Radio back in vogue

A while back I pointed out Charlene Smith’s article on radio advertising.  It is quite interesting to hear  recent murmurings from various marketing and media pro’s about  how radio is suddenly coming back into vogue in terms of advertising and marketing budgets…..

… will see if I can find some hard stats in terms of listenership and advertising figures to see if any clear trends are emerging.

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Radio jocks and Twitter

The local radio stations seem to have gotten their heads around Twitter particularly well and used it to build the profile of their DJs (fair comment?) and stay in contact with their audience.

Most importantly I think they have the buy-in of the DJs to use the technology to liaise with their audiences and that I think is a big differentiator - if your DJs buy-in then the value-add to listeners is there.

Almost everyone I know who is on Twitter follows Gareth Cliff (5FM) and Ryan Seacrest (Highveld amongst others).

Others I follow include Kate Kearney, Erica Elle, Koula, Christina Knight.

Anyone else you follow who stands out?

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Soundtrack of the Fringe

The 2009 National Arts Festival Fringe (Grahamstown 2 – 11 July) boasts an eclectic mix of South African musicians: from chart-topping contemporary artists The Parlotones, Dear Reader and Jesse Clegg to acoustic guitarists Guy Buttery, Nibs van der Spuy and Tony Cox. There are also classical, choral and orchestral concerts, plus a bit of reggae, jazz and gospel, a couple of steelbands, a marimba or two, some djembe drums and a spate of glorious a cappella singing.

Making their Festival debut in Burning Bridges are the talented Kristel Birkholtz on violin and Michael Watt (piano) who perform a selection of work from Mozart, Francoeur, Bacewitz, and other composers. Terence Marais, who wowed audiences in his 2008 debut, is back with more passionate finger dexterity, for a follow-up piano recital that will include new work from composer, Gareth Walwyn.

Read more…

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SA music industry rocked

Eish - sad news for the SA music scene:

Bassist and backing vocalist for local band Mean Mr Mustard, Fred Hayward, has died on Saturday night.

It is believed that Hayward suffered a heart attack on stage while the popular group was performing at the Wildfees in Port Elizabeth.

He was rushed to the Kirkwood Hospital where he later died.

Source: Eye Witness News

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Kurt Darren soon to be on Jacaranda 94.2

I’m not a Jacaranda 94.2 fan but I believe that Kurt Darren will soon by taking up a show. I think the 94.2 blog said something about him having his own show from the 15th of July.

Interesting move and will be interesting to see how the listeners react to the appointment. Correct me if I am wrong but 94.2 over the last 12 months seem to have had a knack for rejuvenating their shows and presenters - Just Plain Darren - being a prime example.

Thoughts on the 94.2 offering?

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Syndicated radio shows

Maybe a bit of an aimless post, but a loose strategy piece / thought that could make for some interesting debate.

One of the interesting facets of radio (in fact most “new” media channels) will be around talent retention in the coming years. Your presenters and journalists are likely to become an increasingly important asset for the organisation.

But if you flip it around and you ask yourself - “how do I actually get into radio?” - you will find a new challenge emerging.

Previously you were only competing against local presenters for that 2 or 4 hour slot on any of the local radio stations. Now suddenly you have syndicated radio shows from guys like Ryan Seacrest and most of the major “Top 40″ or “Top 20″ countdowns.

Personal opinion - The traditional work route through a radio station is likely to become an increasingly harder way to get into the game. Instead you are going to need to focus on developing a brand out of your show and having something to take to the stations.

Of course the flip side of THAT is that while your audience was previously limited to South African radio listeners, the world is now your playground and THAT should serve as some serious inspiration for those serious about getting into the game….

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Hot music - Sunday 7 June 2009

Another Sunday has rolled around and as usual we highlight the best-selling music on the various online retail platforms.

Here we go!

Take2.co.za
1.      Jason - Break the Silence (CD Single)
2.     Metallica - S and M Live (DVD) - Metallica
3.     Eric Clapton - Crossroads - Guitar Festival (DVD) dts
4.     Eric Clapton - Cross Roads 2: Guitar Festival 2007 (DVD) dts
5.     Sasha-Lee - True Believer (CD Single)
6.     Bok van Blerk - Afrikaner Hart
7.     Twilight OST
8.     Leonard Cohen - Live In London (DVD)
9.     Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life
10.     aKing - Against All Odds

Amazon.com
1.     Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King - Dave Matthews Band
2.     21st Century Breakdown - Green Day
3.     Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot
4.     Songs Around The World (CD + DVD) - Playing for Change
5.     Live from Madison Square Garden - Steve Winwood
6.     Relapse - Eminem
7.     Secret, Profane and Sugarcane - Elvis Costello
8.     THE E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) - Black Eyed Peas
9.    Together Through Life - Bob Dylan
10.     Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night) - Yusuf / Cat Stevens

Kalahari.Net
1.    Koue Vuur - Die musiek van Koos du Plessis - Theuns Jordaan
2.    Solitary Man - The Songs of Neil Diamond - Steve Hofmeyr
3.    100 Oorspronklike Afrikaans Treffers 2 - Various
4.    Afrikaner Hart - Bok Van Blerk
5.    Uit Die Diepte Van My Hart - Kurt Darren
6.    Now 51 - Various
7.    100 Oorspronklike Afrikaanse Treffers - Various
8.    A Salute to Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman -
9.    Keep It Country - Die Campbells
10.    10 Jaar - Platinum Treffers Juanita Du Plessis

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Mahala Surf & Music Festival

As I mentioned in my previous post I was listening to Koula on 5FM this afternoon and caught the tail-end of an interview on the Mahala Surf & Music Festival.

It sounded like a really good initiative and she was kind enough to forward me the link to the Mahala website.

Anyway I checked out their site and the info on the festival is below. However I recommend you go and check out their site simply to see the wicked poster they’ve got up - it’s really cool!

Join us on Friday the 12th of June at the Beach Club next door to uShaka Marine world. The purpose of the gig is to launch Mahala. Whoop Whoop! And collect second hand surfboards for the Mahala Surf Co. Mahala’s non profit surf company that exists solely to empower underprivileged groms through the culture of surfing. If you’ve got a second hand surfboard you’re not using, bring it to the gig and we’ll distribute it to grass roots surfing initiatives in Durban central, Umzumbe, Port St Johns, Mdumbe, JBay and Muizenberg. We’ll also give you free access to the gig, which promises to be a cracker.

Jay Bones, the irrepressible front man of Fuzigish, is performing his solo act Rambling Bones along with the City Bowl Mizers, Tree Houses On The Sea (THOTS) and Pocket Change and Manuvah to Land are collaborating on a impromptu set we’re billing Pocket to Manuvah, or is that Manuvah to Change. We don’t know, but it’s gonna be righteous!

Hell, we’ll have giveaways and booze specials. There will be big screen surf videos and a special guest performance by Nikhil Singh from the Wild Eyes. One night only. Gig kicks off at 8pm

12th of June 2009
The Beach Club (next door to uShaka Marine World)
8pm - R50 bucks or a surfboard to donate

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Any ideas?

Just caught the end of an interview on Koula’s show today with some musicians and surfers who have put together a charity initiative in Durban.

Something about collecting surfing gear at a rock concert for street kids - anybody got more info on this as I’d like to highlight it….

Let me know?

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Hot music

As usual on a Sunday we highlight the best selling video games on the various online retail platforms…. Interesting to see that the Jason (of “newfound” Idols fame) single is on the top of the Take2 sales list.

Amazon
1.    Waking Up Is Hard to Do - Neil Sedaka
2.    21st Century Breakdown - Green Day
3.    Songs Around The World (CD + DVD) - playing for change
4.    Together Through Life - Bob Dylan
5.    Soul - Seal
6.    Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night) - Yusuf / Cat Stevens
7.    Quiet Nights - Diana Krall
8.    Within My Walls - Idan Raichel
9.    Together Through Life (Deluxe Edition) - Bob Dylan
10.    Relapse - Eminem

Green Day rocks baby and a new Eminem is out!

Amazing to see Bob Dylan just keeps chugging along…

Take2
1.      Jason - Break the Silence (CD Single)
2.     Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe
3.     You’re The Inspiration - The Music Of David Foster & Friends - Various (CD/DVD)
4.     Phil Collins - Finally: Farewell Tour (2 DVD Set) dts
5.     Metallica - S and M Live (DVD) - Metallica
6.     Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted (CD/DVD)
7.     Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life
8.     Sasha-Lee - True Believer (CD Single)
9.     Twilight OST
10.     Eric Clapton - Cross Roads 2: Guitar Festival 2007 (DVD) dts

Kalahari.Net
1.    Now 51 - Various
2.    Koue Vuur - Die musiek van Koos du Plessis - Theuns Jordaan
3.    Uit Die Diepte Van My Hart - Kurt Darren
4.    10 Jaar - Platinum Treffers - Juanita Du Plessis
5.    You’re The Inspiration - The Music Of David Foster & Friends - Various
6.    Platinum Collection (3CDs) - Tina Turner
7.    All I Ever Wanted - Kelly Clarkson
8.    Live In Australia - Andre Rieu
9.    Met ‘n Knippie Stout - Nico Nel
10.    100 Oorspronklike Afrikaanse Treffers - Various

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