Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Pasta fagioli and media prognostication


Had a most pleasant and interesting lunch yesterday with an old friend at a cool restaurant called Nabeel's. They have some of the best pasta fagioli in the world, but the really good thing about the meal was visiting with Greg Bass. We knew each other at the University of Alabama, then he and partner-in-crime Courtney Haden volunteered to write and record a regular comedy bit called "4th Avenue Carwash" on my morning show on K-99 FM way back in the 70s. Well, they went on to have a very successful and long-running morning show in Birmingham, even as they worked at Boutwell Recording Studios...a venture they now run. Greg also does some very creative things for the local Public Radio station.

Our primary topic...besides "wasn't it cool back in the old days before monolithic corporations ruined radio"...was about how media is changing and what both advertisers and creative types can do to ride the wave instead of getting washed away. I hope it is a dialogue we will be able to continue...and as often as possible over a big bowl of Nabeel's pasta fagioli.

The timing was perfect for receipt this morning of yet another pithy article from the oft-quoted Mark Ramsey that closely mirrors Greg and my discussion yesterday. He presents a quote from Jack Griffin, head guy at Meredith Publishing, one of the more successful print entities out there. Griffin says it quite succinctly:

More than just demographics, [advertisers] want to connect with their target audiences in measurable environments that can drive a consumer response; they want to be able to use the media that make the most sense for the target consumers and their brands, whether it's print, video, online, or an event. And a media company, if it wants to compete, needs to provide all these services in addition to great content and great brands.

Here, here!

See Mark's full article at: http://www.hear2.com/2009/04/why-doesnt-radio-give-its-clients-what-they-want.html or click HERE. Better still, subscribe to Mark's blog and see why I think he is the best commentator there is on the current media/advertiser scene.

If you disagree with him, me, or the others who decry the "head in the sand" attitude of many in the media, then comment here, there, or somewhere.

But what's going to happen is going to happen either way. Some prosper from change. Others become overwhelmed by it.

Thus it has always been and thus it shall always be.

Don Keith
http://www.donkeith.com/
http://www.n4kc.com/
www.twitter.com/don_keith
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