Both Promo Meeting and The Pulse last week dealt with the idea of seizing a moment and creating content around those moments in news and pop culture.
Executive Orders
What I am about to suggest comes with a healthy dose of caution. Do not step on a political landmine, but have some fun.
Get your PD to come into the morning show each day for a week, interrupt the show, and say, “I have just signed an executive order requiring you to give away $1,000 this morning.”
The next day, it can be gasoline, groceries, etc. Capture the moment and have some fun with it.
The Hat of Embarrassing Questions
I programmed a station where the GM and Sales Manager were always trying to get an interview with a client or non-profit on the morning show. It was a constant battle because we knew that they were giant turnouts.
While turning most away, we came up with the Hat of Embarrassing Questions. Anyone client, artist, or anyone wanting a spot on the morning show had to agree to answer a question from the hat.
Don’t go deep. The goal is not to truly embarrass the guest but to add some content to what might otherwise be a dull segment… at best.
Examples:
- Tell us about your first kiss.
- Tell us something that you are ashamed of.
- What was your High School nickname?
Unlimited possibilities and something to have fun with.
Lyrictosis
OK, I made up that word. But how much fun have you had laughing at that one friend of yours who constantly sings the wrong word or misunderstands the lyrics? Like CCR’s Bad Moon Rising… there’s a bathroom on the right.
With AI tools like Suno, writing and producing parody songs is nearly effortless. How about rewriting lyrics and having listeners try to decipher and name the original?
It’s something that people can play along with vicariously. Just be careful not to create into a copyright violation.
Theme Song
Again, with tools like AI, creating a song takes five minutes. Every guest on your show, every segment or benchmark, can and should have its own custom musical intro.
It’s never been easier. It will add a show biz and production element that most are not doing. It even allows you to create a theater of the mind house band.
Suno offers a free membership. I’m sure there are others. Check them out and have fun with them.
Let Barrett Media showcase you best. Email me here, jeff@barrettmedia.com
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
