Can We See Your Socks?

There are big initiatives at most broadcast companies for web hits.  This one does it for you yet still sells the silly nature of your show.  Talking to a program last week, one of the cast members said she was wearing Mickey Mouse socks that day at work.  I had them send me a picture and it lived up to expectations (the socks were a total reflection of this cast member’s personality).  We then developed an idea called “Can We See Your Socks?”  Listeners will send us a picture of their quirky socks, which we’ll describe on-air then post to the web for all to see.

What Did That Sound Mean?

There are sounds all around us every single day.  We hear some so often that, in many respects, they don’t even register any longer.  From beeps of a garbage truck backing up, to your chosen notification for a text message, there’s a new game to play when you have something to give out called “What Did That Sounds Mean?”  Play the sound, and the first listener to identify what it meant wins.  Bonus points if the sound you play has something to do with your life, so it builds your on-air character.

Let’s Vote on Lent

Despite the fact that Ash Wednesday was this past week, it’s not too late for you guys to choose a member of the show and each suggest something they give up for Lent.  Then ask listeners to vote on those items (on-the-air and online) with the reveal the next day.  Then that person on the show must give up the item with the most votes and you track them until Easter.

The Office Christian Grey

Walk through the office asking female co-workers who they think the office Christian Grey is.  Once they vote, invite that person into the studio and play the audio for them to get their natural reaction.  Then ask your office Christian Grey to read some of the naughtier passages in the book.  Thanks to Ryno and Tracy, KYGO, Denver, for this terrific, very topical idea.

Giving the Audience a Happy Ending

With the Oscars coming up, the appropriate member of your show should give the audience a happy ending.  They describe to the caller the ending of a happy movie.  The listener just has to guess the movie to win.  Go to IMDB’s page for highest growing movies of all times (here) and cull the list for appropriate ones.

Hot Guys Cleaning Dirty Cars

With winter in full force here’s a promotion you can do once March/April hits and your listeners cars are dirty from the weather.  This especially works if you’re targeted at female listeners as “eye candy” is involved, partially naked men!  It’s called “Hot Guys Cleaning Dirty Cars”.  Find some male models from an agency in town and take over a car wash for a few hours on a Saturday.  The guys, dressed only in speedos, clean listener’s dirty cars for a few dollars, then given to a charity.  You’ll have an idea totally in sync with what’s happening at that moment (the turn in the weather and dirty cars) and a visual for the TV cameras.

SkyMall: Doing Your Part

With the not-so-shocking news that SkyMall is headed to bankruptcy court, it’s time to do your part in saving the company whose catalog kept us occupied on so many airplane trips.  Find the three least expensive, silliest items in SkyMall.  Ask listeners which one you should buy, learn a lot about that product, then craft a major, over-the-top giveaway on the morning show to give it to a lucky listener.  The dorkier the item and the bigger way in which you give it out will make it cut through.

Hi, I’m Rob Lowe…

Who isn’t tired of the Rob Lowe commercials for Direct TV?  If you are, why not put together (with help from listeners) some Rob Lowes they’d never do?  A starter list:  overly political Rob Lowe, uber-religious Rob Lowe, tourrettes Rob Lowe, I drink bath water Rob Lowe, and I once made a good movie Rob Lowe.  Thanks to Kris Rochester of Tony and Kris for this idea.

A Raise in Your Allowance

The new year brings increases in the work salary of some of your listeners.  Head off on a two-day mission to find one worthy kid in the audience, get to know him or her, then engage the parents on the show to negotiate a raise in the kid’s allowance.  Bartering for an increase would be fun to listen to if you choose the right kid.  Codify the raise by also getting a lawyer to draw up a document both kid and parents can sign in the studio to wrap things up.

Tracking The Resolutions

You have a very short window to do something with resolutions, given how quickly people give them up.  Why not choose a cast member who is committed to a resolution and find listeners doing the same.  Make the listeners, along with the cast member, a support group, and check on them every day for the next week to see how they’re doing.  Choosing fun listeners will make the bit lively and entertaining for all others to hear.