Not Your Average Radio Guy

Howard Stern has done what few radio talents have achieved during their careers--gotten super rich. So rich in fact that CNBC's High Net Worth show did a feature on Howard and soon-to-be wife Beth Ostrosky. (See the video below)

No sour grapes here. Just admiration for a guy who started out with a dream of being on the radio, worked really hard, had talent, had a vision, found his UNIQUE space, and had a good agent. A little good luck didn't hurt either.

You may be thinking, given the state of the radio industry today that achieving Stern level success is a fool's game. I think not. Despite the cuts, the all-music formats, and the gloomy outlook I believe the days of superstar radio talent are ahead of us. In the years to come as music becomes even more commoditized radio will be FORCED to look to talent to keep the medium alive and thriving. The specific delivery system won't matter.

Sure, some of this superstar radio talent may come from Hollywood--stars taking to the microphone and trying to make the difficult transition to radio. It's way different talking live for 3 or 4 hours than scripted TV talk shows, sitcoms, or movies. Casting will be key. Look at "failed" Whoopi Goldberg--she tried to make the move to radio and it didn't go so well. From the beginning I thought she was miscast. Whoopi's strengths did not mesh well with breakfast table happy talk; instead she should have been dishing strong opinions and politics mixed with her unique comedic skills. Now, we have a show!

Don't think for a minute that there are enough celebs to fill all of the hours with great entertaining radio. Tomorrow's star will be coming from many different places--including local talents who have a knack for comedy, conversation, information, and engagement. What's special about your personality? Can you write? Can you connect? How are you different from everyone else? Those with the answers might just get the big break.

Here's a hint: even if you are currently in a tightly regulated format take some initiative and start producing entertaining podcasts on your own. Start a personal blog. Share your podcasts on iTunes and other podcast distribution sites. Take your future into your own hands. See the forest through the trees as they say. (***before enbarking on a blog and podcasting endeavor make sure you are not violating your current employers rules***)

The Business of Innovation

CNBC's Maria Bartiromo has a new special series, "The Business of Innovation," and tonight's show was "Innovate or Die."

Among the guests was Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin. It was a very good segment and classic Mel. At one point in the interview Maria and her panel of experts got into management style and hearing Mel talk about playing "devils advocate" and managers "getting Mel'd. would make anyone who has worked for him smile. (I did in the 90's)

No doubt that he is all about the money, but he does understand and appreciate, as he puts it, "the arts and crafts department" and places great value on strong content.

Watch his segment right here:

Cramer On Clear Channel

This afternoon on Cramer's Stop Trading feature on CNBC he talks about the Clear Channel deal and what he thinks might happen. He thinks that the banks buyers remorse will not hold up in court. It's an interesting piece given Cramer's recent pontification on the value of the radio broadcast industry.

I Can't Resist!

With all of the radio folks, myself included, bloviating about Cramer's radio comments I shamelessly bring you the Mad Money widget!

If nothing else, try the sound board.

Add Widget!

Radio's Cry For Help

That's the way CNBC put it this afternoon in a report on Clear Channel, Cumulus, listening levels, and advertising. Of course, the lead was whether the CCU privatization deal would eventually close and Mr. Hogan's now infamous Q1 budget cut memo--which they outlined in great detail.

They note how the consumption of radio remains "surprisingly strong" and throws off a ton of cash; but is suffering from double digit declines in national advertising due to increased competition from a variety of competitors. None of this is a surprise to any of us in the business, but it seems so much more bleak when it's broadcast in living color.

Here's the CNBC Video.