What’s the future of radio? The answer is not “technology,” although that’s part of the answer.  The answer is to leverage what can’t be easily duplicated by people who are much more knowledgeable about and committed to technology than you are. The future is between – or instead of – the songs. Southern Cross Austereo’s extraordinarily bright and talented Craig Bruce talked with me about this very topic. We discuss: Are listeners less engaged in radio than they used to be? Wh

The other day I was listening to Fresh Air on NPR.  The program was closing and Terry Gross was reading credits when she said something this: “And the Chief Content Officer of WHYY is Christine Dempsey.” Chief Content Officer? In virtually every other radio station today that’s what we call the “Program Director.” This is, of course, much more than wordplay. Back in July National Public Radio announced that it would hereafter be known by its acronym, NPR. Wait, wasn’t that al

Here's what I'm sick of: The relentless whine to get more younger people involved with radio in content and management positions. Listen, if you want younger people with innumerable choices – most of their own making – to sign on to your medium, then you have to meet them on their own terms and stop expecting them to meet you on yours. Enter U20. A project from Australia's Austereo intended to offer under-20's a reason to get involved in a medium that has largely left them be

If you've been waiting for a major broadcaster to say what everyone in any wing of the entertainment industry knows – that entertainment media begin and end with people and content – then get ready for a treat. It's time to talk back to the bean-counters.  It's time to remind your lenders that the only reason you're worth lending to is because audiences – real people – care about and connect with the people behind your mics and the content that wraps around them. This is not