Eddie's thoughts from the NAB Radio Show: http://eddieesserman.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Mark Ramsey's Presentation at the NAB Radio Show
Mark was on a great panel at the NAB Radio Show (which included Bill Figenshu, Larry Rosin, John Parikahl, John DeBella, Fred Jacobs, Ed Christian, and Heidi Raphael). Here is a video of his presentation, which includes the suggestion to drop Arbitron:
http://www.hear2.com/2009/09/should-radio-drop-arbitron.html
http://www.hear2.com/2009/09/should-radio-drop-arbitron.html
Guy Kawasaki's 10-20-30 Rule of PowerPoint
While this doesn't relate directly to the Radio/TV business, if you make presentations (and most of us do), check it out (video less than 2 minutes):
http://holykaw.alltop.com/my-102030-rule-of-powerpoint
http://holykaw.alltop.com/my-102030-rule-of-powerpoint
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Lew Paper's New Book: Perfect-Don Larsen's Miraculous World Series Game and the Men Who Made it Happen
Many of us know Lew Paper as a respected FCC attorney (and host of the Dickstein Shapiro Financing conference at every NAB Radio Show for the last 20 or so years). But you may not know that Lew is an author. And he has a new book coming out today:
Perfect-Don Larsen's Miraculous World Series Game and the Men Who Made It Happen
It is the story of baseball's only World Series no-hitter. Check it out at: http://www.lewpaper.com/
Lew, I ordered my copy . . . good luck with it!
George
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Thoughts, Observations, and Opinions from the 2009 NAB Radio Show
W. C. Fields is reported to have said, "I once spent a year in Philadelphia, I think it was on a Sunday." If you attended the NAB Radio Show this week in Philly, you, like I, can relate. I flew up on Tuesday to attend our Media Services Group meeting, and returned home Friday night. In between, I met with a number of MSG clients, customers, friends, competitors and various industry contacts at our suite in the Marriott, in the convention meeting rooms, and in the various hospitality functions throughout the convention. Here are a few thoughts and observations on the state of the radio industry as viewed through the Radio Show prism.
In general, the convention exceeded my expectations, though they were low . . . very low. This is the most challenging time in my 37 years in the broadcasting business. Station brokerage is my day job, and it is no secret that station trading ground to a halt a year ago. That said, there appears to be a bit of a thaw. While we will not likely return to anything resembling "normal" anytime soon (at least until senior debt returns), there are a few deals in the works and buyers and sellers are starting to talk again. In fact, "Inside Radio" ran this observation as its lead story on Wednesday (http://ftp.media.radcity.net/zmst/daily/C3886.pdf).
As always, Lew Paper's annual seminar for radio dealmakers ("Dickstein Shapiro's Broadcast Financing 2009: Surviving the Meltdown") was standing room only, and set the tone for the week. Most of the panelists (bankers and group heads) seemed to agree that we were probably at the bottom of the cycle, that we have seen the worst. Lew Dickey had the line of the morning when he suggested (paraphrasing) that lenders feared "Chapter 22, which is Chapter 11 twice." I also heard the phrase "kicking the can" repeated from the lenders. That describes a restructuring that essentially puts off any write-downs/foreclosures for some period of time, usually a year. The theory is that the buyer gets to buy time, and that the real restructuring will occur at some point in the future, presumably when the economic outlook is rosier. It looks like there will be a great deal of can kicking.
Interactive revenue and using social media seemed to be the themes of many of the panels. And radio seems to be playing "catch-up." That is better than not playing at all. It is definitely time to reinvent. Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different outcome. Doing what we've always done will not cut it. Several of the group heads acknowledged that the industry quit investing in talent, research and marketing, that we got "fat and happy." That sounds to me to be the first step toward the cure.
Unfortunately, I missed the Marconi Awards this year due to another commitment, but kudos to KKOB-AM for 2009 Legendary Station, as well as to the other station winners.
Alexis Glick (FOX Business Network) delivered the keynote at the Friday luncheon, also suggesting that maybe we have seen the worst. Saga's Ed Christian received the National Radio Award. He is a very worthy recipient for his tireless efforts in promoting the industry. Congratulations to Ed!
All in all, it was a good week. Attendance was off, but that was to be expected. In spite of that, we had a steady stream of meetings with station buyers, sellers, and bankers in our suite all week. Next year's show will be in Washington, DC. Even with all of the pressure to reduce expenses, the Radio Show is a good investment of both money and time. If you didn't make it to Philly this year, try to get to DC in 2010. Hopefully, we will have some successes to celebrate by then!
George
Media Services Group
In general, the convention exceeded my expectations, though they were low . . . very low. This is the most challenging time in my 37 years in the broadcasting business. Station brokerage is my day job, and it is no secret that station trading ground to a halt a year ago. That said, there appears to be a bit of a thaw. While we will not likely return to anything resembling "normal" anytime soon (at least until senior debt returns), there are a few deals in the works and buyers and sellers are starting to talk again. In fact, "Inside Radio" ran this observation as its lead story on Wednesday (http://ftp.media.radcity.net/zmst/daily/C3886.pdf).
As always, Lew Paper's annual seminar for radio dealmakers ("Dickstein Shapiro's Broadcast Financing 2009: Surviving the Meltdown") was standing room only, and set the tone for the week. Most of the panelists (bankers and group heads) seemed to agree that we were probably at the bottom of the cycle, that we have seen the worst. Lew Dickey had the line of the morning when he suggested (paraphrasing) that lenders feared "Chapter 22, which is Chapter 11 twice." I also heard the phrase "kicking the can" repeated from the lenders. That describes a restructuring that essentially puts off any write-downs/foreclosures for some period of time, usually a year. The theory is that the buyer gets to buy time, and that the real restructuring will occur at some point in the future, presumably when the economic outlook is rosier. It looks like there will be a great deal of can kicking.
Interactive revenue and using social media seemed to be the themes of many of the panels. And radio seems to be playing "catch-up." That is better than not playing at all. It is definitely time to reinvent. Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different outcome. Doing what we've always done will not cut it. Several of the group heads acknowledged that the industry quit investing in talent, research and marketing, that we got "fat and happy." That sounds to me to be the first step toward the cure.
Unfortunately, I missed the Marconi Awards this year due to another commitment, but kudos to KKOB-AM for 2009 Legendary Station, as well as to the other station winners.
Alexis Glick (FOX Business Network) delivered the keynote at the Friday luncheon, also suggesting that maybe we have seen the worst. Saga's Ed Christian received the National Radio Award. He is a very worthy recipient for his tireless efforts in promoting the industry. Congratulations to Ed!
All in all, it was a good week. Attendance was off, but that was to be expected. In spite of that, we had a steady stream of meetings with station buyers, sellers, and bankers in our suite all week. Next year's show will be in Washington, DC. Even with all of the pressure to reduce expenses, the Radio Show is a good investment of both money and time. If you didn't make it to Philly this year, try to get to DC in 2010. Hopefully, we will have some successes to celebrate by then!
George
Media Services Group
My Current Article in "Radio World": Restructuring Radio: Is Anyone Listening?
Here is a link to my current article in "Radio World" (Who Wins, Who Loses in the Coming Restructuring):
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/rw_20090923/#/42
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/rw_20090923/#/42
Monday, September 21, 2009
NAB Radio Show
The NAB Radio Show is this week in Philadelphia. With the turmoil in the economy in general, and the broadcasting industry specifically, it should prove to be an interesting conference. Many of the panels address interactive issues, and that is good. Interactive is one of the paths to broadcasters' return to prosperity.
On the trading front, we have noticed a pickup in activity. At least our phones are ringing again after a long hiatus. The entire Media Services Group crew will be in residence at the Marriott for the Radio Show. Please stop by and see us (suite # 708). It is always best to call or email for an appointment in advance, as calendars are pretty full.
I hope to see you in Philly,
George
On the trading front, we have noticed a pickup in activity. At least our phones are ringing again after a long hiatus. The entire Media Services Group crew will be in residence at the Marriott for the Radio Show. Please stop by and see us (suite # 708). It is always best to call or email for an appointment in advance, as calendars are pretty full.
I hope to see you in Philly,
George
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