Google Inc.’s foray into selling radio ads was supposed to show how its online-advertising brainpower could revolutionize an old-fashioned people business. [MORE]

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Industry experts say that radio can embrace technology and sustain its popularity. Growing sales of digital sets worldwide certainly lend strength to that theory. [MORE]

Source: BBC News

Radio has long been recognized as the theater of the mind but more and more it is becoming an interactive medium. New interactive technologies are opening up new and possibly fruitful opportunities for radio stations – but they also require a fresh new approach for salespeople.

Today selling radio also includes online sponsorships, videos, text messaging, online streams, podcasts, display ads, etc. One size fits all packages are not the way to go when you have so many new weapons in your arsenal. To be successful, account executives must create custom solutions that both benefit their clients and the radio station they represent. The perfect ad buy not only brings in fresh new revenue but also drives traffic to the on-air product and reinforces the power of your station.

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Digital music, long the bane of the music industry, may finally be something that record label executives can smile about. [MORE]

Source: cnet

Are your clients less than impressed by your Web site’s stats? How does your web traffic compare with your competitors?

It’s important to keep track of your Web site’s statistics. These numbers can tell you where your site is excelling and where it is falling flat. Having detailed stats is a good way to show your clients the potential your Web site offers. Even if you have stats through your hosting provider, it would still be a good idea to sign up for a free service like Google Analytics. Google Analytics provides a lot of useful information and it is a great source to check your current stats against.

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While the music industry struggles to sell CDs, Microsoft revealed yesterday that gamers purchase around 3.8 million Guitar Hero and Rock Band downloads per month via their XBox Live network. [MORE]

Source: Rolling Stone

There’s been a lot of speculation lately about whether iTunes is a boon or burden to album sales. [MORE]

Source: CNET

The flight of advertising dollars to the Internet is one explanation for the pain felt by traditional media. Another culprit that is increasingly to blame is Detroit. [MORE]

Source: The New York Times

Have recent improvements turned into increased sales? iBiquity VP Bernie Sapienza concedes the company is behind on this year’s one million sales goal. It’s likely due to a variety of factors, including a delay in the release of a new HD radio and iPod dock, which is due anytime. He says “We’re hoping to catch up in the fourth quarter in sales and awareness.”

Source: Inside Radio

In a conference call to discuss CBS’s quarterly results, CEO Les Moonves pointed to the recently announced selloff of radio stations and acquisition of CNET as an effort to jumpstart growth. [MORE]

Source: Valleywag