FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!

Friday, May 24, 2013

Please remember to send your playlists to mlaspina@fmqb.com.
Playlists are due on Monday, no later than 8 p.m.

June 3 (AC)
Gin Wigmore "Black Sheep" (Mercury/IDJMG)

June 17 (Hot AC)
Parachute "Can't Help" (Mercury/IDJMG)

June 24 (AC)
Tora "Drown" (LML)

Richard Kincaid

Deborah Wedekind

David Taylor II Kenny Davies

Richard Kincaid

George Benson

Programming Strategies to
Strengthen Ratings in 2013

One of the most exciting parts of my job is to travel the country conducting and being part of listener research studies. Today's Programming Weekly will share the important points that come up most often in market after market.
Identifying music is a major benefit to female listeners. One of the most common complaints from listeners is; DJ's do not identify the music and artists enough. We (radio people) think they know all the songs. They (listeners) disagree. Putting this info on your website is a step in the right direction, but not what they really want. They want to hear it on the radio. This especially applies to newer and re-current songs.

"Good Chemistry" the top attribute in AM Drive.When asked why they liked their favorite morning show the word "chemistry" came up time after time. The relationship of the players and how they get along on the air is key critical. Important issues in the morning are "fun" shows (not to be confused with funny) as well as shows they are "used to and comfortable with".

Benchmarks are out. Commenting on the day's "news and events" is in. Most listeners agree that they want their morning show to discuss what is happening at that moment. It's sure a lot more important than a benchmark such as "Dumb Criminal News" (yes, believe it or not some shows still do this!).

Music is still important in the morning. As usual, listeners want it all. They want a show with fun people having a good time, but they also want a lot of music. Please do not overlook the power and importance of music in the morning.

Information: Still powerful; Pop culture not so much. Weather, traffic and news updates are very important to the listener. Pop Culture? In market after market and study after study the appeal of pop culture is low among AC listeners. Plus, in most markets there is one station that is known for pop culture reporting. If its not you, go down a different road; Relationships, family matters, health etc. There is a huge supply of great content that is not all about the Mariah-Nicki fighting on Idol.

Keep it live, but watch the talk. They like DJ's but not talky ones. Keep the talk breaks crisp, short & to the point. It's like I always say; Successful AC stations are not personality driven, but they must "have a personality" to succeed.

Morning and night personalities are the best known.In most groups, listeners were very unsure of the midday and afternoon personalities. For stations that have their own love songs host, there is usually good familiarity.

AC music stations are described as "Easy listening/Softrock/Pop music". Familiarity with the music continues to be key. As we have always said, AC female listeners "Know what they like, and like what they know." Never underestimate the power of familiarity with you music, your personalities and overall station sound/feel. Now more than ever, play the hits.

AC radio is a "safe haven" for women 35-54. They know it by the music we play and the way we present ourselves. They say there is no need to talk about "family friendly". How do you communicate it? They say "Just Do It".

AC P1s like to play contests. The prize is not always as important as the chance to win. Prizes such as theatre tickets, weekend getaways, dinners at restaurants and tickets to shows (concerts) are all good. "Entertaining contests" seem more important to many of these listeners versus the actual prize itself.

Stopping fewer times, each hour is preferred. Most listeners like the 2-stop clocks, but are aware that they will "pay for it" (their words) in the end. They do however feel it is better to stop less often even if it means more spots. The one common comment heard in market after market is they feel all stations play too many commercials.

For market availability and a confidential discussion about your station, call Gary Berkowitz today. (248) 737-3727 or gary@garyberk.com or www.garyberk.com

Updated: 5.22.2013

1. BRUNO MARS
"Treasure"
(Atlantic)
6

1. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
"Mirrors"
(RCA)
6

1. MAROON 5
"Love"
(A&M/Octone)
6

Updated: 5.22.2013

KELLY CLARKSON
"People"
(RCA)

MICHAEL BUBLE
"Beautiful"
(Reprise/WB)

AVRIL LAVIGNE
"Growing"
(Epic)

Legendary producer and engineer Andy Johns recently passed away at age 61. Johns worked on albums with many classic greats like Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, and many more. He was working with guitarist Stacy Blades on an untitled project when the producer was hospitalized. Johns produced albums by Blodwyn Pig ("Ahead Rings Out"), Humble Pie (As Safe As Yesterday Is, Town and Country) and Free (Free, Free Live!, Heartbreaker). Johns' history of engineering is even more impressive, having engineered Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main Street, Goats Head Soup and It's Only Rock 'n' Roll by the Stones. He also worked on Led Zeppelin's II through Physical Graffiti albums, as well as albums by Mott the Hoople and Jethro Tull. After he moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s, he added Van Halen, Joni Michell, Ozzy Osbourne, Cinderella, Eddie Money, Godsmack and many others to the long list of musicians and bands that he worked with.

Muse added a handful of U.S. dates to The 2nd Law, which run from September 3 in Charlotte, NC to September 19 in Salt Lake City. Tickets for the new dates go on sale Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m. Cage The Elephant will be the opening act.

Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, along with R&B musician Miguel, will all be performing at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, airing live on ABC May 19. They're joining the roster with the already-announced Prince, who will be honored with the Billboard Icon Award. Bieber, Miguel, Swift and Mars are also all up for the fan-driven Milestone Award; fans can vote online for their favorite artist and win the opportunity to present the award alongside Cee Lo Green during the event.

The alternate version of The Beatles' album Let It Be is finally being released on the iTunes store, ten years after it's original release. The 11-track album, Let It Be…Naked, is without Phil Spector's contributions, and will also include around 20 minutes of bonus "studio banter" from the original 1969 recording of Let It Be. Apple is exclusively offering music videos for the "Naked" versions of "Get Back" and "Don't Let Me Down," available for free streaming and paid download. The album will not include the orchestral overdubs that Spector originally contributed in lieu of the band. At the original time of the Let It Be... Naked's release, Paul McCartney said that this version is a more raw and natural sound of the band. "If we’d had today’s technology back then," he said, "it would sound like this because this is the noise we made in the studio. It’s all exactly as it was in the room. You’re right there now."

LW	TW	DAILY TOP 20 AC ALBUM SALES - TUESDAY 05.21.13			%
1	1	Michael Buble	To Be Loved	WEA/ Reprise	-24.8
3	2	Justin Timberlake	20/2 0 Experience	SBME/ RCA	-27.3
6	3	Mumford & Sons	Babel	Glassnote	15.2
5	4	Bruno Mars	Unorthodox Jukebox	WEA/ Atlantic	-7.7
4	5	Phoenix	Bankrupt!	Glassnote	-36.5
16	6	Taylor Swift	Red	UMGD/ Big Machine	181.8
9	7	Lumineers	Lumineers	Dualtone	-10.3
12	8	Fun.	Some Nights	WEA/ Fueled By Ramen	78.6
8	9	Fall Out Boy	Save Rock & Roll	UMGD/ Island	-23.3
7	10	Macklemore & Ryan Lewis	Heist	Macklemore	-32.3
14	11	Pink	Truth About Love	SBME/ RCA	53.8
18	12	Daft Punk	Discovery	EMM/ EMM	100
17	13	Phillip Phillips	World From The Side Of The Moo	UMGD/ Interscope	18.2
**	14	Ed Sheeran	+	WEA/ Elektra	**
13	15	Maroon 5	Overexposed	UMGD/ A&M	-15.4
2	16	Demi Lovato	Demi	UMGD/ Hollywood	-91.6
10	17	Rihanna	Unapologetic	UMGD/ Def Jam	-50
**	18	Olly Murs	Right Place Right Time	SBME/ Columbia	**
--	19	One Direction	Take Me Home	SBME/ Columbia	--
19	20	Kelly Clarkson	Greatest Hitschapter 1	SBME/ RCA	-20