A recent BIA Advisory Services report revealed the unpleasant news that in 2009, the top 50 markets can expect to experience revenue declines of approximately 11%. Such midsize and small markets as Grand Junction, Colo.; Grand Forks, N.D.-Minn.; and Odessa-Midland, Texas, won't be immune to the falling numbers, because BIA projects their profits will decrease as well. However, stations in these regions won't be dealt quite as harsh a blow—revenue is expected to drop by 9.6%. BIA also said it sees smaller markets continuing to provide services to their local advertisers and maintaining their presence in the local media marketplace.  

"Despite all appearances, radio is still a viable medium, as evidenced through listener numbers, revenue growth in certain markets and the popularity of specific formats," BIA Advisory Services VP Mark Fratrik said. "Tough times will make owners think hard about what they are doing now and should be doing in the future. Technological advances such as online advertising, mobile device advertising and other new-to-radio advertising could be a solution for offsetting declines in traditional radio revenues, especially in larger markets where these options could have a greater affect."   From Radio and Records 6-1-09

It’s time to reach out to your local markets, whether large market or small, when it comes down to it, local radio is the voice of the hometown. Regardless of format you have to get back to becoming a local resource. This is the one thing that your market cannot get from alternative media platforms. As stated above new technologies offer new OPPORTUNITIES. You just have to take advantage of it!

AP HAS THE CONTENT To CONNECT YOU WITH YOUR LOCAL MARKET ON-AIR, ONLINE and NEW MOBILE DEVICES!!! There is advertising revenue being spent, it’s time to go after it!!!

• AP NewsPower offers complete coverage for news, sports, entertainment, business, and format specific show prep. Your on air talent has a wealth of dynamic and trustworthy content available on their computer screen during the show. Toss out a quick baseball score or sell a sponsorship to an Entertainment update
• AP Audio offers up to the minute raw audio, interviews, actualities to drive home a news story or simply make a bit out of an entertainment feature. AP Soundbank offers access to AP audio vault for the past 100+ years, featuring a Woodstock weekend, Flashback weekend or today in history, it’s sponsorship opportunities
• AP ONLINE, hosted content to provide your listeners with up to the minute news, entertainment, sports, business, news of the weird, presented in a multimedia platform. With AP content there is no need for your listeners to visit another website. You work hard to build your cume, now monetize your audience with ONLINE REVENUE!  Linking to other websites or the local TV station is COSTING YOU REVENUE!
• AP Entertainment video—the latest in what’s happening in the entertainment world, delivered to your station in high profile videos. Have your own on air talent produce a “Hollywood minute” for your website—NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY!
• AP STATS, SPORTS , yeah we have it, trying to reach male audience, there is no reason you can’t provide the BEST sports website in your market. There’s big money to be made with online sports content. We can help you get it.
• AP MOBILE NEWS NETWORK---Yes AP can get your station on millions of I-Phones and Blackberry’s in your market. “my station doesn’t do news”----Oh yeah, the AP Mobile News Network is the number two (2) most downloaded app from the I-phone store. Check out the demographics on the I-Phone and you’ll see that younger demos DO want to be informed of what if happening. If you don ‘t reach out to them, you have no way to grow your station. Best of all the AP Mobile News Network if FREE!!!!!

Check out some examples of AP Online Interactive Content, if you don’t have it, you’re not making money!

NASCAR  (HELLO PEP BOYS, HELLO BUDWESIER, HELLO DODGE DEALER)

_ An interactive look at this year's major team alignments is in the _sports/nascar09/nascar_teams09 folder.

Preview link: http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/_sports/nascar09/nascar_teams09/index.html
 

STEROIDS AND BASEBALL (HELLO WALGREENS, HELLO SPORTS AUTHORITY)

_ An interactive timeline of recent drug scandals in baseball is in the _sports/baseball09/steroids_timeline folder.

Preview link: http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/_sports/baseball09/steroids_timeline/index.html
 

GAS PRICES (HELLO PRIUS DEALERS, BYCYCLE SHOPS, MOTORCYLES DEALERS)

_ An interactive map showing current and historic U.S. gas prices state-by-state has been posted. The prices are updated daily. The large version is in the wdc/gasprices folder. The small version is in the wdc/gasprices_small folder.

Preview link (large): http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/wdc/gasprices/index.html

Preview link (small): http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/wdc/gasprices_small/index.html 

You can sit by and watch it unravel, or you can step up and take control. The world is changing and there is opportunity to those that go after it. We have the content to help you get in the fight and build your revenue, on air and online. Call me to find out more.

CHRIS 

Christopher Weis
Regional Radio Executive / AP Broadcast
312-621-1798
cweis@ap.org