Radio? Who Needs a Radio?

I hope you get the reference. And to answer this question, approximately 90% of adults in the U.S., according to an article by Statista. The radio has always been a favorite of mine – and no, not just because of the funny scene in Dumb & Dumber.

It’s only a minute long, just watch it:

It’s hard to believe there was a time before Bluetooth. I still own a few mix CD’s I made and if anyone wants to see my iTunes library, just shoot me a message and thank me later. I had a radio in my room when I was eleven years old, and I swear, it was always on.

The Pros

Connection & Entertainment

If you ever want to attend a live concert for free, take a drive with me. Radio hosts really help you feel connected and entertained. Well, the good ones anyway. They’re local and typically make the breaks between songs fun with some trivia, trending topics, or announcements about news/weather.

Variety

Each radio station is like its own playlist. You can change it any time, you have unlimited skips and quite a few options to pick from. You can choose from your favorites or skip around until you find what you’re looking for.

Consistency

Odds are, radio listeners are commuting or waking up in the same routine each morning. They know what to expect from your station and use you as a “go to” source. According to an article from Radiocentre, radio is the most trusted medium. You can read more about why brand trust is so important in my blog here.

What This Means for Advertisers

Radio is Still Relevant

Don’t underestimate what it means to be a trusted source. As the digital space evolves – radio doesn’t necessarily have to be in your car. There are radio apps, and streaming services such as Spotify and Pandora which you can take wherever you go.

Let Your Creativity Shine

How can you use sound to grab someone’s attention and make them remember who you are and what your purpose is? It’s not a billboard in Times Square trying to outshine the others. Think outside the box, or, inside the car.

Emphasize Local

I memorized my favorite local radio stations in both New Jersey and Florida. Although Coca-Cola could play an ad of a can opening and get me to go buy one, let’s be real – I would have done so anyway. But if I hear of a lunch special happening at a restaurant in my area, or a sale happening at a nearby store, it might just get me in there… especially if it includes a sale on Coca-Cola.