Independent Promoters And Add System Debated At Radio Show

The future of traditional independent promoters and the weekly "add" system were among the topics at the NAB RADIO SHOW's panel on the changing relationship between radio and record labels moderated by CUMULUS' JOHN DICKEY. ALL ACCESS' own JOEL DENVER, a last-minute addition to the panel, noted the "huge disconnect" between the industries that results in "radio that looks at new music with fear... We've painted ourselves into a corner." "If you think new music is the enemy... your radio stations will suffer," DENVER advised. ISLAND DEF JAM's ERIK OLESEN agreed, noting that "radio isn't gonna take a lot of chances" and adding that his label is making more use of MYSPACE.COM to reach young listeners. 

If you think new music is the enemy... your radio stations will suffer

A striking change for CLEAR CHANNEL's MARC CHASE is how "when I was a kid, radio was a really cool thing. Now, it's the (cellular) telephone.... We did it to ourselves- running an unbelievable number of commercials." In even more trouble, according to CHASE, are traditional independent promoters ("put a fork in 'em"); OLESEN said his label will use independent promoters only to supplement its own staff and primarily as "information sources." 

The panelists were uneasy with the idea, proposed by DICKEY, to stop reporting adds (CHASE called the system "outmoded" but added "I'm not going to be the guy leading the charge- 'I'm not doing the adds'- because I don't want to have to have somebody start my car"). DENVER asked DICKEY if CUMULUS will stop reporting adds, but DICKEY said it was just a discussion point.

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