Campaign Ads on WVKO 1580 AM in Columbus Pay Dividends
Submitted by Doug on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 9:17pm.
Bumped up from the Forums. Progressive media outlets like WVKO are a critical part of the equation of building a lasting Democratic majority in Ohio, and WVKO won't survive without more support. -Jeff
Buying ads on WVKO 1580 AM reveals to the Progressive community that a Democratic candidate understands the importance of Progressive Talk radio.
Thus, it is worrisome that I haven't heard ads from most candidates or Issues on Ohio's only Liberal Talk radio station. WVKO already promotes Progressive causes and candidates, so I am concerned that the Democratic campaigns may be taking the station for granted.
Candidate and Issue campaigns should contact Gary Richards at WVKO (614) 469-1930 and show their support for Ohio's only 24/7/365 megaphone for Progressives.
Obama gets it!
Apparently Obama gets it. He has a lot of ads on WVKO (along with Shawn Dingus, Sharon Newhart, Dan Stewart, and Paula Brooks, to name some I can think of off the top of my head). Specifically:
1. Don't take the faithful for granted. Progressives listen to NPR and WVKO. On other stations, you will reach few. (And judges: Don't forget the ballot omits R and D. If you are heard on WVKO, they know who you are.) You can pretty well assume 100% of WVKO listeners are voters. You can't find a more focused demographic.
2. Rally the faithful. WVKO listenership has DOUBLED since it started in January, making it the fastest growing station in the state. That tells you something about its listeners. They are activists, spreading the word about the station, and they can spread your message too--whether it is via the internet, progressive groups, or the water cooler.
3. Don't pass up a big rabbit at low cost. For the cost of ONE television commercial, you can advertise on WVKO from now until the election. And, unlike TV, you don't pay production costs. The station will produce your ad for you. And they will respond to smears faster than TV, postcards, or robocalls.
4. Remember the day AFTER the election. Rush is on 1,000 radio stations across the nation. Rachel is on about 80. And WVKO is the only progressive station in the state. We need to do more than win. We need to succeed. And WVKO is our only unbiased voice on the airwaves. Your little ad can help keep WVKO alive for the next election, and get out our message in between.
I think nearly every Democratic candidate in Central Ohio has been on WVKO this year--getting free air time on as guests on its program. If you don't support the station, will it be there next time you need it? Use it or loose it.
Dave in Columbus
P.S. As a member of Ohio Majority Radio, I support all progressive radio in Columbus. Unfortunately, WVKO is all we have. And nationwide, Limbaugh is on about 1,000 stations, while Rachel is on about 80. If we want a real main stream media, we gotta create it, and support it.
Correction to my comment
Candidates I have heard on WVKO are Obama (a lot!), Shawn Dingus, Paula Brooks, and Fairfield County Commissioner Karl Stalter. I have also heard David Robinson in the past. I have NOT heard Sharon Newhart.
Ads
In the last few months, I've had more opportunities to listen to WVKO directly, so I have been pleased to hear more candidate ads as well.
However, in any particular calendar year, candidate ads are only ever going to be a small portion of their ad revenue and we have to encourage small businesses (and large!) to advertise there as well. To do that, we have to patronize the business who do advertise there.
That is THE key to making this work.
This is Ohio's ONLY 24/7/365 all-Democratic station
Advertising on Progressive Talk radio shows the Grassroots that Democratic campaigns "get it".
I would be very disappointed if Democratic campaigns/causes have the attitude "why buy the cow when the milk is free?".
I would be even MORE disappointed if some candidates are avoiding WVKO because the candidates supported Clinton in the March Primary, but most national hosts on WVKO supported Obama.
It's time to come together, Dems! You need to support Progressive Talk, or all Central Ohio will be left with is Rush, Hannity, Cunningham, Ingraham, Savage, etc.
Don't forget the local con talkers
Progressive Talk also needs support or central Ohio will be left with the likes of Bob Conners, Joel Riley, and Bob Burney offering up conservative spin to local issues.
WVKO offers a medium for Democrats to talk and not get the Bill O'Reilly treatment.
Yes - Support those businesses!
And thank them. Every weekend I attempt to patronize at least one business I hear advertised.
As for ad campaign dollars, I don't think anyone expected them to be a long-term mainstay.
But keep in mind that WVKO is going through its birthpangs--and rating wise, doing great, doubling it's ratings since it began earlier this year.
And it is an incredibly superior product--just compare Rachel to Rush.
But it does not have the deep pockets of Clear Channel, Sinclair, Fox, etc. to keep it alive--as they have kept alive right-wing stations even as their ratings fall.
And infusion of ad dollars right now would be just the thing to give the station the push forward to ensure its future success.