Pending Business: Coffee Talk
By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President
Have you tried the $7 cup of coffee at Starbucks?
A recent visit to my neighborhood location was an eye-opener. The demographics were broader than a trip to Disneyland. The service was average, as the baristas gave a hearty Moe’s welcome shoutout, heads down cranking out the orders.
A recent study showed 63% of millennial coffee drinkers are good with that $7 price because the coffee experience made them feel good. I was wowed at the acceptance of the price point. If the average consumer goes to Starbucks 16 times a month, that is over $100 a month on coffee. No wonder there more than 16,000 locations in the U.S. We just can’t get enough!
Yes, I am a student of successful marketing no matter what the product or service is. Tide, Starbucks, iPhone – what is it about the product that drives the value proposition? Quality? My gym socks do just as well in the less expensive laundry detergent. Dependability? My iPhone needs rebooting more than I would like to admit. Consistency? Ever taste Pike Place when it is from the bottom of the canister? No product or service is flawless, yet we consistently pay more for some over others. Is it marketing, packaging, or genuine performance? A little of everything.
Let us connect to our sales world.
1) There is no shortage of Tide. Yet it is still the most expensive brand on most supermarket and big box store shelves. Consumers have paid a premium for nearly 80 years because we trust the product. And therein lies the lesson for talk radio sellers. The trust your audience has in your on-air hosts is hard-earned equity reinforced every day.
2) The sit-down experience and service in a Starbucks is unique. From Manhattan to Carmel, California, locally owned coffee shops try, and some may succeed but the overall sit-down experience and service at Starbucks is consistently high-quality, meeting our expectations no matter where you are and so price barriers come down. Lesson #2 for sellers. Is your buyer-seller exchange always at a consistent important level no matter how close your relationship with your advertiser? Even when business is down?
3) There is no way to Google that answer. Put yourself in the shoes of your advertiser, especially a first-time advertiser when the wrong copy runs, an invoice is incorrect, or another issue comes up. Is it quick and easy to resolve a discrepancy? Will you invest the time and patience to ease the process?
Our talk radio business rarely integrates intangibles when it comes to pricing. Competitive, efficiencies and demand traditionally drive pricing. Yet the talk radio personalities are the ones with all the intangibles. From political influencers and offering emergency weather information to life changing news storylines that need interpretation to become more acceptable. Yet through it all, we are still the $1 cup of coffee.
Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.
approximately $100 million of proceeds related to its equity interest in BMI, subject to approval of the transaction by BMI shareholders and customary regulatory approvals. iHeartMedia says it plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of debt. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q1 2024.
(11/25) after a brief illness at the age of 80. Gauthier had been the host of the “Bristol County Breakfast Club” on Bristol County Broadcasting’s WSAR-AM for more than four decades. Gauthier began working at WSAR in the 1960s. During his career with the station he served as program director, general manager, news reporter, production director, account executive, and copy writer. In 2000, Gauthier was named Radio Broadcaster of the Year by the Massachusetts Broadcaster’s Association. 
effective December 4. Since January 2022, Scarpino has been serving as a FOX News multimedia reporter based out of St. Louis. In this capacity, she shot, wrote, and edited numerous enterprise and breaking news stories for FNC including the United Auto Worker strike, the Titanic submersible implosion and the border surge in Arizona and Texas. Scarpino is a 2020 graduate of the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism.
events in the Garden State drawing 250 guests including government officials, media representatives and community-minded business leaders. The gala will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Harrison says, “This is a huge honor and I’m looking forward to addressing this distinguished event with observations about the media’s position at the crossroads between politics, journalism and changing social norms.” Hurley tells TALKERS, “Our special event will be taking place four weeks before one of the most consequential national elections in American history… arguably, the most important election since the Civil War era. It deserves to have a keynote speaker as eloquent as Michael Harrison.”
advanced their field and made a lasting impression on the industry. It will be celebrated at the Storytellers Gala honoring TV & Film Awards and Radio Awards trophy winners on April 16. Donna de Varona – a U.S. Olympic Hall of Famer – is currently a member of the board of directors of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. She is renowned for covering 18 Olympic Games from multiple networks including ABC, NBC, CBS, and Turner. As a pioneer for women in sports, she played a key role in establishing the Women’s Sports Foundation, serving as its first president and chairman. She chaired the groundbreaking 1999 FIFA Women’s Soccer World Cup and contributed to the formation of the very first IOC athletes commission in 1981 during the IOC Congress in Baden-Baden, Germany.
Securities and Exchange Commission for the periods ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Briefly, the company’s net revenue for Q1 2023 was $110 million, down 2% from the same period in 2022. The company posted a net loss of $2.7 million for the first quarter. For Q2 of 2023, net revenue was $129.7 million, an increase of 9.2% over the same period in 2022. The company posted a net income of $71 million for that period.
a host-read ad on a podcast or AM/FM radio show drives powerful brand impact and sales effect and positive emotional impact is what measures a successful campaign. System1 studied host-read ads and devised a rating system that correlates creative quality with long-term share growth – in layman’s terms, “the more you feel, the more you buy.” But the study found that only 17% of the ads tested rated high enough to have the sufficient emotional impact necessary to lift long-term brand share by between 1% and 3%. 
vs. Blue State Debate” will air on FNC from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm (and simulcast on FOX News Radio) with a half-hour, post-debate analysis featuring Hannity and a panel of guests. FNC says, “Focusing on the major issues impacting the country, the debate will examine the vastly different approaches the two governors have and offer insights into their political philosophies as well as ambitions for the nation. Throughout the debate, Hannity will highlight a variety of issues in each state, including the economy, the border, immigration, crime, and inflation. Presented without an audience, the governors will have equal opportunity to respond and address each issue.”
What’s old is new again.
In 
Hill, and producer Michael Campana. The station says, “Thirty-year market veteran, Elliott, who started at WTVN in 1999 as the producer for Columbus radio legend Bob Conners, will continue to serve as program director for 610 WTVN. ‘Columbus’ Morning News’ will also feature timely guests and newsmakers to wake up information-hungry listeners with the local and national news they need to start each day in Ohio’s Capital City. Elliott adds, “I’ve done everything on WTVN except host my own show, and now I get that chance. I’m grateful to be working with the most talented team in the business every morning to bring the news to the best audience out there!”
radio personality Larry O’Connor and feature stories of our nation’s heroes, the families who serve by their side, and how Fisher House plays a role in their journey. The inspiring and patriotic radio show features an exclusive interview with Jessica Lynch, who recounts her harrowing experience as a prisoner of war during the early days of the 2003 invasion of Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. She reveals details of her treatment during her captivity, her rescue, the ensuing years of medical treatment and the special role Fisher House played (and continues to play) in her recovery. Fisher House Foundation provides a home away from home for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. Fisher Houses provide temporary free lodging so families can be close to their loved ones during medical care because “A Family’s LOVE is Good Medicine.” For more information on this radio special, available cash and barter free, contact Larry O’Connor at 562-665-9537 or 
regarding a restructuring of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness,” it reaches agreements with investors and creditors to again extend the deadline after which it would be in default. Audacy gets an extension on the due date for interest payments on its Credit Facility to November 30 and on its Receivables Purchase Agreement for the October Audacy Party Payment to November 30 and the November Audacy Party Payment Due Date to December 8. 
versus the prior month; and 23 million total multiplatform minutes, up 14% versus the prior month, according to Comscore. Outkick founder Clay Travis states, “OutKick’s expansion and growth continues to be the highlight each month. Our content serves those who seek not only common-sense reporting but unfiltered opinions with great perspective on a variety of topics.”
since 2003 to more than $4.3 million. WCCO brand manager Brad Lane says, “We are simply in awe of the incredible generosity of our fans! This is yet another great example of how live and local radio can truly impact lives. We’re so proud of our team for helping share these transformative stories from the inspiring work being done at Union Gospel Mission.” Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities provides food, shelter, programs and services for men, women and children experiencing homelessness, hunger and addiction.
Spectrum Cable. During his career he’s also served with Cox Radio in Jacksonville and the former Journal Broadcast Group at WTMJ, Milwaukee. Audacy regional president Rachel Williamson states, “I am excited to welcome Jason to lead our Milwaukee cluster. His experience across radio, video and digital combined with his deep knowledge and relationships throughout the Milwaukee market brings an increased expertise to our cluster and clients.” Bjorson comments, “I’m thrilled to join the Audacy Milwaukee team, with some of Milwaukee’s most iconic brands and an innovative broadcaster. I’ve competed with this team and tried to recruit them for years, so I know how much talent is here. I’m looking forward to working with them to win big here in Milwaukee!”
WEEI-FM, Boston. He’ll continue to lead his program that includes cast members Jermaine Wiggins, Courtney Cox and Chris Curtis. Audacy Boston SVP and market manager Mike Thomas states, “We are thrilled to extend Greg’s contract and keep the momentum going for his award-winning morning show. We look forward to having Greg, alongside Jermaine and Courtney, continue to set the tone for our weekday programming and deliver entertaining content for our listeners for the foreseeable future.”
among digital news brands, according to data from Comscore. FOX News Digital reached 3.4 billion multiplatform minutes, compared to 2.3 billion for CNN.com and 1.5 billion for NYTimes.com. FOX News Digital racked up 1.8 billion multiplatform views, compared to NYTimes.com’s 1.5 billion and CNN.com’s 1.4 billion. CNN.com leads the pack in multiplatform unique visitors with 129 billion compared to FOX News Digital’s 92 billion and NYTimes.com’s 75 billion.
in need in Southern California. The charity also helps families get back into stable home environments and teaches teens the skills they need to work in the hospitality industry. On ‘Giving Tuesday’ (11/28), the iHeartMedia station will host a live, all-day broadcast at the Anaheim White House featuring station personalities Bill Handel, Amy King, Gary & Shannon, John & Ken, Tim Conway Jr and Mo Kelly during which they’ll ask listeners to collect money and pasta and sauce donations for Caterina’s Club. 100% of donations collected go directly to Caterina’s Club. Also, from November 15 through December 3, Smart & Final locations in California, Arizona and Nevada and Wendy’s restaurants in Southern California will offer customers an option to donate to the “KFI PastaThon.”