Radio says it has 14.6 billion monthly listening hours – a stat it specially compiled to counter Pandora’s growing 125 million subscriber base.

Spin is not the answer.  Radio is picking the wrong fight with Pandora.

To slow Pandora’s growth into local markets, here is what radio must do.

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1.  Pandora has an Achilles heel – and it’s not what the radio industry is targeting.  Here is the Pandora weakness that every station can exploit.

2.  How does radio ever begin to compete with a popular customizable music service when it has to use a 30 record playlist.  There is an easy way, but most stations aren’t doing it – yet.

3.  Radio’s biggest advantage over Pandora and the growing list of Pandora imitators – no one else can do what I am about to tell you, but radio. 

4.  The one thing radio can do to make the next generation put their mobile devices down and turn up the radio. 

5.  What happens if the radio industry doesn’t start taking Pandora seriously – then what?

If you would like to read this story, have access to my entire archive (1,400 pieces) and get daily email delivery, click “read more” for your choices. 

Join me at my February 9^th Media Solutions Lab in less than 2 weeks.  You’ll come away with enough useful intelligence and strategic information to make your year and make the time spent worthwhile.  Reserve your seat here.

It is not the end of life if you are consistently hit with problems.  It is life.  Read the 5-step action plan for combating adversity in my new book “Out of Bad Comes Good – The Advantages of Disadvantages” – Read it now for under $9.99 here.

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A year’s worth of useable intelligence and strategic ideas in one day.

February 9^th at The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, AZ.

Complimentary breakfast and then I will focus on the emerging trends for the year ahead.  Radio, digital, new media, consumer changes, music.  This is interactive.  We teach together. 

A special segment on innovation.  Great word, but few people can innovate let alone lead others to do it.  You will be inspired to return home and try out some new ideas that are specific to the media industry.

A complimentary Phoenician lunch as good if not better than last year.  Complimentary breaks and snacks all day.

Then, we’ll brainstorm what radio stations should be doing on and off the air in the digital age.  I’ve got a whole lot of great ideas and together we’ll develop even more.  What is brainstormed in Scottsdale stays in Scottsdale as my Media Solution Lab is never made available in recorded form.  It’s private, just for you.

A segment on the skills it takes to compete in a world of change from the research for my book “Out of Bad Comes Good – The Advantages of Disadvantages”.  You will never fear life’s disadvantages again.  In fact, after this session you will relish them because you will know the secrets for turning adversity into success.

All in all, topics on radio, digital, music, social networking, content, generational media.  See the entire program here.

Don’t miss getting a leg up on the critical year ahead.

Register for my 2012 Media Solutions Lab and next day Big Ideas Breakfast here.

These are tough times in radio and for that matter the music and media business in general.

Back a decade ago when I was sued by Clear Channel for $100 million – you can imagine how much I didn’t like consolidation.  I did nothing wrong and it wasn't fair.  In all my years in business I had never been sued.  It may have been Randy being Randy but my life changed forever.  In fact, so did his.

I countersued The Evil Empire for $125 million and the years of litigation began.  In the end, I came away much better than I began and even sold my publication Inside Radio to Clear Channel as part of the settlement. 

But the real benefit was something I could not have known about when all my troubles started – the good things that happen when bad things happen to you. 

I was not allowed to work in the radio industry for four years as part of the monetary reward that I received so I was fortunate to accept an appointment to teach new and generational media at The University of Southern California, a great school with a great program.

Because of Clear Channel, I expanded my bank account and then due to the fact that they absolutely refused to let me work in radio for four years, I was forced to learn about the future from the next generation in a university setting -- something I would never have done without them. 

Thank you, Clear Channel.

That "disadvantage" has helped me understand new media and the next generation as I never could if I had not traveled down the road not taken.

I share this with you because it reminds me of what’s happening in radio now.

Clear Channel is at it again – ruining careers, firing talented people and compromising local radio.

Cumulus adopting the most anti-Dale Carnegie human relations principles ever to run a tight fisted, family controlled public company.

Lemmings following their lead -- cutting their way out of local radio and into more profits for the owners.

Along with more firings.

More people disadvantaged.

And yet, as you'll see there is hope.

Once my radio friends read my new book they realized that it could only be written by a person who lived through hard times and survived. 

Many of you may not know that my lifelong avocation has been unlocking human potential.  I was a Dale Carnegie instructor for many years and the principles and ideas in this book reflect my path to success and happiness.

And there isn't a better time than now to read this book.  

It is not a self-help book by any means but it is motivational and inspirational.  You'll want to take charge of your life and turn some of the bad breaks you get into good ones.

I wrote it because I cannot find many successful and happy people who have not stared down adversity.  And there is a pattern -- a road -- to anticipating life's disadvantages and changing your own luck.  Many have done it.  I have done it.

This book is now available in bookstores.

Online at Amazon.com.

On the three major e-readers.

All for under $9.99.

I invite you to get ready for the new year by borrowing from some of the great successes in the book and getting prepared for the good times to come.

Buy "Out of Bad Comes Good -- The Advantages of Disadvantages" here.