Buckle your belts. Comments to follow:
“Three years ago I said “tomatoes” and all hell broke loose on planet earth.”
Actually it broke loose because you compared female artists to tomatoes in country music’s salad which was, and is, both demeaning and unnecessary.
Actually it broke loose because you compared female artists to tomatoes in country music’s salad which was, and is, both demeaning and unnecessary.
“Every year on the anniversary of that event the press dusts it off and looks at measurable metrics and proclaims nothing has happened or perhaps things are “oh my God” slightly worse for female country singers.”
It is worse. It gets “dusted off” b/c it’s still a problem.
It is worse. It gets “dusted off” b/c it’s still a problem.
“I feel its well established that contemporary formatted country radio stations break slightly in favor or women in terms of cume audience composition... Country radio’s cume can be 55% to 65% female.”
Data. We like data. This data says cume is in the females’ favor.
Data. We like data. This data says cume is in the females’ favor.
“Most country radio stations generate north of 65% of their quarter hours from women. Sometimes the number of quarter hours generated from women on country radio can go as high as 85%.”
Again, female audiences FTW. Woo... it’s almost like we should have a say or something!
Again, female audiences FTW. Woo... it’s almost like we should have a say or something!
“So you see why country radio programmers think about programming that women prefer and will listen to for longer periods of time.”
Um, yeah. They should. We are a huge chunk of the audience and have 51% of the nation’s personal wealth.
Um, yeah. They should. We are a huge chunk of the audience and have 51% of the nation’s personal wealth.
“My claim (and real world experience) is that women listen to country radio stations longer when the mix of songs broadcast is about fifteen percent female.”
Oops. You did it again. In our experience winged eyeliner is life changing. We just don’t present it as fact.
Oops. You did it again. In our experience winged eyeliner is life changing. We just don’t present it as fact.
”When that percentage is higher without conscious thought they simply fatigue faster and automatically respond by listening less.”
Did you really choose this graphic? In the last decade, women have had so few stations have heavily played women how could we possibly know?!
Did you really choose this graphic? In the last decade, women have had so few stations have heavily played women how could we possibly know?!
It is proven that an ear likes sounds that are familiar. Country radio primarily offers ONE sound. How is an audience to respond? It’s not indicative of a preference. It’s simple the only option they’ve been five for years.
“Now that being said I have to weigh in on something else about country radio and gender.”
Really, it is possible you’ve said enough. But we’re going with you because there is valid, albeit obvious, information ahead.
Really, it is possible you’ve said enough. But we’re going with you because there is valid, albeit obvious, information ahead.
“Because country radio depends on appealing to women and generating the maximum number of quarter hours possible from women I’d suggest that we employ more women General Managers, Sales Managers, Program Directors, Promotions Directors and Morning air talent.”
No sh!t.
No sh!t.
“A bunch of men were discussing promotions for KXKC and Renee stopped the meeting and said, “would you like to have a woman’s point of view on this?”
How is this a groundbreaking or even memorable?! How did you not ask? This is what we in the biz call “common sense”.
How is this a groundbreaking or even memorable?! How did you not ask? This is what we in the biz call “common sense”.
“Renee gently but firmly proceeded to euphemistically beat us with a two by four and wake us up. The filter needed was, “what does more than half our audience think of this?”
She didn’t beat you up. She a) did her job, b) helped you out, and c) improved the station.
She didn’t beat you up. She a) did her job, b) helped you out, and c) improved the station.
“There are decisions that will be made where empathy, understanding and point of view could make a difference.”
Women are both empathetic and understanding. We are also intelligent, hard working, savvy in the industry, and make businesses money.
Women are both empathetic and understanding. We are also intelligent, hard working, savvy in the industry, and make businesses money.
“The greater our real understanding of the majority of the audience (in terms of quarter hour value) the better we can optimize the station.”
Oh em gee... did this really need repeating?
Oh em gee... did this really need repeating?
Again with the choices of images. 🤦♀️
“Today I am working with a growing number of female lead morning shows. The great news is they instantly have that “mom filter.” They understand so many things and present important topics with the correct verbiage and nuanced touches that are right for the audience.”
What?
What?
The “mom filter”? Are you serious? Why hasn’t the “dad filter” worked for the male on air talent? Wouldn’t that have attracted more men to the format over all these years? Do they not have the right nuances?
“I am considered the World’s Biggest Misogynist for metrics that I suggest for female singers in the mix of music on country radio stations.”
Yes, to the misogyny. No, to the “metrics”. No to your opinions, in general, really.
Yes, to the misogyny. No, to the “metrics”. No to your opinions, in general, really.
“When it comes to the GM and PD chairs in country radio stations perhaps I’m guilty of Misandry.”
Women wanting more marketshare, opportunities, resources, and equality, is not anything “against men”. It’s just good operating procedure for any business in 2018.
Women wanting more marketshare, opportunities, resources, and equality, is not anything “against men”. It’s just good operating procedure for any business in 2018.
“Actually my claim is this. There is no gender bias in my advice regarding music played on the radio.”
We’re gonna need you to look up “gender bias” in the dictionary. ‘Cause we’re pretty sure you don’t understand what it means.
We’re gonna need you to look up “gender bias” in the dictionary. ‘Cause we’re pretty sure you don’t understand what it means.
“Instead in this wonderful free enterprise place called America I chase profit and meritocracy. I play music on radio based upon metrics that yield the highest ratings.”
Metrics that have no good starting source since women have been left out and left behind for decades.
Metrics that have no good starting source since women have been left out and left behind for decades.
The data is faulty because there is nothing good to compare it to. We don’t have reliable data to show what (heaven forbid!) might happen if women were played 50/50 (or even close) because the situation DOESN’T EXIST!
“And when it comes to making hires for country radio I say hire the best regardless of gender.”
So do we. Yet, the appalling percentages we see in country radio shows an industry that does not believe this too. Part of it might be the result of sexist language like “mom filter”.
So do we. Yet, the appalling percentages we see in country radio shows an industry that does not believe this too. Part of it might be the result of sexist language like “mom filter”.
“Make sure you have folks on your team who truly understand the target audience! Since your target is women you might want to lean female in your management and programming team.”
While in the dictionary, circle by “mansplaining” too. It might prove helpful.
While in the dictionary, circle by “mansplaining” too. It might prove helpful.
“I wonder what the “tomato throwers” think of me now?”
Wholly underwhelmed and unimpressed. But we imagine you’ve heard that before. ✖️
Wholly underwhelmed and unimpressed. But we imagine you’ve heard that before. ✖️
