2020. A year of undeniable challenge, change and stress. COVID-19, culture shifts, economic struggles and political division. In our industry, combine furloughs, layoffs, cuts and extra duties added to job descriptions. Today some of us have jobs, some of us don't. Although I'm currently part of the latter group, I, and most of us, have first-hand experience in both. Every one of us is part of the small Radio family. It’s a critical time for us to be attuned to how we do, and sometimes don’t, engage with our industry peers.

Those of us who are currently employed have an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life today. Upon leaving a job, many people are sorely missing the daily face-to-face human contact, friendships and relationships with their now former coworkers. COVID-19 has only compounded these feelings of being isolated, ostracized and cast aside. So if a person reaches out with a friendly hello, asks our opinion or inquires about a job opportunity, let's engage them by responding to their email, text or direct message. It only takes a couple extra seconds. They aren’t infected with some unemployment virus that can be transmitted to us electronically. By failing to reply, the unfortunate, unintended message we’re sending them is that they aren't important to us. I hear from many in this group that the silence and lack of response is dark and deflating. That’s not an image or reputation any of us wants for ourselves or our companies. There’s too much of this that goes on in our business and in reality it’s been going on long before COVID. So let's embrace the opportunity to change and have a positive impact on their day, with even a quick reply, that lets them know they’re relevant.

One of our exemplary market managers (Dave Beck) sent me an inspiring story I had long forgotten. Alabama's iconic football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant is forever etched in gridiron history. Speaking at a Touchdown Club a few years before his death, he shared this story. "I ...

As we approach another summer holiday more and more talent in the business are taking their vacations. I can’t tell you the number of times I have had conversations with Market Managers about whether or not it’s better to use “Best Of” bits in place of having ...

Like it or not the true state of Radio today demands outwitting, outflanking, out battling your competitors. Radio’s war is adjudicated through listeners measured by Nielsen and/or by response-rates to your clients’ ad schedules. In a time like this where offices ...

Recently, Fred Jacobs wrote an insightful blog that referenced former Apple and Pepsi executive John Sculley’s article in The Drum. Sculley advises businesses during the pandemic to reward their loyal customers if they want to come out of this in a better position. ...

Fortunate is the person who takes exactly the right measure of themselves; much easier said than done. In 2020's Orwellian fog, a time like no other, it's a daunting challenge to stay out of a rut. It requires Herculean strength to redirect your outlook and your talent. ...

Even though our battle against the COVID-19 coronavirus is far from over, the radio industry is starting to see signs of recovery, at least in some parts of the world. In other spots, particularly in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, the situation is less ...

Radio programmers can spend too much time in the analytical world of radio and not nearly enough time creating emotional links with their audience. This imbalance is easy to fall into. Mechanics are cut-and-dried but creating a radio station that connects emotionally with ...

Kid Talk Radio, is it time to bring it back as a format or regular podcast, or at the very least a regular feature for radio stations and social media brands that cater to parents and kids? Hear me out, okay? I’m not going to lie, I watched both of CNN’s Sesame Street ...

Please don’t kid yourself that “it doesn’t fit our brand”. The horror of the George Floyd killing, the peaceful protests and the hijacking of the narrative by destruction and looting needs to be playing a big part of our radio stations, specifically our morning ...