I am so damn proud of Philadelphia broadcasters and my mentor Jerry Lee who, if it were not for him, I would not be in radio today.

So, Mark Mays, Lew Dickey and Farid Suleman -- blame him!

Seriously, the latest reason I am proud of Philly radio people is because they are banding together to do some positive things that I think you should take a close look at.

Led by WBEB (B-101) owner and pioneer Jerry Lee they are going to use what's called facial coding to test radio commercials and hopefully make the medium more compelling to buyers. In fact, the participating Philly stations will use new technology to rate the&hellip

I am so damn proud of Philadelphia broadcasters and my mentor Jerry Lee who, if it were not for him, I would not be in radio today.

So, Mark Mays, Lew Dickey and Farid Suleman -- blame him!

Seriously, the latest reason I am proud of Philly radio people is because they are banding together to do some positive things that I think you should take a close look at.

Led by WBEB (B-101) owner and pioneer Jerry Lee they are going to use what's called facial coding to test radio commercials and hopefully make the medium more compelling to buyers. In fact, the participating Philly stations will use new technology to rate the&hellip

I ran into Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey when I first arrived at the recent NAB Radio Show in Philadelphia -- dare I say this during a recession -- at the Four Seasons Hotel.

It turned into a knock-down, drag out fight -- The Thrilla in Philla.

Lew threw a left punch.

I counter punched.

He bloodied my face.

I broke his nose.

We wrestled each other to the marble floor.

Okay ... it may not actually be the Thriller in Manilla that Ali and Frazier fought -- it's just my programmer's imagination trying to live up to your expectations of the Thrilla in Philla on the eve of the NAB Radio Show.

What&hellip

I ran into Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey when I first arrived at the recent NAB Radio Show in Philadelphia -- dare I say this during a recession -- at the Four Seasons Hotel.

It turned into a knock-down, drag out fight -- The Thrilla in Philla.

Lew threw a left punch.

I counter punched.

He bloodied my face.

I broke his nose.

We wrestled each other to the marble floor.

Okay ... it may not actually be the Thriller in Manilla that Ali and Frazier fought -- it's just my programmer's imagination trying to live up to your expectations of the Thrilla in Philla on the eve of the NAB Radio Show.

What&hellip

The trades tell us the just-concluded NAB Radio Show in Philly was brimming with optimism and for the life of me I couldn't find one person other than the owners who would agree with that.

It was so surreal -- you know, with a serious industry crisis going on and people running around telling you how good things are going to be -- that I got to thinking on my flight back to Phoenix --what would website and cast your vote for the best and worst radio group. It's on the right hand side.

We've been having a little fun here with the radio convention concept but it is fair&hellip

The trades tell us the just-concluded NAB Radio Show in Philly was brimming with optimism and for the life of me I couldn't find one person other than the owners who would agree with that.

It was so surreal -- you know, with a serious industry crisis going on and people running around telling you how good things are going to be -- that I got to thinking on my flight back to Phoenix --what would website and cast your vote for the best and worst radio group. It's on the right hand side.

We've been having a little fun here with the radio convention concept but it is fair&hellip

The attendees at this year's NAB radio gathering in Philadelphia heard over and over again that new media is accounting for more and more of their advertising revenue.

No one seems to know how much of radio's ad pie new media will eventually eat and it appears to me very few of the big bosses (the only ones who are attending this conclave among the major consolidators) care.

Avoiding bankruptcy -- sure, they care.

Reinventing the wheel -- absolutely, they are into it.

Meanwhile, the companies that pander to the radio industry (I could have said sell things to the radio industry), are cranking out happy horseshit&hellip

The attendees at this year's NAB radio gathering in Philadelphia heard over and over again that new media is accounting for more and more of their advertising revenue.

No one seems to know how much of radio's ad pie new media will eventually eat and it appears to me very few of the big bosses (the only ones who are attending this conclave among the major consolidators) care.

Avoiding bankruptcy -- sure, they care.

Reinventing the wheel -- absolutely, they are into it.

Meanwhile, the companies that pander to the radio industry (I could have said sell things to the radio industry), are cranking out happy horseshit&hellip

(Shown between "Doc" Fuller, left and Barry O'Brien at the Philly NAB Radio Show)

The NAB Radio Show now in progress in Philadelphia is like an old Italian wake -- it lasts three days and is very depressing.

Not that the NAB isn't trying to put on a good show or that those in attendance wouldn't like to hear better news, but this convention is grim this year.

The linchpin for the entire gathering was the Dickstein Shapiro breakfast bright and early in the morning on day one.

The usual suspects were on the panel and the usual listeners were hearing that in essence no one knows what is going to happen.

Radio&hellip

(Shown between "Doc" Fuller, left and Barry O'Brien at the Philly NAB Radio Show)

The NAB Radio Show now in progress in Philadelphia is like an old Italian wake -- it lasts three days and is very depressing.

Not that the NAB isn't trying to put on a good show or that those in attendance wouldn't like to hear better news, but this convention is grim this year.

The linchpin for the entire gathering was the Dickstein Shapiro breakfast bright and early in the morning on day one.

The usual suspects were on the panel and the usual listeners were hearing that in essence no one knows what is going to happen.

Radio&hellip

I never for even one minute thought radio consolidation would work right from the get go.

But, even I didn't believe radio consolidation would have turned out this bad.

Citadel is negotiating its debt covenant to avoid bankruptcy again even as I write this. Clear Channel's solvency is no slam dunk. And Cumulus, the other one of the big three consolidators, has one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.

It didn't have to be this way.

All the power didn't have to wind up in the hands of a few radio execs worshiping at the feet of Wall Street bankers. There could have been a "Plan B" just in case&hellip

I never for even one minute thought radio consolidation would work right from the get go.

But, even I didn't believe radio consolidation would have turned out this bad.

Citadel is negotiating its debt covenant to avoid bankruptcy again even as I write this. Clear Channel's solvency is no slam dunk. And Cumulus, the other one of the big three consolidators, has one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.

It didn't have to be this way.

All the power didn't have to wind up in the hands of a few radio execs worshiping at the feet of Wall Street bankers. There could have been a "Plan B" just in case&hellip

It used to be that when I went to the beach I saw -- and heard -- boom boxes blaring local radio stations. And those stations were great! Young DJs having fun on the radio.

Each year it is becoming harder to find a visible radio on the beach owned by anyone -- of any age.

The world is changing and I wonder sometimes whether the people running the radio industry are as interested in this important fact as they are trying to save their own necks.

As I warned a long time ago, Citadel seems on the brink of some type of bankruptcy reorganization despite the fact that it made a minor debt payment last week and held off&hellip

It used to be that when I went to the beach I saw -- and heard -- boom boxes blaring local radio stations. And those stations were great! Young DJs having fun on the radio.

Each year it is becoming harder to find a visible radio on the beach owned by anyone -- of any age.

The world is changing and I wonder sometimes whether the people running the radio industry are as interested in this important fact as they are trying to save their own necks.

As I warned a long time ago, Citadel seems on the brink of some type of bankruptcy reorganization despite the fact that it made a minor debt payment last week and held off&hellip

The new National Association of Broadcasters CEO is going to be introduced to his constituents this week at the NAB's annual Radio Show in Philadelphia.

There is little time to waste righting the ship from the ravages of radio consolidation.

I know what you know about Gordon Smith, a former Republican senator from Oregon but if Bonneville's Bruce Reese had an influence in this choice -- after all, Reese headed the search committee -- then I am willing to cut Smith some slack and wish him the best of luck.

At the same time, I've got some suggestions for Smith -- a man whose roots are in radio -- that his new agenda at&hellip

The new National Association of Broadcasters CEO is going to be introduced to his constituents this week at the NAB's annual Radio Show in Philadelphia.

There is little time to waste righting the ship from the ravages of radio consolidation.

I know what you know about Gordon Smith, a former Republican senator from Oregon but if Bonneville's Bruce Reese had an influence in this choice -- after all, Reese headed the search committee -- then I am willing to cut Smith some slack and wish him the best of luck.

At the same time, I've got some suggestions for Smith -- a man whose roots are in radio -- that his new agenda at&hellip

One of the great things about living in this country and being broadcasters is that we have freedom of expression.

And since the Internet has come along, we have seen so many diverse views on almost everything that it takes Google to help us search all the content.

Here in this space, I have written about my love for the radio industry and its people, disdain for consolidation and its mismanagers

One of the great things about living in this country and being broadcasters is that we have freedom of expression.

And since the Internet has come along, we have seen so many diverse views on almost everything that it takes Google to help us search all the content.

Here in this space, I have written about my love for the radio industry and its people, disdain for consolidation and its mismanagers

Okay, I'm supposed to be on vacation at the Jersey shore just before the NAB Radio Show in Philly but everything reminds me of the state that radio is in.

Take this sign commemorating the massacre at Long Beach Island in 1782.

Makes me think of the massacre at Clear Channel, Cumulus and Citadel that has ruined the lives of thousands of good and talented people while depriving loyal listeners of the excellent local product we know we can offer them.

Back in 1782, the sign says, "That night while sleeping on the beach, Steelman (a patriot militiaman who captured a British vessel) and his men were massacred by Tory&hellip

Okay, I'm supposed to be on vacation at the Jersey shore just before the NAB Radio Show in Philly but everything reminds me of the state that radio is in.

Take this sign commemorating the massacre at Long Beach Island in 1782.

Makes me think of the massacre at Clear Channel, Cumulus and Citadel that has ruined the lives of thousands of good and talented people while depriving loyal listeners of the excellent local product we know we can offer them.

Back in 1782, the sign says, "That night while sleeping on the beach, Steelman (a patriot militiaman who captured a British vessel) and his men were massacred by Tory&hellip

The Dickey Dynasty is at it again

The Dickey Dynasty is at it again

You're asking, okay Jerry -- if Lew Dickey is really screwing up at Cumulus right now making it the Worst Radio Group -- tell me how he could do better.

Or at least, how I can avoid being like Cumulus.

Okay.

The good news is that there is a better way to motivate, stimulate and operate -- a fairer way that would ensure that the radio industry would be up to the challenge of new technology and changing generational needs.

This morning, I'd like to share with you the "Power of Incentives" inspired by Dan Pink, author of books on changing the world of&hellip

You're asking, okay Jerry -- if Lew Dickey is really screwing up at Cumulus right now making it the Worst Radio Group -- tell me how he could do better.

Or at least, how I can avoid being like Cumulus.

Okay.

The good news is that there is a better way to motivate, stimulate and operate -- a fairer way that would ensure that the radio industry would be up to the challenge of new technology and changing generational needs.

This morning, I'd like to share with you the "Power of Incentives" inspired by Dan Pink, author of books on changing the world of&hellip

Putting aside socialism, the health care debate or fracas as it is turning into or how you feel about President Obama radio is in need of the "public option".

The public option is referred to in the current health care debate as a government run alternative to private health insurance to -- in essence -- keep the private sector honest.

One side doesn't care if it is socialism (after all we have two giant socialist programs -- Medicare and Social Security -- that few are declining to accept).

On the other, interests that either like the status quo as it is or with less radical changes. Some argue to make no changes&hellip

Putting aside socialism, the health care debate or fracas as it is turning into or how you feel about President Obama radio is in need of the "public option".

The public option is referred to in the current health care debate as a government run alternative to private health insurance to -- in essence -- keep the private sector honest.

One side doesn't care if it is socialism (after all we have two giant socialist programs -- Medicare and Social Security -- that few are declining to accept).

On the other, interests that either like the status quo as it is or with less radical changes. Some argue to make no changes&hellip

One of my "Repeater Reporters" pointed out that Clear Channel's recent job posting for a Chicago/Cleveland producer for the syndicated Valentine in the Morning Show read like a repudiation of President John Slogan Hogan's much-proclaimed Audacity of Localism.

That's what Hogan thinks is his bold initiative to embrace local programming while simultaneously deconstructing local radio one market at a time.

I realize that this job description is for network producer of a Clear Channel syndicated show, but let's look at the language in the posting to get a feel for what their audacity really is.

Audacity is defined as "the&hellip

One of my "Repeater Reporters" pointed out that Clear Channel's recent job posting for a Chicago/Cleveland producer for the syndicated Valentine in the Morning Show read like a repudiation of President John Slogan Hogan's much-proclaimed Audacity of Localism.

That's what Hogan thinks is his bold initiative to embrace local programming while simultaneously deconstructing local radio one market at a time.

I realize that this job description is for network producer of a Clear Channel syndicated show, but let's look at the language in the posting to get a feel for what their audacity really is.

Audacity is defined as "the&hellip

The radio industry finally got what it wanted from Apple yesterday -- an iPod with FM capabilities.

That's what it figured would bring radio into the mobile future -- into the hands of young people -- cooler than a radio and wrapped in the cachet of the iPod.

Well, better be careful what you wish for.

None other than Apple CEO Steve Jobs himself helped usher the iPod Nano into the marketplace. He looked as slim as the Nano at yesterday's unveiling.

The new iPod Nano FM comes with Live Pause
as well as iTunes Tagging that Apple's own ad claims will "... make listening to the radio nothing like listening to&hellip

The radio industry finally got what it wanted from Apple yesterday -- an iPod with FM capabilities.

That's what it figured would bring radio into the mobile future -- into the hands of young people -- cooler than a radio and wrapped in the cachet of the iPod.

Well, better be careful what you wish for.

None other than Apple CEO Steve Jobs himself helped usher the iPod Nano into the marketplace. He looked as slim as the Nano at yesterday's unveiling.

The new iPod Nano FM comes with Live Pause
as well as iTunes Tagging that Apple's own ad claims will "... make listening to the radio nothing like listening to&hellip

In the U.S. it is unfortunate that the perception of all the good radio can offer listeners is dominated by three of the biggest consolidated companies -- Clear Channel, Cumulus and Citadel.

That's the problem -- these three industry leaders are bereft of ideas.

Across the big pond as radio icon Hy Lit used to call the Atlantic Ocean, the United Kingdom is, in my opinion, doing the best it can to anticipate generational forces that may eventually doom terrestrial radio.

They are holding their own.

The remarkable thing is that the UK isn't exactly loaded with broadcast competition, either. Recalling their&hellip

In the U.S. it is unfortunate that the perception of all the good radio can offer listeners is dominated by three of the biggest consolidated companies -- Clear Channel, Cumulus and Citadel.

That's the problem -- these three industry leaders are bereft of ideas.

Across the big pond as radio icon Hy Lit used to call the Atlantic Ocean, the United Kingdom is, in my opinion, doing the best it can to anticipate generational forces that may eventually doom terrestrial radio.

They are holding their own.

The remarkable thing is that the UK isn't exactly loaded with broadcast competition, either. Recalling their&hellip

Social media is everything today.

Bigger than the Internet or the computer it was built upon. It looms larger than any form of traditional media in scope or impact.

Yet, traditional media companies, still the the richest and most powerful, think social media is a mere flirtation to appease the desirable and crucial next generation that they must attract.

An add on, if you will.

These companies must think so because they are doing nothing, actually, to pioneer growth initiatives in such a potentially lucrative market.

When Rupert Murdoch bought MySpace a number of years ago before social networking took&hellip

Social media is everything today.

Bigger than the Internet or the computer it was built upon. It looms larger than any form of traditional media in scope or impact.

Yet, traditional media companies, still the the richest and most powerful, think social media is a mere flirtation to appease the desirable and crucial next generation that they must attract.

An add on, if you will.

These companies must think so because they are doing nothing, actually, to pioneer growth initiatives in such a potentially lucrative market.

When Rupert Murdoch bought MySpace a number of years ago before social networking took&hellip

On this Labor Day weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on the human asset that is often lost in the "business" of radio.

Radio people.

I've been on the outs with consolidators from the very beginning because I sensed that they coveted franchises more than the people who built them. And I said it loud and proud when I owned Inside Radio for many years.

In fairness, at the beginning, I was a "lonely boy" -- to borrow a phrase from Andrew Gold.

The can-do spirit of radio people kicked into high gear even from the beginning when consolidators made promises to them that they couldn't keep. They&hellip

On this Labor Day weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on the human asset that is often lost in the "business" of radio.

Radio people.

I've been on the outs with consolidators from the very beginning because I sensed that they coveted franchises more than the people who built them. And I said it loud and proud when I owned Inside Radio for many years.

In fairness, at the beginning, I was a "lonely boy" -- to borrow a phrase from Andrew Gold.

The can-do spirit of radio people kicked into high gear even from the beginning when consolidators made promises to them that they couldn't keep. They&hellip

I was in Los Angeles for a few days and everyone was talking about the wildfire disaster that has been threatening Mt. Wilson -- home of the famous observatory and, oh yes -- the broadcast towers for just about every radio and television station.

With all that public interest, you'd think the media would jump to attention.

"Jump" may not be an accurate word to describe it.

The television stations in LA are being blasted for their insufficient coverage of a natural news story. Some in the local press accusing TV stations of devoting more time and attention to the burial of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy than the&hellip

I was in Los Angeles for a few days and everyone was talking about the wildfire disaster that has been threatening Mt. Wilson -- home of the famous observatory and, oh yes -- the broadcast towers for just about every radio and television station.

With all that public interest, you'd think the media would jump to attention.

"Jump" may not be an accurate word to describe it.

The television stations in LA are being blasted for their insufficient coverage of a natural news story. Some in the local press accusing TV stations of devoting more time and attention to the burial of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy than the&hellip

Ten years after the music industry went on the ultimate Atkins Diet it has lost about half of its girth -- if you adjust sales for inflation since 1999.

And as The New York Times Op-Ed page contributor Charles M. Blow observed recently, "At that rate the industry could be decimated before Madonna's 60th birthday".

Tell that to Live Nation who signed Madonna to a lucrative ten-year contract.

But this isn't about Madonna but may be news to the general public -- not to the industry.

The music industry died from self-inflicted wounds a long time ago.

Failing to take Napster out when it reared its pirate's&hellip

Ten years after the music industry went on the ultimate Atkins Diet it has lost about half of its girth -- if you adjust sales for inflation since 1999.

And as The New York Times Op-Ed page contributor Charles M. Blow observed recently, "At that rate the industry could be decimated before Madonna's 60th birthday".

Tell that to Live Nation who signed Madonna to a lucrative ten-year contract.

But this isn't about Madonna but may be news to the general public -- not to the industry.

The music industry died from self-inflicted wounds a long time ago.

Failing to take Napster out when it reared its pirate's&hellip