everything has changed...

this was interesting.... as a Director of Marketing in the entertainment business i witnessed something this morning that still makes me think, still makes me say "uhh" and still allows me to sit back in my chair and scratch my head at it all.

as you all probably know, i work in the Tampa Bay market. the Tampa bay DMA is ranked 15 and the metro market is ranked 19. generally speaking, we are a top 20 media market. that is huge. it means advertising is expensive to buy and the market is usually over saturated. it means there are plenty of places out there for people to spend their money and no matter how many dollars you spend, there is going to be some one else who has more to do just the same...

an announcement was made today from our "alternative rock format" station that from 5PM today the listeners will control the music. ALL of it. Listeners are currently being instructed through the same pre-recorded announcement loop to download a free ap on their mobile device that allows them to pick any song that they would like to hear be played over the air. There are no DJ’s, no “format” or any “method to the madness”. They are, according to them the first station in America to do this and after being on the airwaves for 12 years. things have just seriously changed the radio and entertainment business in our market and perhaps others to come.  

As an advertiser, this “trend” concerns me because there is no longer an “alternative rock format” or any talent to promote our shows with on this station. One of which was usually a stronghold in most of my marketing plans that fit the demographic.

think about this again....any type of song, no specific format. "Hungry like the wolf, sweet child of mine and give it away, give it away, give it away now..." and according to their loop which will be playing until 5PM tonight, "corporate mandated playlists are now gone from 97x."

everything has changed. the way i do business. the way i place advertising and the way people listen to their favorite stations. if i wanted to pick the songs, i'd listen to spotify, my itunes or a plethora of the other methods out there to "choose your music"...

switch up

okay okay, i know what you're thinking... enough already with the background changes! i hear ya, trust me! i swear! i'm one of those people who will sit in front of the shampoo and conditioner aisle at the store for a good 45 minutes before making a decision. i ALWAYS take forever when picking out cold medicine and don't even get me started on purchases that are over 30 bucks. hell, i have been trying to make a $14 purchase on amazon for a macbook air case for a good two months. no joke, two months. i mean there are colors, there are shipping charges, there is this the "is this too bright?" or "can i pull this off?" yep. all of those things for a $14 purchase. 

I learned about this "condition" in college, in marketing actually.  it is called "consumer decision making" and there are three major types (routine, limited and extensive). i am an "extensive decision maker" and by definition i have high levels of involvement, evaluate many brands, take a long time to decide and may even experience cognitive dissonance (i have that a lot...) [end marketing lesson]

so sure, a background change isn't any of those things however it is enough to cause me a little agita. (look it up) i feel invested in purchases, like i need to do my due diligence before taking the plunge. i'm sure this drives some people nuts... my best friend for starters... she's the quintessential "if it doesn't fit, i'll return it" kinda girl... me, not so much. i HATE returning things. i hate changing things and i hate all the decisions.

hopefully this background will work for a bit, at least until i get bored. here's to hoping!