Invest One Hour a Month to Help Your Team Perform Even Better Every truly high-performing team has one thing in common: They spend time in candid conversation talking about what’s working and consistently look for ways to improve. They look at the work they’re doing and ask “how can we” do this EVEN BETTER? And they enjoy and celebrate their success.

For much of the 20th century and into the 21st century, we were told the world, our lives would be transformed on an epic scale. Of course, it has, but many don’t recognize or realize it because most of us are focused on earning a living, caring and nurturing a family, contributing to our communities and finding some time for leisure activities during our busy lives. Because the greatest human attribute is our adaptability, we almost unconsciously accept and even welcome new technologies

Much as TV is now part of the larger visual media environment (and still the largest part), radio must also share people’s ears with newer audio choices, such as streaming music services and podcasts. TV may still command the largest amount of the average daily time adults 18+ spend with all the media outlets, according to Nielsen’s Q1 2018 Total Audience Report; however, radio still rules audience reach, at 92% compared to TV’s 88%.

AI can write emails and summarize meetings, but it cannot detect emotional nuance, disengagement, or the subtle signals that require human leadership. Strong communication—not automation—is what drives productivity, trust, and team cohesion, especially in high-touch industries like media and advertising. For local media sales reps and ad agency professionals, relying too heavily on AI risks weakening client relationships and team dynamics that depend on empathy, accountability, and real conversation. Smart leaders use AI to support their work—but they lead through human connection, not machine-generated messages.

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Winterberry projects U.S. advertising, marketing, and related data spend will rise to $664.2 billion in 2026—a 9.4% gain—powered in part by major event spending (sports + midterms) and continued shifts toward digital channels. The most important signal for local sellers and agencies is that budgets keep migrating away from traditional offline media and toward CTV, social video, search, and data-driven buying, where advertisers feel they can better target and measure results. Marketers are also spending more on the “plumbing” behind performance—AI and data infrastructure—which will raise expectations for smarter targeting, clearer reporting, and faster optimization in local campaigns. The opportunity for local media and agencies is to repackage their value around video, sponsorships, and defensible outcomes, helping advertisers buy with confidence—not just buy impressions.

Kroger is expanding its Our Brands portfolio with a fresh lineup of trendy, affordable products under its Kroger, Private Selection, and Simple Truth labels. The new offerings reflect the supermarket chain rsquo;s commitment to innovation, customer preferences, and budget-friendly quality.

Despite the lingering impact of the COVID-19 virus, a substantial increase in inflation and the war in Ukraine and other world and national events, American consumers plow ahead, continuing their decades-long role as the drivers of the US economy. Although negative news often receives almost all the headlines, it’s important to emphasize the March 2022 unemployment rate was 3.6%, the lowest since February 2020, and March 2022 retail sales increased 8.4% YOY and 18% from March 2020.

Artificial Intelligence is transforming local media sales by enhancing—not replacing—the human touch, allowing reps to prospect smarter, understand clients more deeply, and optimize campaigns in real time. By integrating AI tools into their workflow, reps can automate routine tasks, personalize content, and build stronger relationships with clients. A step-by-step guide helps reps begin with one tool, experiment, and scale thoughtfully, while a curated resource section offers tools and platforms for learning and growth. Looking ahead, trends like voice AI, predictive seasonal modeling, and AI-generated commercials will reshape how local media connects with audiences. Ultimately, AI empowers reps to become strategic artisans—blending data and empathy to sell with integrity and impact.

Meta is making a significant shift in its content moderation strategy by discontinuing its fact-checking program and adopting a “Community Notes” system, similar to the approach used on X. This move reflects a broader focus on free speech and reduced content restrictions as Meta aligns its policies with the current sociopolitical climate. Key developments include:

Once upon a time, there was “health,” well understood by most Americans. “Wellness,” however, was a somewhat vague term not fully understood and seemed to be limited to health spas and retreats and various New Age philosophies and questionable treatments. The pandemic has changed that relationship, elevating wellness on par with health and creating an equal partnership in the minds of millions more Americans and people across the globe. Make no mistake, health wellness is a global trend, almost a phenomenon.

An NYU psychologist offers critical guidance for dealing with a jerk at work. Most of us work with a jerk—toxic people who seem hellbent on making our lives, well, hell. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to be completely beholden to their poisonous ways. It turns out toxic coworkers often operate by the same tired playbook. And once you identify and understand what type of work jerk you’re dealing with, you’ll have more ammo to neutralize them.

Many rabid sports fans revel in the opportunity to support their favorite teams by wearing their gear to games, fueling their enthusiasm with tailgate parties and cheering wildly from the stands. Attending many sporting events is either prohibited or limited, however. Sports fans are relegated to the safety of their homes and their big-screen TVs – and a much more comfortable seat than any in a stadium or arena.

With the reality of change fatigue, mental health issues, collaboration overload and the demands of leading in a hybrid environment, today’s leader needs strategies to renew energy and avoid burnout. Here are four simple steps with strategies to take immediately. Before age 61 adults need a minimum of 7 hours sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep has been compared to alcohol impairment, with 24 hours wakefulness to be compared to a blood alcohol level at 0.10%.

Gen Z is reshaping how news is consumed, with 40% getting most of their information from TikTok or X. Influencers like Kelsey Russell, known as The Print Princess, are turning print stories into personality-driven videos that resonate with younger audiences. This trend reflects a deeper need for cohesive narratives in a fragmented media landscape and offers local media sales teams a unique opportunity: integrate TikTok strategies to connect advertisers with Gen Z. Practical steps include turning newsroom talent into creators, partnering with influencers for behind-the-scenes content, and bundling TikTok with traditional media to deliver authenticity and measurable ROI. The Media Audit provides the data to target fast-growing categories and position radio as a relevant solution in this evolving market.