Weekly Roundup – Week of September 23rd, 2024

"Results of an Audacy survey show that 85% of consumers find local radio the most trusted news source, ahead of all other media, including local and national broadcast TV, newspapers and social media."

Our Take: Local radio news dominates credibility rankings because it sticks to the basics—fact-based, unbiased journalism. While social media and partisan outlets often spin stories, local radio keeps it real, ensuring listeners get trustworthy information. This is why, despite the digital age, radio remains a go-to for accurate reporting. By focusing on what matters and avoiding sensationalism, local stations have earned the public's trust, outshining all other media.

"In today’s fast-moving world of digital marketing, one phenomenon stands out as particularly transformative: the rise of the influencer athlete. These figures now wield substantial social media influence, possessing personal brands reaching far beyond their respective sports. Needless to say, this presents a unique and powerful way for brands to engage with audiences on a deeper, more authentic level."

Our Take: Teaming up with a sports influencer isn't just a trendy marketing move—it can deliver serious wins for your brand. The right influencer brings an authentic connection with fans, a high level of trust, and the ability to cut through advertising clutter. By leveraging their personal brand and audience loyalty, brands can create memorable, impactful campaigns that resonate with sports fans in a meaningful way.

Our Take: The story of a Philly-area UPS driver tuning into sports radio nonstop is a testament to the staying power and influence of the medium. Sports radio remains a trusted companion during long workdays, offering real-time insights, analysis, and fan engagement that keep listeners connected to their favorite teams. It highlights how sports radio cuts through the noise, keeping passionate fans informed and entertained, even during everyday tasks like package deliveries. This driver’s habits show that sports radio isn’t just background noise—it’s a lifeline.

Our VP of Branding & Research, Sean Bos, breaks it all down on the latest InFOCUS podcast! From streaming platforms to TV, find out why this booming market is a must-watch for brands and advertisers. Don't miss Sean's insights on how to stay ahead of the curve!

Learn about Stephanie “Chiquibaby” Himonidis historic interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, which reached more than 100 Spanish-anguage radio stations.

Our Take: We love that Chiquibaby emphasized how radio continues to be a powerful tool for connecting with the Hispanic community during election seasons and for celebrating Hispanic heritage.

Biden and Harris won in 2020 with focused efforts to drive up Black voter turnout in the final weeks, especially in Pennsylvania and Georgia.
“It’s just about one placebo or the other placebo,” said a 23-year-old who plans to vote for Harris.

"Measurement company VideoAmp said that $1 billion in media buys have already been guaranteed using its measurement as a currency this year.
VideoAmp is on track to reach $1.5 billion by the end of the year, the company added, and is growing at a rate of 651% year over year compared to the same point in 2023."

Our Take: VideoAmp's rise reflects a shift away from Nielsen and a push toward innovative measurement methods that better capture total video viewership, supporting advertisers in optimizing their campaigns. This growth highlights an industry shift toward more advanced, audience-based metrics.

"The Geico Gecko first appeared in 1999. Progressive's Flo first appeared in 2008. Neither rivals De Beers's "Diamonds are Forever" campaign, but still: In advertising dog years, those campaigns seem really, really old.
That's because very few ad campaigns last very long, if only due to wearout, a term used to describe the decline in the effectiveness of an advertisement after it has been used so frequently that it is no longer as effective. In simple terms, your message gets stale over time, and people start to ignore it.
Or not. A study conducted by System1 found that only 14 of 50,000 campaigns wore out. For the overwhelming majority, ad testing scores remained consistent (whether high or low) over the long term."

Our Take: The fact that Progressive's Flo and GEICO's Gecko have stayed relevant for years proves that, when done right, advertising campaigns don’t "wear out"—they evolve. Iconic characters aren't about frequency; they're about brand identity, consistent narrative, and audience connection. Brands that lean into memorable, adaptable mascots can break through ad fatigue, turning familiar faces into long-term cultural touchstones. It’s less about avoiding "wear out" and more about maintaining emotional resonance and creativity over time.

Are smartphones taking over your car’s dashboard? Not so fast! In this week’s Media Minute, Sean dives into how radio is evolving alongside in-vehicle entertainment systems. Can these two tech powerhouses coexist, or will your tunes be driven off the road? Spoiler: The connection is stronger than you think. Find out how radio is staying in the fast lane!