November 4, 2019, Issue 677
Promotions: Jingle Bell Walk
Playing the right holiday music is just one challenge for Country PDs this time of year (CAW 10/14). There’s also the small matter of listening habits shifting as some P1s seek out even more Christmas music. Big promotions can be stabilizing in a window some view as a ratings throwaway. Country Aircheck asked around about favorite holiday promotions and their impact. The tried and true mall Wish Tree concept received a makeover in Terre Haute, IN, where listeners could visit any of the Midwest cluster’s station websites to register a wish. OM Steve Cannon and team enlisted Snowball’s Chance: Arizona kids enjoy snow, courtesy of KIIM/Tucson. sponsor and community participation in granting wishes for 300 area kids. Executed across all five Midwest/Terre Haute stations – including Country WTHI – each was able to add their own brand-centric promotional stamp. Hot AC WMGI’s morning show emcees the event, but Cannon says it still has value for the group and beyond. Now in its third year, the Wish Tree has gone from a simple radio promotion to “something that involves the whole community,” he says. Casey Carter at WTQR/Greensboro gave the game Concentration a holiday theme to drive listenership and website traffic. “Our site had a big Christmas tree with numbered ornaments on it,” she says. “Contestants got to pick two ornaments and if the same prize was under each, the listener would win that prize. They had to go to the website to play.” (continued on page 7)
#WCW: Black River’s Abby Anderson, Warner/WAR’s Ashley McBryde, Capitol’s Caylee Hammack and Columbia’s Tenille Townes at WLHK/Indianapolis’ Woman Crush Wednesday Benefit Concert benefiting the Franciscan Health Cancer Center. Pictured (back, l-r) are Black River’s Bailey White and Joe Carroll, Anderson, Townes, Columbia’s Lauren Longbine, WAR’s Heather Propper, McBryde, Q Prime’s Angela Lange, Capitol’s Brent Jones, Hammack, and (front) the station’s Ryan Wild and Cara Denis.
On Founding Foundry
Launched in September (CAT 9/30), Foundry Records is a boutique label with plans to be much more. The company’s triple threat management team is aiming at a 2020 rollout for flagship artist Shenandoah and new singer-songwriter Austin Merrill. GM Cole Johnstone manages both acts, though that won’t be a requirement for future signings. His management background with Dale Morris & Associates and Oswald
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