Why Radio Probably Hates Me

My @IhidTheCash project has probably pissed off terrestial radio pragmatists. I created a tribe of people who ‘actioned’ themselves by mystery and fun. Let’s be honest, I’m having fun on the interent. Generosity was the core value and the overwhelming media coverage and interest (inside 2 months) is remarkable.

I get SO MANY of these questions: “But, Why didn’t you incorporate the radio station?”

Easy- I didn’t want to hang a banner, give out a T-shirt and hot dog, and then ask what your favorite songs are. I used my money so that corporate lawyers couldn’t dictate my messaging. I allowed the tribe to pay forward their ‘findings’, to a place or cause that was personal to them. The rules, were that there were really no rules. This was about Fun and Generosity.

I earned all that TV, radio, digital media by just doing the project. The growing audience would share the project movement and the swell grew, and grew. Really, the tribe earned all that media.

The reason why I believe this type of project has been internally criticized, and trust me, I’ve been getting the eye-rolls and have heard all the haters’ comments (not in front of me, of course) is that the R.O.I on FUN and GENEROSITY is still misunderstood. Actually, the R.O.I on Social is still misunderstood, among vintage and nostalgia media. Not everyone though, I’ve heard from the next generation of risk taking radio operators, they appreciate the efforts, they are excited to see these things move an audience.

The challenge today, as radio operators and traditional media entrepreneuers is how to “actionate” an audience. I may have made that word up (in this context), but it sounds right between my ears. How can we motivate an audience, to get them to create an action after they hear your message? Sorry, free T-shirts and hot dogs, even the new Katy Perry song doesn’t seem to work anymore. And btw— What’s the R.O.I on free hot dogs?

Marc Jason Orem

@iHidTheCash

PS- I’m so getting fired for writing this type of shit ☺

Here’s a great article from Inside Radio on the Project:

http://www.insideradio.com//Article.asp?id=2817799#.U9PEwdzoYfE