Holland Cooke Media

At best, this will be top-of-mind Topic #1
At worst, tens of millions could die.
It happened before.
1918 was a world less-wired; so we don’t know how many died then. Estimates are 40-50 million.

Not only will modern technology enable us to KNOW when a pandemic happens, technology may help CAUSE a pandemic. Airplanes helped spread AIDS and SARS, and do the same for flu. Previous influenza pandemics circled the globe in 6-9 months, back when most international travel was by ship. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, today, a virus could reach all continents in less than 3 months.

Indulge me some detail, and you will understand what’s at stake for radio.
President Obama has declared a National Emergency. H1N1 -- being called "Swine Flu" -- has killed over 1000 in the USA, and is now widespread in 46 states. Because the virus is new, humans have no pre-existing immunity, and vaccines could not be stockpiled in advance. Many developing countries will never have access to vaccines.

In a pandemic, even people who don’t get sick could be severely impacted, as normalcy is interrupted.
Worker absenteeism will contribute to social and economic disruption, which could be worse than during pandemics back when trade and commerce weren’t so globally interdependent. Power, transportation, communications, and other essential services could be impaired. As if life wasn't challenging-enough in this recession.

This could be a turning point for AM/FM broadcasting, which has already allowed itself to be marginalized as “terrestrial radio.”
A global story like this can be told on satellite radio and shortwave radio and the Internet. But, should pandemic strike, the only kind of radio that can tell people what to do – right-here-right-now – will be local AM/FM stations that have a staff and a plan.
Is that you? Admittedly, an awkward question with station staffs so lean now.

At best, AM/FM will be sharing this unfortunate opportunity with television and the Internet. Even iPod can tell this story, via RSS podcast syndication. If radio is a no-show, this single event could relegate us to a diminished status in people’s lives forever more.

IMPORTANT: Sound like you are on this story.
Bookmark and check-frequently C.D.C.'s H1N1 update page, useful show prep.
And keep washing your hands.

Buddy-Up With The Newspaper???
Aren't newspapers dying? Shouldn't radio be dancing-on-their-grave?
Theoretically, radio/newspaper synergies are opportune.
But, as a practical matter, these partnerships tend to be problematic.
Even when the station and the paper are commonly owned.

I speak from experience. In nearly 15 years as a consultant, I’ve been involved in various such efforts. And before-I-hung-out-my-shingle, I spent three years as Vice President of a new media unit at USA Today...repurposing The Nation’s Newspaper to audio.

FREE SPECIAL REPORT: Recommendations for Radio/Newspaper Partnerships.
Included: THE-most-diabolical-trick I’ve ever seen a newspaper play on local radio stations.
And stations are a willing accomplice. And it happens year after year.

For your copy, simply send an Email to newspaper@hollandcooke.com. Within moments, the robot will Email you the document. No charge...because newspapers aren’t the only “old media” that are challenged right now.