Month: March 2022

Content from BPRIn times of crisis, we are reminded of the importance of radio. When all else fails, radio is the medium to which people turn first for reliable and accurate information. Radio has the ability to transition from an entertainment medium to one that provides listeners with a lifeline of news and information.In Ukraine, some stations have switched from regular programming to round-the-clock news and information services. Stations incapable of addressing this need have simply gone dark. In the face of incredible odds, Ukrainian journalists are risking their lives to provide listeners with critically important information.Crises come in all forms – tsunamis, earthquakes, pandemics, floods, civil unrest, tornadoes and wars. If the Internet goes down, broadcast radio remains on the air. If electrical power is cut, radio can still be accessed on battery-powered devices including smart phones. People who may not necessarily listen to radio on regular basis often turn to a local station when things turn bad.In an era when local radio news departments are being decimated by cost-cutting, we are reminded that information has always been one of the pillars of radio’s identity. Of course, radio has a multitude of audio competitors. However, when a crisis occurs, many of radio’s competitors fall short of providing people with the critical information that they need.Podcasts and music streams have their place but when it comes to delivering immediate news and information, nothing beats radio. Social media may pretend to provide its audience with information but is it reliable and accurate? Hardly. As we know, fact and rumour exist side by side on social media platforms.Information is at the very heart of what we do. It is time that we give our news presenters, editors, street reporters and interviewers the credit that they so richly deserve. Stations large and small need to take the necessary steps to ensure that their news and information capabilities are ready to meet the challenge when the next crisis occurs.By Andy Beaubien, BPR […]

Selling Radio Direct with Pat BrysonWhen I had been selling about a year, my general manager came into my cubicle one day and said, “It’s time to get you on some boards.” At the time, I had no idea what he was talking about. What he was talking about was expanding my footprint in the community. He believed that what you give to your community comes back to you. It’s not always what you know, it’s WHOM you know.A few years later I joined Kiwanis. Whether you prefer Rotary, Lions Club or some other service organization, these groups are often made up of the movers and shakers in a community. They are good people to know.
My professors at the University of Tulsa in my Mass Communications classes taught me that radio stations are “the guardians of the airwaves.” Our licenses from the FCC state that we should serve our local communities. We certainly did that in 2020! We have the perfect vehicles to give back to our neighbors.

As someone who has made my living selling radio campaigns and now teaching others how to sell radio campaigns, I understand the value in being well-known. The last Bryson Broadcasting International newsletter talked about expanding your personal brand.

The gentleman in the picture (left) is George Strella. George has been a member of Kiwanis for 70 years. He has been the song leader as long as I’ve known him. Recently, his Kiwanis group made him an honorary member as health issues have hampered his ability to attend meetings as he has reached his 90’ies. How many of us today have that sort of commitment to community service groups? How many of us volunteer in any capacity in our towns?

As we bring young people into our business, I hope we may encourage them to participate in their communities. Join organizations that have meaning for them. Time will prove that giving to their communities will pay large dividends in their careers.

Congratulations, George, and thanks for providing a shining example of devotion to community service. […]