• Consulting Services
  • Podcasting Is A Distraction For Broadcasters
  • Radio's Christmas Music Dilemma
  • The History of Research
  • Dave Van Dyke Bio, President Bridge Ratings
  • Most-read Studies
  • Welcome to Bridge Ratings
  • About Us
  • 19 Ways to Monetize Podcasts
  • AI Predictive Analysis Added to StreamStats
  • 2017: Podcasting's Breakthrough Year
  • Advertising Options for the Digital Age
  • Behind the Curtain: Pandora
  • The Benefits of On-demand Streaming
  • Comment & Feedback
  • Directory
  • Digital Marketing Best Practices
  • The Facebook Fatigue Dilemma
  • Genergraphics
  • How Can We Help?
  • Radio Missed Half the Hits Again Last Year
  • How Radio Uses Streaming Research
  • Lessons From the Digital Media Playbook
  • Media Compatibility
  • Media Passion 2018 vs 2008
  • Most-streamed Rock songs January 2021
  • Music Assist
  • Music Consumption
  • The New Media Gauntlet 2023 Update
  • Music Streaming & Broadcast Radio
  • Navigate the Future Blog
  • Navigate The Future Blog
  • On-Line Registration Distortion
  • Over/Unders
  • Pandora vs Spotify
  • Pandora Satisfaction Study
  • Podcasting Best Practices - The Study
  • Podcasting's Potential
  • Podcast Pulse
  • Podcast Time Spent Listening Revisited
  • The Podcast Report
  • Pure Play is Gaining
  • Radio's New Media Gauntlet 18-34 Year Olds
  • Radio Can't Accommodate Today's Hits
  • The Relationship Between Music Streaming & Music Sales
  • Smart Speakers to Drive Music Consumption
  • Social Media Network Hierarchy
  • Social Media Research
  • STREAMSTATS: Bridge Ratings On-demand Music Streaming
  • Streaming is Complementary to Radio
  • Streaming Research & Radio: The Perfect Match
  • StreamStats from Bridge Ratings
  • Subscribe
  • The Most Overlooked Benefits of Social Media
  • This Week's Charts
  • Menu
  • What Broadcast Radio is Learning from On-demand Streaming
Menu

Bridge Ratings Media Research

The Leader in Media Consumer Behavior Analysis
  • Consulting Services
  • Podcasting Is A Distraction For Broadcasters
  • Radio's Christmas Music Dilemma
  • The History of Research
  • Dave Van Dyke Bio, President Bridge Ratings
  • Most-read Studies
  • Welcome to Bridge Ratings
  • About Us
  • 19 Ways to Monetize Podcasts
  • AI Predictive Analysis Added to StreamStats
  • 2017: Podcasting's Breakthrough Year
  • Advertising Options for the Digital Age
  • Behind the Curtain: Pandora
  • The Benefits of On-demand Streaming
  • Comment & Feedback
  • Directory
  • Digital Marketing Best Practices
  • The Facebook Fatigue Dilemma
  • Genergraphics
  • How Can We Help?
  • Radio Missed Half the Hits Again Last Year
  • How Radio Uses Streaming Research
  • Lessons From the Digital Media Playbook
  • Media Compatibility
  • Media Passion 2018 vs 2008
  • Most-streamed Rock songs January 2021
  • Music Assist
  • Music Consumption
  • The New Media Gauntlet 2023 Update
  • Music Streaming & Broadcast Radio
  • Navigate the Future Blog
  • Navigate The Future Blog
  • On-Line Registration Distortion
  • Over/Unders
  • Pandora vs Spotify
  • Pandora Satisfaction Study
  • Podcasting Best Practices - The Study
  • Podcasting's Potential
  • Podcast Pulse
  • Podcast Time Spent Listening Revisited
  • The Podcast Report
  • Pure Play is Gaining
  • Radio's New Media Gauntlet 18-34 Year Olds
  • Radio Can't Accommodate Today's Hits
  • The Relationship Between Music Streaming & Music Sales
  • Smart Speakers to Drive Music Consumption
  • Social Media Network Hierarchy
  • Social Media Research
  • STREAMSTATS: Bridge Ratings On-demand Music Streaming
  • Streaming is Complementary to Radio
  • Streaming Research & Radio: The Perfect Match
  • StreamStats from Bridge Ratings
  • Subscribe
  • The Most Overlooked Benefits of Social Media
  • This Week's Charts
  • Menu
  • What Broadcast Radio is Learning from On-demand Streaming
×

Navigate the Future Blog

by Dave Van Dyke, President
Bridge Ratings Media Research

AI and Media Sales

Dave Van Dyke April 17, 2024

Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in media sales, especially in the radio industry, can significantly enhance your team’s effectiveness and drive revenue growth. Here are some best use cases for AI in media sales, along with examples of how to apply it:

  1. Audience Segmentation and Personalization:

    • Use Case: AI can analyze listener data to segment audiences based on demographics, interests, and behavior.

    • Example: Tailor ad content to specific audience segments. For instance, if you have data showing that a particular group of listeners prefers local news, create targeted ads related to local events or businesses.

  2. Predictive Analytics for Lead Scoring:

    • Use Case: AI algorithms predict the likelihood of a lead converting into a sale.

    • Example: Prioritize leads based on their propensity to buy. High-scoring leads receive more attention, while low-scoring leads can be nurtured over time.

  3. Automated Ad Scheduling and Optimization:

    • Use Case: AI can optimize ad placement and timing for maximum impact.

    • Example: Automatically adjust ad schedules based on historical performance data. Optimize for peak listening hours or specific days when your target audience is most engaged.

  4. Content Recommendation Engines:

    • Use Case: AI recommends relevant content to listeners based on their preferences.

    • Example: Create personalized playlists or suggest related shows to keep listeners engaged and increase ad exposure.

  5. Sentiment Analysis and Social Listening:

    • Use Case: AI analyzes social media and online conversations to gauge public sentiment.

    • Example: Monitor social media discussions related to your station or advertisers. Identify trends, sentiment shifts, and potential opportunities or risks.

  6. Dynamic Pricing and Inventory Management:

    • Use Case: AI optimizes ad pricing based on demand and supply.

    • Example: Adjust ad rates dynamically during peak hours or special events. Optimize inventory allocation to maximize revenue.

  7. Automated Reporting and Insights:

    • Use Case: AI generates real-time reports and actionable insights.

    • Example: Provide advertisers with performance metrics, such as ad reach, engagement, and conversion rates. Use AI to identify patterns and recommend improvements.

  8. Voice Assistants and Chatbots:

    • Use Case: AI-powered chatbots handle customer inquiries and provide personalized responses.

    • Example: Implement a chatbot on your website or social media channels to answer listener queries, promote contests, or assist with ad bookings.

  9. Predictive Forecasting:

    • Use Case: AI predicts future ad inventory availability and demand.

    • Example: Plan ahead by forecasting ad slots availability during peak seasons or special events. Optimize pricing and allocation accordingly.

  10. Automated Follow-Ups and Lead Nurturing:

    • Use Case: AI sends personalized follow-up emails or messages to leads.

    • Example: After a sales call, an AI system can automatically send a thank-you email, share relevant content, or schedule a follow-up meeting.

Remember that successful AI implementation requires clear objectives, testing, and human oversight. Start small, gradually expand, and continuously refine your approach based on data-driven insights. By leveraging AI effectively, your radio sales team can enhance client relationships, drive revenue, and deliver creative solutions tailored to client needs

 Here are some AI-driven ad optimization tools and platforms that can enhance your advertising efforts:

  1. Semrush:

    • Semrush provides AI-powered solutions for content marketing, SEO, and advertising. It helps optimize campaigns, enhance personalization, and improve overall efficiency.

  2. Flick:

    • Flick is a social media ad optimization tool that assists with campaign management, audience targeting, and performance tracking.

  3. Content Studio:

    • Content Studio offers AI-driven content recommendations and scheduling for social media ads.

  4. AdCreative.ai:

    • AdCreative.ai generates high-performing ad creatives in seconds using AI. It provides customization, analytics, and optimization tools.

  5. Wordstream:

    • Wordstream offers AI-driven ad management and optimization features, including bid adjustments and performance tracking.

  6. Socialbakers:

    • Socialbakers provides AI-powered social media analytics and ad optimization tools.

  7. Cortex:

    • Cortex offers AI-driven ad creative optimization and performance insights.

  8. QuillBot:

    • QuillBot uses AI to generate ad copy and improve content quality.

  9. Linkfluence:

    • Linkfluence provides social listening and sentiment analysis tools for ad campaigns.

  10. HelloWoofy:

    • HelloWoofy uses AI to assist with social media content creation and optimization.

Remember to choose tools based on your specific needs, budget, and the platforms you’re targeting. Each tool has unique features, so explore them to find the best fit for your advertising strategy

 

Comment

The Generational Impact of Social Media Growth Trends.

Dave Van Dyke April 16, 2024

The plateauing of social media use is an intriguing phenomenon, and several factors contribute to this trend.

Market Saturation:

In developed countries, the percentage of people who use the internet or own smartphones has reached a high level. As a result, the pool of potential new users is shrinking.

Conversely, in emerging and developing markets, internet use and smartphone ownership have been steadily increasing over the past few years. People in these regions are rapidly approaching the levels seen in more advanced economies.

Digital Divide:

Despite global progress, a digital divide persists. Wealthier countries still exhibit higher rates of internet use and smartphone ownership.

However, within countries, disparities based on age, education, income, and gender continue to shape who uses the internet and social media platforms.

Novelty Slip:

The initial excitement and novelty associated with social media may be waning for some users. What was once a fun pastime might now feel like a chore.

People may be reassessing their relationship with social media, leading to less frequent usage or shorter time spent on these platforms.

Increased Life Demands:

Time constraints play a role. As life becomes busier, individuals allocate less time to social media.

The youthful demographic tends to check news feeds, post statuses, and engage more actively. However, as responsibilities increase, social media usage may decline.

There is mounting evidence that negative content on social media has influenced users’ behavior.

Mental Health Impact:

Multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media use and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.

Concerns and Mechanisms:

Social media use seems to trigger mental health problems, but researchers are still exploring the mechanisms behind this phenomenon.

Questions arise: Why do some individuals experience negative effects while others don’t? Why are these effects unevenly distributed among different groups, such as girls or young adults?

Possible Factors:

Comparison and Envy: Constant exposure to others’ curated lives can lead to social comparison and feelings of inadequacy.

Cyberbullying: Social media platforms can become breeding grounds for bullying and exclusion.

Body Image Pressure: Unrealistic body image standards are perpetuated, affecting users’ self-esteem.

Risk-Taking Behavior: Social media can normalize risky behaviors.

Spread of Misinformation: Users encounter biased or incorrect information.

Targeted Guidance:

Researchers aim to understand these mechanisms better to provide targeted guidance to teens, caregivers, and policymakers.

The Generation Effect

Plateauing of social media use is closely tied to generational behaviors.

Baby Boomers (Born 1946–1964):

Baby Boomers, shaped by collectivism, idealism, and revolutionary ideals, have historically relied on traditional news media such as newspapers, radio, and television.

They consider themselves “digital immigrants” in the online landscape.

Baby Boomers primarily use the internet for information collection, global updates, health news, and financial updates.

Generation X (Born 1965–1980):

Gen Xers embrace a “work hard, play hard” approach to life. Their social media usage has increased significantly over the last decade.

They are comfortable with technology and engage across platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Gen X values privacy and often uses social media for professional networking.

Millennials (Born 1981–1996):

Millennials are the pioneers of social media, growing up alongside its rise.

The share of Millennials who say they use social media has remained largely unchanged since 2012.

Millennials follow influencers and engage in online activism.

Generation Z (Born 1997–2012):

Gen Z, the digital natives, favors visual platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

They value authenticity and actively participate in online communities.

Generation Alpha (Born 2013–Present):

The youngest generation is still too young to independently use social media but is exposed to it through family members and use is accelerating.

Understanding these generational differences helps navigate the evolving landscape of digital connectivity and foster better connections across age groups.

Comment

The Soundtrack of Our Lives: How Music Shapes Generations

Dave Van Dyke April 12, 2024

Music, that intangible force that weaves through the fabric of our existence, has an uncanny ability to evoke memories, emotions, and even shape our identities. Today I’m looking into the intricate relationship between music and generational experiences. In this blog post, we explore how our most-played songs often find their roots in our teenage years, and how cultural preferences dance to the rhythm of generational relativism.

The Teenage Anthem

Remember those adolescent days when life was a mixtape of emotions? The age at which our tastes crystallize has grown younger since the arrival of the internet, social media and the ability to access the entire spectrum of music ever recorded. Between the ages of 13 and 16, our musical tastes form our lifetime preferences. It’s during this transformative period that we discover our anthems—the songs that soundtrack our first crush, our rebellious moments, and our late-night musings. These melodies become the backdrop to our coming-of-age stories, etching themselves into our souls.

The Generational Groove

Cultural preferences are subject to generational relativism. Picture this: the media landscape of our adolescence—the crackling radio, MTV music videos, and mixtapes exchanged with friends. These artifacts shape our musical DNA, imprinting melodies and lyrics onto our impressionable minds. It’s strange how much our 13-year-old selves define our lifelong artistic tastes. At an age when we’re unable to drive, vote, drink alcohol, or pay taxes, we’re old enough to cultivate enduring musical preferences.

Beyond Technology: The Roots of Musical Paralysis

The pervasive nature of music paralysis across generations suggests that its roots go beyond technology. Developmental factors play a role. As we age, our neural pathways solidify, and our openness to new sounds wanes. The soundtrack of our youth becomes a comforting refuge—a familiar chord progression in a world of dissonance.

The Discovery Factor

Survey research from European streaming service Deezer paints a vivid picture. Music discovery reaches its peak at 24, a time when our playlists overflow with eclectic tunes. We explore genres like curious wanderers, savoring each note. But as the calendar pages turn, our ability to keep up with music trends falters. By our early thirties, the tempo slows, and our playlists echo with familiar refrains. Deezer’s study pinpoints 31 as the age when musical tastes start to stagnate.

Deviations from the Mainstream

These findings resonate across time and platforms. A study of Spotify user data from 2014 reveals intriguing deviations. As the years accumulate, our tastes veer away from the mainstream highway. We seek hidden alleys, niche genres, and forgotten classics. Perhaps it’s a rebellion against the predictable, a longing for melodies that defy the algorithmic chorus. Whatever the reason, our musical compass shifts, guided by the echoes of our past

Comment
← NewerOlder →

How On-line Playlisting Can Save Music Radio

For music programmers who have been utilizing on-demand streaming data to properly align their on-air music with true music consumption, here's some news: Playlisting has become the dominant way most music fans listen.

At Bridge Ratings we have been tracking music consumption through on-demand streaming services for over four years. We now share this data with our music radio clients seeking to properly align their on-air song exposure to their listeners' actual consumption.

In a typical year we process and analyze hundreds of millions of streams from across the U.S. and, more specifically, by market and station.

Over the past three years we have undertaken an analysis of music streaming consumption and learned almost immediately in the fall of 2015 that playlisting plays a significant role in the way the average person consumes music through on-demand streaming platforms.

Playlist is a term to describe a list of video or audio files that can be played back on a media player sequentially or in random order. In its most general form, an audioplaylist is simply a list of songs, but sometimes a loop.

What We've Learned

[More...]

Read the full article in the Navigate the Future Blog.

For further information or advisement contact Dave Van Dyke:  dvd@bridgeratings.com  |  (323) 696-0967

Copyright 2024 Bridge Ratings LLC   All Rights Reserved

 Los Angeles Las Vegas Chicago Boston Dallas