| US Congressional Panel Mulls Royalty Right For Songs On Radio Intellectual Property Watch, Switzerland - The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property is examining whether performers whose songs are played on AM/FM radio ... |
OK, I'll admit it. I'm clearly of AARP age, but have thus far refused to join this group. Call it a vanity thing, but the discounts aren't worth the trouble for me, and this is clearly an organization I do not wish to be a part of. (Of course, an estimated 37 million members disagree with me.)
Not surprisingly, music and concert promotion is now becoming an AARP activity, based on their notion that 45+ Americans are being under-served by radio. AARP's Senior Producer of Digital Media (yes - they have one of these!), Steve Mencher, notes that "we're constantly barraged by talk of the prime demographic of 18-to-34-year-olds, and it's like nobody else matters." Besides promoting Tony Bennett, AARP also has put its resources behind Rod Stewart and Earth, Wind & Fire tours. They are also producing radio features now, geared to the notion that their membership is being ignored by commercial radio.
Ironic, isn't it? As radio people know only too well, radio is hardly about 18-34s. But given what the industry did to the Oldies format, radio has all but walked away from fiftysomethings. I'm not a big believer that the return of WCBS-FM is a harbinger of things to come, or even a revival of the Oldies format. And it's concerning that the same fate awaits Classic Rock in a few years.
There was nothing wrong with Oldies. There is nothing wrong with Classic Rock. Instead of investing more money on music testing to "young up" these formats, perhaps there needs to be more effort in learning how to market different demographics to the advertising industry.
Otherwise, AARP, Starbucks, and all the other entities that embrace aging Boomers will reap the benefits - just as MTV, Teen People, and Cosmo Girl! have gleaned those teen dollars. It's a sales problem, not a programming problem.
 | Tantalizing Hints at New iPhone Capabilities Uncovered in Firmware Gizmodo.com, Hungary - I doubt that Steve Jobs ever has any intention of making FM/AM radio available in any device. BY SUMOCAT AT 09:48 AM Apple sells headphones with an FM ... |
We've been big fans of the video game, "Guitar Hero," for some time now. And we've encouraged our client stations to make this game a part of bar and club nights, as well as station events. There are new versions coming out featuring different songs. And now the game is tied into the Family Values tour. Anecdotally, this is a fun game to play, and once people try it, they're hooked. In a time where the lead guitar solo is rapidly becoming a thing of the past, "Guitar Hero" revives this musical staple, and gives the "Average Joe" a chance to play along.
With each passing month, "Guitar Hero" has become more mainstream. In the process, "Guitar Hero" could also translate to big ratings; much like poker did a few years back. CBS will air programs featuring the "Guitar Hero" contest being played at the World Series of Video Games, with Vince Neil as a featured judge.
In an era where the consumer wants to participate in all aspects of showbiz entertainment, "Guitar Hero" is the perfect device that provides a center stage showcase. And for radio stations doing too many promotions as it is, "Guitar Hero" is a great way to inject a little consumer-generated fun. It could also be a great way to make that in-studio interview come alive. Instead of asking the band where the tour is off to next, consider having them judge some of your listeners doing their best "Guitar Hero" riffs.
With fewer and fewer mega Rock bands and albums, "Guitar Hero" does a great job of reviving the spirit that got us all into music from the beginning, taking the air guitar and making it fun and competitive. Rock on.
| Next big thing: TV converter boxes Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, MS - Another bonus: Once analog broadcasting ends, the prime radio spectrum it now uses will be auctioned off. That is expected to add new wireless services, ... |
| Next big thing: TV converter boxes Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, MS - Another bonus: Once analog broadcasting ends, the prime radio spectrum it now uses will be auctioned off. That is expected to add new wireless services, ... |
| Next big thing: TV converter boxes Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, MS - Another bonus: Once analog broadcasting ends, the prime radio spectrum it now uses will be auctioned off. That is expected to add new wireless services, ... |
