22 June, 2016

S9-P1 – T5 Radio Advertising ABCD3103

S9-P1 – T5 Radio Advertising ABCD3103.
Topic 5 Radio Advertising.
LEARNING OUTCOMES      
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:      
1.    Describe radio as a medium of electronic media advertising;      
2.    Explain how to write radio copy and radio advertisement scripts;      
3.    Analyse main formats of radio advertisements; and      
4.     Examine the production process of radio advertisements.    ?

INTRODUCTION   Radio   is   probably   not   the   first   thing   that   comes   to   mind   when   advertisers   are  thinking   of   ways   to   advertise   their   business   and   products.   Especially   in   these  days of social media and Facebook fan pages, radio might seem less popular and  quite „old-school‰. But radio can be an important part of your media strategy.   The   fact   is, radio   advertising   continues   to  be one   of   the most   popular   forms   of  advertising   available.   Radio   is   capable  of   penetrating   areas   of   our   daily   lives  which   are   still   off-limits   to   other   media.  Consumers   can   listen   to   radio   in   their  vehicles,   waiting  rooms,   hair  salons and    a  number   of  retail  stores.  Radio  advertising targets that captive audience through a series of spots which promote  products or services in a memorable way. In many countries, radio advertising is  also one of the most effective with the vast majority of people tuning in to radio  each week.              

ACTIVITY 5.1           Radio Is Dead. Long Live Radio          Many advertisers think radio is yesterdayÊs medium. But judging by the          work   being   done   today,   the   opposite   is   true.   Radio   is   not   dead,   it   is          hotter than ever. What is going to happen to radio? I am always amused          by that question, because the subtext is that radio is in trouble. To that I          say    radio      is  the  ultimate   survivor.     It  was  the  first-ever    broadcast          medium, and it went on the air way back in the 1920s, both in Canada          and the US. Warren Harding was the first American president to speak          on   public   radio   in   1922,   and   Prime   Minister   Mackenzie   King   was   the          first Canadian leader to be broadcast in 1927.           Radio   seemed   like   a   miracle   because   it   was   the   first   time   an   entire          country   could   hear   a   live   sound   at  exactly   the   same   time.   Since   then,          radio has survived the competition of motion pictures, television, VCRs,          PVRs and now, the Internet. If I had to put my finger on why radio has          survived, I would have to say because it is such a "personal" medium.  Radio   is   a   voice   in   your   ear.   It   is   a   highly   personal   activity.   People rarely   listen   to   radio   in   groups,   the   way   an   entire   family   might   sit   in          front of the television, or go to a theatre to see a movie. Radio is local. It          broadcasts      news     and   programming        that   is  mostly    local   in  nature.          Through all the technological changes happening around radio, and in          radio  be it AM moving to FM moving to satellite radio and Internet          radio,    basic   terrestrial  radio   survives     into  another    day.   Also,   in  the          world   of   advertising   and   marketing,   radio   continues   to   be   incredibly  innovative.
Source: OÊReily (2013)           Question: According to the given text, radio seems like a miracle and it          has   survived   the   competition   of   many   other   forms   of   media.   Radio   is          not dead but continues to be incredibly innovative. Discuss.

5.1         RADIO BROADCASTING  
Broadcasting takes advantage of electronic technology which combines to create  a   method   of   transmitting   content   or   data.   They   may   include   television,   radio,  Internet   and   any   other   medium   that   requires   electricity   or   digital   encoding   of  information.       There    are   many     traditional    technologies      that   are   considered  broadcasting and a few newer ones which depend on old methodology.   The traditional radio broadcasting comprises the AM or Amplitude Modulation  and   the   FM   or   Frequency   Modulation.   As  ways   of   broadcasting   radio   signals,  both   the   AM   and   FM   transmit   the   information   in   the   form   of   electromagnetic  waves.      AM    works     by   modulating      the  amplitude       of  the   signal    or  carrier  transmitted according to the information being sent, while the frequency remains  constant.     This   differs  from    FM    technology     in  which     sound    (information)     is  encoded      by   varying    the   frequency     of the   wave     and   the   amplitude     is  kept  constant.   New      technology     broadcasting      comprises     the  HD     Radio,   Satellite   Radio    and  Internet     Radio.  The   HD      Radio   technology      transmits    digital   audio   and    data  alongside      existing    AM     and   FM     analogue     signals.   Satellite   Radio    delivers  programming   to   millions   of   listeners   who   are   willing   to   pay   for   special   radio  equipment along with monthly subscription fees. Programming for satellite radio  is beamed from earth to satellite,   and then sent back to earth. Special   antennas  receive the digital information either directly from the satellite or from repeater  stations.   Internet   Radio   which   is   also   referred   to   as   „streaming‰   provides   the  illusion   of   radio   by   separating   audio   into   small   packets   of   digital   information,  sending     it  to  a  computer     and   reassembling      the  packets    into  one   continuous  stream of audio.    Radio Broadcasting in Malaysia   Radio     Malaya     started   transmission      on   1st  April   1946   in  Singapore.     When   Malaya gained independence in August 1957, Radio Malaya was split into two   with the original studios in Singapore managed by a new station called Radio   Singapura   while   Radio   Malaya   moved  to   Kuala   Lumpur.   Now   called   Radio   Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), this broadcasting station maintains and controls 36   radio stations (six national, two international, 17 states, 11 district stations) and   two television channels (TV1 and TV2). All together there are 53 radio stations   in   Malaysia     (more    than   30   government-owned          and   more    than   15   private-    owned radio stations).

5.1.1         Radio as Advertising Media  
Ever since the advent of television in the 1940s, people have been forecasting the  death     of  radio    broadcasting.     However,      radio    continues    to   be   relevant    to  advertisers. Rather than decreasing, the number of radio formats is growing and  they have become more segmented. In fact, radio has been a significant media for  advertisers     for  a  long   time.   Some    researchers    have    demonstrated      that  radio  advertising has the highest impact in the short term of all forms of advertising.   In many countries in the world, radio remains a strong advertising medium with  continued      growth    in  advertising     revenue.    In  the  US,   The   Radio   Advertising  Bureau has a membership of more than 6,000 radio stations offering advertisers a  choice    of  local,  regional    and   national   coverage.     The   availability   of  radio   on  mobile devices such as smart phones with Internet connectivity gives advertisers  access to a new mobile audience, as well as the traditional audience at home, at  work or in cars.   In the UK, the 2013 reports by the UK Radio Advertising Bureau looked at the  mediumÊs        „true‰    return    on   investment.     The    report    is  titled   „Unlocking  AdvertisingÊs      Mission    Millions‰    and   found    that  brands    using   radio   get  their  money back nearly eight times over on average, and in many sectors, radio offers  the   best   return   on   investment   of   any   media.   It   was   also   found   that   the   brands  which have the highest radio return of investment use commercials which stand  out fit well with the brand and communicate information clearly.    5.1.2         Radio and the Media Mix   Radio   can   be   used   effectively   as   an   individual   marketing   channel,   as   well   as   a  supporting       media    as  a  part   of  integrated    media    solutions.    How    much     the  advertiser should invest in each media is dependent on the case in question, and  on   how   many   different   media   that   are   included.   Also,   the   role   of   each   media  should be considered.   As compared to print media, radio can make the printed words come more alive  and strengthen the impact of the message. The audio element makes the impact  stronger, and the message can be maintained for a longer time period. Using the  same   sound   or   music   as   in   television   it can   strengthen   the   overall   effect   of   the  campaign. With radio it is possible to continue the influence of the television spot  by,   for   example,   targeting   the   message   at   a   certain   time   of   the   day   (Mumman,  2013).              

Radio     can   also   efficiently    be  used    together    with    outdoor     and   out-of-home advertising.      Through      this  mix,    specific  audience      such    as  motorists     can   be
reached,   and   the   message   can   be   targeted   effectively.   The   division   of   work   is  clear when it comes to the Internet and radio. In this combination the radio raises  the interest of the target group, and gives directions to the advertiserÊs site.   Radio, combined with the Internet can be seen from two different perspectives;  how   radio   channels   can   be   heard   via  Internet,   and   how   these   two   media   work  together and support each other. Today, many if not most of the radio stations in  many      countries    including     Malaysia     can  be    heard    online.   This   enables    local  stations to be heard outside of the specific region or country. Internet is a natural  delivery      channel     for  the   radio,    as   the  radio    adapts     easily   into   different  technological   requirements.   Internet   and   radio   have   proven   to   be   a   media   mix  where   the   media   support   each   other   very   well.   Radio   awakes   the   target   group  interest, and the Web generates information and works as a distribution channel  (Mumman, 2013).    Radio Advertising in Malaysia   Radio is a popular advertising media in Malaysia together with television and   newspapers.   According          to   Advertising.my,   Malaysians   tune   in   to   the   radio   throughout        the  day    with   the   most    listeners   recorded     for   the   rush   hours   between 6.00am and 10.00am and 4.00pm to 8.00pm daily. This is when most   people   are   driving   to   and   from   their  work   place   while   there   are   many   other   times when Malaysians are listening to the radio as well, which determines the   target group for marketers.    In total, there are 53 radio stations in the country. In an average week, 90 per   cent   of   the   listeners   are   10   years   old   and   above   which   as   mentioned   most   of   them   are   listening   during   the   peak   hours   of      the   day.   The   total   number   of   listeners throughout the week is consistent throughout the country.    Radio Stations   There are, in general, two main types of radio stations such as those available in   a particular language and cuts across various genres and format radio stations.   Where       this  is  concerned,     the   former    are   commonly       offered    by   public    or   privately owned media owners while the latter are offered by the likes of AMP   Radio   Networks.   Privately   owned   radio   stations   total   at   21   stations   which   is   run   by   Media   Prima   who   owns   Fly   FM,   Hot   FM   and   One   FM   which   are   in   English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese languages respectively as well as Suara   Johor     and    Star  RFM     which     operates    four    stations   as  well    as  others    like   Bernama, BFM Media and Husa Network.      

On   the   other   hand,   AMP   Radio   Stations   operate   seven   format   radio   stations    which are Era FM and Sinar FM which are in Bahasa Malaysia, Hitz.FM, Mix    FM and Lite FM which are in English Language, My FM which is in Chinese    and THR which is in Tamil.     All   the   radio   stations   cater   to   a   specific   group   of   target   group   where   their    programmes         are   classified    under     the   likes   of   news     or    talks,   adult    contemporary,       country,     hot  adult    contemporary,       contemporary       hit  radio,    classic rock and golden oldies.     Radio Spots    Advertising spots on radio are bought based on on the programme. Where this    is concerned, buying spots on radio is purely based on time because they are at    a time when a specific target group are listening to the radio.     The   most   common   spots   that   advertisers   can   consider   when   advertising   on    radio are in the mornings where teenagers are tuning in before school starts as    well   as   in   the   afternoons   when   they   are   back   from   school.   For   the   working    adults,   the   rush   hours   are   most   common   as   that   is   when   they   are   in   the   car    travelling to and back from work.   Other known peak hours include the mid-    mornings and afternoons which garner the most female listeners who are most    commonly housewives.     Advertisers      would    then    have   to  identify    which    station   would     suit  their    products   best   and   which   time   slot   is  most   appropriate.   The   total   number   of    listeners in the past few years has been very consistent.               Source: („The forefront company in technology and advertising,‰ 2015)    

5.2         RADIO COMMERCIAL   Radio advertisements or radio commercials are based on the idea of creating an  audio-only   environment   consisting   of   sound,   speech,   sound   effects,   music   and  authentic   sounds   and   placing   the   listener  inside   of   it.   Even   though   the   radio  advertising   is   received   by   the  listener   only   through   one   sense  ? the   hearing  ?  people tend to perceive their surroundings using all their senses. Therefore, radio  advertising is considered as a perfect sensory experience for the audience.  

5.2.1          Advantages of Radio Advertising   The     benefits   of  using    radio    for  advertising     are   many,    ranging     from   its  effectiveness to its low cost. Here are some of the main benefits:   (a)    Close Contact         Radio is an intimate form of advertising. Many people listen alone, such as         when travelling in a train or driving. Listeners develop strong relationships         with their favourite stations, identifying with the music and bonding with         the radio personalities.   (b)    Targetable         The   diverse   spectrum   of   radio   programmes   allows   advertisers   to   target         their   message     to  specific   groups.    Radio    stations   know     its  audienceÊs         demographics,        whether      the   programme        is  a   childrenÊs     show,    an         entertainment       segment,    an   all-sport   or  a  classic   music    format.   Radio         advertising reaches the specific gender, age and economic status of listeners         as there is a clear target.   (c)    Cost-effective         Advertising      especially   on   local  radio broadcasts      is  not  very  expensive.         Radio advertising is more cost-effective than television commercials, print         advertising and direct mail.   (d)    Mobile         Radio   advertising   is   mobile   as   it  works   everywhere.   Consumers   do   not         have to be in front of their television or at their computer. They do not have         to buy or borrow a printed magazine or newspaper, or even know how to         read. However, in many countries majority of adults listen to radio in their         cars, or while at work.   (e)    Fast Production         Radio     advertisements      can  be   produced     very   quickly,   unlike    television         advertisements.   Also,   unlike   magazine  print   advertisements,   there   is   no         need to wait for the next issue to come out.   (f)    Varieties of Promotional Activities         Radio   stations   may   offer   a   variety   of  promotional   activities   that   support         advertising.     The   station  becomes     a  partner   allowing    companies     to  give         away promotional items with names and logos of the sponsors, be live on-         air and even hold broadcasts from the sponsorsÊ place of business.                              
(g)    Measurable Results         Radio advertising especially in direct response advertising has the ability to         track results quickly, and accurately. It tracks results down to the market,         station, and location, and the results are instant.  
5.2.2         Disadvantages of Radio Advertising  

Some of the disadvantages are as follows:  
(a)    Ephemeral         A radio advertisement is very immediate, ephemeral and has no durability,         playing over the air for a minute or less. Listeners hear them, and then the         messages are gone. If listeners missed a phone number or some other detail         mentioned during the advertisement, they will have to wait for it to come         on again.   (b)    Advertising Clutter         Many businesses want their advertisements to run during peak time when         people are listening but there are limited spots available. This can increase         the   cost   for   those   choice   time   slots.  This   also   causes   advertising   clutter,   a         situation   when   an   advertisement   is  surrounded   by   other   advertisements,         thereby forcing it to compete for the listenerÊs attention. Advertisements get         buried in the middle of an extended block of advertisements.   (c)    Background Noise         Radio   can   often   be   background   noise.   Advertisers   will   need   to   run   the         advertisements   more   than   a   few   times  in   order   for   it   to   make   an   impact         because the listeners may not be focusing on them.   (d)    Distraction         This is the opposite side of portability. People can listen to the radio while         they are on the road driving. However, they are not going to be able to act         right   away   on   the   advertising   messages   they   hear.   Those   who   listen   to         radio    while    they   work    may     be  so   focused    on   their   tasks   and   the         advertisements is not the priority.

(e)    No Visuals         Being human, we usually believe only what we see. The human mind can         remember what it sees better than what it can hear. Radio advertisements         have   no   visuals   and depend   only   on   sound   which   is   presented   in   quick         succession.     This   way,    it  is difficult for  the  listeners   to  register   the  ad.         Whatever little is registered; it cannot be recollected completely later. Then,         chances are that radio advertisements are not easily remembered.                SELF-CHECK 5.1          Radio      advertising     presents    the  following     advantages      in   summary.         Explain each point.            ? Targets customers efficiently.            ? Reaches customers at relevant times              and in relevant places.            ? Increases awareness of a product or              business.            ? Gets   the   advertisersÊ   message   closer              to the customer.            ? Brings     the   advertising   message    to              life.            ? Reaches      beyond    current   customers              to increase sales base.          The      following      phrases     summarise       the    disadvantages       of    radio         advertisements. Explain each point.            ? No durability            ? No visual            ? No focus            ? No priority  

5.3         RADIO COPYWRITING   A    successful    advertisement      motivates    and    ultimately    leads   the  audience     to  action.   This   is   the   most   important   objective   of   an   advertisement   and   to   write   a  radio   advertisement   that   achieves   this   objective,   a   copywriter   must   be   able   to  overcome       the  lack  of  visual   elements    and   be  able   to  capture   the  audienceÊs  attention with words and sound.    5.3.1         Radio Copywriter   A    radio   copywriter     writes   scripts   for  radio   commercials.      This   copywriting  specialty demands a deep understanding about how people listen and respond to  radio    programming.       It  also  requires   an   „ear‰   for  what   makes     an  attention-  grabbing radio advertisement.   As discussed earlier, radio advertising offers direct marketers a unique blend of  benefits.     Advertisers     can    sell  to   targeted,    highly     segmented      audiences.  Advertisements are relatively cheap and simple to produce and it can be fast to  get on the air. However, the power of radio advertisement is usually affected or  destroyed by bad writing. This is because radio advertisements rely more heavily  on the quality of copy.   Having   said   that,   good   writing   is   good   writing.   Whether   you   are   writing   for  radio,   print,   television   or   the   Internet   many   of   the   same   basics   apply.   Clarity,  good     organisation    of  your   thoughts    and   themes    and   a  vocabulary     that  your  viewers will understand are all important.  
 5.3.2         Writing for Radio  
Radio     is  unique   in  nature.   There   are a   few   things   which    are  specific  to  the  medium   of   radio   and   with   this   consideration,   here   are   some   of   the   important  guides (based on Pacifica radio).   (a)    Unlike print, radio listeners can not go back to the part they have missed. It        has to be clear the first time, because there is no second chance.      
(b)    Unlike television, there are no pictures to reinforce your words. That means         your   script   has   to   do   all   the   describing.   It   also   has   to   grab   the   listenerÊs         attention. You cannot get back into the main point  you have to get to it         quickly without a long preamble.   (c)    Unlike Internet, it is not available for weeks at a time. You have one, and         only one, opportunity to make an impact.   (d)    Radio   is   conversational.   Think   of   the  most   boring   lecture   you   have   ever         attended. For starters, the presenter probably read it. It probably sounded         like a term paper, full of jargon and long-winded sentences. Does anybody         really talk like that?   (e)    Radio   is   personal   you   are   talking   to   one   person   at   a   time.   That   is   why         your writing has to sound like it is „talked‰, not read. Lectures do not work         on radio. Your script can not be just „read‰. It has to be performed.          Radio writing has to be tight and clear, and above all, interesting. Radio has         been   called   the   theater   of   the   mind,  because   good   writers   can   conjure   up         images   for   listeners.   But   most   radio   news   is   heavily   formatted   into   tiny         story slots, so you need to be as clear, descriptive and direct.          (i)    You must be Descriptive                Obviously, the visuals   are not there, so you have to   add   words that                speak     of  sights,  sounds,     aromas    and   whatever      else  contributes     to                setting the scene. Ambient sound is often a big help to accomplishing                word pictures.          (ii)   You must Write Tightly                Scripts   are   short.   Commercial       radio   network   newscasts   are   brutal,                with   stories   ranging   from   10   to   30   seconds.   This   demands   that   you                winnow out the excess material and include only what is necessary to                tell the story. Noncommercial newscasts are longer, but are often also                formatted into tight patterns.          (iii)  You Can Write with More Style                Your vocal presentation must be gracious and authoritative, and your                personal warmth must come through in your reports.

5.4         RADIO FORMAT  
Radio advertisements vary in format but a typical radio advertisement features a  professional voice-over artist reading descriptive copy over certain background  music. Important information may be repeated several times over the course of  the advertisement such as contact phone numbers, addresses, website URLs, or a  geographical      reference.    As   one  spot   of  radio   advertising    ends,   another    spot  begins and the process continues until the programme resumes.   Another   most   common   radio   advertisement   is   a   dialogue   between   consumers  sharing   information   about   the   product   to   sell.   This   can   be   effective   because   it  creates     the  facade    of   word-of-mouth       advertising,     and    because    it  can   be  entertaining as well as informative.   Some radio advertising can be very elaborate, using several different voice actors  to perform a short comedy or customised music to punch up the most important  parts of the advertising copy. Other radio advertising, especially when produced  by a local radio station, is more straightforward, with a recognisable disk jockey  or   presenter    providing     the  voice-over.  These     radio   personalities    can  read   an  advertisement   aloud   during   a   live   broadcast   or   otherwise   endorse   a   particular  business.   Depending   on   the   radio   station  and   the   clientÊs   budget,   on-air   talent  may be used for the production of radio advertising or it may be farmed out to a  professional advertising agency to achieve the clientÊs vision.   Perhaps the most common form of radio advertising is the use of pre-recorded  commercials       that   are  played    over   the radio.    These    are  often   professionally  produced       and   recorded,    and    then   sent to   a   radio   station   for  inclusion    in  commercial breaks. Such advertisements are easy to create and record, but may  offer less flexibility for some markets and can become repetitive for listeners.   Live events can also be used as forms of radio advertising, in which a personality  from   a   radio   station   makes   an   appearance   at   an   event,   promoting   that   event  during a broadcast and drawing customers.   There is a broad range of choices for type and length of radio commercials. With  changes   in   the   radio   industry   and   better   production   technologies,   the   mode   of  commercial presentation has changed, and commercial advertisements can take  on a wide range of forms.                                 Some      people    have    categorised     radio   commercials       into  two    basic   types    as  explained next:   (a)    Live Read         Live   read   or   the   straightforward   announcement   is   presented   as   a   single         voice   reading   of   30   or   60   seconds   of   clear,   concise,   fact-filled   copy   that         motivates and sells listeners. This format does not use frills and jokes. Also         there is no unrealistic dialogue. The content just focuses on the offer which         is the selling proposition. This is read by a good, strong voice. There may be         some background music or even some sound effects in live read. A   radio         announcer reads an advertiserÊs spot on the air, delivered from a fact sheet         or    from    personal     knowledge,      or  when      the   announcer      endorses     the         advertiserÊs goods or services.   (b)    Produced Spot         In contrast to live read, a produced spot is created either by a radio station         or an advertising agency. Radio advertising spots are normally purchased         with numerous air times. Advertisers can select how many times they want         their   spots   to   be   heard   through   the   course   of   a   day   as   well   as   on   which         shows.   Some   programmes   can   charge   more   for   an   ad   spot,   depending   on         their listenership as well as the time of day the show airs. Prime drive time         hours   between   5pm   and   8pm   are   the   most   expensive,   while   late-night   ad         spots are generally cheapest.   5.4.1          Types of Radio Commercials   Radio commercials can be categorised into the following groups (Warner, 2009):   (a)    Jingles         This   is   a   commercial   consisting   of   music.   It   can   often   make   an   enduring         impression and a good feeling about the product.   (b)    Testimonials         This   is   a   commercial   which   makes   use   of   a   spokesperson   who   informs         about the product. This can be extremely powerful, capturing the essence of         word-of-mouth         but  there   needs    to  be  a  strong   correlation    between     the         spokesperson and the product to make it credible.  
(c)    Drama (Including Storytelling)         This    is  a  commercial    which    consists  of   little   more  than  a  conversation.         Commercials which require acting or real people need to be well-written to         become   realistic   but   if   this   is   accomplished,   the   commercial   can   be   very         informative, intriguing and effective.   (d)    Humour         This is a commercial which make use of humour or funny elements. Using         humour can create great results and most people enjoy laughing. However,         often that detracts from the actual product so it has to be done carefully.   (e)    Straight Information         This   is   a   commercial   which   lists   up   facts.   This   commercial   is   rarely   used         alone    but   it  can  sometimes     occur   after  a  commercial      to  mention    legal         aspects, in other words, the fine print used at the bottom in, for instance, a         magazine or television advertisement.    5.4.2         Radio Advertising Process   Good radio campaigns are a product of excellent strategy, skilful media buying,  and   insightful   radio   commercial   development.   The   creative   team   manages   the  entire   production   process,   including   all  writing,   iterations   of   copy,   voice   over  talent selection and production.   Here are some of the steps followed when creating a radio commercial. Refer to  Strategic Media, Inc.   (a)    Brainstorming         Develop imaginative concepts around your radio advertising, considering         both   the   company   and   the   consumers.  The   creative   process   starts   with   a         brainstorming   of   possible   alternatives,   and   then   is   narrowed   down   into   a         short list of approaches that you think will produce the best results based         on some rationale.   (b)    Brief Preparation         A brief is composed which includes all necessary information on the client;         who we are talking to, what we arere trying to convey in their spot, what         station(s) we are running on and if there are any mandatories. Pretty much,         it is the road map for the creative team to follow. Write, re-write and edit a         copy brief which will be sure to engage your target market.  

(c)    Script Approval         Approve the scripts to be broadcast on the radio.   (d)    Voiceover Preparation         Locate, identify and hire voice over artists.   (e)    Recording         Visit digital recording studio to bring the radio advert copy to life. Work to         do include recording, mixing, editing and mastering.   (f)    Audio Duplication         Undertake audio duplication to print and distribute your radio commercial         to relevant stations.             ACTIVITY 5.2          Read   the   following   text   and   discuss   the   process   of  producing   a   radio         advertisement based on the story of a personal experience in the text.          We begin with a brief. Since you have already worked with our media         team to plan and buy radio airtime we have this, but if not, that is the         first job. From there we will develop radio creative concepts to present         back to you before we go anywhere near the radio recording studio. We         will    also  make    sure   the  scripts  are   approved     for  broadcast    by   the         authority.   Once   the   radio   scripts   have  been   signed   off   we   go   into   our         radio recording studios to produce the radio commercials. It is here we         can   use   sound   effects,   music   and   voice   overs   to   utilise   the   power   of         sound     and   bring   your    script  to  life.  Our  team   are  experts   in  radio         commercial production and will direct the voice over and mix the radio         commercial to make sure your audio sounds fantastic.  

Radio Advertising Script                                      Sample Template      KEY      SFX  sound effects      MVO  male voice over    Product: National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory   Date:   Title: KidsÊ memories 3   Length: 30 seconds     (The   kids  are  talking   excitedly,  recounting   their  experiences    to  friends  or   relatives)    Sister: At the National Maritime Museum I steered a Viking ship.    Brother: And we saw NelsonÊs uniform with the bullet hole in it.    Sister: We stood in East and West at the same time.    Brother: And thereÊs a giant telescope that sees double stars.    Sister: TheyÊve got Captain ScottÊs chocolate  itÊs a hundred years old.    Brother: And I sank a warship with cannon.    MVO: Explore oceans, time and space. All in one day. At the National Maritime   Museum and the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Just 20 minutes from central   London. And free for kids and seniors.    Sister: And you should see what sailors used to eat and drink.  

Brother: Uuurgghh!                                                    („National Maritime Museum‰, 2015)                 Radio Advertisement                                       Sample Script   Product: Public Service Advertisement  Date:  Title: Know Your Tap Water  Length: 30 seconds                                        

SCRIPT 1   SFX: Drip, Drip, Drip   ANNCR: You drink it.   SFX: Boiling water or steaming tea kettle   ANNCR: Cook with it.   SFX: Faucet on full, dishes clinking   ANNCR: It is there every time you turn on the faucet.   MUSIC: Up and under   ANNCR: But what do you really know about your tap water? Do you know  where it comes from? Or whatÊs in it?   You should. And now you can. Your water supplier will soon be sending you a  short, news report about your water. Look for it in the mail. And when it  comes, read it.   Do not let this chance to learn about your drinking water go down the drain.   MUSIC: Out   SFX: Drain noise   ANNCR: Learn more by calling your water supplier or ABC Safe Drinking  Water Hotline (800-426-4791).                                        

SCRIPT 2   ANNCR: We talk about water all the time. We say our mouths water, and we  do not want to get into hot water and blood is thicker than water, and you  cannot mix oil and water.   It is not all talk ? we are even made of water.
Up and under    ANNCR: But what do you really know about your tap water? Do you know   where it comes from? Or what is in it?     Chances are, you do not. But now you can. Your water supplier will soon be    sending you a short, news report about your drinking water. Look for it. And   when you get it, read it. Because this report really holds water.  
MUSIC: Out    ANNCR: Learn more by calling your water supplier or ABC Safe Drinking   Water Hotline (800-426-4791).                               ("United States Environmental Protection Agency", 2015)            

ACTIVITY 5.3          
1.    Write a simple radio advertisement script using a specific format                shown     in  this  topic   or  any   other  format    you   think  suitable.                Imagine that the creative brief of this script says that the objective                of   the   campaign   is   to   promote  Malaysia   as   an   amazing   tourism                destination    for  holiday,   business,   educations,   jobs  and   medical                treatment. The audience for this campaign is foreigners living in                any one of the Southeast Asian countries.          2.     Tune   in   and   listen   to   radio   advertisements.   Observe   the   content                and analyse to what extent the copywriter has managed to present                the advertising goal in a simple, straightforward and measurable                way. Answer the following questions based on the advertisement                that you have chosen to analyse:                 How does the advertisement:                
(a)    Talk about benefits?                
(b)    Keep the message simple, not trying to be complicated, cute or tricky?                
(c)    Show Undeniable Value?          

(d)    Ask the listeners to take a specific action? What action?                                          
Radio   continues   to   be   relevant   to   advertisers.   Rather   than   decreasing,   the      number of radio formats is growing and they have become more segmented.       In   fact,   radio   has   been   a   significant  media   for   advertisers   for   a   long   time.       Some   researchers   have   demonstrated  that   radio   advertising   has   the   highest       impact in the short term of all forms of advertising.   ? Radio advertisement or radio commercial is based on the idea of creating an       audio-only   environment   consisting   of  sound,   speech,   sound   effects,   music       and authentic sounds and placing the listener inside of it.   ? The       benefits   of  using    radio   for  advertising     are   many,    ranging     from   its       effectiveness to its low cost. Main advantages of radio advertisements include       close    contact,     targetable,    cost-effective,     mobile,     fast   production      and      measurable.   ? The disadvantages of radio commercials are that there are no visual elements       and radio is often used as background noise. Also, listeners may not always      pay attention to the advertisements. They may also change the station when       advertisements   appear.   A   listener   is   usually   unable   to   go   back   to   a   radio       advertisement and listen to it at his leisure. Certain time slots are also more       effective when using radio advertising.   ? A   successful   advertisement   motivates   and   ultimately   leads   the   audience   to       action. This is the most important objective of an advertisement and to write       a radio advertisement that achieves this objective, a copywriter must be able       to overcome the lack of visual elements and be able to capture the audienceÊs       attention with words and sound.   ? Radio writing has to be tight and clear, and above all, interesting. Radio has      been   called   the   theater   of   the   mind   and   radio   writers   need   to   conjure   up       images for listeners.   ? Radio   advertisements   vary  in   format.   There   is   a   broad   range   of   choices   for       type and length of radio commercials. With changes in the radio industry and      better    production     technologies,     the   mode    of  commercial      presentation     has       changed, and commercial advertisements can take on a wide range of forms.                                      



Live read                                          
Radio copywriting    
Produces spot                                      
Radio format    
Radio advertising                                
Radio spots    
Radio commercial                                  
Radio stations   

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