[IainJohnstonMember]

I've just played the sample of one of Leicester Sound's 2007 jingles
that was posted a couple of days ago by Cubwolf…

…and it sounded totally lifeless! I don't think I've ever heard
a jingle sung with such a lack of enthusiasm!

And the the 3-note downbeat “Leicest-er Sound”
logo was used (much more brightly) by Radio Forth
more than 20 years ago on their “Close To You” packages.

[cubwolfMember]

Thats excactly what i thought!
The package as done for Trent FM is on the Music 4 site and there are some slightly better ones.
I suppose writing a package that can be adapted to 21 stations is a thankless task.

[NickySMember]

we actually it'll be more than 21 stations once it's rolled out everywhere …

[IainJohnstonMemberAuthor]

“I suppose writing a package that can be adapted to 21 stations is a thankless task“

Worse than that Dave, they're claiming it will be for
35 stations!

Fortunately (?) for us here in Scotland there is only
ONE GCAP station – XFM – we've never had any “Mix”
etc stations for listeners to hear all the “cloning”.

Unfortunately…looks like GMG could be about to own
almost everything here (other than “tin pot FMs”) if
the latest EMAP sell-off stories come to fruitition – so
even less chance of hearing decent jingles in future

[IainJohnstonMemberAuthor]

Just to add to the general current debate on “Identikit”
jingle packages…

http://www.normanb.net/notes.htm

An article from Ken R Deutch, published via Norman Barrington's
website, mainly about PAMS as was, but also some very
valid remarks about today's products (and the people who
buy them).

A parrticular quote…

“PAMS jingles were not created by focus groups. Nor were they designed to offend the smallest number of people. Each station using them was encouraged to customize its cuts with variable logos and a wide variety of lyrics.

Today's jingle packages are often designed by group programmers who dictate that all stations using them have almost identical versions. In contemporary jingles just a few call letter melodies are used. While IDs are still labor-intensive, they have become standardized to the point where it is impossible to identify a producer by its product. Jingles have become commodities. They no longer create trends; they follow them”

Ken has it “spot-on” I would suggest? (and the description is also extremely
accurate in describing today's radio stations programming in general, not just
the jingles used on them!)

[LenGroat]

“they have become standardized to the point where it is impossible to identify a producer by its product”

PERFECTLY stated ~ BRILLIANT!

but many people do put up with living in an homogonised society?

[Inferno]

Seems to be the fashion these days to stanardise. BBC Local Radio packages were standardised and still are to an extent. Most companies use the same instrumentation and vocal styles. Mind you, better than about 6 years ago!

However, when I heard that Gcrap stations were using sund jingles i was pleased but when i found out they were using the same package, my heart sank…again! Wjhat is wrong with having four different types of packages for a region of Gcrap stations? At least there would be a bit of variety instead of conveyer belt jingles…and i bet it was cheaper doing it this way which is also another factor. I bet the programme directors say “Who's going to care? Only jingle anoraks”. I would not be suprised.

[Oliver]

only just noticed that you can select the station on the demo from trent or invicta!

[simon_t123Member]

How ? I coudl only find Trent Fm stuff, even though I did try & stick Essex FM into the mp3 filenames the site hosts … Didnt work mind !

[simon_t123Member]

Ahhh they changed the page

[Paul]

In The Jingle Network Podcast we'll have resings for Invicta FM, Red Dragon, Fox FM, Chiltern Radio, BRMB and GWR Bristol.

[martinlesterMember]

I am not 100% convinced that this one size fits all approach for example I live in Kent

so can hear both Invicta and Capital so I assume that both are GCAP and both will have the same jingles (

[simon_t123Member]

Not sure Capital will air these, it seems to follow a different path. Your overlaps might be Southern FM / Essex FM Tho, I'm not sure if they will air so quick on stations already airing recently purchased jingles, Essex for example mau well have spent a fortune on their Reelworld IDs ?

[NickySMember]

Are Capital part of The One Network? I thought they were a stand alone?

[Author]

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