Emotional connections a popular theme at Radiodays Asia

Emotional connections have been a popular theme at Radiodays Asia.

It was one of two super radio events held over the past few days in Kuala Lumpur, with ABU Secretary General Dr Javad Mottaghi also welcoming delegates to the first face to face ABU radio conference in three years.

In opening the Radiodays conference, founder Anders Held welcomed some 300 attendees from 30 different countries who are attending the event this year.

In his keynote address, ARN’s Chief Content Officer, Duncan Campbell said that radio’s continued success and longevity is the result of powerful personal connections that listeners make through the unique personalities they listen to every day.

Campbell says that even with a focus on new technologies that some claim are ‘radio killers’, it’s important to remind ourselves that radio is still incredibly strong and will continue to adapt and evolve.

He says each person’s connection – and the reason behind it – is different.

“What’s interesting is that people can’t describe it easily, either.  It’s a feeling or a sensation, or a psychological state … powerful emotions that are enduring.”

“Every day emotional connections are being formed or reinforced by radio personalities around the world.”

Full story here.

In his Radiodays Asia address, Eardrum founder Ralph Van Dijk spruiked about love, the emotion that trumps all others.

He says consumers want to be engaged, entertained, and inspired, and the fastest way to a consumer’s heart is through their ears.

Van Dijk says audio’s lack of pictures gives it a massive advantage.

“Advertisers on audio get to be with listeners all day, every day, at home, while they are on the move, in the most intimate and one on one environment.

“We need to help our advertisers create long term campaigns that form long term relationships with our listeners.”

“75% of consumers say they make their decisions based on emotions, so if you can find a way to connect with your audience emotionally you are more than halfway to converting them into loyal customers.”

Full story here.

Anna Dixon – Senior Service Designer, ABC Innovation Lab, Australia – talked about engaging younger audiences.

As radio’s audiences are getting older, how do stations successfully connect with the younger, future audiences?

Anna Dixon shared some of the work and experiments focused on younger audiences that’s been explored by the ABC Innovation Lab.