[Tommie]

Hey folks,

I’m the imaging producer for an A/C-station that focusses mainly on the 80’s, bit of 70’s and today. I’m currently on the outlook for a totally new package. I have a few favorites (TopFormat, Music4, Reelworld) but I wonder if I’m missing anyone.

So suppose YOU could image a station completely your way. Where would you go for such a package?

Thx,

Tommie

[JingleMadMember]

Hi Tommie-
Based on the description you’ve given I can already here the music! Could be helpful to know the name of your station, where you’re based and which language you’d want the package sung in.
There’s no doubt in my mind that I’d head to JAM/Top Format. They have packages that fit that era with perfection, in many cases matching instrumentation/musical riffs of the hits without sounding out of place next to today’s tunes.
WLYF in Miami has a similar format to the one you describe and has had a couple of custom packages produced. Check out the demos:

Miami Lite

Lite ‘n’ Up

Prior to the above customs, they had composite/resings of the “Magic” packages from JAM and the “Today’s Life” from TM Century.
Be interesting to see some other recommendations!
Another place of interest is http://www.studiodragonfly.com
Whatever you choose, please let us all hear the final result!!
-Sean

[Admin]

I think that when it comes to AC packages, Jam really is your number one choice!

However, I really like the WMC (FM 100) package fromThompson Creative http://www.thompsoncreative.com/audio/jingles_that_cook/fm100.mp3 – its not new, but the cuts could still work today.

Also, I know you mentioned Reelworld, but WLIT 2002 also gets my vote.

Neal

[Tommie]

Well, what we’re planning to do is build a chain of local (city)radiostations, with strong local content, but with very uniform branding. The musical format will be inspired by what our national commercial station 4FM (http://www.4fm.be) is doing.

So far, my first choice is Reelworld. I’m incredibly impressed by what they’re doing. WLIT2002 is a fantactic package, but I want more forward momentum. Think more WLIT2000 or WNIC.

The Jam-sound sounds a bit dated to my ears. I want something that sounds a little bit more fresh. But IQBeats is a bit too fresh 😉

[topcat]

Tommie wrote: The Jam-sound sounds a bit dated to my ears.

Hmmm… I would think that if you were trying to match the jingles to the music, the JAM stuff would fit in fine.

[GrahamCollins]

Yeah I agree with Topcat – don’t just choose Reelworld because they’re in at the moment. Your listeners are the ultimate judge of what you choose. By definition the audience profile will be older and jingles with ‘a dated sound’ will not seem out of place to them.

In fact they might be put off by a contemporary jingle package.

Do what BBC Radio 2 did in their last 1995 JAM top-up series – use solo vocalists to sound familiar but different.

Go for JAM – you know you want to !

[mbMember]

I’d agree with a lot of the above – JAM are very clean good and clear vocals, If the 70’s and 80’s are the target there is a whole raft of older JAM packages that still sound good or some of the newer AC stuff like the KBIG and KOST stuff is still great imaging and memorable. Personally I love the Hot Wired DRQ package – what about the UKRD package which was produced by JAM – based on a very traditional jingle sound but with enough of a 90’s kick to make it relevant for today. The SKY Radio stuff produced by Top Format is also really kool:-

So:-

1. UKRD package
2. Hot wired
3. Sky Radio Top Format
4. Many other JAM packages

Its worth listening to someone like Neal who is not only a jingle fan but has a lot of experience actually using the cuts on air

[DevawebMember]

I’m one of those evil people who took a JAM package off air, and replaced it with a package from a less historical company.

The jingles you go for depend on quite a few factors…

1. What type of music you play
2. What kind of image you wish to portray
3. How you intend to use the jingles

These days, an A/C station can be 50% current chart hits with oldies from the last few decades, and it’s important that a package will work with the entire range of music. Even saying that though, the same playlist can be branded in a number of different ways through the imaging – a JAM package will make such a station sound very different to how the same playlist would sound with a Music4 or a Reelworld package. In my opinion, a JAM package would make a station sound quite cosy, trustable and possibly quite “normal”. A more modern sound (Music 4, Reelworld, N2Effect etc) would make that playlist feel a touch more contemporary and will make the station a bit more edgy. Not necessarily good or bad, just different.

Also, how are you going to use the jingles? Because of the way American radio works, many US packages have jingles designed to segue between songs. In the UK however, jingles are rarely used this way; instead we use them to come out of stopsets – often with sponsor messages over the talkups.

Another thought is what else is in the market. I once had to image a radio station where every other station in the market (about 5 of them) all had jingles from the same company… so using a different company was very appealing as it would help us stand out.

Some of the companies I rate highly are the less popular ones – Freeway Music I think are excellent, Bespoke Music weren’t doing that much radio imaging when I started working with them, and SharpSell do some excellent vocal work. The Polish company that are providing some packages for resing through TM produce some great tracks, and I’d like to predict that Wise Buddah will be a big UK jingle name within a year or two. Oh, and can’t forget IQBeats – starting to be heard in many parts of the UK. Going with an under-dog can create some very different and unique jingles that really stand out in terms of quality, often at a better price that working with the market leader.

So in conclusion, it depends on loads of factors. Whenever I’m going to commission some jingles, I go back to the drawing board and work through all the factors before deciding. Price, quality, customer service, other stations in the market, the perceived brand (and ways in which you alter this), turnaround time, and overall what’ll sound awesome on air to your listeners (not to anoraks).

If in doubt, download a load of the demos and try mixing them with your playlist, your jocks and your liners. Never rush the decision, and never be swayed by people who work for jingle companies or people who have a strong interest in jingles (ie us lot!)… it’s your neck on the block, so make the decision that you think it right.

Chris

[Bigdave]

What Chris has said is very important to all that are thinking of getting a package . I know of some stations that have ordered packages without even having a music format – therefore sounding totally out of place when finally put to air…

JAM are good if you want that authentic mid/late 80’s sound – the only problem is that most packages that will fit the format have been done to death by all and sundry. TM’s new packages may fit the bill if you’re wanting that Dallas sound , but keep an eye out for some of the names Chris has mentioned – you’d be surprised what the little fish can do in the metaphorical Radio Pond !!!!!

[JingleMadMember]

Bigdave wrote: TM’s new packages may fit the bill if you’re wanting that Dallas sound , but keep an eye out for some of the names Chris has mentioned – you’d be surprised what the little fish can do in the metaphorical Radio Pond !!!!!

One package from TM Century that might work/fit is Mixed Up………

http://www.tmcentury.com/NonStrAudioDL/Dragonfly/0146.mp3

[DevawebMember]

Thought of something else while I was getting some food…

Consider is how much post-production you’ll be doing with the jingles, because some companies give you more (or less) than others.

At the good end… most companies these days include the full beds of each cut, allowing you to extend and shorten them, or add vocals at the position of your choice. Groove Addicts were always famous for giving you pretty much every intrument on its own – a producers dream – and the “MPower” packages from TM are similar in this nature. Other companies supply jingles in themes, giving you a short, medium and long version of each theme, with varying amounts of vocal treatment – and the tracks in the clear.

At the bad end… one UK company was recently not releasing the accapellas with its packages – I was quite surprised when I discovered this. And the traditional supply of full mix / talk up mix / accapella can be a bit restrictive now.

Of course if you’re just playing them on air as supplied by the company then it’s much of a muchness, but you don’t want your production team being restricted because they haven’t got all the elements that’d be useful. Personally, I’d not buy a package if it didn’t include both accapellas and full instrumental tracks.

And finally… and then I’ll shut up… whatever you do and whoever you buy from, make sure you have a musical logo that can be easily hummed by your listeners. Nothing complicated!

[mbMember]

A big big plus of a TM M Power package is the way they supply all the audio you’ll be able to play for weeks making new and different variations with all the audio files ready to load into CEP / audition or whatever system you use. It could help sway what you actually choose – why go for a jingle with full / inst with station and accapella when you can get all the sound files and tweak up and down the bits you like / don’t like.

[RjM]

Why not break the trend of packages that blend in to the music you play (Bespoke, Vibe etc.) and use use a package that will really stand out?

Last year a top 40 station in the US ran these jingles, they certainly stand out in between Nickelback and Pink: WENS We let our music do the talking. Yes, the listners think they’re cheese but you can bet it made them listen and take note of the station name.

Galaxy 102 tried this in 2002 with this Freeway Music custom, and they certainly stood out on the dial as somthing different to the other stations in the area at the time who were sweeper only.

Just an idea….

[Tommie]

Thank you very much guys! We’ve pretty much cleared out the branding part. We want to be a regular A/C as far as music is concerned, but the overall station should have a bit of an ‘edge’. Think of it as a softer version of Virgin Radio. A ‘young’ station, with a bit less younger music.

This means we’re definitely not getting into the JAM sound. We’re definitely going the ‘production’ way. We want to do a regular refresh of the imaging, without having to go to a jingle company every month.

I’m familiar with about all the jingle companies mentioned above. Freeway was familiar, and I actually got an idea about the jingles listening to freeway demos!

By the way – yes I’m quite new in here – I’m still looking for a bit of an introduction about the different ways jingles are used in different markets. Any tips (books, sites, personal things?)

Thanks!

Tommie

[Admin]

mb wrote: Personally I love the Hot Wired DRQ package – what about the UKRD package which was produced by JAM. Its worth listening to someone like Neal who is not only a jingle fan but has a lot of experience actually using the cuts on air

Thanks for the mention Michael.

As much as I like the Jam ‘Hot Wired package, I don’t think it would fit in with the traditional sound of an AC station as its probably a little too upbeat for that particular format.

As for the UKRD Jam package, that would fit in on a Hot AC station similar to WPLJ New York or Y98 St Louis. Again, too upbeat for an AC.

Having said that, when Sky Radio launched as a soft AC station, they were using various cuts from the Jam ‘Omni-Trax’ package which at the time was still quite a hot CHR package. It actually sounded very good and complimented the sound of the station.

Neal

[kcmike]

Here’s an example of an 80s/90s/Today A/C format with an “edge.” They use ReelWorld Kiss Dallas ’03 for their imaging. Modern sounding, yet not too youthful. Their slogan is “Retro to Right Now”

Here’s a link to the stream:

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/url?bc=y&call=KFME&band=FM&service=FM&rd=300543

[GrahamCollins]

I’m baffled – seems you’ve made your mind up whatever comments are made here.

To me the Freeway Galaxy package just sounds like a naff version of something Vibe did three years ago – I thought Galaxy had more ‘of an edge’ but it sounds like Heart 106.2 !

Same again for the WENS package – not sure who did that – it sounds like a JAM pretender but with no class.

For what’s it worth my personal fav A/C package is TMCI’s Twin Cities 1999 package – it mixes all the elements mentioned in the posts above, is a little edgy but importantly it sounds like a proper jingle package and does have class.

Try this air version sweep:

http://www.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3E91C26E9162C074AE81EC32FBF37A07

[Tommie]

Sorry, I’ve been ill for a while, so I haven’t surfed the information highway these last days… I definitely haven’t made up my mind yet, believe me! I’ve seen a few interesting things here, and I got to know a few company names I didn’t know before. I like a lot of what I’ve heard so far, but I haven’t found THE package that will do it for me. It’s almost definitely going to be a custom package. Still figuring out who will do it…

[Author]

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