Industry Views

NAB Out of Step on Non-Competes

By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, Sterling on Sunday

Bruce Morrow - WABCIt’s tough enough for radio talent to navigate stable careers in these days of consolidated station ownership, personnel cutbacks and drastic salary reductions – but the NAB’s newly stated stance on non-competes adds insult to injury and is out of step with the interests of beleaguered professionals still hanging on for dear life in the programming sector of this industry. I understand that the National Association of Broadcasters is at heart a lobbying group representing the interests of the medium’s ownership but, c’mon – non-competes really are of another era and egregiously unfair.

This week the NAB announced that they were not in favor of the FTC ruling to ban non-compete clauses that prevent radio talent from crossing the street. The FTC is proposing the ban on non-competes for a broad section of industries compelling dozens of industry lobbies to sign a letter to Congress in opposition to the ban.

The lobbyists’ letter says that the FTC’s rule would invalidate millions of contracts around the country that courts, scholars, and economists have found entirely reasonable and beneficial for both businesses and employees. “Accordingly, we ask you (Congress) to exercise your oversight and appropriations authority to closely examine the FTC’s proposed rule-making.”

Government interference with the practices of any industry, especially in the area of freedom of competition, is never a good idea. The NAB and other industries believe banning non-competes constitutes FTC overreach. And that is a solid argument. However, the NAB also suggests that broadcasters present a unique case for non-compete clauses due to the “substantial investments broadcasters make in promoting on-air talent.” That’s where they are grossly behind the times.

Maybe in TV. But it has been decades since any radio company has made any investment in promoting their on-air talent. Do you have a $500 “name” jingle? Where are the billboards? Whatever happened to TV and newspaper ads?

Non-competes are deployed in most industries to protect trade secrets. All of radio’s trade secrets are on the air!

Walter Sabo, consultant, can be contacted at Sabo Media: walter@sabomedia.com. Direct phone: 646-678-1110.  Check out www.waltersterlingshow.com.

Industry News

Chaz and AJ Celebrate 20 Years at Connoisseur’s WPLR, New Haven

The WPLR, New Haven morning team of “Chaz and AJ” is celebrating its 20th anniversary hosting their program. Connoisseur Media says, “Chaz and AJ joined WPLR in the winter of 2003 and immediately became a ratings success. Chaz had worked at night for the station years prior and AJ transferred over from LongChaz & AJ - WPLR Island. The duo quickly made a name for themselves for not only comedic pieces, but also for being a major part of the community. The show calls itself an on-air town hall meeting and the spot where the local community can discuss all the important, and not so important, topics of the day. They have hosted gubernatorial debates, stayed on the air around the clock during major local news and weather events, and have featured conversations with two sitting vice presidents, 11 U.S. senators, four Connecticut governors, and the biggest names in movies, TV, and rock music.” Connoisseur Media VP of programming Keith Dakin says, “Of their 20 years on the air, I’ve had the privilege to be able to work with them for over half. To see their drive and quest to continue to entertain and inform day after day is truly inspiring. It is not often that you get to work with a show like this that is so woven into the fabric of the community.”

Sales

Pending Business: The ‘Who Cares?’ Test

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

 

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Time to sharpen up, drill down and pass the “Who Cares?” test. This is where we take a hard look at how you present your on-air talent for host reads.

If you are like most sellers or managers, you look for a comfortable rhythm in your proposals that works for your style and now fits the cut and paste culture. There is nothing wrong with time-saving technique — except when the shortcuts take you to an outdated comfort zone. In radio sales we all get hypnotized by what worked for years. After all, we are creatures of habit and why mess with past success? It’s a challenging but important part of radio sales strategy.

(more…)

Advice

Monday Memo: Yes, You Need More Cume

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

 

BLOCK ISLAND, RI — “Cumulative Audience” is radio’s version of what newspapers called “Circulation,” back when there were newspapers. It’s the number of people who tune-into your station during the week. Listeners, not listening. How many, not how many “Average Quarter Hours” (AQH) consumed.

We can’t get someone who doesn’t listen at all to listen more

(more…)

Advice

Monday Memo: You Don’t Say

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

 

BLOCK ISLAND, RI — Regular readers see me use this space largely to suggest what to DO. This week, validating the ultimate consultant caricature, five DON’Ts.

Delete from your on-air vocabulary: “What say you?”

This is a Bill O’Reilly vestige many radio talkers still parrot. It sounds like Tonto in the old “Lone Ranger” TV show. Talk the way people talk.

(more…)

Advice

Monday Memo: NAB, Long Time No See

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

 

LAS VEGAS — As we did for CES here in January, we were asked to submit vaccination details to an app to earn a QR entry code. Once inside, there are still some masks, and – after three years – lots of hugs. The National Association of Broadcasters wanted to mash-up what had been separate autumn Radio Shows and perennial April NAB Shows this past October…until the Omicron kibosh.

(more…)

Advice

Monday Memo: Good News

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

 

BLOCK ISLAND, RI — Too often, we — news/talk radio – are the bearer of bad news.

  • Listeners (and advertisers) were already stressed.
  • The pandemic knocked the entire world off-balance.
  • Pain-at-the-pump? Everyone feels inflation everywhere.
  • Much of what we CAN afford remains snarled in supply chain snafus.
  • And polls demonstrate that Americans are pained over war in Ukraine.

(more…)

Advice

Monday Memo: Improving Results from Endorsement Spots

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

 

BLOCK ISLAND, RI — The news/talk stations I work with make big money doing what talk radio does best: cutting through mental clutter, with live endorsement spots delivered by familiar local on-air personalities.

OOPS.  Do your endorsement spots say “I haven’t sold you yet?”

Often, these are long-standing advertiser relationships. Two cautions:

(more…)