First Blog

In this blog, I’ll document Terrestrial Radio’s transformation from Radio Frequency Towers to Multi-Media Brands. From the inside and from up high.

- Some are in denial. “Terrestrial Radio is strong! Terrestrial Radio will rebound!”
- Most are claiming witness to its demise. They hammer Terrestrial Radio, often justifiably, sometimes with malice.

I’m here to deliver some reality. 

Who am I? Why do you care what I have to say?? My name is Tony Renda, and I have more ‘skin’ in this game than you…and just about everyone else out there authoring or reading these 'industry' Blogs, Articles, and Twitters. I’m a guy who’s family business owns 25 radio stations. I've run 3 of our markets, 9 of our radio stations, including RBC's largest market and RBC's most proftable market. I've got revenue and profit goals that would make you wet yourself.

What do I think?
1) First and foremost, embracing the truth and defining obstacles is the only way to survive in the long run.

2)  I fear the worst. The absolute worst. And I have for a long time. I fear that 3G & WiMax will kill the Terrestrial Radio Industry in a matter of years; I think Terrestrial Radio’s best days are behind it, and to argue anything different means you’re not paying attention. Will radio be a viable advertising medium in the short/medium run? Yes! But the clock is ticking, isn’t it?

3) I think that being content with a web page that compliments your Radio signal is scary.

You're not used to hearing these things from someone in my position, but it’s about time you did. Lots of opinions out there, none of them coming from this perspective. None of them from this high up inside a Radio corporation. Some I’ve come to respect: their links are to the right.

Over the next two years, as ‘Towers to Brands’ becomes THE source for Terrestrial Radio Stations making the transition, I will provide you with information, data, experiences, challenges, tough decisions, and answers to questions that you and your Terrestrial Radio Corporation are already facing.

Subscribe. You’ll enjoy the ride. 

Tony