Mancow's Ten Commandments for Radio Personalities (+1)

Wow!

There is a lot of great writing lately about radio programming.

Mancow, who is one of the most talented US air personalities of all time, has just "published" his Ten Commandments for Radio Personalities:

1. Thou shalt never endanger listeners.
2. Racism is always a dumb idea.
3. Complacency on the inside loses listeners from the outside. Work at your art.
4. Contests must always be straight forward. (Being too cute with contests can be costly.)
5. Advertisers pay you. They are your friends.
6. Have a delay button (preferably 20 seconds or more) and when in doubt use it.
7. Don’t dis someone’s religion.
8. Don’t let anyone curse in your studio ever. Get them out of that habit. If they are comfortable with cursing, it can someday accidentally get on the radio.
9. Instruct guests on your radio standards so they don’t get you in trouble.
10. Do good. (We’re not on earth to mark time. We’re here to make a difference).

I'd add only 1 more (which would blow the whole "ten commandments" theme, but still...):

11. Take care of your personal life in a completely healthy and professional way. Then, you'll be prepared to participate in the game at 100%.

As somebody who has worked with a lot of talented personalities over the years, some of whom have been more than a little self-destructive, these words ring true. Heed them, and your creativity will not be diminished. And your career won't be cut short or held back by something incredibly stupid.

Radio Company Mission Statements: Thoughts from Consultant Doug Erickson

One of the brightest radio programming consultants is Doug Erickson, based out of Denver, Colorado. When he occasionally takes the time to share his thoughts, they are always valuable. I gained his permission to share part of a recent email. You may not have been on the original distribution list. But it would be a shame if you didn't have the chance to read this:

"It’s become standard fare with every company and every business, the ubiquitous “mission statement.” In a short and entertaining blog about the topic, Dan Heath, of Made to Stick fame, points out that there’s more to this exercise than meets the eye...

In fact, a certain kind of mission statement — well phrased and properly promulgated — can inspire companies and the people who work in them. It can help managers remember what they’re trying to accomplish and what’s beyond the scope of their enterprise. It can guide a company’s decisions about allocating capital. *(emphasis added)

Perhaps, Radio wouldn’t have stumbled so hard over the past 15 years if one of the 3 or 4 major radio companies had thought more about their mission statement.

Would anything have been different, in terms of staffing, in terms of the product itself, if the mission statement for Clear Channel or CBS had read something like this:

Our stations exist to serve, inform and entertain every listener who seeks us out, to enrich their lives, to touch their hearts, and to deepen their, and our, connection to our community every day.

If we build it, they will still come…

Doug Erickson, Erickson Media Consultants, Englewood, Colorado

+1.303.290.8839  doug@ericksonmedia.com