Albert Einstein famously said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” He went on to state, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” It’s no wonder that so many performers in media and sports use their imagination to visualize success. Jim Carrey was a struggling, broke comedian when he drove up Mulholland Drive in […]
The Rule of 3 is one of the most powerful communication principles because it’s how the human brain naturally organizes and remembers information. Whether you’re writing, coaching, or entertaining, three creates a sense of completeness and rhythm. For media personalities, it’s especially valuable because most listeners can’t retain more than three points. Three is the […]
My friend and colleague Paul Kaye is the incoming President for Pattison Media, Canada’s largest Western-based media company. Since his recent post as VP Media, Product, and Talent Development at Roger Sports & Media, Paul Kaye has traveled the world observing radio. His travels include the US, UK, Germany, and Asia. Paul believes radio has become good at […]
I once hired and coached a morning host in a Top 3 market who enjoyed tremendous success for years. Twelve years later, he was still doing the same bits, delivering the same energy, and making the same cultural references. The audience had changed. He hadn’t. He lost his job and never regained success again. One […]
Disney has a performance policy that most guests have never heard of, but every Imagineer understands. It’s called Low Ride Out. When a ride consistently ranks at the bottom of attendance rankings, Disney doesn’t launch a marketing campaign to save it. And it certainly doesn’t keep it around because of nostalgia. They replace it. That’s one […]
“We have met the enemy, and he is us.” Walt Kelly’s famous Pogo line perfectly captures how radio executives and owners engineered their own crisis. It applies just as well to other legacy media companies, like Paramount and The Washington Post. Many executives point to external factors, especially all the tech platforms, as the source […]
My long-time collaborator and friend, the legendary Dave Ryan, shares his wisdom after recently retiring from dominating morning radio in Minneapolis-St. Paul for three decades. Dave is not only a highly creative personality, but he’s also a sharp businessman. There are only a handful of morning show truths, and we are honored to share them […]
When I was a baby DJ in Phoenix, as Scott Shannon likes to call them, I learned how not to coach talent. I was hosting middays at KUPD and had just delivered what I thought was a pretty good intro over a song ramp. I turned off the mic, feeling confident. Suddenly, the program director burst into […]
How long is best to give a new show before management pulls the plug? Traditionally, the answer was at least 18 months. In 2026, many companies don’t have that kind of patience, but that could be a big mistake. Why 18 Months? This standard originated in the diary era, and it still applies today because […]
Evaluating a radio show well is both an art and a science. Whether you’re a programmer assessing your station’s talent or a host critiquing your own show, having a reliable process makes all the difference. Knowing how to listen and what to listen for is the foundation of a thorough review. Here’s the process we use at RLC. THE […]
