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?
RSMS “Dancing with the Negros”
Anyone who knows me know I hate the typical Hollywood report. Everyone does it, very few are unique and fun and most can be replicated across the street. It’s not the info listeners want, it’s the entertainment. Hollywood news is everywhere – it’s how you do it that stands out. Here’s Gary with da Tea on the syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show. He’s phenomenal, as is the show. Listen to how they handle the news that Brandy has been eliminated from “Dancing with the Stars”. No one else can do this but Rickey, Gary, and the rest of this team. Which is why it works.
Break if for Bieber Audio
Hmmm…what to do with all those front row tickets to see Justin Bieber in concert didn’t pose a problem for Nick Cannon at 92.3 NOW in New York City. Nick had listeners “Break it for Bieber”. Listeners who were willing to come on the air and break something of value got them. Listen here as a husband breaks his prized TV and his wife’s favorite Waterford crystal to get the Bieber tickets!
B101 Bill Tafrow’s Mom
One of the easiest ways to do character development is to involve a family member in the show. In this clip from Tiffany & Michael on B101, Philadelphia, news guy Bill Tafrow tells a story about not paying at a restaurant because the waitress wouldn’t show him any attention when he wanted to take care of his meal. In this clip, the show calls Bill’s mom to ask her if he should go back to the restaurant to pay.
Refund Stories
The very best phones always come out personal stories. Many shows lean on surveys or magazine articles to launch phones – that’s generic, boring, and impersonal. When the show shares something that happened to them, and then open the phones to get similar stories, they’re even better because character development happens (the audience is connecting with the story). In this audio segment from J & Julian on B96, Chicago, J tells a story about wanting a refund from a car wash that messed up his car. Listen after for the great stories they get from listeners as everyone kicks back to be entertained. This is simple bread-and-butter stuff, but quite effective when launched from talent sharing a relatable experience they had.
Senseless Survey
One of our signature features on Karlson & McKenzie, WZLX, Boston is “Senseless Survey”. Kevin Karlson calls an unsuspecting citizen, claiming he’s with the US Senseless Bureau. Once they consent to a quick thirty second survey, he fires the quirkiest, oddest questions at them to see how they react.