For even more inspiration, check out these breaks from my clients—and get a taste for what I bring to the proverbial table with my talent coaching.
Want me to show your team how to strategically develop kick-ass content that turns listeners into raving fans?
Carlin and Brent, Indie 88, Toronto with Drunk Doug Ford
You know what’s local? Making fun of (having fun with?) those larger-than-life personalities in your market. Do you know who they are? Carlin and Brent, Indie 88, Toronto do. Doug Ford is the premier of Ontario in Canada and comes from a long line of very colorful family members who are also politicians. Doug is ripe for being made fun of. Which is why the guys, on occasion when Ford says something that catches their ear, doctor the audio in a segment they call Drunk Doug Ford. Being local is about knowing the people and things happening in your town where, when they’re part of your content breaks, are only understood by those who live there.
The Daly/Migs Show, Rock 99.9, Seattle Digging Deep on the Bridge Story
I heard some creative excuses two weeks ago about why some shows didn’t touch the Baltimore bridge story. One said “we’re the escape” (no, you’re not – you need to reflect how the audience feels waking up to the story). Another said “it’s not local” (that doesn’t matter – it was topic #1 that day which validates being on it). Your audience wants to be tied to the topics of the day. Add your perspective and you define who you are. That is one way to do character development. Enter the Daly/Migs Show, Rock 99.9, Seattle who dug deep into the story. That morning, they not only talked with listeners who had bad bridge experiences, they also got on a guy who oversees the bridges in the state of Washington. Listen to their inquisitiveness to localize the story and give insider perspective they would not have normally had. Listeners lean in with this kind of relevance.
Karen, Johnny, and Anthony, WNEW-FM, New York with Elvis’s Tips on Marrying Someone
When doing a narrative story arc (a story that evolves and lasts a few days on the show), it’s always best to look at it as though you’re writing a book. The opening chapter sets the entire story and the conclusion is where you’re headed. At Valentine’s Day, Karen, Johnny, and Anthony, WNEW-FM, New York married someone in a feature we called the No Budget Wedding. What moves that narrative forward to your designed conclusion are the middle chapters – things you do that advance the story line. Here’s one of those “middle chapters”. Karen getting advice from an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas on how to marry the couple.
Chris and the Crew, WPST, Trenton, NJ with Joe’s Mom Does March Madness
You must marry opposites to create memorable radio. Plus, it ain’t too bad to have a cast of characters you can rely on to help. March Madness is on – it’s a big topic everywhere (not everyone is doing it or following it, but they aware of it, which is the only threshold you must meet). Chris and the Crew, WPST, Trenton, NJ is super topical and local. Joe’s mom has zero knowledge of the teams. But, she’s a pistol – always opinionated and (even better), always cursing. Let’s bring those two together for this week’s audio. This is topical, local, real, and fun. All terrific images to get from a content break.
Carlin and Brent, Indie 88, Toronto with the Drag Queen Bachelorette Party
The absurd always works. Marry the usual with the crazy and people will listen along. Carlin and Brent, Indie 88, Toronto did this effortlessly in this week’s audio. Carlin’s sister is about to get married. She’s given him a rather interesting task: he must put together her bachelorette party. Carlin openly admits he has no idea what to do. So, in a brainstorm, we decided that he’d subcontract the work out to local drag queens. Carlin and his girlfriend were about to go to a drag show anyway. He approached the head drag queen and invited her on-the-air to discuss the dilemma. They agreed to put something together for Carlin so we’re off the races with unique, character-driven content that has an absurd element to it so listeners pay attention. Edgy, attitude, the absurd. If that’s not you, invite it on your show to stand out.