If Kimmer can capture that old magic in his podcasts he might actually make enough to support his golf and motorcycle addictions. He’s already signed one of his biggest radio sponsors to underwrite the project.  A successful podcast from a local host who has been off-air for an extended period would further prove that great audio content will not be denied and that fans will pursue uniquely desirable material .

And who knows? Maybe this project will lead to a broadcast comeback. Lord knows radio could use a re-energized Kimmer.

Is your content unique and compelling enough that people would subscribe to your podcast if you lost your radio show?  It better be, or you’re going to lose your radio show.  If that thought gives you pause, call us at Talk Frontier.  We make talk radio better.

Denny Schaffer

When veteran personality Denny Schaffer was released from WGST/Atlanta in late 2006 he figured it was just another turn of the radio career wheel.  Sooner or later, he thought, he’d be back on the radio.  And he was right. Schaffer is currently the evening host on Salem talker WGKA/Atlanta. But his path back to terrestrial radio was anything but typical.

A few months after his exit from WGST, Schaffer began to grow frustrated with the lack of job opportunities.  His former producer, Crystal Lake Johnson, suggested that he start an Internet radio show. Schaffer rejected the idea as defeatist.

“It felt like giving up,” he says.

But in June 2007, after much prodding and assistance from Johnson, Schaffer launched “Denny Radio” on the Live365.com streaming platform using the home studio he built to accommodate his occasional fill-in work.  Schaffer says it cost him about $500 a month to host Denny Radio on Live 365.  In retrospect, he says, he probably should have simply done the show as a podcast on his DennyRadio website.

While Denny Radio didn’t attract a huge audience, doing the show every weekday paid many dividends for Schaffer.  ”I got better on the Internet,” he says. “It was just me.  No calls, no commercials. It kept me sharp for when an opportunity opened.”  It also gave  him the freedom to talk openly about  his deep religious faith, a subject his WGST bosses (including me) had asked him to downplay. And, Denny Radio kept Denny Schaffer visible in the radio community, which ultimately lead to his hiring at WGKA; first to do short-form commentary, and then as host of a 9p-11p show focusing heavily on local issues.  (Yep.  It’s a full-time job — with benefits!)

Schaffer is realistic but grateful about his current place in the radio food chain.  ”It’s a small voice, but I have a voice again in [Atlanta],” he says. As for Denny Radio, it continues to serve Schaffer well, streaming his WGKA show and providing a platform for live listener feedback.  According to Schaffer, the site attracts about 1500 unique visitors a month and brings WGKA listeners from across the country.

Randall Bloomquist

Dear Friends and Colleagues –  I started  TalkFrontier.com eight months ago as an experiment, as a way to learn about New Media while continuing to share my opinions and ideas about talk radio.  At the time, I took a pretty dim view of radio’s prospects.  But a funny thing happened across those eight months and 95 blog posts.  The more time I spent  talking to smart broadcasters, listening to “the infinite dial” and studying endless reports and statistics, I’ve concluded that talk radio has an exciting future, and I want to be part of it.

So, here it is:  Talk Frontier Media, a company offering talent management, content development and talk media strategy services to all segments of the growing spoken-word media. By the way, the Talk Frontier blog will continue to be a source of information, ideas and analysis for talk media professionals.  No charge.  So be sure to sign-up for our RSS feed.

TALK RADIO EXPERT RANDALL BLOOMQUIST LAUNCHES TALENT  MANAGEMENT AND CONTENT DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

ATLANTA, November 12, 2009 –Randall Bloomquist, a veteran talk radio programmer with a reputation for developing new talent and saving troubled stations, has launched Talk Frontier Media (TFM), a talent management, content development and talk media strategy company.

Bloomquist’s professional achievements include the successful transformation of two legendary radio stations, WBT/Charlotte and WRVA/Richmond, both of which are now market leaders in ratings and revenue.  He is also credited with developing several successful talk personalities including WTKK-FM/Boston’s Michael Graham and former WBT stars Richard Spires and Brad Krantz. Bloomquist has programmed two Top 10 market stations, WMAL/Washington and WGST/Atlanta. Prior to working at the station level, he was News/Talk Editor of the trade publication Radio & Records, where he founded the R&R Talk Radio Seminar, an annual convention for the talk radio industry.

Talk Frontier Media provides a full range of talent services from one-time air checks to on-going career management and image building. TFM specializes in working with up-and-coming talent and those who aspire to join the ranks of talk media — whether as traditional talk radio hosts, Internet radio personalities or podcasters.

“This is an exciting time for talk media,” said Bloomquist. “We are on the verge of a new golden age for spoken-word entertainment when listeners will have nearly unlimited choice on the aptly named ‘infinite dial.’  But one thing will never change.  The winners — regardless of platform — will always be those personalities who are able to effectively deliver unique content and create intimate bonds with their audience.”

Talk Frontier Media also serves as a force-multiplier for talk media outlets, providing critical programming services on a contract basis.  These include talent searches, talent evaluation, content development, station critiques and competitive analysis.

According to WRVA Program Director Jimmy Barrett, “The reason WRVA is enjoying its current ratings success is because of the groundwork laid by Randall.  He can certainly help any station identify its strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan for better numbers.”

TFM’s Talk Media Strategy programs help businesses and other organizations employ talk media to achieve their goals via relationship-building, public service campaigns, content development and production, and paid advertising.

For more information about Talk Frontier Media and its services go to the company’s website at www.talkfrontier.com.

– 30 –

Operation Homefront -  This San Antonio-based organization provides emergency assistance to military families faced with a deployed spouse or a recovering wounded warrior.  If the furnace goes out in January and the family can’t afford the repairs, Operation Homefront gets it fixed.  The group has chapters in most states, which means all donations stay local.   Operation Homefront’s website includes links to the state chapter sites.

Fisher House Foundation - Think of it as Ronald McDonald House for the military community.  Fisher House maintains residences at several military hospitals across the country where the group provides lodging and other support to families of recovering military personnel.  This partnership works best if Fisher House operates or hopes to build a house in the station’s market.

These are excellent causes for conservative news/talk stations because they resonate with an audience that loves to show its patriotism and has great respect for America’s fighting men and women.  Since 2004, WMAL/Washington listeners have donated $4 million to Fisher House.  WTKK/Boston raised $250,00  for Fisher House during one week in December 2008.  WGST/Atlanta’s audience has donated $434,000 to Operation Homefront/Georgia over the past three years, including $250,000 during a 2007 holiday campaign.

Both groups are excellent partners.  They bring resources to the table and are wide-open to including a sales component in the fundraising effort.  For more information and ideas based on my experience with these organizations, contact me at randall@talkfrontier.com