Harrell Media Group

06/09/2026

A Chinese automaker just patented a voice‑controlled in‑car toilet Surprisingly, it’s great news for content creators.

More time in cars means more Time Spent Listening, more brand exposure, and more opportunities to keep audiences engaged. Convenience has always shaped human behavior… now it’s shaping media habits too.

Warning: the puns are self-creating in this blog.

What does a voice‑controlled in‑car toilet have to do with Time Spent Listening? More than you think. Content creators, buckle up.

05/23/2026

Just like that, a heritage news brand fell silent. And just like that, it was replaced.

CBS News Radio ended operations late Friday night after nearly a century of informing generations of listeners with the latest national and international news stories.

But the story doesn't end there. It continues like it always has. Many of those 700 CBS affiliates found other news sources, such as ABC News Radio.

Veteran broadcasters feel the disappointment of a heritage brand going away, but they know this isn't an unfamiliar scene. They remember the NBC and RKO networks closing in the '80s, or the Mutual Broadcasting System and UPI Radio Network being absorbed or closing in the late '90s.

Networks dissolve, merge or rebrand, but the content keeps going. Affiliates, distributors and formats change. But the audience never hears dead air.

CBS News Radio provided generations of listeners with updated news and information, 24/7. There was always a tragedy, a rescue, a war, a ceasefire, a loss or a victory to share with the American public.

The storyline continues, no matter which brand is delivering those informative moments.

Radio is accessible, it's reactionary and it pivots quickly. The medium's ability to survive and thrive is due to operators' understanding of job one: serving the audience.

Thanks for the heritage, CBS News Radio. Congratulations to the radio station operators for not missing a beat with informational content and continuing the storyline: No Dead Air.

05/11/2026

I’m excited to join fellow colleagues and kickoff the Smarter 2 Wiser series in Nashville. Reduce The Noise To Increase The Volume® is the foundational principle of Harrell Media Group, and I’ll explore how this applies to one of the Six Wisdom Domains.

04/28/2026

Dollar General is rolling out an AI-enabled audio system to 12,000 stores. It can change the music and ads based on the specific neighborhood demographics of each store. It’s algorithmic micro-targeting at its finest.

A lot of people look at that and think "radio can't do that." But I see it differently. Radio shouldn't try to compete with AI micro-targeting because radio’s true strength is the exact opposite: The Shared Experience.

A hyperlocal AI playlist in aisle four won't bring people together. Radio does. It creates a virtual cultural watercooler. But are we actually using that as a branding and sales strategy?

This week's StoryFinder piece is about how radio can compete in a world of AI by selling our cultural footprint instead of just our signal reach.

Check out the full article here: [Link to Blog]
Have you seen the news about Dollar General? They are rolling out an AI-enabled audio system to 12,000 stores. It can change the music and ads based on the specific neighborhood demographics of each store. It’s algorithmic micro-targeting at its finest.

A lot of people look at that and think radio is in trouble. But I see it differently. Radio shouldn't try to compete with AI micro-targeting because radio’s true strength is the exact opposite: The Shared Experience.

A hyperlocal AI playlist in aisle four won't bring people together. Radio does. It creates a virtual cultural watercooler. But the question is, are we actually using that as a branding and sales strategy?

I wrote a new piece about how radio can compete in a world of AI by selling our cultural footprint instead of just our signal reach.

Check out the full article here:

Dollar General's AI-audio rollout targets shoppers by the aisle. Here's why radio's shared experience strategy is a competitive branding advantage.

04/27/2026

When’s the last time you were critiqued by your colleagues and peers? StoryFinder Sessions.

04/16/2026

Opening Day. Those two words transport us to a place where we’re younger, more hopeful, and ready to celebrate. We crave that illogical optimism when every team is 0-0. ⚾️🏀⛳️

But here is a question for business owners and brand managers: What do you do when your brand is “always on”? If you don’t have an off-season, how do you create that fresh, Opening Day feeling for your customers?

I learned my first lesson about this when I was nine years old, launching my debut entrepreneurial experience. (It lasted one season). Today, I see the exact same principles applying to major radio stations and national brands.

I share a simple 3-step strategy to revive your brand and give your audience a clean slate.

Opening Day is exciting for the fans and franchises because the slate is clean. But what about the brands that are Always-On?

04/03/2026

Problem: How do we create an Easter Brunch experience for the people who didn’t make reservations?
How about last minute pop-ups all over town branded by a popular chef? But you can’t promote it until the week before Easter.

03/27/2026

College radio!! The Free Waves at the University of New Hampshire.

03/19/2026

Spring Break stories revealed after we went on The Elevator. You can’t tell the story until you find the story.
We’re back in class!

03/16/2026

It's that time of year again! 🏀 Our annual "March of Ideas" bracket is here, and we're excited to share 14 new, alliteration-inspired ideas for your 2027 promotional calendar.

This year's themes range from the tech-focused "March Machines" to the community-driven "March Mentors."

Check out our latest blog post for a full breakdown of each idea, plus a downloadable PDF bracket to get your team's creative juices flowing. We recommend pizza for all creative sessions! 🍕

What are your favorite ideas from the bracket? Let us know in the comments!

Download our PDF bracket to access exciting promotional ideas and boost your creativity for next year's March campaigns.