Media in 2021 is a brave new world that continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace and the rapid changing landscape of the audio world is bringing a new definition to the term “the speed of sound.”
Every generation has been witness to the new “speed of sound” and the changes that have connected people and communities and converted our lives into an instant communication hub. Boomers first experienced the freedom to consume audio anytime and anywhere with new transistor radios. Teenagers no longer needed a home base to hear and enjoy their favorite music. They could hear their music while walking down the street.
In 1979, The Walkman first gave us the ability to hear our favorite albums anywhere and proved to be a major advancement in expanding the world of personal media. When music was reaching an exciting new wave of popularity in 1984, The Discman allowed CDs from our favorite artists to follow our lives at work and at play.
As technology continued to advance, the cell phone was evolving into a major personal media hub, and by 1998 the first cell phones allowing the downloading of an individual’s favorite music were on the market. It was the earliest beginnings of each person having the power to create their own radio station that they could hold in their hands.
Gen Xers learned about the new mobile capabilities of the cell phone, and it soon became second nature for their generation to adapt to the brave new world of audio. Millennials were the first young generation born into the new world of mobile technology, and they have never known life without it. But even for the Gen X and Millennial generations, the pace of technological advancement has been a startling experience.
Now, the parents of Boomers are connected in ways they could never have imagined.
Today, Entercom, one of the largest broadcasting companies in America, announced a bold new name and image change. As of March 30, 2021, Entercom has become Audacy: part audio - part audacious - part odyssey.
Audacy is a unique new brand name that encompasses the multi-platform audio content that includes the best radio broadcasting, podcasting, digital, network, live experiences, music, sports, and news. Audacy has become the #1 creator of original, premium audio content.
“We have transformed into a fundamentally different and dramatically enhanced organization and so it is time to embrace a new name and brand identity which better reflects who we have become and our vision for the future.” - David Field, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Audacy.
At this exciting flashpoint in the evolution of mass media and its ability to enhance human connections, the new name and branding of a former radio broadcast company into an advanced media company distributing 360 degrees of audio in this brave new world represents a modern-day advancement that compares with great past moments in broadcasting.
The power of audio is unmistakable. When the ability to transmit pictures with audio became reality, many predicted radio would die in the shadow of television. On August 1, 1981, when MTV launched 24-hours of music videos, many predicted that radio would become obsolete. The first music video that aired on MTV, “Video Killed The Radio Star” by The Buggles, proved to be a false prophecy.
Through all of its challenges over time - broadcasting, podcasting and other mediums for delivering audio remains a unique human connection. Millions may be listening to a radio personality on music, talk radio, or a podcast; but most are listening alone in a car, at home, or at work. And they are listening on their own personal media hub.
Hearing only audio alone invites an intimacy that is unlike any other medium.
Film experts speak about how the content to a black & white movie is more profound because the distraction of colors is not present.
Listening to audio without pictures makes the content even more powerful. Think about it. When CNN now uses word like “bull****” freely on the air - it would not be as significant as a radio talk show host or even a podcaster saying the exact same thing because the audio is made more powerful from the absence of visuals.
Radio, and now podcasts and digital audio, remain uniquely powerful and significant - even in a world oversaturated with constant messages and information.
So, here’s to a new brand that captures the sacred world of audio - Audacy. Since the word is partially derived from the word “odyssey” - let’s celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in media’s precious ability to connect people.