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I have been writing these columns for exactly one year. I
have really enjoyed it. The columns about which I got the
most feedback were: number 23 about Felton Jarvis and Elvis,
number 33 about the flu vaccine, number 2 as a trustee to
NARAS, and 20 and 21 about Stan and Sis Kaplan…and in
particular Stan’s watts sale. These columns are archived by
column number at
www.kentburkhart.com. Thank you for all your comments,
and we’ll forge ahead into 52 more columns!!!!!
I had a great treat this past Saturday (2-26-05). George
Burns (no, no not the comedian, but rather the
programmer/broadcaster) called to say he and Sandra were in
south Florida on business. So, fortunately for me we got
together…and it was another great lunch with George. We
talked for four hours looking at the blue/green Atlantic.
Pat, my wife, had not met Sandra and was pleased to do
so…she is a very nice lady….just like one would expect
George to have in his life. To catch you up, years ago I was
fortunate to hire George as VP of Programming for Pacific
and Southern Broadcasting. We had offices adjacent to each
other and talked radio all day, every day. After a half
dozen years George moved to Los Angeles to anchor his
consulting career. He had many fine clients. He still keeps
a small consulting base, and therefore must know everything
happening in broadcasting. At the lunch I noted that he has
not lost a step….we talked history of radio, the current
status of it and the I-Pod future. I know because I WAS
THERE. And as consultants do we talked about the best
presidents, general managers, and program directors of
today, and what makes them tick. George had his same wit and
charm. It was great to lunch with them. They are probably
back in California as you read this.
A few weeks prior to that I was in Atlanta…and had intended
to register at the Radio Advertising Bureau’s winter
meeting. Wanted to see some friends, and I wanted to hear
what THEY had to say about I-podcasting, accountability to
advertiser programs, return on investment projects, revenue
pacing for the year, etc. However, I was detoured!! I walked
in on a surprise birthday party for Kellye, our youngest
daughter. I like my broadcasting friends, but when it comes
to a surprise birthday party for a daughter….well, you know
me…. I never got to the RAB meeting!!!! I was having too
much fun at the party, and the food was just fabulous. Those
southern ladies certainly do know how to cook!!
If I had gone to the RAB meeting I wanted to ask about
electronic data measurement. Specifically, about the Atlanta
based Navigauge’s ratings. As you know they do passive
monitoring of in-car listening. One of the items they found
in their December studies dealt with the fact that morning
drive listeners are more likely to listen with great
interest to commercials than other day parts. All
broadcasters pay attention….raise the rates AGAIN in morning
drive!!!!! Good programmers have known the morning advantage
by instinct over the years….but there it was in black and
white. They also indicated that people who listen to
news/talk and country formats tend to pay more attention
than listeners to other formats. Hey, we guessed that one
along time ago as well. With the large Navigauge sample, I
am most anxious to read or hear anything they’ll tell me.
When Arbitron releases their Houston ratings we will have
even more new listenership information….both companies are
dealing a futuristic hand. Keep the info coming guys and
gals. It helps us broadcasters!!!
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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