APPENDIX C: RADIO WORKSHOPS
In addition to the quizzes and exercises, there are also in-class workshops that do not rely on broad-
cast equipment or technology to be instructive when used with Keith’s Radio Station.
The individual components are:
1. Selection: You may select groups, or let natural selection take its course. Sometimes it’s best to mix
things up by using a random selection process, such as drawing names out of a hat. This allows stu-
dents to interact with other students they might not ordinarily get to know. You can use this process to
select a group leader, or let the group itself elect someone to take charge.
2. Research: In some cases, the necessary information is readily available in the text and can be ac-
cessed in the classroom. In other cases, students will use the Internet to gather facts relating to the pro-
ject.
RADIO WORKSHOP: ORGANIZE A RADIO STATION
1. Form work groups of five to six students.
2. Students will do research and preparation for the group outside of class time.
6. For the presentation, the GM will describe his or her job, then introduce each of the department heads,
who will in turn explain their jobs and their departments.
7. Refer to the text, especially chapters 2 on management, 3 on programming, 4 on sales, 5 on news, 7 on
promotion, 8 on traffic and billing, and 9 on production.
RADIO WORKSHOP: DESIGN A FORMAT
Form groups of five to six students, address the following points, and devise a format for a commercial AM
or FM radio station.
• SELECT
•FORMAT
•Music: What format description?
•OR Non-Music: Talk, news, sports, other?
•PROMOTIONS
•On Air: Internal—On air
•Off Air: External—Advertising, PR
•STAFF: Each person in the group picks one of the jobs from the list below and describes what the job en-
tails.
•General manager
•Program director
•PRESENT RESULTS TO CLASS
RADIO WORKSHOP SALES PRESENTATION
The class will divide into groups of four to five students. Plan on preparation time outside of class. Get con-
tact information for your group.
Each group will prepare a sales presentation.
•Use a real local radio station.
•Research both the client and the station by actual contact, and by the Internet.
•If program sponsorship, what kind of program: Entertainment or News?
•The group must devise a rate card.
•You must support your rate card with statistical evidence, i.e., the ratings.
•You should put together a package of station promotional material—signal coverage, etc.
•What are some good reasons to advertise in general?
•What are some good reasons to advertise on radio or TV?
•How does radio or TV compare to other forms of advertising media?
RADIO WORKSHOP: FCC RULES AND REGULATIONS
Form workgroups of four to five students.
Find the applicable rules for the following topics:
•Group A
•Public inspection file
•Group B
•Obscene and indecent programming
•EEO
•Group C
•Broadcast of hoaxes
•Group D
•Broadcast of promotions and contests
•License renewal
•Note
•Each student in the group should select a portion of the topic for discussion and prepare a presentation.
RADIO WORKSHOP PROMOTION
Form a group and design a promotion package for a new radio station: ID: SLOGAN (LINER): FORMAT:
1. Off-air promotions
Contests
Sales promotions
2. Off-air promotions
RADIO WORKSHOP: RADIO RESEARCH PROJECT
The objective of this project is to research the effect that corporate ownership has had on the Boston radio
market by examining the groups of jointly owned stations. Some of the groups in this market may be CBS,
Clear Channel, Entercom, or Greater Media; research other groups for local ownership. There will an addi-
tional “wild card” set of locally owned stations. This project will involve research both online and through
contact with the stations.
3. Research the corporate group owner.
4. Assign individual stations to report on within the local group of stations.
5. Research topics for presentation:
•The corporate radio group
•Call letters
•Format
•Station’s ratings, market position
•Brief station history
•Sales and promotion