MusicMaster's Dedicated Support
When you use MusicMaster, you partner up with your own dedicated MusicMaster Scheduling Consultant (MSC). Our support team members all come from diverse radio backgrounds and take pride in helping other MusicMaster users achieve every advantage the software offers.
Please join us in celebrating our incredible North American support team: Paul Ziino (Support Manager), Marianne Burkett, Drew Bennett, Jesus Rodriguez, Jerry Butler, Dave Tyler, and Malcolm Sinclair.
Check out what MusicMaster users had to say about their relationship with their MSC in this video:
Your Top New Years Resolutions for Radio
Soon it will be time to turn our focus ahead to new beginnings in 2017. Of course, many of us will be revisiting our New Years Resolutions. Whether our goals are personal or professional, there’s no better time to start a winning streak than on day one! For fun, we wanted to come up with the top New Years Resolutions for Radio. So, we asked our MusicMaster users what they resolved to do better in 2017. Here’s what they told us:
1. Be optimistic about the industry!
"Without sounding like I’ve already had a touch too much of the holiday spirits running through my veins, I must admit I’m looking forward to 2017 because I have a great deal of optimism about “radio”. Of course I’m not blind to fragmentation, and the myriad of other challenges we face as an industry, but fueling my optimism is the fact that radio has many strong brands that are doing many things right! (plug here for the 2 biggest Hip Hop stations in the world HOT 97 and POWER 106!). Our medium’s ability to break artists on the radio builds great relationships with the artists themselves, their managers and their labels. These relationships give us the opportunity to merchandise these artists to both our audiences and our clients. As an industry we have rich databases to mine that within them hold immense opportunities for our brands for both programming and sales. Possibly the most important benefits we offer is we are the most trusted music experts and the “go to” curators of music and pop culture. That is one helluva place for radio brands to be sitting!
"Now what we do with this grand opportunity is wholly our responsibility as an industry. Make your content connect and compliment all of your platforms both owned and earned! Do this by exceeding your audiences expectations for all of their interests since your “station” is just one of many ways your brand provides entertainment to your listeners. Find and nurture unique personalities and let them create unique content around your brand! Repeat, find great personalities and let them create engaging cross platform content!…Understanding and executing these simple strategic, yet passion driven, concepts will help you and your teams thrive in the new world order….oh, and if you’re one of those clinging to a 10 in a row mentality, well you’d better wake up…"
Jimmy Steal -
Emmis VP of Programming, Emmis Digital National Program Director
Power 106 Los Angeles Program Director at Emmis Communications
2. Honor the listener.
"My hope and dreams for radio in 2017 and the years ahead is that we HONOR the LISTENER - by creating compelling and powerful radio - across ALL platforms. Using our established brands to entertain and inform and connect audiences - with powerful storytelling and reflecting what's important, interesting and fun and what affects our lives... For journalists - use your power for good - do ethical responsible CREDIBLE work - truth is power. Tell the truth, make it matter and never be boring."
Valerie Geller - International Broadcast Consultant/Author
Valerie Geller Media International Broadcast Consultants.
3. Connect new talent with industry needs and openings."Perhaps it’s farfetched, but an annual draft or combine would be great! Because MusicMaster works with quite a few college and university programs, and a majority of the radio industry, why not hold the MusicMaster Combine? Yeah, it isn’t something I can resolve alone, but thank goodness for friends."
Billy R. McKim, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University
Director, Digital Media Research and Development Laboratory
Program Manager, Fusion Radio, KNDE 95.1 FM HD2
4. Improve asset management.
"All too often, files are lost, misplaced, overwritten, or corrupted, and we don’t have or can’t find our backup. I need to do a better job cloning and archiving files. Also, I need to do a better job naming files. No more quick saving files with 'Valentines sweep with John and Deb.'"
Billy R. McKim, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University
Director, Digital Media Research and Development Laboratory
Program Manager, Fusion Radio, KNDE 95.1 FM HD2
5. Be part of listener’s lives.
"I think the industry should work on being part of listeners lives again. This stopped with mass firings at many companies, but I actually see this starting to turn around with some companies. If this is actually happening, and I think in some companies, it is, this needs to accelerate."
Tony Waitekus - Operations manager at NRG Media
6. Attend a MusicMaster Genius Day Workshop.
"The Genius workshop with Rainer in Europe was enlightening as always. Just when you think you know the software, he comes along and shows lots of other really good features. MusicMaster is doing a great job in improving the product."
Kerstin Glathe - WDR, Cologne
7. Dive deeper into metrics.
"I plan to make time every week (Wednesday afternoon) to check out a few metrics. This is for both the social media level, as well as song rotations and event community engagement with our team and brand. Seems like almost every business is trying to do more with less, so to do it smarter and with actionable items are what I think can propel Ocean 100/Newcap into the future. Is there a way I can tell how my station, event or song is performing – at this very moment – with just the click of a button? Of course there is for each, so how can I use it to decide what to keep focus on doing and what to move away from."
Corey Tremere - Voice at Ocean100
8. Improve radio through better branding.
"My goal is to help improve radio ONE BRAND AT A TIME by helping stations and hosts:
- Create stronger marketing messages on ALL platforms by producing better promotional messages on-air and on ALL other co-branded platforms.
-
Improving the "quality" mindset of ads for sellers and buyers. On-air and online, this area CLEARLY needs help!"
Kipper McGee - Media Brandwidth Strategist/Author
9. Have a little help from your friends.
"In 2017 I resolve to ask Tony Lorino (Star 94.1 Atlanta) to key my Christmas music library with my jingles so every segue is like butter. His Christmas HD2 station sounds great!"
Mike Nelson -
Operations Manager at Riverbend Communications
10. Develop your on air talent.
"I will put even more effort into developing my on air talent so that they are the best Personalities in the market. I will also do my best to remember that this is supposed to be fun and keep that feeling in the halls and control rooms of my stations. There’s nothing like laughter in the halls and meetings."
Mark Burley - Regional Program Director, Bell Media
11. Use MusicMaster features to make your life easier.
"In regard to MusicMaster, I plan to utilize Clock Assignment grids at all of my stations better next year to make special and holiday programming easier.
I also use Special Sets at many of my stations to pick imaging, so MusicMaster always picks a proper element (produced, floater, new music, Christmas, etc.). I'd like to expand that practice to the rest of our stations.
I'd like to try to balance out work and regular life better. I need at least a few boundaries in place where I can have some true down time. Also, every year I try to improve on my organizational techniques."
Chris Collins - Program Director at 99.7 MY FM, Mix 101.9 and 100.1 The Beat
12. Integrate your broadcast systems.
"As a company I think we’ll be exploring how to get all of our broadcast systems talking with each other. So, for instance, we just integrated ENCO DAD and MusicMaster. The next step is to get our traffic log (Allegiance) married into that same system as well. We don’t currently schedule promos and stuff via MusicMaster and would like to!"
Chris Johnson - Music Director, KMFA, Classical 89.5
13. Tell radio's story.
"Broadcasters talk a lot about the need to tell their story. In 2017, we should give some thought to what that story is. Does it begin and end with radio’s reach? Or are we using that number as a distraction (and distracting even ourselves from bigger issues)? What is radio’s innovation story, and have we made it a priority to develop and share that? What are we telling listeners about ourselves? Twenty years after the digital empire was built on the slugline “think different,” is our imaging and messaging too pedestrian? How valuable is it to be famous only for “90s, 2K, and Today?”
Sean Ross - author Ross on Radio newsletter, VP of music and programming/Edison Research
Behind-the-Scenes with MusicMaster Version 7
This month, MusicMaster Pro Version 7 began its rigorous testing stages and will soon be ready for our users to enjoy. While you wait, we’d like to give you a peek behind-the-scenes of what goes into a major version update like this one. So, we asked MusicMaster VP and Chief Technical Officer Scott Wirt to share some insight:
“As we continue to develop MusicMaster, it’s always a challenge to add new features and improvements without breaking or impairing the existing functionality that people depend on. A service release usually only contains fixes or minor improvements that have little chance of causing problems so we can deliver these quickly. Major version updates give us a chance to create and deliver bigger changes and more exciting improvements since we have more time to develop and test them.
"In the case of MusicMaster Pro 7.0, we’ve decided to update the user interface in a way that freshens the look of the product without fundamentally changing the way things work. This is something I’ve wanted to do for some time now and is an exciting change that also comes with new customization opportunities, which is something I always strive for. On top of that, there are many new features inspired by users worldwide including a new welcome page, Virtual Search Depths, improved Format Clock Editor, new Clone Hour and History Snapshot options and much more.
"Reworking the user interface all by itself is a large project for an application the size of MusicMaster and has taken more time than expected. We’re very excited to share this new version and while it was our hope to deliver it last month, we’re still finishing up and testing things now and I feel that a bit more time is required to get everything just right. I would much rather deliver an update later than expected than one that is unfinished or not ready for normal use. We also appreciate that this is a busy time of year with the holidays, so we will work hard to get this ready for release after the start of the new year. In the meantime, I’d like to share a few screen shots of some of what we’re working on. I hope you enjoy them!”
Clone Hours: Now you can pick which elements you want to include when cloning part of a log (e.g. non-music vs. music).
Create Custom Database Fields: As was introduced in MusicMaster CS, Pro Version 7 users can now create their own database fields. Previously, these fields could only be created for users by request.
The main trivia indicator now shows green if a song or any of it's keywords has any trivia and the editor now lets you see and edit all of this trivia in a single place.
Mark Tools within one of the new User Interface options.
Another User Interface option. Wallpapers are customizable - now with custom logo placement. In addition, you can see the new Virtual Show Editor: Build Virtual Shows by selecting a list of songs and adding them all to a single song card.
Brainstorming in the Big Apple with Music Choice
Music Choice delivers musical content to vendors all over the globe. If you've ever listened to a music channel on your television or smart phone, chances are, you've listened to a product courtesy of Music Choice. MusicMaster visits Music Choice on a semi-annual basis for on-going training with their team. It's also a great time for our developers to visit their IT/Development department and discuss new ways that Music Choice has come up with to integrate with our system of managing data. Music Choice manages over one hundred stations or channels and they use MusicMaster to manage them on such a large scale.
Bruce Elliot and the Music Choice team of engineers and developers met with MusicMaster's Drew Bennett (Learning and Development Director) and Scott Wirt (VP/CTO) to show off their innovative ideas and projects that incorporate MusicMaster into their asset management system. Drew and Scott also met with the Music Choice programming team to discuss new channel ideas, interesting programming challenges and scenarios unique to the team and the way they program and deliver content. Drew reports: "We look forward to learning more every year we get to visit the Big Apple and one of the biggest music delivery services in the world. Thank you, Music Choice, for being a MusicMaster client for over seven years!"
Music Choice programming team: (left to right)
June Holloway, Mike Popadines, Steve Bollard, Nee-Sa Lossing, Eric Gottlieb, Gabriela Canella, and Joe Dodd
Not Your Mama's Adult Hits Station
Radio listeners in Charleston, WV are excited to hear something a bit different blasting on 107.3FM. MusicMaster client West Virginia Radio Corporation, headquartered in Morgantown, WV, has launched a station branded “The Tailgate”.
We caught up with format creator and group General Manager Christian Miller to discuss the history, formulation and launch of this unique listening experience.
Tell us the history of the Tailgate frequency and what motivated the decision to program differently.
As is the case in most markets across the country…..our company had a 50,000 watt Class B station in Charleston WV that had struggled to get ratings traction for years and there were no immediate format holes in the market. There were two country stations, CHR, Urban, Rock and Adult Hits stations. Because we do not own the top country or Top 40 station in the market – it made sense to target those audiences to increase the strength of our cluster. We have actually thrown this idea around in the hallways for many years so I just decided it was time to bring the concept to life and build the station from scratch.
How do you explain the format to other radio programmers from other markets?
The Tailgate concept is designed to be the first “mood-based” format rather than “genre-based” format in America. The average female listens to 6 music stations each week….yet as the radio industry….we continue to program with “niche” formats rather than offer the variety that listeners are pushing buttons to find. One of radio’s greatest strengths is to put listeners in a good mood when they listen. Listening to Tailgate on the radio is sort of like attending a Tailgate at your favorite college or pro football game. Rather than start with a small Men 18-24 or Women 35-54 target….Tailgate starts with everyone! Since we only give listeners the best upbeat songs from all formats – they know they are going to be put in a good mood when they listen. Because we are playing the best CHR and Country – we also dramatically reduce the repetition that other mainstream formats deliver.
What results would you be willing to share with us?
Most programmers think the station would be a cume-based concept but I always saw it as a TSL station. As a new brand competing with 30 and 40 year brands it takes a long time to build the market leading cume….especially with limited marketing dollars (most GM’s can relate). What I can control as the programmer is the time spent listening. As you can see by the below Charleston ranker…..Tailgate (WKAZ) has the best TSL in the market in several key demo’s including Women 25-54. That tells me that people who have found the station are liking what they hear. In addition to all the current songs you expect to hear on today’s CHR and Country stations….every hour brings a certain “oh wow” factor since the next song could be 24k Magic, Sweet Home Alabama or Ice Ice Baby.
What response have you received from local music retailers, concert promoters, and event organizers?
The real beauty of the format is that it truly can be matched with any promotion, concert or event that comes to town. We have given away tickets to Luke Bryan, ZZ Top, a Monster Truck show and Women’s Expo all in the same week. There really isn’t an audience that we don’t reach or event that we can’t attach our brand to.
The comments we hear most often from listeners are focused on the variety – and the element of surprise. Listeners tell us how fun the station is to listen to and how boring it is going back to listen to stations that play the same 30 songs over and over again.
Would you share a sample hour of music?
24K Magic - Bruno Mars
Ready To Go - Republica
The Weekend - Brantley Gilbert
Ain’t My Fault - Zara Larsson
May We All - Florida Georgia Line
Gonna Make You Sweat - C&C Music Factory
Work From Home - Fifth Harmony
Born To Be My Baby - Bon Jovi
Don’t Wanna Know - Maroon 5
Lights Come On - Jason Aldean
Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
Seein’ Red - Dustin Lynch
In The Name Of Love - Martin Garrix
Point At You - Justin Moore
Brain Stew - Green Day
If you would like to personally discuss The Tailgate format and concept with Christian Miller, reach him at 304-319-5133 or e-mail him.
Tracy Johnson's 5 Programming Considerations for Holiday Vacations
Tracy Johnson is the founder of the Tracy Johnson Media Group. He excels in programming and promotion consulting and talent coaching that attract fans, grows ratings and generates revenue. He’s programmed great radio stations, leading two stations in San Diego from “worst to first”, earned dozens of radio industry awards and been named “Best Programmer In America” by Radio Ink magazine.
Next year, Tracy will be joining MusicMaster as a guest speaker at our Genius Day in Los Angeles at the Worldwide Radio Summit (May 3 - 5). While we look forward to that, here is some of Tracy's wisdom regarding post-holiday programming:
"The year is winding down and you’re counting the days until the Holiday break. The ratings period is almost over, and you have a couple of weeks to relax and take it easy. Most of the staff wants time off, the station is virtually empty and it’s common for programming to suffer during holiday vacations.
Most programmers don’t think too much about the week between Christmas and the new year. After the special Christmas programming ends, there’s just the New Year’s Eve show, and maybe a New Year Countdown. In between, schools are out, much of your audience is on vacation, listener patterns are disrupted and there’s no ratings anyway, so it’s natural to coast a bit.
But wait! While the rest of the world is on cruise control, you have an opportunity to gain some ground during holiday vacations...."
Click the banner below to continue reading the article on Tracy's site.
Micha Fuchs -
Head of Music - RSA-Radio,
Kempten, Germany
Micha shares: "I've been working with MusicMaster for many years at many different stations. After a few years without it, I recently took on the task to update the music scheduling at my current workplace. A different scheduling software was installed. I gave it a shot but came to the fast conclusion: It's just not MusicMaster. So we quickly decided to make the obvious switch and it felt like a homecoming to me. I need a software that is a partner, keeping up with my workstyle and scheduling needs. That is easy to use and yet powerful. MusicMaster is just that. With the other software, I had to go into many different menus to fix one thing. MusicMaster eliminates the clutter and gives you everything you need. It is so much easier and thought out. Great to be back."
Donna Edmonds
Donna shares: "I basically grew up in a radio station. My mom had worked in radio and would drag me around with her. I got my first radio gig at the ripe old age of 12 at WLOI/WCOE in my hometown of LaPorte, IN. I've been called a walking encyclopedia of country music and enjoy many genres of music.
I moved to Nashville, TN in 1987 to go to work at WSM at their overnight satellite radio program Music Country Radio Network, which developed into TNNR, a 24 hour satellite radio network. I was with TNNR from the very beginning until the company decided to discontinue the service to purchase CMT. During my time with MCRN and TNNR, I worked under the leadership of the legendary radio broadcaster Charlie Douglas who helped me grow my music programming skills along with being a jack of all trades helping out with all aspects of getting a new radio service up and running. He was by far the most generous boss, permitting me to be a sponge absorbing all the knowledge I could from the master. From there I spent a few years at the cable network TNN: The Nashville Network working in the Creative Services Department before moving over to CMT to become their music video scheduler in 1994.
In 2005 I was promoted to CMT's Manager of Music Programming & Scheduling and was the longest running music video scheduler for CMT, spending over 20 years there. During my last few years there, as CMT's video hours diminished, I also began scheduling their 24 hour digital cable network Pure Country as well as programming the music for 7 online radio stations for the cmt.com website. Music Master is my primary music scheduling software. The programs I used in the past no longer exist, but I've been programming with Music Master since 2005 and love it!
I love music. It's always been my greatest passion, and I want to continue working with these wonderfully creative souls. I want to relocate to somewhere in the coastal southeast or can stay in Nashville if the right opportunity arises. I'm very detail oriented and a strong people person and compassionate leader who would love to bring my passion for music and air talent to your station.
"
Click here to download Donna's resume.
Click here to contact Donna Edmonds today!
