The Power of Radio Advertisement

If we could travel back in time, we would see humans gathered around a large, brown box emitting various sounds. They were undoubtedly listening to news, music, live performances, and religious broadcasts. All made possible by the revolutionary invention of radio. The rise of this technology even allowed newspapers to make connections with their audiences via radio broadcasts.

Now the question circulating is when did the first radio advertising aired and how did the audience react?

Around 100 years ago, the main concern was how to make the long radio streams pay and how to finance them. Out of this concern, AT&T realized that “Time” is what they needed to sell. They aired the first ever-paid radio ad on August 28, 1922, which lasted about 15 minutes for a real estate company called Queensboro Corporation via WEAF, the radio station that AT&T owned at the time. The ad successfully reached a vast audience, prompting other real estate companies to emulate the strategy. Some even went so far as to establish their own radio stations.

The question remains: Is radio advertising still a hit in the digital era?

The answer is definitely “yes”‘ – radio is still an important medium for reaching audiences. According to Nielsen, 82% of Americans listen to terrestrial radio. This indicates that radio can effectively reach a large audience and is a worthwhile investment.

Let’s uncover the fantastic benefits radio advertising brings to your business!

Cost Effective
Advertising can be quite expensive for businesses. However, studies have shown that radio advertising is worth the cost. A study conducted by Nielsen and Catalina Solutions shows that for every dollar invested in a product that was advertised, there is a $12 return in sales. Not to mention that it is less expensive than producing a television commercial or running a print advertising campaign.
Brand Awareness
Radio enables the audience to form an image of your product according to its message tone, as its communication channel is audio. Hearing your brand’s advertisement multiple times will undoubtedly increase its awareness.
Measurable
What a fantastic opportunity it is to measure the success of your advertising efforts, isn’t it?
One advantage of radio advertising is that you can track different metrics, including audience statistics, cost, and revenue. Additionally, you can combine radio-specific information, such as audience statistics, with other campaigns, such as outdoor or digital efforts, to boost the overall campaign performance and experience.
Around The Clock And in Any Location
According to Nielsen data, 69% of radio listening takes place outside of homes. The radio’s accessibility makes it possible for people to listen while they are on the move or in places where other channels like social media or Google ads might be less accessible.

Guess what, even radio advertising has different types to choose from!

Here five famous types of radio advertising that you can use:

Sponsorship
You can sponsor a specific program, shows, or sports. Your brand will be endorsed within the sponsored show.
Live Reads
The most straightforward type of ad, mostly happens on well-loved broadcasts, as the host personally delivers your ad message on the show. Live reads are special because the audience already knows and trusts the host, which will add to your brand a unique perception.
Have a quick look at this live read radio ad exampleLive Read
Spots
A traditional and common type of radio ad involves 30 or 60-second pre-recorded ads to promote a brand, product, or service in a brief and well-articulated message.
Jingles
The easiest way to recall your brand among other radio ads is because they stay in mind and are hard to ignore. Memory and music has been extensively researched, particularly in exploring how sounds can evoke emotions.
KittKat had once created a popular jingle hit, which had been widely recognized as one of the most iconic advertising jingles of all time. Initially intended to be a throwaway, the jingle turned into a big hit for KitKat and remixed in many genres, leading Hershey to build a new factory to meet the high demand.
Give Me a Break Jingle
Don’t you think it is time to start crafting your own catchy jingle to shine on the radio?
Voiceover
A popular format in radio advertising is employing skilled voice actors to paint an auditory picture of your product or service for the audience. Some brands choose celebrities to do the voiceover for an air of sophistication and a touch of familiarity.

February 13: World Radio Day

Even in this day and age, with an abundance of technology and the internet access, radio remains an important medium. Let’s not forget that it also plays a crucial role in emergencies, serving as a reliable source of information in the event of disasters that impact infrastructure or electricity.

The Power of Radio Advertisement