TNS Media Intelligence released their report of advertising spending nationally for 2007.

For the first time in history, internet advertising has surpassed radio advertising. Both internet advertising and cable advertising had slight increases in 2007, while most other media reported declines.

The report states that newspapers and local radio were the big losers of dollars to the internet.

Coupled with the apparent total collapse of the Clear Channel deal today, I must ask, has anyone seen my lifeboat?

(see Wednesday's R&R online for full story!)

I saw that on all Access this AM. Technology strikes again !

While historic, that internet money is spread over how many websites?? Only within the US, or worldwide? How many of those websites are turning a profit?

Haven't seen any data on this yet.

What does this mean for local businesses? I would think internet advertising would be significantly less effective for local advertising.

Robin, with the generally low overhead for websites, it wouldn't take much ad revenue to get into the black. And what is the going rate for web ads, ½ cent a hit or less?

Radio had the opportunity 10 years ago to own the internet with content, but they chose to stick their heads in the sand and station websites are usually nothing more than brochures for the format. They need to be programmed and marketed just like the station itself - with exclusive content, music, etc.

Hey radio! Stop dating your website and marry the thing already...if it isn't too late.

So true, Radiodawgz! The sad thing is that there are no people left to tackle the huge amount of work you've described. It's an opportunity, for sure. I just don't see radio stations seizing the opportunity as fast as they need to.

Google Adsense makes it easy for local advertisers to target local websites. You sign up, decide how much you want to spend on advertising, and Google figures out on which websites to place your ads. You the advertiser can target keywords like "Portland, Oregon" if you want, so you can be fairly sure your ads will land on Portland-related websites. Advertisers can also choose to target specific websites.

I run a couple of Portland-based websites and use Adsense. While I'm not exactly making millions, the sites do make an easy profit (I also use them to sell photography), in part because my self-built server runs at home off my DSL line, which I would have anyway. I paid for my server years ago, so there are few fixed costs beyond updating content. You can get a domain name for only $10/year, and as I said, my hosting is basically free.

Andrew

A company called Netbiz (based here in Portland) sells phrases with guaranteed first-page placement on Google for that search phrase.

XM has just announced that it will provide 20 commercial free channels of music & comedy, to Blackberry smartphones for a monthly sub. of $8, including channels dedicated to (individually) the 60s, 70s, 80s, smooth jazz, contemp country.... etc.

(sound of footsteps)

With the XM/Sirius merger now all but a done-deal, how long until every smart phone can add sat. radio into the mix? And how long after that before you can hit a button and buy whatever tune you're hearing, downloaded directly?

Will over the air become a musical second-run media, with exclusives going to the sat. systems, and released a month later for over the air broadcast? If a label can sell the new Britney or Bruce direct to consumers through Sirius/XM at the click of a button, with an "only on XM" buzz built by the satcaster -- radio could become a musical stepchild within a couple years.

(footsteps closer - louder)

You've been reading Jerry Del Colliano's blog, haven't you?

I'm afraid you're both right, Terry. Only the timeline is to be determined...and that looks to me to be in the near future rather than later...

I have NEVER read Del Colliano's blog!!!! He had such a terrible rep and was such a jerk when I first started working at KGW in the 70's that after my first record call with him I asked if it was possible for KGW to stop reporting to FMQB. Mike Phillips was happy to grant permission.

Its the beginning of the end,if you're still working in radio, enjoy it now because it won't be around much longer. I think it was CNN that listed the top 10 jobs to become obsolete, radio DJ or announcer as they put it was number 7.

Local FM radio will go the way of VHS before long, the round of layoffs around Portland radio is proof.

I hear you, Terry, about FMQB...never liked it. I only know of Jerry through his writing beginning with his Inside Radio days. Never met or had contact with him directly, and he always struck me as a bit of a pompous rabble rouser at that time. After selling Inside Radio to CC, he went to teaching classes at USC on the music biz. I like when he writes about how his students respond to some of his questions about radio and music...It's been an eye-opener for me, but I've been on the outside for eight years now, and times do change. Maybe he's mellowed a bit over the years, maybe not...he *can* still be pompous, and maybe he's still a jerk in dealing with others...but he's written some stuff over the last four months that needed to be said, if only to stimulate some creative thinking and discussion. And there's certainly a shortage of THAT these days!

I would recommend you take a look at it once in awhile, but if it'll raise your blood pressure 40 or 50 points, then it's not worth it...Life's too short not to enjoy the journey! Cheers...

If you take Beta Blockers and ACE inhibitors you can cut that 50 mmHg point increase in your Blood Pressure down to about 10 ! I would like to see a study on how many radio people would live longer if they took these medications?