Radio Connects

WORLD #RADIO DAY FEBRUARY 13 2025 “In support of #WorldRadioDay, the World Radio Alliance members have developed this report highlighting radio's dominant role in the #audio landscape. Recognized for its vast #reach and the #trust it earns from listeners across the globe, Live Radio is the preeminent audio platform in today’s congested #media landscape.  And in an era marked by natural disasters, misinformation, and rapidly changing news cycles, radio stands as a #reliable source of information and in some cases, a lifeline. Radio is the only audio platform that can #connect thousands of people together instantaneously, fostering a sense of #security and #community among its audience. Available for #free, on any device, Radio’s universal accessibility not only brings us together but also resonates with our shared experiences, and remains an #essential medium for #engaging #audiences, offering vast reach with reliable and accessible content, anytime and anywhere.” Caroline Gianias, CM, President Radio Connects; President of the WRA

New motor vehicle sales data for Canada and the provinces are now available for December. The New Motor Vehicle Sales Survey collects data on monthly sales (in dollars and units) of new motor #vehicles in Canada by type of vehicle and by country or region of manufacture. #automotive #automotiveadvertising #radio #radioadvertising #automotivemarketing

Happy World Radio Day 2025! 💗🌏📻🎙️ Here at CRA, we’re getting into the spirit of World Radio Day, celebrating a medium that has kept us entertained, informed, and connected for over a century. It’s been a huge week for radio - just days ago, we brought the industry together for #HEARD2025, showcasing why radio continues to be a powerhouse in audio advertising. Today, we’re shining a light on what makes radio so special, sharing reminders from the World Radio Alliance that capture its power to bring people together, spark conversations, and shape communities. Tune in, turn it up, and celebrate with us! 🔊✨ #WorldRadioDay #radio #communities #broadcast

https://lnkd.in/dGf-exPF There is another proposal in Congress to cut off #NPR funding, but unlike the one submitted last week, this one also would end taxpayer dollars going to PBS. What has been dubbed the Defund Government Sponsored Propaganda Act would prohibit federal funding from going to public #broadcasters, including for the purchase of programming or to pay dues to the #radio and television networks. It also says any money that has already been approved in the 2025, 2026, and 2027 fiscal years that has not been allocated will be returned to reduce the size of the public debt. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY) says as a former newspaper owner and publisher, she understands the vital role of balanced, non-partisan media. But she alleges NPR and PBS are “under the influence of radical left-wing ideologues” and no longer uphold the American principles of free thought and open discourse. “Unfortunately, these taxpayer-funded outlets have chosen advocacy over accuracy, using public dollars to promote a political agenda rather than report the facts," Tenney said. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), who sponsored the Senate version of the bill, also dismissed the idea that public broadcasters are filling in coverage in areas that have become news deserts. “Americans have hundreds of sources of news and commentary, and they don’t need politically biased, taxpayer-funded media choosing what they should see and hear,” he said. “PBS and NPR are free to compete in the marketplace of ideas using donations, but their public subsidy should end.” The bill’s unveiling follows introduction of the proposed No More Funding for NPR Act of 2025 which would focus on cutting funding for NPR. But the bill sponsored by Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL) would not defund the public radio network if the Federal Emergency Management Agency is actively engaged in disaster response activities. Federal dollars account for a small portion of public radio budgets. NPR receives about one percent of its funding directly from the federal government each year, while PBS receives 16%. A potentially bigger threat for public radio stations is an investigation that Top of FormBottom of FormFederal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr has opened into whether stations are violating the terms of their authorizations to operate as noncommercial educational stations by running underwriting announcements on behalf of for-profit entities. Carr said last month that the Enforcement Bureau, with help from the FCC’s Media Bureau, will review the underwriting practices and related policies of NPR, PBS, and their broadcast member stations. Carr has also said that he believes federal funding of public media should end. “For my part, I do not see a reason why Congress should continue sending taxpayer dollars to NPR and PBS given the changes in the media marketplace,” he said.

https://lnkd.in/g4Cj9TDm The Wendy's Company saw consumers pull back in the first few weeks of 2025, executives said Thursday. Leaders at the Dublin, Ohio-based quick-service concept, which released earnings for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 29, said the first quarter was expected to be the low point for same-store #sales for the year. “We've started the year facing some overall industry traffic headwinds exacerbated by significant weather events across the country,” Ken Cook, Wendy’s chief financial officer, said. “The good news is we do expect Q1 to be the trough. We expect our growth rate to #improve as we move throughout the year.” Cook said he expected industry traffic and Wendy’s innovations to drive sales in the rest of the year. In the fourth quarter, Wendy’s same-store sales growth was 4.3%; for the full year, systemwide same-store sales growth was 1.5%. Kirk Tanner, Wendy’s CEO, added that the first quarter was “a soft start, a lot driven by weather” as well as consumer pressure. “We see that improving in the balance of the year,” Tanner said. “We think that the industry will continue to improve. And look, our attitude is to always win in the marketplace. So, winning in the marketplace against the category is priority No. 1.” Expansion of a Wendy’s digital menu boards, which are now at more than 300 company and franchisee locations, also allow the company to use voice-enabled artificial intelligence to take orders, which it has deployed at nearly 100 locations. “We are pleased with the results we are seeing in improving accuracy and driving labor efficiency,” Tanner said. The company plans to expand the program, called “Fresh AI,” to 500 to 600 locations this year. “The experience is exceptional,” he said. “What I would tell you is it drives sales as well. It gives customers the opportunity to build their orders. It understands what to ask for, and the accuracy definitely is improving.” Tanner said Wendy’s will also continue to emphasize innovation in its breakfast daypart, but it may pull back on advertising the occasion. “We expect breakfast to be growing faster than the rest of our business,” he said. “It will be a tailwind for us in 2025 and beyond.” For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 29, Wendy’s net income rose to $47.5 million, or 23 cents a share, from $46.9 million, or 23 cents a share, in the prior-year-period. Revenues rose to $574.3 million from $540.7 million in the same quarter last year.

https://lnkd.in/gbrzdKut A majority (54%) of business leaders in the UK and Ireland still see #marketing as a #cost centre rather than a #revenue generator, a study from performance agency KINESSO UK&I has found. Why C-suite perceptions matter #Marketers are often underrepresented in the C-suite, and struggle with #perceptions among CEOs and CFOs that #expenditure on building equity is not connected with hard business outcomes. Addressing this issue could help to ensure #brands are regarded as valuable assets that need to be nurtured in order to drive real, long-term value.  For more on making a compelling case for marketing as a multiplier, get the arguments to make your case in one report.  Lack of alignment Based on a survey of 150 business and marketing leaders, the survey – conducted by research firm Sapio Research – broke down the following results for marketers: 59% said CEOs do not understand the importance of brand building and prefer tangible revenue gains, pointing to a need for CMOs to better explain why short-term sales and long-term growth must be balanced; 48% agreed demonstrating the long-term impact of their work is the largest obstacle they face; 45% identified a misalignment on strategic direction exacerbates leadership doubts about marketing’s contribution to growth. Need for better communication Thirty-four percent of business leaders said poor communications with marketing teams is costing their business financially. Another 28% stated that sub-optimal communications had led to missed targets when it comes to lead generation. CMOs often struggle to make the leap to CEO – and 79% of marketers thought having a CEO with a marketing background could help bridge a sales/marketing gap.

https://lnkd.in/gmFwQarH #Radio works. One of the biggest reasons for failure comes down to dollars and sense. If you don’t ask for enough dollars, it won’t make sense. According to a Society for Human Resource Management survey, the average cost per hire to fill a single position is $4000. Knowing that is powerful. Asking for less than $4000 for a single #recruitment run means that you’re telling a client that you can do things no one else can. I recently asked a company what hiring means to their bottom line annually. The answer I got: $45,000… per painter. The same goes for any type of business. Selling one car. Selling one widget. Selling one anything. Ask them, “What type of #profit will you profit?” Once you know that answer, then you’ll know what it’s worth to properly budget the schedule! Don’t put yourself in a bad position. Work from a position of strength. Regardless of the category, get the money your client needs to win!

https://lnkd.in/g7VDBVQq STREAMING MUSIC = PERSONAL MUSIC Here is this week's Luminate Data Market Watch report which features Canadian music stats for the current week and YTD with comparisons to last year. This chart is published every Tuesday. The abbreviation "TEA" is a term used to describe the sale of music downloads or singles. A track equivalent album is equal to 10 tracks, or 10 songs.

https://lnkd.in/gEZcw6Ef In 2024, #Canadian households, dealing with inflation, reduced their spending on fast-moving consumer goods (#FMCG). Despite economic pressures, some #brands thrived. Key trends included a return to #nostalgic products, Gen Z's growing sweet tooth, and New Canadians investing in brands for their expanding households. Top-growing brands included Kraft (with new premium dressings), Perrier (premium sparkling water), BodyArmor, Celsius, and nostalgic treats like Bagel Bites. More established brands, like Jet Puffed marshmallows and Naturipe Farms berries, also performed well. For New Canadian consumers, brands like Dr. Brown’s, Cascade, and culturally relevant products like Spring Creek Quail Farms stood out. Gen Z favored snack and candy brands like Feastables, Chubby Cola, and BodyArmor. Cannabis users leaned towards classic snacks (Chips Ahoy, Goldfish) and health-conscious options like Jamieson vitamins. Struggling households turned to affordable snacks and brands like Smithfield and Guaranteed Value, while affluent households gravitated toward premium options like Maison Perrier and Poppi prebiotic soda, showing broad appeal across income levels. In 2025, these consumer preferences and trends will guide businesses in refining their strategies for growth. Full Article - click link #radio #insights

https://lnkd.in/gD-a6PTn Summarized: A new report from Audacy highlights how #digital advertisers are leveraging AM/FM #radio to boost consumer #engagement and drive #conversions, using an AI-powered #attribution model from Claritas. Traditionally known for brand awareness, radio is now proving to be #effective in driving #sales and lower-funnel conversions. An e-commerce brand used this approach in Chicago and San Diego, combining Claritas' model with tracking pixels on its website. This allowed the brand to link radio ads to online actions and identify the most effective radio stations. The analysis provided insights into the brand’s target audience—affluent, tech-savvy innovators—and showed that talk radio formats, particularly on Mondays and Tuesdays, led to higher conversions. The campaign resulted in over 22,000 attributed conversions, providing valuable data for refining strategies and expanding into new markets. The report emphasizes that radio advertising's influence on sales can now be tracked similarly to digital channels, offering clear #ROI and measurable results.