20 Quotes, Paraphrases and Take-Aways from CRS 2020

I pitch attending CRS all year. That’s because in my opinion, the Country Radio Seminar is the radio industry’s premiere learning convention. It doesn’t matter what your format is. But if you’re in country radio, you can quadruple the benefits.

If I’ve counted correctly, this year was my 38^th consecutive year in attendance. Apparently I was 7 when I went to my first CRS. However I’ve never come away empty handed in the knowledge department.

Presentations at CRS 2020 are designed to provide context, out-of-the-box thinking, and challenges. This combination invariably leads to new and original ideas that will push your station forward.

And that’s the beauty of CRS: hearing, thinking, collaborating and acting.

Here are 20 quotes, paraphrases and takeaways from my time at CRS 2020. Most are designed to be springboards for your innovation and action.

Want to brainstorm or talk through any of these together?

If so, that would be fabulous!

20 Quotes, Paraphrases and Takeaways from CRS 2020

1 – “As country stations, we’re music stations first.” (Mark Ramsey, CRS Research Presentation)

2 – “Smartphones are the new radio and the center of the universe. Create experiences that add value. Get beyond simulcasting.” (Mark Ramsey, CRS Research Presentation)

3 – “Local is not a reason to listen unless we connect value to local.” (Mark Ramsey, CRS Research Presentation)

4 – (Regarding community involvement) “Making a plan is easy. Execution and sustainability are the challenges.” (Earl Jones, iHeart Media)

5 – (On your station): “Be like a tree with massive roots that go to the center of the earth. Trees like that hard to pull out of the ground.” (Dale Carter, KFKF)

6 – “Brainstorming is a structured process. Nailing the problem statement is the power of brainstorming.” (Matt Sunshine, Managing Partner, the Center for Sales)

7 – (On streaming): “You need your own app because the aggregator is there to promote the aggregator.” (Rob Harder, Dir./Programming, University of Florida)

8 – “Local matters if it impacts people.” (Bill Hendrich, Cox)

9 – “Improv is not about being funny. It’s about being present and sharing yourself. You are totally interesting. Your homework is your life.” (Christie Maturo, Professor Theatre/Central Connecticut State Univ. and former Second City actor. “How Improv Can Make You Better at Radio … and at Life.” A&O&B Pre-CRS 2020)

10 – “Morning shows are the best sales people in the industry. Involve your talent in sales calls. This will make it harder for the competition to reposition you.” (John Zimmer, President, Zimmer Broadcasting, A&O&B Pre-CRS 2020)

11 – (On YouTube and radio): “Start a Channel. Start small by publishing video playlists.Then add content as you go forward. YouTube builds brands while affording listeners opportunities to engage with the station.” (Margaret Hart, YouTube, A&O&B Pre-CRS 2020)

12 – (On hiring):  “The demands to be multi-taskers and generalists has weaned out the crazy and the creative.  We need that back. As a manger you need to recognize it, nurture it and accommodate it.” (Beverlee Brannigan, Sr. VP/Programming, Summit Media)

13 – (On stress): “Unaddressed stress creates strained relationships, burn-out, anxiety, depression, loneliness, addictions. All of which kill creativity.” (Miles Adcox, Emotional Wellness Speaker)

14 – “To be the biggest fish in your pond (market) you need to: 1) Be Present. 2) Have a ‘service hear’ for things you are passionate about. And 3) pull back the curtain on yourself.” (Brent Lane/WYCT, Pensacola at A&O&B Pre-CRS 2020)

15 – “Find something that you are passionate about and own it. Go all out.” (Tim Leary, WIRK, West Palm Beach at A&O&B Pre-CRS 2020). Pictured below: Tim and “Tats for Ta-Tas” which grew out of a family history of breast cancer.

16 – “Listeners see audio and radio as synonymous. And audio usage is up.” (Mark Ramsey, CRS Research Presentation).

17 – “The Competitive Universe continues to grow more competitive. Pure plays and country competitors have increased their footprint in the US. Meanwhile Owned Music and Spotify have increased their competitive presence in Canada. Podcasting is significantly smaller however it continues to grow.” (A&O&B Roadmap 2020)

18 – “Prioritize best music and emotional connectivity. These drive listener loyalty.” (Roadmap 2020)

19 – “For PDs and OMs, having a full took kit (operational skills, talent coaching and creative) is critical in 2020.” (Beverlee Brannigan, VP/Programming, Summit Media)

20 – “Real life is what you want to listen to. You can take a page out of real life and tell that story. That’s because it’s someone else’s story too.” (Garth Brooks, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley performance)

Parting Thoughts

I connected with CRB’s Executive Director R. J. Curtis after the event for a quick take. R. J.expressed “gratitude for everyone who attended. “Kudos for taking our educational sessions so seriously, and continuing to challenge themselves to learn more.”

And with that we’re full circle with CRB’s mission statement. “We bring Country radio and music industry professionals together to educate each other, enhance skills, facilitate business, and promote the growth of the industry.”

Big job. Well done.

Related:

Radio’s Future Is Calling: Answer or Ignore?

Do More with Less By Empowering Your Superfans

Banner Photo courtesy CRB; Skyline Photo: Image by Garrett Hill from Pixabay

© 2020, Mike O’Malley, O’Malley Media Group, LLC/A&O&B