Campaign Ads on WVKO 1580 AM in Columbus Pay Dividends
Submitted by paper ballots now on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 8:58pm.
Blogging in General
Promoted from the forums because I have similar concerns - Nick D.
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.
I left off Dan Stewart
Submitted by Dave in Columbus on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 11:02pm.
Dave in Columbus
I have also heard his ads on WVKO.
I have also heard his ads on WVKO.
Correction again
Submitted by Dave in Columbus on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 3:32pm.
Candidates I have heard on WVKO are Obama (a lot!), Shawn Dingus, Paula Brooks, Dan Stewart, and Fairfield County Commissioner Karl Stalter. I have also heard David Robinson in the past. I have NOT heard Sharon Newhart.
they should qualify for arbitron before they start complaining
Submitted by saggitarius on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 5:10pm.
No one listens to this station, no campaign run on a tight budget can AFFORD to advertise there. It isn't cost effective at all. They have SUCH a small listenership that they don't qualify for Arbitron for christ sakes. Totally supportive of the effort but back off local campaigns that are run on tight budgets. They are putting their money in places where it will be effective. Sharon NEUHARDT and many others fall into this category. And just because David Robinson spends his cash their doesn't make it a good idea, this is after all the candidate who dropped 10k in web ads that get what 150-200 clicks.
What are you talking about?
Submitted by Dave in Columbus on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 6:50am.
"Qualify for Arbiton"? And that means what? Arbetrends gave WVKO a 1, and Arbtron just gave it a .8--doubling it's starting ranking since January.
And this increase was mostly by word of mouth--meaning not only that WVKO has listeners, but LOYAL listeners, who spread the word
And WVKO is already beating right-wing stations WYTS, WRFD, and WLW,which means liberal hosts Stephanie Miller, Rachel Maddow, Thom Hartman, etc., draw more Columbus listeners than the likes of conservative hosts James Dobson, Bill Cunningham and Michael Savage.
Dave in Columbus
Your concern is noted
Submitted by RussC on Wed, 10/22/2008 - 9:16am.
"Totally supportive of the effort but back off local campaigns that are run on tight budgets."
Doubtful, because you say, "No one listens to this station, no campaign run on a tight budget can AFFORD to advertise there." BZZZZZT! Wrong on both counts.
There are plenty of listeners to WVKO. And advertising on the station is very affordable. Here is a link to WVKO's Advertising page: http://www.wvko1580.com/advertising/
WVKO AM has been listed in the Arbitron rankings since going on the air with Progressive Talk programming in December 2007. This is in stark contrast to the "old" Air America affiliate, WYTS, which has so few listeners, that it didn't even show up on Arbitron's radar after switching to the Rightwing Babble format.
It's not just Progressives who listen to WVKO
Submitted by RussC on Thu, 10/23/2008 - 8:44am.
Democratic candidates and "media brokers" may think that ONLY hard-core Progressives listen to Progressive Talk radio, and so "already have their votes". This is not the case in the least, considering how many Right-Wingers call into these shows. The proof is right there on the air!
And there have to be lots of Undecideds listening as well, because the all-Conservative stations (like WTVN, WTDA, WRFD, WLW, and WYTS) are just a tape-loop of "Ayers, Wright, Rezko, Socialist, Terrorist". That programming gets pretty boring, because it is so transparently hyper-partisan and mean-spirited.
The Undecideds *must* be seeking out intelligent political talk radio, and WVKO 1580 AM fits the bill.
Disappointed in Cordray and Kilroy
Submitted by RussC on Wed, 10/29/2008 - 3:11pm.
I am very disappointed that Mary Jo Kilroy and Richard Cordray have not run any ads on WVKO 1580 AM. They received national exposure on the Ed Schultz Show a few months ago, yet now you show no support for the station that brought them that platform.
They may be assuming that they have the votes of every listener to the station, but given the number of Republicans who call in to Schultz, Stephanie Miller, and Thom Hartmann, there are many opportunities to educate these Right-leaning listeners.
If Ohio candidates do not support WVKO, the station will go away. The Democratic Grassroots are listening and I can guarantee that they are wondering, "Where the hell is Richard Cordray? Where the hell is Mary Jo?"
Thank you, Richard Cordray, for advertising on WVKO
Submitted by RussC on Fri, 10/31/2008 - 4:55pm.
I just heard a Cordray for Attorney General ad on WVKO 1580 AM. Thanks so much for supporting Progressive Talk radio.
I've also heard ads for the Columbus City Bond issues, Issue 75, Dingus for Judge, Delaware County Democrats, and a Licking County Democrat. John O'Grady sponsored the High School Football game of the week last week on WVKO, and is likely also sponsoring this week's playoff game(s).
And last but not least, Senator Barack Obama has been running ads for his Presidential campaign for several weeks now.
Thanks to one and all, and I regret if I've left anyone out.
Obama gets it!
I have heard Obama ads--lots of them.
Apparently he gets it (along with Shawn Dingus, Sharon Newhart, & Paula Brooks, to name a few 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.