeners, they love what we do. We change lives and build businesses with our successful ad campaigns. Radio works. Listeners are passionate about many of our stations, our personalities, what we do in our communities, our entertainment, our funny and informative morning shows, our fund raising efforts, our information in disasters.

Radio is not dying. But there is some erosion of TSL, which is a fact. And Pandora has managed to steal somewhere between 8-11% of radio audiences. Thats pretty big. Of course all radio people believe there is no business model there and it took them billions to get there. That may or may not be true, but its still creating a perception problem, as is Disney's decision to get out of radio because digital is where listeners are being harvested. If we don't combat the perceptions and help people understand how vibrant and alive radio is, they will continue to believe things that may not be true. Its our job to step up and tell our story with passion.

Historically in every industry people cling to the old ways and avoid trends and historically they are responsible for their own death because they refuse to embrace change. I am hoping this wont happen to radio. But when you are up against low or no commercial content on all music stations and we continue to run 18 minutes of ads and say we play the most music when we dont, at some point SOME of our audience will leave us for Pandora or Spotify.

I recently visited a young family in a rural small town where there is a strong local radio station highly community involved. The radio was on and I asked what station it was and was told Pandora. I learned they were paying the monthly fee to avoid all commercials. To them it is radio. The next day they had a different station on, Spotify. When I asked about radio, he said this is radio. When I asked about the local station, he said we sometimes listen to it in the car but usually they plug the phone in and play Pandora. I might have expected this in some big city but not in a small town. Ignoring things like this will mean it eventually catches up with us.

My intent is to point out ways we can combat this. Some listen, some don't. Some just think I'm being negative. If I did not believe in radio, I would not be stepping out and taking the heat. IF I did not care it would be much easier to keep my mouth shut and let the train flatten our industry.

I still believe that if radio were invented today people would climb all over it. This is a great product, but it can be greater and can become more relevant. Apple has great products, yet they are in different businesses than they were 10 years ago. They reinvent, they kill their own products with new products. The iphone killed the ipod. ITunes Radio is killing itunes. They are continually reinventing. Does that have something to do with being one of the biggest companies in the world? Absolutely. Do they fight internal battles trying to cling to success of current products? Yes. Do they worry that they might be wrong? Sure. Do they do it anyway? Of course.

All of this goes back to reinvention. We are so in love with what works that we stick with it for decades? Its not unusual to hear the same liners, sounders, jingles, etc. that were tested in research projects 30 years ago. We play it safe. Though it makes sense, it does not allow for much reinvention. No one wants to take chances (well thankfully some do.) Yet reinvention is the key to remaining relevant.

I've said enough. Bottom line, I'm not trying to be negative though it may be perceived as such. I still love radio and believe in its future, but we have to take action to have a stronger better future. And yes, I think we have to solve some big problems of perception, and we need to work to remain relevant. Thats all. I do appreciate all the opinions and comments, and i know that comes as a result of your passion.

Disney's Devastating Signal About Radio

Way way back, I think it was about 1998, I made a prediction in Radio Ink, that talked about how one day all of radio would be digital and online and we would see a time when AM and FM stations were no longer the primary means of distributing our programming. I went so far as to say that some would sell off their properties because they were no longer needed. I got lots of hate mail on that one.

Yesterday, Disney, one of the world's most respected media companies, sent a signal to the media and advertising world that could be devastating for radio. Essentially, they said they are selling off their AM and FM signals because they no longer need them, since only 18 percent of listening is coming through AM and FM. The rest is coming from digital or satellite.

Let me restate that.... One of the world's giant media companies is saying we no longer need AM and FM stations because our listeners are digital.

Ouch.

This is the first time in history where there is actual action from a radio broadcasting company to remove AM and FM from their distribution. It's the first sell-off of AM/FM properties because their listeners are digital.

A GIANT MEDIA COMPANY SAYING RADIO DOES NOT MATTER
If you think this is some tiny story that does not matter because no one really considered Radio Disney a major player in radio, think again. This isn't about Radio Disney, really, it's about a GIANT media company that owned radio stations, sending a signal to the world that radio is no longer important to listeners.

Yeah, but....

We can find lots of "yeah but" statements to tell why this really isn't a big deal, but those will fly under the radar. Media will ignore that Radio Disney was not a giant part of the radio landscape, they will ignore that Disney has so many other distribution channels like their TV networks to drive digital listening, they will ignore that theirs is just one research study, or that there is other research, which indicates that digital is not impacting radio listening that much yet.

What they will pick up is that Disney research, which is probably believed to be the most credible, only indicated that 18 percent of listening was coming from AM and FM, and since most was on AM they may send a message that AM is even less valuable. That can't help, especially in light of BMW's recent announcement that AM is being removed from their new electric car.

IS THIS THE END OF RADIO
I'm already getting the calls from the analysts, board members, advertisers and investors....
Is this the beginning of the end of radio?
Should we sell off our stations while we can?
This just proves that digital is crushing radio.

Something seemingly so small as Radio Disney is sure bringing a lot of attention to the concept that young listeners are not using AM and FM radio.

If nothing else, it's a huge arrow in the back of AM

THE VOICE OF DISNEY CREDIBILITY
If this were some small company that no one ever heard of this would fly under the radar, but since it's a respected media company that has decided to shed radio as its distribution channel, it sends a giant signal about how they feel about radio.

Radio, of course, will state its case about its continued strength, its growth, its relationship with listeners, its domination of the car, and all the other expected arguments, and as always it will appear defensive because it's coming from us, even though there is truth and fact to support much of those arguments. The fact that it's radio people saying it is a lot less powerful than Bob Iger saying, "Disney is selling radio stations because our listeners are listening online." (Note: There has been no statement from Bob Iger that I'm aware of, but when Disney makes a major move like that, he would have to bless it.)

RADIO'S PR NIGHTMARE
This event is just another continuing part of radio's ongoing PR problem. Yet nothing, it seems, is being done. No giant PR firm is making radio appear hip and relevant in this digital era, no campaigns are reinforcing radio's story. Instead, many advertisers and business owners are are being told and believing that radio is dying. Just yesterday the head of one of the world's largest advertising agencies told me, "Pandora is doing a better job getting face-to-face with the advertisers and telling their story than the entire radio industry. Whether any of it is true or not, they are presenting data radio does not have, showing exact listening times radio does not have, and able to identify exact listeners in exact zip codes and deliver custom ads to those listeners; plus have they have a huge team in front of the customers and are making huge progress."

On top of this is the giant automotive issue where the big car brands are putting Pandora and slacker in their dash, and where since our DASH conference last year, Google and Apple have entered the space to own the dash and dominate its audio.

RADIO NEEDS TO OWN THE PRESS NOT JUST THE AIRWAVES
Radio needs a giant PR and ad budget now. It needs to be handled by a major New York advertising conglomerate and it cannot be about using radio to promote radio.We always default to that alternative, yet we need to own the press, not just the airwaves. It needs to hail radio's relevance and find powerful stories that are believable and third-party research not related to any radio company or radio research company that builds credibility for its case. And it needs a giant team  that is out meeting and promoting radio in a relevant fashion. Rather than trimming the RAB budget, the industry needs to increase it. Radio has a very capable leader in Erica Farber who needs to be empowered to take on this PR nightmare by directing the world's leading Ad and PR professionals in a massive radio relevance campaign. I once heard that Pandora was spending $18 million on PR and yet the entire RAB operating budget of RAB is a fraction of this and there is probably zero devoted to PR.

PERCEPTION VERSUS REALITY
Am I overreacting to the Radio Disney announcement? I hope so. I see it as a major PR nightmare for radio (and definitely AM Radio) and a reminder that there will be more things in the future supporting the digital world which reinforce radio's declining distribution, where true or not. Remember: It's perceptions that people believe, not reality, and it is perception which needs to be changed.