Andrew Curran: Ignore The Naysayers, The Wind Is Really At Radio's Back

Andrew Curran

In an open letter to the radio industry, DMR/INTERACTIVE Pres./COO ANDREW CURRAN offered a staunchly "glass half-full" perspective on radio's future. First, he cites iHEARTMEDIA and CUMULUS' re-emergance from their financial predicaments, ENTERCOM's acquisition of CBS RADIO, NIELSEN's use of radio data, and PROCTOR & GAMBLE's renewed interest in radio. "The magnitude of these changes, both individually and collectively, is difficult to fully quantify at the moment, but the significance will be felt for years to come," said CURRAN. "Each one serves to enhance the vibrancy and strength of AM/FM radio, the 800-pound gorilla of audio."

Then, CURRAN threw shade on digital competition, noting that AMAZON is withdrawing from podcasting, PANDORA is now not as popular as SPOTIFY, and the lack of profitability of the streamers. The difference, according to APPLE's TIM COOK, is radio's programming talent versus alogrithms. "The 'art and craft' of song selection sounds very much like a tip of the hat to radio programmers, from the head of the first U.S.-based trillion dollar company nonetheless," noted CURRAN. "As we embark upon another LABOR DAY weekend (the unofficial holiday for radio’s core, employed listeners), there’s ample reason for those working in and around radio to appreciate the current wind at our backs." Read the entire letter here.

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