Custom Channels creates Internet radio stations for a variety of businesses and brands. One of the most unique is RADIO CHUM, a lifestyle radio station for the community of stand up paddlers. What is stand up paddling (SUP)?

RADIO CHUM plays a wide variety of reggae and island music from the Marleys and Steel Pulse, to Michael Franti and Jack Johnson, and lesser known reggae by groups like Groundation and Rebelution. It’s a music mix rarely heard on FM or Internet radio. Not only is RADIO CHUM online and getting big listening numbers each month, RADIO CHUM plays in sports stores that cater to the stand up paddle community.

We asked the head of RADIO CHUM, who prefers to go by his nickname “Paddle Dude”, what’s up?

CC: Hey Paddle Dude! Why did you put an Internet radio station online for a niche sport like Stand Up Paddle?
PD: There was nothing else like it in the world. Coming from a broadcasting background, I was trying to find that one thing I could do for such an awesome and growing sport…I wasn’t going to help anyone with technique or fitness, so I tried to find a way to bring that to them, from the top SUP pros across the world…radio just made sense being the internet is worldwide.

CC: Describe the mood, attitude or vibe of RADIO CHUM.
PD: The mood is jamming…RADIO CHUM is the soundtrack to Standup Paddling…reggae is just a great vibe that is enjoyed by everyone. Positive Paddle Power for the People!

CC: What’s the reaction from listeners to RADIO CHUM online?
PD: Totally positive…they feel like it is theirs. SUP is a growing sport, and everyone is so passionate about it. We just want to be something fresh and fun they can integrate into their paddle sessions.

CC: What’s the reaction from employees to RADIO CHUM playing in stores?
PD: They love it. RADIO CHUM caters to a fantastic sport that anyone can do…it energizes them, and really gives a little credibility to the sport for customers, because they can say “hey this Internet radio station is 100% about stand up paddling…”

CC: Who picks the music for RADIO CHUM and what’s the criteria?
PD: The Paddle Dude does…but we rely on our listeners to send us great suggestions and because of their input we have added The Hip Abduction, Ashes to Babylon, and The Hemps.

CC: What are some of the other artists that we’d hear on RADIO CHUM?
PD: Oh wow, J Boog, The Green, The Dirty Heads, Tribal Seeds, Bob Marley and his entire family tree. We also play some reggae rock and ska.

CC: Is there one signature song that embraces SUP and RADIO CHUM?
PD: That is very tough. Paddle Dude would have to say Common Kings “Wade In Your Water” or Bob Marley “Positive Vibration”.

CC: You do a lot of messaging on RADIO CHUM – it’s not simply a music channel. Describe the messaging and why you think that’s important for RADIO CHUM.
PD: We treat RADIO CHUM as an SUP information outlet. Without information, it’s just a station you can hear via any service like Pandora or Slacker. We are the voice of SUP.

CC: How do you promote RADIO CHUM? How do people find it online?
PD: We partner with Distressed Mullet, the biggest SUP blog on the internet. We’re also extremely active with Facebook and Twitter.

CC: Would you recommend an Internet radio station to other brands or other types of businesses?
PD: Yes! You can talk about your business, and only your business…and run information that is about your business and brand. The staff at Custom Channels is amazing. We push the envelope with them, and they seem to have an answer for any idea we have.

WOULD YOUR BRAND BENEFIT FROM AN INTERNET RADIO STATION?
If you’d like to start an Internet radio station for your brand, or if you’d like to hook up with RADIO CHUM and play it in your store, contact us at Custom Channels.   info@CustomChannels.net // 303.444.7700

Interesting highlights about Internet radio in the latest The Infinite Dial 2012: Navigating Digital Platforms, a survey of 2,000 Americans from Edison Research and Arbitron.

The usage of online radio has been tracked 20 times in the past 15 years by this survey. That’s experience and accumulated knowledge to better understand online media.

“This year’s increase in weekly usage is the largest year-over-year jump we’ve ever recorded. The increased demand for online audio content, and the ever-expanding variety of that content, shows that online radio continues to be a resilient, adaptive media for the changing needs of today’s consumer,” said Bill Rose, Sr VP Marketing, Arbitron Inc.

That shows us that there’s strong demand and high usage from Americans for Internet radio.  One reason for the increase is mobile listening.  Smartphones are having a profound impact on media and entertainment.  Internet radio is reaching people on-the-go, in addition to at-work and at-home.

INTERNET RADIO’S AUDIENCE

• Online Radio reaches 39% Americans in a month – an estimated 103 Americans.
• Online radio reaches 29% Americans in a week – an estimated 76 Americans.
• Online radio listeners report listening for nearly ten hours per week, or about two hours a day.  That’s a high number considering all of the available entertainment and media choices.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BRANDS TRYING TO REACH CONSUMERS?

First, these are good reasons for brands to use advertising, promotional and sponsorship opportunities both locally and nationally on existing Internet radio to reach this big audience.  Of course, it’s someone’s else content you’re joining in on.

The second take-away is that brands don’t have to be Pandora, Spotify, iHeartradio or a local FM station to have their own Internet radio station.  Lots of businesses and brands are jumping online creating and curating music channels with messaging that are interesting, fun and relevant to their target audience.  Brands such as Life is good, Floyd’s Barbershop, AARP, NoShoesRadio, Which Wich Superior Sandwiches,  MOD Pizza, Chipotle, CMT TV, and Abercrombie & Fitch have an online radio presence.

Remember, too, that Internet radio is sharable.  “I’m listening to…” on Facebook and twitter from a friend is a powerful endorsement.  Let your fans listen and spread the word.

For more advice on Internet radio, or to create your own online channel, contact us here at Custom Channels.  303-444-7700. 

Internet Radio has liberated brands from being bound only to traditional media outlets to spread their message.

Life is good, the apparel and clothing accessories wholesaler, retailer, and lifestyle brand, has built a loyal fan following over the past two decades. People identify themselves by the clothes they wear and Life is good has managed to become more than just the clothes themselves.  The brand places emphasis on simplicity, humor and humility — along with a positive attitude and an emphasis on music.  One way Life is good stays connected with fans/customers is through their own Internet radio station, powered by Custom Channels.

Titled appropriately “Life is good Radio”, the eclectic playlist is heard online at Life is good’s web site and in select Life is good retail stores nationwide.  So now, fans of Life is good can listen to the brand’s positive vibe on mobile, at home, and at work when they’re not directly shopping and still remain connected to the mood and attitude of the brand.

Custom Channels Q&A with James MacDonald, Director of Good Vibes, at Life is good

CC: Why did you put an Internet radio station on a clothing company’s web site?  
JM: We have been looking for ways to connect our fans with the “Life is good” lifestyle and to give them an optimistic boost that reflected the values of the brand.  Given that we are hosting The Life is good Festival, which is a two-day music event, this was a great chance to use music as a way to give our fans more of the brand.

CC: Who picks the music for Life is good Radio?  
JM: I pick it, along with Custom Channels Music Director Jason Lucero.

CC: What are a few musicians or bands that really embody the optimistic spirit of Life is good Radio?
JM: Jack Johnson, Bob Marley, Michael Franti and Ingrid Michaelson are right down the middle for us.

CC: How do you promote Life is good Radio?
JM: We do very little other than giving it a prominent button on our website and the occasional facebook post and tweet reminding people about the station.

CC: What are people telling you about Life is good Radio?  
JM: Our fans love it.   They like that it’s not a specific genre of music, but a varied mix of new tracks, classics and some funky curve balls.  All in all, people tell us that they love the vibe it helps create in their daily lives.

CC: Does Life is good Radio lead to more time consumers spend looking at your products?
JM: We have seen a nice connection between the station and purchased at lifeisgood.com.  Each month we can track how many purchases are made directly from the online music player and there is some nice added revenue to lifeisgood.com

CC: Music has always been a part of the Life is good brand.  Why?
JM: Music unites people!  It sets a tone and a mood and there is no better way to bring a group of people together to celebrate…after all that’s what Life is good is about; celebrating what’s right in the world.

CC: Would you recommend an Internet radio station to other brands? If you have a brand that has a strong lifestyle component it’s a no-brainer. It can help strengthen the things people come to understand about “who” your brand is…and if they are listening you are creating a brand lover for sure. If you are selling light bulbs and there isn’t a strong lifestyle build around who your brand is, maybe not. CC: Will you ever form a Life is good band? (Perhaps with Jake, the company’s smiling icon, in the band) JM: Ha! It could happen someday! If we did, it would likely be more of an open mic…all are welcome to jam along. CC: And what would your signature song be? JM: “One Love” by Bob Marley and the Wailers!

Listen to Life is good Internet radio, powered by Custom Channels.

Read about the Life is good music festivals.

PART TWO: In a previous blog we went behind the music at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop with comments from Karl Wimer, head of marketing, and Rob O’Brien, one of the founders. Floyd’s management is very conscious of what each shop SOUNDS LIKE. That’s why Floyd’s has their own radio station: Floyd’s 99 Radio heard in all locations and on the Floyd’s web site.

When Floyd’s customers get social online they talk about the great hair cuts, reasonable prices, and fantastic service from the amazing stylists. And they also frequently comment on the music because the soundtrack is a huge part of the hair cut experience at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop. Here are actual social media comments from Floyd’s customers (who are also listeners!):

• I love the music they play, and the service great.
• The vibe is relaxing, the music is great, and the ambience is aesthetically pleasing.
• This place rocks. Everything from the decor on their walls, to music, to their awesome staff.
• Vibe is good, music is great :)
• You walk in the door, and you’ll immediately notice that the music isn’t annoying…
• Cool mix of music while I was in – Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, Snoop Dogg…
• I love the music they play, and the service great.
• Great music and the atmosphere was very nice.
• The service was excellent. The vibe was great. The music was good. The neck shave is well, awesome.
• Old, young, male, female…everyone comes here. Great music and free internet while you wait.
• music piped in from their own radio station where one can hear everything from Blues Traveler to Dave Mathews Band to Foo fighters and more.
• This salon is very cool, probably one of the coolest salons I’ve been to. From the decor to the music, the free net access, plasma TV, I liked everything about it.
• The salon itself has a very “cool, chill” feeling.  They have great music playing…
• I dig the music and even stream it at home on my mac.

When people review Floyd’s, the unique music mix is often part of the review. Is music/can music be important part of your brand, too?

Thanks, Floyds, for using Custom Channels to create your one-of-a-kind, buzzed about music. Want to hear it? It’s online at Floyd’s web site.

This mural of inspiration is on the wall at the Floyd’s 99 Barbershop home office in Greenwood Village (Denver suburb), Colorado. It really captures the spirit and vibe of Floyd’s service. Many of these attributes describe Floyd’s 99 Radio, too. Read our previous blogs about Floyd’s radio: Behind The Music At Floyd’s, The Barbershop With Its Own Radio Channel. Sometimes You Get Great Music In Unexpected Places. Buzz Bands Meet Buzz Cuts At Floyd’s.

“I’m usually skeptical of chains but they have become my local barbershop.”
“The atmosphere rocks! Really.”
“I’m an absolute idiot. I’ve been going to Great Clips for the last few years. I’m a cheap bastard, and now I regret it. I could have gotten my hair cut at Floyd’s.”

These are a sample of the many passionate comments from Floyd’s 99 Barbershop customers. Floyd’s is winning a lot of fans, including us. Custom Channels has been producing the in-house music mix for Floyds 99 Barbershops, called Floyd’s 99 Radio, since summer 2008. An Internet radio station was added to Floyd’s 99 web site in 2010 so that their fans can get that Floyd’s music experience whenever they want to in between cuts.

To find out more about Floyd’s 99 Radio, we talked to Karl Wimer, Head of Marketing, and Rob O’Brien, one of the founders of Floyds 99 Barbershops.

Q: Describe the mood, attitude or vibe of Floyd’s 99 Radio:
A: “Hip, high energy, relevant, a bit of the old stuff connecting nicely with the hottest hits of today.  Not just the old favorites you hear on classic rock stations, but the quality ‘B’ sides from your favorite old albums that you don’t typically hear.”

Q: Why is a custom music mix is important, as opposed to playing an existing channel other businesses may also use?
A: It speaks to our brand. We are unique and one of a kind, and we want our music to reflect this. Our customers expect a different kind of music when they step into our shop, and have come to love it on their computer between cuts.

Q: What’s the reaction from customers and employees to Floyd’s 99 Radio?
A: They love our music and the shout outs that provide a personalized feel.  The variety is welcome for our staff, and exposes our customers to music they might never have heard before.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add about Floyd’s 99 Radio?
A: It’s super easy to use and what a tremendous problem solver it has been for us.

Despite having 99 in the name, there are currently 55 Floyd’s Barbershops (and more being added) across the USA all playing Floyd’s 99 Radio — powered by Custom Channels.

Read part two, customer comments about Floyd’s Radio here. That’s a photo of Custom Channels President Dave Rahn getting his hair cut by Liberty, a stylist at Floyd’s Barbershop in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas). More behind-the-music info on Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, including a peek at the man who picks the music: Custom Channels Music Director Jason Lucero, the Floyd’s 99 Radio mixmaster!

It’s Bonnaroo Week! June 9-12 is the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, the annual four day music festival with multiple stages of live music on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. This is the tenth annual Bonnaroo. Can’t go? Check out Radio Bonnaroo, produced by Custom Channels.

Bonnaroo has not only been on the leading edge of music, launching and rejuvenating band’s careers, the nation’s premier music festival has also been on the leading edge of where tech meets music, both on-site and online. Since 2004, Custom Channels has helped the festival run a successful Internet radio station.

Radio Bonnaroo is not limited to just the artists playing this year’s festival, although this week that’s the focus. Radio Bonnaroo has a deep library of music that includes live tracks recorded during previous festivals, exclusive backstage recording sessions, studio songs by past and present artists, and songs that fit the Bonnaroo vibe. Custom Channels Music Director Jason Lucero selects much of the music heard on Radio Bonnaroo.

Along with the regular format, Radio Bonnaroo has DJ hosted specialty shows including:
> Flashback Fridays (artists from past festivals)
> Brown Bag Lunch on Thursdays (this years artists)
> Monday Mayhem (themed music sets)

This week, Radio Bonnaroo broadcasts from a local FM radio station that’s been taken over by Bonnaroo staff. Listeners everywhere will be able to go online and hear the same music, interviews and festival news that concert goers are hearing in middle Tennessee.

Why Radio Bonnaroo?
It’s a way for the festival to get fans pumped up weeks prior to the event. For thousands of concert goers, they can get into a Bonnaroo mindset and get excited about seeing the four days of music.

Radio Bonnaroo is a way for people who wish they could travel to Bonnaroo to live vicariously and imagine they’re at the sold out Bonnaroo, too.

It’s also an opportunity for the festival to stay connected with and engage fans year around. That way the festival doesn’t fade away after June; it’s alive and happening for twelve months. For example, many people tune in to Radio Bonnaroo during February as the next summer’s artist lineup is announced.

Custom Channels is proud to be a partner with The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, created and produced by Superfly Productions and AC Entertainment.

Life is good Radio: Good tunes and good vibes go hand in hand.

That’s how the famous apparel brand, known for it’s colorful t-shirts and stick figure smiling character named Jake, describes their custom channel.

Whether you are looking for a timeless classic, new music from a rising star or something just a little different from your everyday radio station, our eclectic playlist is hand-selected to always set the mood for good times.

We could tell you how great the Life is good custom channel is, but it’s more authentic coming from the Life is good friends on their Facebook page.

this station is making me really happy
Music is heart
yes…music has he power to heal and put you in the right mood…
MUSIC MOODS ME. TAKES ME FAR AWAY FROM HERE
NICE…. puts me in a soothing mode… MUSIC is powerful
loving it!
fantastic!!!
love this station! thanks LIG!
Let it roll, baby, roll, let it roll, baby, roll, all night long!!
Love it!!! My kind of music!
Gives warm “cuzzy” feelings.
good music
Love listening to this music,awesome.
I LOVE LIFE IS GOOD RADIO..LISTEN TO AT WORK ALL THE TIME!!! THANK YOU LIG
This is excellent! I’ll start playing it in my store! Great selection of awesome tunes!

Here’s a sample playlist that’s creating this response: Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry Hurricane Season – Trombone Shorty Inaudible Melodies – Jack Johnson Amsterdam – Guster Life Is A Carnival – The Band 1,2,3,4 – Feist Bennie And The Jets – Elton John Shake It Out – Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Diggin Me – Martin Sexton Graceland – Paul Simon Ok, It’s Alright With Me – Eric Hutchinson No Such Thing – John Mayer

Read a previous blog post about Life is good Radio here. Listen to Life is good Radio here.  Life is good Radio, produced by Custom Channels, is another example of how businesses are extending their brand online with Internet radio.

Life, no matter how good, isn’t meant to be silent.  When the Life is good brand wanted to add their sound to their brand, they connected with Custom Channels.

We helped them create Life is good Radio, an Internet radio station and Flash music player that embraces in sound and feel the Life is good apparel brand.  Yes, it’s that company with the bright colored t-shirts and the smiling face logo. And they do spell it with lower case “is good.”

Created to be a both an in-store AND internet channel, Life is good Radio became popular almost immediately when it was added to Lifeisgood.com for online shoppers to listen to.  It spread quickly to Life is good’s passionate fans worldwide who started listening whether they were shopping or not. Now, more people were connected to the Life is good brand more often.

James MacDonald, Director of Good Vibes (yes, that’s his title) at the Boston-based company said “When Life is good launched our online radio station with Custom Channels, we immediately got a tremendous positive reaction.  Our fans were not only talking about it on Facebook and Twitter, but also clicking through to lifeisgood.com and buying product.”

That’s right…buying product. Sales could be directly attributed to click-thrus from the custom designed music player built for Life is good Radio by Custom Channels.

The company was smart to promote their internet radio station on Facebook and Twitter.  The simple posting “Life is good Radio: Good tunes and good vibes go hand in hand.” led to 1,200 likes on Facebook and dozen of comments.

Why is Life is good Radio popular?  It matches the brand! The music makes you smile and lives up to Life is good’s theme: Spreading the power of optimism. The songs and artists are hand-picked to be fun, eclectic, upbeat and positive to reflect the sound that mirrors the Life is good brand.

In addition to the Internet, this large and always evolving playlist is made to be enjoyable in stores for Genuine Neighborhood Shoppe owners, employees and of course, for the in-store customers.  It’s now playing in company-owned stores and is available to all franchise stores nationally that currently use Sirius XM satellite, Muzak, local FM radio, CDs or iPods but want to align with the popular, consistent sound of the brand.

Life is good Radio will also be involved throughout the year with the 9th annual outdoor Life is good music festival.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the world’s largest livestock exhibition and the richest regular-season PRCA rodeo event, partnered with Custom Channels for an audio channel to boost their year around web presence for the huge annual event. The all-time general attendance record was broken in 2009 with 2.1 million visitors over 21 days. The 2011 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs March 1-20.

The online Rodeo Houston Radio, produced by Custom Channels, plays only performers that have appeared at The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo over the past 68 years. Among the 350 superstar entertainers on the channel are Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney. And rodeo entertainers go beyond Country to include Beyonce, Selena, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, CCR, Sheryl Crow and John Mayer. Even Elvis Presley played the event and is on Rodeo Houston Radio.

Watch a short video to see what Jason Kane, Managing Director of Entertainment, has to say about online radio and Custom Channels.

We love reading the comments of Daniel Anstandig who writes for Radio-Info.com. Daniel always has good observations about how radio stations can better use New Media to get and retain listeners. Here are his five keys to growing radio streaming numbers.

“Most Program Directors are awarded financial bonuses now on broadcast ratings as well as streaming traffic. If raising your streaming traffic is important to your success (and whether you earn a bonus for it or not – it should be), here are five ways you can increase your online streaming audience.

1. Make your Listen Live button obvious and clearly placed.
Make it abundantly easy for your audience to find your stream. Place a “listen live” button somewhere clearly in the header of your site. Don’t force listeners to go searching for it, or you’ll lose their tune-in.

Look at the new CBS Radio website template [see blog entry below] that was recently rolled out across the company. The “listen live” button is consistently and predictably placed, and it is big and obvious.

2. Put links to your station’s stream in all staff e-mail signatures.
Everyday in your radio station, people are interacting with your community via hundreds—maybe even thousands of e-mails. Those e-mails are almost always going to listeners, buyers, and business partners in your audience. Posting a link to the station’s audio stream in every e-mail signature can immediately increase your tune-ins. One Program Director e-mailed me recently with an actual “listen live” button (graphic) in his e-mail signature. This is a great way to build streaming audience with people who know you and are likely listeners.

3. Add your station to internet-radio “yellow pages” type directories.
The most popular radio station streams attract listeners from a variety of sources. Their own website is just one way to tune in. There are a number of large internet radio station/streaming directories online that can help to direct more traffic to your stream—and it doesn’t cost you anything to get listed.

Here are some of the biggest directories for online streaming:

• Radiotower.com – This is a directory of stations, podcasts, mp3s, and videos.
• Web-Radio.fm – This directory allows listeners to search for stations by call letters, format, state, country, and internet-only vs. broadcast stations.
• Streamfinder.com – Listeners can find new stations, bookmark their favorite stations, and add new streams that are not already listed.
• Penguinradio.com – Stations of many different countries and languages are listed here.

4. Promote it on air and tell your audience to “turn your computer into a radio.”
The reality about radio in 2010 is that it may be more convenient for some listeners in the workplace to “tune in” using your stream on their computer or phone than it is for them to use a radio.

If you are not promoting your stream as a way for listeners at work to use your radio station, you are missing a major opportunity. Most online listening comes from listeners “in the office”.

Mike McVay uses the liner on the air, “turn your computer into a radio,” encouraging listeners to use their computer at work to listen. Sell the convenience of listening online from your computer.

5. Keep your current listeners.
Just as it is easier to keep a current customer than develop a new customer, it is always easier to keep a current listener than to find a new listener. Program Directors should monitor and police the online audio stream with as much vigilance and responsibility as they lend to the on-air audio.

In some cases, if your station is filling spot breaks with “filler audio” or other commercial inventory, the audio online can be very different than what is heard on the air. Many radio stations use lousy audio to fill time in their spot breaks online. They’ll run the same “elevator music” to fill commercial time in every break and miss an opportunity to really entertain the audience during breaks on their internet stream.”

You can read Anstandig at www.Radio-Info.com.  For people interested in digital media, we recommend subscribing to his email Radio 3D.