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  • Your “To Do” List Strategy

    • 07/28/2014
    • Posted by: B Brenner Believes...
    • Category: Uncategorized
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                          Here are the top three directives to use as you tackle your “to do” list today: Complete the tasks that you are dreading most FIRST.  Your mind will then be clear to focus on the other tasks in a more positive and energetic way.

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  • Country in the First Half of 2014: How This Year’s Music Compares to Last Year’s at the Half Way Mark

    • 07/25/2014
    • Posted by: Mike O'Malley
    • Category: country music, country radio programming
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    Earlier this month Inside Radio reported that “no format had more momentum than country” heading into the second half of 2014 and that the format had already matched its PPM high of last July during the “summer of country.” Also in that article partner Becky Brenner referenced A&O&B’s “balance” philosophy when she stated that “a

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  • The Dublin Concerts May Be In Doubt, But Not Garth’s Superstar Status in Ireland

    • 07/07/2014
    • Posted by: Mike O'Malley
    • Category: country radio programming
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    Garth Brooks has sold some 400,000 tickets to five scheduled shows in Dublin, but the concerts may not go on thanks to wrangling between concert organizers, the city, and residents who live near the Croke Park Stadium venue. Negotiations to save the shows continue and things are expected to play out in the next 24-48 hours.

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  • For Country Radio Holidays Are An Opportunity to Connect

    • 07/01/2014
    • Posted by: Mike O'Malley
    • Category: country radio programming, holiday programming, radio programming
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    A few years back A&O&B asked Arbitron what we could learn about July 4th listening. The company’s Jenny Tsao was kind enough to dig into this for us and shared some information that is worth revisiting.  From the data we learned that: 1 – Compared to a full week, 12+ listenership for the 30 PPM markets in

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  • 5 Ways McDonald’s Can Help You Raise the Bar

    • 06/18/2014
    • Posted by: Mike O'Malley
    • Category: radio programming
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    What if every break you did, or every piece of imaging you aired, or every idea you gave to a client was subject to a 1-10 scale where 10 meant “set the world on fire?” Exposing ideas to such a scale is one of the steps in the creative process for McDonald’s lead advertising agencies

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  • A PD’s Most Important Question

    • 05/22/2014
    • Posted by: Mike O'Malley
    • Category: country radio programming
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    “Nash Icons” has been a hot topic around the A&O&Boffices this past week. I shared some thoughts with Inside Radio last week noting that, “Almost anytime there is something that is extremely popular there’s an opportunity in doing the opposite.” I also noted that a perceived decline in the quality of any current music format can

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  • Pressed for Time: A&O&B Quick Links

    • 04/30/2014
    • Posted by: Mike O'Malley
    • Category: radio programming
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    It’s rare to talk to a GM, OM or PD who isn’t pressed for time.   Perhaps why this post from Seth Godin caught my eye: running out of time is a euphemism for “it wasn’t important enough.” I’ll bet if we polled 100 programmers and talent, most would place “their show” or “what’s on the air”

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  • Polishing the Brand with Shared Values

    • 04/09/2014
    • Posted by: Mike O'Malley
    • Category: branding, radio programming
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    “Does this polish the brand?”  That’s a question we encourage our stations to ask themselves as they consider any additions (or subtractions) to their products. It’s a good question that encompasses: Is this “on brand” (i.e., consistent with the station/brand values?) Does it match the values and expectations of the audience? Does this enhance or

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  • Hearing vs. Listening: Providing Quality Feedback to the Question, “Did you hear the show today?”

    • 03/28/2014
    • Posted by: Mike O'Malley
    • Category: air talent, coaching, radio programming
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    “Did you hear the show today?” is an oft-asked question talent poses to programmers, managers and consultants. Their expectation is usually for a “yes” followed by some feedback.   It sounds nit-picky, but the better question would be, “Did you listen to the show today?” Hearing is passive but listening is active and Critical Listening

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  • Drillin’ It Down

    • 02/27/2014
    • Posted by: B Brenner Believes...
    • Category: Uncategorized
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    The K.I.S.S. principle is alive and well.   Jumpwire Media founder Gavin McGarry found a unique way to “keep it simple stupid” and educate CRS 2014 attendees on the difference between the various Social Media sites that are now required tools of the trade:   Anytime you can get your message across in a simple and humorous way you

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