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Sam Weaver is radio's most affordable talent coach, http://www.radiocoach.biz,1 888 680 7234. Traditional radio, Podcasting, and Internet radio. Also an Internet Radio Consultant.

This is the third installment of a series on the debut of electronic measurement for radio, digital audio platforms, and advertising agencies.

The Portable People Meter

Survey participants are provided a mobile meter the size of a cell phone, base stations for each household qualified listener, one Household Data Collection Docking Hub, and equipment allowing landline phones and Hub to co-exist in the landline jack. Everything is easy to install and is shipped to survey households.

A meter recognizes all the coded radio or digital audio an individual is exposed to during the course of a day. Part of the technology built into the meter operates similarly to the electronic ankle bracelets that utilize landline phones to monitor the location of those serving jail time at home. These meters serve two purposes: indicating motion (when a panelist is carrying the meter) and recording the exposed coded silent radio and digital signals. The motion sensor on the meter reveals if a panelist is home or away from home. Cell phone-only households (CPOs) are also provided the necessary equipment to upload measurement information.

Panelist Instructions

At bedtime, each household panelist is instructed to place the meter in the base station for recharging and transference of coded broadcast signals for the day to the Household Data Collection Docking Hub. All the collected information from the individual base stations is then uploaded to a central computer at Arbitron headquarters. When docked for the night, the meter is still able to record encoded audio; however, only one hour of listening can be credited during the recharging/docking process.

The base stations have message display screens allowing for text exchanges between households and Arbitron. The meters are equipped with a motion detector, and as long as a person is breathing, moving, and wearing the meter, a green indicator light will remain on. If there is no motion for 30 minutes, a red light comes on, indicating a panelist is not wearing the meter. A unit battery lasts for 24 hours. Arbitron looks for a certain number of motion hours per day: a five-hour minimum for ages 6-17, an eight-hour minimum for ages 18+.

Motion and Listening

It is important to understand how motion relates to listening/exposure. The microphone on the meter is always on, and will record all coded audio. Meeting minimum motion requirements qualifies the panelist's recorded listening/exposure to be part of the in-tab, which means the information will count for ratings measurement. If a panelist does not meet the minimum required motion for a broadcast day (4 AM - 4 AM), none of the day’s recorded listening/exposure will be used for ratings calculations. For example, if a panelist only meets the minimum motion requirements six out of seven days, only six days of recorded information will be included in the rating results. As stated previously, the meter does two things: it records the amount of time (motion) a panelist wears a meter, and it records any radio or digital coded audio.

Panelists can listen as little or as much as they want, but the daily motion minimums have to be met for recorded listening to count for measurement. The amount of motion time is monitored and converted to a number of points earned for the day. These points determine the incentives paid to the panelist.

The next installment in this series will address uploading, editing,morning radio, expectations, and accreditation.

Receive a free aircheck critique from radio talent coach Sam Weaver, the web site is www.radiocoach.biz. Sam is the most affordable radio talent coach in broadcasting, 1 888 680 7234.

This is the second installment on the revolutionary electronic measurement method that will change revenues for radio and advertising agencies.

The Encoder

To be electronically measured for ratings, radio stations (both Arbitron subscribers and non-subscribers) are eligible to receive free encoders that send out continuous silent audio signals. The Portable People Meters are worn by survey panelists and detect the transmitted inaudible codes. A Radio Broadcast Company has to inform Arbitron on the number of stations owned.

There will be two encoders sent to each station. One will be activated and placed in the transmitter rack; the other serves as a backup. For individual recognition, each station gets an ID code, which is transmitted within the silent audio signal. Upon request, separate encoders will be sent to stations wishing to separately market other forms of digital audio, such as Internet, podcasts, or HD stations. Sirius/XM satellite radio will also be provided encoders for measurement. Although the encoders are free for radio broadcasters, only Arbitron subscribers can use the ratings results for sales or marketing.

Survey Panel Selection

The methodology for selection is the same as for Arbitron's paper diary markets: households are randomly chosen to serve on Portable People Meter panels, with family members referred to as panelists. The socio-demographic composition, age, sex, and race, determine the number of panelists for the sample size of a market. Arbitron uses information provided by the U.S Census Bureau for electronic measurement. Panels are built through the use of zip codes with listed landline phone numbers and cell phone-only households.

(An exception is Houston, where there is also door to door canvassing included in the process. About one third of the entire market panel is chosen in this fashion. There are no current plans to incorporate the same procedure in any other Portable People Meter markets.)

In search of panelists, Arbitron uses an automated system to contact landline households. The automation has a built-in formula to reach unlisted numbers. Since using automation/autodialers to contact cell phones is illegal, Arbitron applies a “brute force” method to find cell phone-only (CPO) households. This means pulling a sample of cell phone numbers, and calling in an attempt to reach someone. When a person answers, the caller asks whether he or she has a landline. If they do not, it is a cell phone-only household, and can later go through the PPM process for possible selection to a panel. However, a more efficient method for finding CPO households is on the horizon for diaries and the Portable People Meter (PPM).

Arbitron's Ed Cohen, Ph.D., Vice President of Research Policy and Communication, says:

“It’s pretty simple. We’ll use an address frame (as we used in Houston PPM). From that, we pull a sample and match as many addresses as possible to landline phone numbers. These addresses are removed. The remainder is sent a short survey with some upfront cash and the promise of more for completing the survey. Those that are CPO become the sample pools. Language is included in the questionnaire that allows us to be in compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (use of autodialers to call known cell phones).

“That’s how we will put CPO into the diary service. We are going to test the same system for PPM and transition PPM CPO to that system assuming no problems.”

Panelists can serve from six months up to two years, and are provided cash and other incentives to participate. Much like in airline mileage programs, points are awarded if certain compliance requirements are met or exceeded. New households are transitioned to replace those phased out or dropped from the panel.

The next series installment will address the meter, panelists' instructions, motion, and listening.

The web site for radio talent coach Sam Weaver is http://www.radiocoach.biz. Sam is the industries most affordable talent coach, 1 888 680 RADIO (7234) He will help you maximize your talents and refocus your approach.

The new ratings measurement, the Portable People Meter, or PPM, is not magical or mystical, nor is it the greatest invention ever created to assist radio and its advertisers in separating consumers from their cash. What it will do is monitor passive radio listening, show increases, and help improve strategic marketing for businesses. It will, however, be a challenge for radio to learn how to manipulate the results of the new report card.

Arbitron? Arbitron Inc. is a media and marketing research firm, serving media, radio, television, cable, Internet streaming, advertisers, and advertising agencies in the United States. Its core business is to measure network and local market radio audiences, surveying retail, media, and product patterns of consumers in local markets. Arbitron provides software to analyze media audience and marketing information data. The company has now developed the Portable People Meter, a new electronic technology for media and marketing research and measuring radio. For more than 15 years, Arbitron has not had direct competition. However, in the third quarter of 2009, The Nielsen Company will provide measurement in 50 small markets and Cumulus Broadcasting has signed as a client. Meanwhile, Clear Channel will subscribe in 17 markets which offer the service. Nielsen will conduct measurements only once a year.

Electronic Measurement The new electronic measurement tool, PPM, is an excellent showcase for publicly owned Arbitron, which of course wants to show its shareholders that it can increase or retain its stock value through more advanced offerings. For years, advertising agencies and radio have been hoping for an improved way to measure listening. This new system is a researcher’s dream, but a headache for radio programmers, sales managers, and clients. The Portable People Meter (PPM) has its own language and provides measurement for traditional radio, streaming, HD, podcasting, and satellite radio. Arbitron has made excellent use of broadcast researchers to market this GPS-like technology to the radio industry.

Two Ways to Measure
Traditional radio is becoming a tale of two societies. The PPM will be completely implemented into the top 50 markets by the end of 2010. Markets 51 and higher will continue with the paper diary to measure listening. This older method relies on participant-written accounts of daily listening. Agencies and many radio pundits are excited about the new electronic measurement, the , because in theory, it will provide a more accurate account of listening.

 Part 2 will cover the survey selection process and necessary equipment for participation.

My radio talent coaching website is http://www.radiocoach.biz 1 888 680 RADIO (7234)

Radiocoach.biz and Sam Weaver are dedicated to coaching and consulting personalities in traditional radio. The company has created a unique client payment situation, "The Godfather Plan", it's an offer that no one can refuse. The clients are allowed to set the pricing on a monthly basis. Radiocoach.biz is the "Priceline" of talent coaching, but more important, it is affordable quality coaching.

Get the learning process started and follow this portal, http://www.radiocoach.biz.

Sam is a 30 plus year veteran programmer/announcer and educator. His career has covered CHR/Top 40, Mainstream Urban, Country, Urban AC, and Rock. He programmed KPRS/KPRT, Kansas City, KRNB, Dallas, WAMO, Pittsburgh, WQMG, Greensboro, WDIA, Memphis, and WYLD, New Orleans. As an announcer, his experience includes KSLQ, St Louis (legendary Bartell Radio Chain), WUSN, Chicago, KDIA, San Francisco, WDRQ, Detroit (legendary Bartell Radio Chain), WJPC, Chicago, and KMJM, St. Louis.

Weaver’s commitment to teaching grew from his four role as an instructor at Columbia College in Chicago.

Other career highlights include being a weekly comedy writer for the for the formerly syndicated Urban Network Countdown show; and host for Westwood One’s syndicated Superstars of R&B concert series.

A popular speaker, numerous times he has moderated or been a panelist at conventions for Billboard, Radio and Records, NAB, The Conclave, BRE, and the Canadian Music Festival.

Reach Sam at Thecoach@radiocoach.biz or call 1 888 680 RADIO (7234) Radiocoach.biz and Sam Weaver are dedicated to coaching and consulting personalities in traditional radio. The company has created a unique client payment situation, "The Godfather Plan", it's an offer that no one can refuse. The clients are allowed to set the pricing and pay whatever they want on a monthly basis. Radiocoach.biz is the "Priceline" of talent coaching, but more important,affordable quality coaching that applies to all audio platforms.

Get the learning process started and follow this portal, http://www.radiocoach.biz.

Sam is a 30 plus year veteran programmer/announcer and educator. His career has covered CHR/Top 40, Mainstream Urban, Country, Urban AC, and Rock. He programmed KPRS/KPRT, Kansas City, KRNB, Dallas, WAMO, Pittsburgh, WQMG, Greensboro, WDIA, Memphis, and WYLD, New Orleans. As an announcer, his experience includes KSLQ, St Louis (legendary Bartel Radio Chain), WUSN, Chicago, KDIA, San Francisco, WDRQ, Detroit (legendary Bartel Radio Chain), WJPC, Chicago, and KMJM, St. Louis.

Weaver’s commitment to teaching grew from his four role as an instructor at Columbia College in Chicago.

Other career highlights include being a weekly comedy writer for the for the formerly syndicated Urban Network Countdown show; and host for Westwood One’s syndicated Superstars of R&B concert series.

A popular speaker, numerous times he has moderated or been a panelist at conventions for Billboard, Radio and Records, NAB, The Conclave, BRE, and the Canadian Music Festival.

Reach Sam at Thecoach@radiocoach.biz or call 1 888 680 RADIO (7234)  

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