March 19, 2018, Issue 593
Big Three: Data, Gut, Relationships
As detailed and analyzed more than capably during CRS 2018 (CAW 2/26), programmers have more tools than ever to help them make music decisions. Towering mountains of data are not only daunting, they have the potential to overshadow other aspects of the process. Country Aircheck checked in with PDs in the Midwest, East, West and Texas to find out how things are changing. Maybe the better question is ... if they are changing. Infoverload: Despite the digital utopia’s Bruce Logan promise of actionable insight into consumer behavior, radio programmers aren’t finding many new solutions. “The real problem I face today is just too much data,” says Bruce Logan, Entercom/Houston SVPP and KILT PD. “Every song has a story of some sort, so it’s harder to identify a hit.” Adding new music might only benefit from Grover Collins a limited slice of research. “When it comes to data that moves the needle for me it’s simply an artist’s batting average,” says Logan. “If they have proven success, the decision is much easier. All of my adds are gut and artist history. I don’t put much stock in M-Scores. We toyed with them for a while but couldn’t find DJ Stout any value.” Conversely, conversions are based mainly on research and local callout. “I care about all information, but local research is the most important for me,” Logan says. “I compare it to all the other data ranging from Shazam to streaming and downloads.” Category changes can be art and science Nate Deaton for WUBE/Cincinnati PD Grover Collins. (continued on page 5)
Et Tu, James? Big Machine’s James Marsh does his best Caesar impression on a float in Dallas’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade, celebrating his 50th Birthday. Pictured (l-r) are Big Machine’s Michelle Kammerer, SiriusXM’s J.R. Schumann, Marsh, Big Machine’s Brooke Nixon and wife Melissa.
The Social Media Secret
As the largest social media platform, Facebook has been a focus for artists, publications and radio stations. So much so that when the company recently updated its algorithm, CRS went so far as to title a panel “Facebook: Still Our Strongest Ally.“ Unfortunately, that claim met a lot of skepticism. Perhaps surprisingly,
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