April 5, 2021, Issue 750
Post Post-Pandemic: Full Playbook
Daniel Anstandig
Susan Larkin
Todd Lawley
Dave Kelly
CRS 2021’s “PPP: Post-Pandemic Playbook” drew raves for its look ahead at best-practices for working remotely, revenue strategies and organizational structures. But moderator and Futuri CEO Daniel Anstandig says, “We missed some opportunities to talk about better ways to create content, attract audience and drive revenue growth.” In fact, the session only covered about 40% of the material prepared by the panel, which included Audacy COO Susan Larkin, Townsquare SVP Todd Lawley, BMLG VP/Digital Consumption Dave Kelly, Cox Country Format Leader & Country KKBQ/ Houston PD Johnny Chiang and Elevate Marketing Research Founder Nicole Bergen. So Country Aircheck reached out for the whole enchilada. Unexpectedly, it includes a game that’s fun for the whole (office) family. Seriously. Content Meant: Johnny Chiang First order of business: Content, where supply and demand are both increasing, but staff are decreasing. “There is more pressure on managers to create content across social and digital channels,” Nicole Bergen Anstandig says. Meanwhile, Kelly says to prepare for an onslaught of music and content from record labels and artists.
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Signage: Singer/songwriter Joe Nichols signed with Quartz Hill Records, reuniting him with Label Head Benny Brown. Pictured (standing, l-r) are BSB Management’s Shawn Pennington and the label’s April Rider and Paul Brown; (seated, l-r) the label’s Jason Sellers, Nichols and Brown.
A Country Call-To-Arms
With vaccinations rising, restrictions loosening and warmer weather coming, there may be more at stake during April 18’s 56th ACM Awards than a few trophies. “This year may be more important than any other to have the support of the artists, industry, Country radio, our label partners, the DSPs and others,” says Academy CEO Damon Whiteside. “It’s a rallying cry moment for shows like this, the city of Nashville and country music in general. We’re excited for it to signal the live shows we’re getting closer to having this summer.” An updated approach to radio, a plea to the artist community and a wall-to-wall Damon music lineup are all part of the plan. As is ... Whiteside wait for it ... an actual audience.
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