Radio Ads Playing A Big Part In Election…

Monday, October, 27, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

Don’t blame politicians for the lousy revenue figures in Radio.  They’re doing their part in adding revenue, especially in battleground states.  Both Obama and McCain are going back to the future - radio, in hopes of getting your vote.  Media analyst Evan Tracey says “radio was all but given up for dead.”  Then reality set in.  Realizing that radio spots are cheap to make and run and easy to target, not only did Obama and McCain take notice but so did labor unions like the AFL-CIO and The United Workers Union, even the NRA…

Everyone has been targeted - blacks, Hispanics, conservatives, evangelicals, news, sports junkies and hunters.  The ads run often and “people hear your message more than once” says NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam.  In addition to the presidential election, local issues are also included in those messages.  Political radio ads are hard to track with TV ad watchers ignoring them and candidates rarely announcing them but the revenue is welcome at a time when dire projections for the fourth quarter have already been forecast…

Tracey says ”Radio is playing an important role in the 2008 campaign, as are traditional network newscasts and anchors.”  With analysts now predicting a 9% revenue drop in radio for quarter 4, this is welcome news…  

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1858] But don’t tell Gimbel’s: Roland Macy opens a department store in Manhattan. It was Macy’s 5th business venture - the other 4 failed…
2. 1904] The IRT: The 3rd rapid transit system in the world (London’s was 1st, Boston was second) opens in New York City (it’s called the IRT)…
3. 1954] ‘D-I-V-O-R-C-E’: Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio call it quits after marrying on January 14th…
4. 1964] Wedding Bells: Sonny & Cher rock down the aisle. Their marriage will end in divorce in 1975…
5. 1975] On the cover of: Bruce Springsteen appears on the covers of both TIME & Newsweek…
6. 1978] How noble: Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin win the Nobel Peace Prize for progress toward achieving a Middle East accord…
7. 1995] Up the river: Yolanda Saldivar is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Latina singer Selena…
8. 1999] ‘Happy Trails’: Latin bandleader Xavier Cugat dies of heart failure at 90…
9. 2004] Joining the 700 club: Barry Bonds 700th home run ball fetches $804,129 in an on-line auction. Steve Williams who came up with the ball in the bleachers on Sept. 17th announces he’s quitting his job as a brokers assistant (Hello Fiji)…
10. 2004] Worth the wait: The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series title since 1918 by sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in 4 games…

Music Memories:

• 1956] Released on this date: “Ain’t Got No Home” - Clarence “Frogman” Henry…1964] “Come See About Me” - Supremes…
• 1960] Recorded on this date: Ben E. King records his first solo releases: “Spanish Harlem” and “Stand By Me“…
• 1966] Number One on this date: “96 Tears” - Question Mark & the Mysterians…1987] “Bad” - Michael Jackson…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Kelly Osbourne (24), Marla Maples (45), Simon (Duran Duran) LeBon (50), John Cleese (69), Ruby Dee (84), Ralph Kiner (86) and Nanette Fabray (88)…

Timeline Countdown: 4 nights until Halloween, 5 nights until Standard (back one hour) Time and 8 days until Election Day…

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