CPR Promotional Check-Up - Apr 16, 2013

Sigh

Kudos and accolades to all of the radio stations in Boston that had to deal with the um-plannable, the un-thinkable and the un-imaginable.

So here is a quick reminder on what to do if God forbid, something like his occurs in your market:

• Turn off auto-posts to social media. If you post something about Selena Gomez's hairstyle as the world focuses on your market, you will be rightfully perceived as a fucking idiot.
• It depends on the scenario but collecting money for something like what occurred in Boston, would be pointless.
• Change the website. Seriously. Have some 'nads.
• Speaking of round things, giving out tickets or doing The $1000 Magic Song Of Day when the entire country/world is focused on your city, qualifies you for an exciting career in mortuary science. Drop the contesting. Newcap in Edmonton ended Fugitive(c) five days early because of a tragic quadruple cop-i-cide that was the #1 news story in the country. They got maybe 5 complaints and over 9000 emails or letters complimenting them on their choice. They ended up donating the money to a fund for the slain officers' families.
• QUICKLY scan your music and make sure that there's nothing that is offensive. Like a station that I heard play "The Walls Came Tumbling Down" by Mellencamp at 11 am CST on 9/11/01.
• Live on Facebook and Twitter because that's where the audience will be.
• Look for specific hyper-focused stories that you can work with. In Boston, possibly that would be the 8 year-old victim.
• If it feels right, open the phones. Sometimes in life people need to talk and we can give them the forum. The best Radio that I ever heard? Power 106 in LA during the LA riots. They just opened up the phones and let people talk.
• Don't take positions and delete people who get all "conspiracy" on social media.
• You have an hour. At max. And then you need to have something on the air.

Every station and every market and every situation is different. Use your gut and dare to be bold. The audience will thank you.