Bob Lawrence

108 POSTS
Bob Lawrence writes weekly columns on radio leadership and business. He most recently served as market manager for MacDonald Broadcasting in Saginaw, Michigan. Throughout his career, Bob has held virtually every position in the business over his 40+ year career, from being on-air in Philadelphia, San Diego, and San Francisco to programming legendary stations including KHTR St. Louis, KITS Hot Hits and KIOI (K101) San Francisco to serving as the head of all programming for Saga Communications and working for the Radio Advertising Bureau. Before landing his current role, Bob helped lead Seven Mountains Media's cluster in Parkersburg, WV/Marietta, OH. He can be reached by email at BGLawrence@me.com. Bob also honed his research skills over ten years as Senior VP of Operations at Broadcast Architecture, eventually launching his own research company and serving as President/CEO of Pinnacle Media Worldwide for 15 years.  Bob spent five years as VP of Programming for Saga Communications before joining New South Radio in Jackson, Mississippi as GM/Market Manager. Prior to joining Seven Mountains Media, Bob served as General Manager for the Radio Advertising Bureau, overseeing its “National Radio Talent System”.

Radio’s Real Problem Isn’t Digital — It’s the Narrative

It is troubling that, as an industry, we have failed to respond in a timely manner and have allowed a false narrative to emerge regarding who we are and what we do.

How Morning Radio Mirrored the ‘History of Sitcoms’

It dawned on me while watching the series that morning radio evolved through the decades much the same way. They too took on the social issues of the time or mirrored the national and local culture and communities.

Blurred Lines: News, Opinion, or Just Pure Spin?

Fake news isn’t a new phenomenon, but the speed and scale at which it is able to spread has become mindboggling.

Blanding: The Trend That’s Erasing Brand Identity

Have you noticed that brand logos have become flatter, color has moved toward neutral, products are losing identifiable qualities, and the uniqueness of brands themselves is becoming uniform.

Radio Ads Work Best When They Tell a Great Story

I was recently with a client, and during the CNA, she used a phrase I have rarely heard before from a client. “I simply want someone to tell our story.”

Breaking

Joe Davis, Former Salem Media COO, Dies at 82

"He was our guide, our anchor, and our greatest supporter. I am a better man and a better father because of his example."

Ernie Johnson Hopes His Retirement Doesn’t Mean the End of Inside the NBA

"I would hope that they could continue the show in some form. And there are plenty of great studio hosts out there who could do what I do."

Ben Stevens Elevated To Full Time Co-Host of “D-Fish & Decker” at 97.1 The Fan

"Stevens has been a rotating fill-in host since 97.1 The Fan launched in May."

Borrell Associates: Digital Advertising Will Reach 80% of Local Ad Spending by 2030

Borrell Associates projects that figure will climb considerably over the next four years as the industry undergoes what it describes as a "great reshuffling."