Want to peek behind the curtain of Apple’s PR machine? That’s just what branding authority and celebrated author Tom Asacker and I do in episode 3 of Media Unplugged, our new twice-monthly podcast where we go behind the big media spin to spell out what’s really happening and what it means for media, brands, and consumers. Plus, ABC’s Dancing With The Stars managed to find an actual star this time – assuming you’re a fan of Bethany Mota on YouTube. What does that say about “st

Over 11 million unique listeners have already tuned in to iTunes Radio since launch with the most listened to song being “Hold On, We’re Going Home” by Drake. A “Pandora killer”? Of course not. But does some of that listening come from Pandora? You bet. Does some come from other iTunes listening? You bet. Is some of that listening brand new – borrowed from nobody in the radio space? You bet. Is some of that listening stolen from radio? Absolutely. There’s a slavish devotion a

Since then we have relied on bowing our new brands with stunts: Events or circumstances designed to garner attention and trial that give fans more of what they are likely to want – right up until it becomes less of what they are likely to want. Take the introductory-tactic-du-jour: “10,000 songs commercial-free.” We know folks don’t like spots, right? And we know they like music. So let’s give them an economically unsustainable train of music to win their attention and trial.

Michael Stelzner is the creator of the fantastic site SocialMediaExaminer.com, one of the leading – if not the leading – social media strategy sites. Michael also is the author of a great new book called Launch: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition the book’s official site here).  Needless to say, Michael is also a radio listener and has lots to say about the intersection of radio and social media. Watch this video for our full unedited conversation Pref