[ratnobMember]

As the year draws to its close, I wondered whether JingleMad members might want to comment on:

a) the best new jingles of the past year
b) the worst jingles of the past year
c) your predictions (NOT hopes) for 2007

To get things started …

(a) I'm not sure I've heard enough new material to give a definitive comment, but I admired the JAM Country Proud package for KFKF, closely followed by TM's 103.7 Lite FM, and consistently impressive material from RadioScape

(b) I got very bored with the ReelWorld and N2Effect cliche of electronic effect and familiar melody, as exemplified by the dire ReelWorld Christmas package

(c) I predict that we'll see a big resurgence in sung jingles because podcasting is making jingles fashionable again, TM is getting its material onto air across the UK, and JAM seems to have regained its old competitive fight (based on the DVD they have mailed to several thousand stations). I predict that the Dallas product (albeit with an updated vocal sound) will be back with a vengeance in the New Year.

But what do you think …?

Geoff Barton

[MarcMannetje]

Hey Geoff, here's my list

a > Best jingle package I think is The Coast from TM, originally created for Dutch based Radio 8FM, JAM's Country Proud is my nr. 2.
b > Worst jingles I can't say – I think a lot of cheap and fastly produced jingles were made this year…
c > I predict that Reelworld will come with a lot of fresh new stuff for HotAC and CHR-stations. Furthermore I think it is very hard to give WLTW/NYC a sound that fits the stations image and sound. JAM will produce a lot of AC-packages that capture the warm fuzzy sound we miss in this era…

MarcMannetje

[ratnobMemberAuthor]

Marc – interesting stuff. Thanks for posting. It'll be interesting to watch ReelWorld. They've created such a loyal fan-base, but perhaps now need to show that they are pushing their sound into new areas. Me – I've been dead impressed with Radiocape this year.

Geoff Barton

[Bigdave]

Totally agree with Geoff's views re RadioScape – what a refreshing change to hear 7 Dallas voices,great harmonies,some good packages that are flexible,and to have the writing reputation of someone like Johnny Hooper.I'd like them to do some Hot AC packages to pad out their current repetoire. Well done to Bruce and the team at Zone as well for coming up with some great packages too – the future looks bright!

As for the big boys,JonesTM have started to target the UK market again with it's work in the last year for Viking,saw Atlantic surf in smoothly,and in The Bee package,put together a flexible collection of cuts that have proved effective now on a large number of stations across the world – as well as one in Blackburn! Is this the influence of our Chris?

JAM seem to be making a comeback – the new demo with the DVD seems that Jon is stepping up to the plate again and in And Now, they've finally given coverage to the UKRD package that they never aired. I would love to see some group or station have that resung here in the UK- the Lincs FM group would be a great contender !

British wise,Steve England continues to give the BBC a recognisable sound,and we've seen work from On The Sly and a number of other independents take to the air on BBC and ILR stations – Wise Buddah making their mark particularly.It's also been a refreshing change to hear that station PD's here in the UK are starting to return to jingles after years of zaps,bangs and whizzes behind a Dave Kelly v/o.

My dreams for 2007 are ….

* For Radio 2 to start to drop their 10 year old Groove Addicts cuts and go for a new custom package from one of the major players (Chris? Jon? Would you consider pitching for it?)

*To see the continuation of the reintroduction of jingles to the UK radio market

*To see JAM back with a number of groundbreaking packages (a la late 80's/ early 90's when we saw Turbo Z,Hyperlink,Breakthrough,KIIS 90 absolutely boss the market)

*To see Chris Stevens,David Graupner and all the team at JonesTM continue their success with custom packages for the UK market.

* To see Bruce and Bob at Zone, and Johnny and Marshall at RadioScape make their first breaks into the UK market

* To finally get to Dallas to see what it's all about!

To all those in the business who visit these pages (and they know who they are !),to those who work in radio and have the influence,and to those like me who just love radio imaging and the medium that sees their use,may I wish you every success for 2007…with jingles all the way!

[IainJohnstonMember]

Definately some better things have happened Jingle-wise in 2006…

So hopefully in 2007 I'd like to see…

1) Reelworld sing vocals in English! (e.g. “#Music” not “#musECK”)

2) Radio Two – buys re-sings of Freeway (Paris) Cherie FM custom packages – or has a custom
done to the same production values and superb layered vocal harmonies. (Why
always buy American or UK – there ARE other good production companies out
there!)

3) Forth One buys new jingles (present ones were burnt out years ago!) Anything, just anything
– please!!! but also see (7) below…

4) Real Radio – buys jingles with fresh imaginative lyrics (and no “oooHs”. “aaaaaHs” or “wo-wohs”)

5) More stations bring back sung DJ name cuts (c.f. as per the days of Alfasound – County Sound, etc)

7) EMAP place 10-year exclusive contract with JAM/Steve England for 100-cut custom packages for
every Big City station, with annual top-ups and refreshers every 3 years

Sweeper v/o “talent” with squeeky whiney nasal voices and emphasis on every syllabul
are banned! – bring back “big, deep voice-overs”!

8a) Sweepers may only be played a maximum of 3 times in any clock hour! All else, sung jingles.

8b) TOH's will no longer permitted done as simple voice-over sweepers with a beep!
– HUGE fully-orchestrated BIG ramp-ups with 7-voice sung station-name & tagline
at the end will be mandatory as part of station licence (OfCom please note?!?)

9) In a moment of kind generosity and appreciation for my admiration of his quality work over the
years, Jon Wolfert offers me (and a fellow old-timer collector of my aquaintance!) a Personal Cut
(including mix-outs) each, for a token £50 each at present Sterling/US Dollar exchange rates!

OK, can't really have everything we want in life, without being greedy or selfish!

A Very Good New Year to All JingleMadders, and Thanks to Roy, David & all the team for
continuing to provide us all with an excellent Website & Forum for our slightly eccentric but
entertaining hobby!

[jr2479]

Best new jingles of the year were the KFKF County Proud package from JAM and the new KNCI package from ReelWorld.

Sadly, I predict more of the same in the new year, I'd like to see more new material from JAM, and hear it on more stations, but RW will continue their dominance.

[JingleMadMember]

Predictions –

(1) There will be an announcement from Thompson Creative which will determine their future.

(2) 2007will be a BIG year for Reelworld and they will continue to build their client list at a rapid pace.

(3) JAM will come out with some new collector CD's.

(4) There will be a battle for clients between N2Effect and Jones TM

(5) Some new players will burst onto the scene with some very fresh imaging ideas. We will also see the UK producers making a big impact in 2007.

[Paul]

A few predictions…

– Reelworld will move into new formats
– TM Century will be heard on more stations in the UK
– Kissville will continue to grow their client base
– We'll hear more from Wise Buddah
– KDWB '07 from N2Effect
– 2FM will try another rebrand… let's see if they can keep a new tagline for more than 3 months
– JAM will come out with some new AC demos

My favourite package of the year is Viking FM from JonesTM followed by Key 103 from ReelWorld.

Even though I'm an avid fan of ReelWorld I wasn't that impressed with their 2006 offrings. TM gets my vote as company of the year.

RadioScape and Zone are ones to look out for in the year to come…

[ratnobMemberAuthor]

This is proving to be a fantastic thread. Thanks to everyone for the interesting, optimistic posts. Let's refer back to it one year today and see how right we were!

Geoff Barton

[robertpobjoy]

A) Favorite Package of 2006 – Well, there is a few I have liked, Reelworld's Key 103 and Hallam FM packages, 107thebee from JonesTM, Original 106 from Wise Buddah, and of course I always love IQBeats stuff. The best from these lot has to be the new Heart Network package. Although BBC Radio Manchester was good too.

Worst package of the year – Well, I'm afraid I don't really like S2Blue packages at the moment. Take the TraxFM / Lincs FM lot – not bad beds, and instrumentals, but very weak and poor vocals.

C) Predictions – Metro Radio willl get a new package (Actually, thats more of a hope than a prediction!). I predict (i am starting to feel more like mystic meg now!) I predict… that jingles will make more of a comeback rather than more voiceovers with poor sfx. More Stations will take Reelworld packages – and in which Reelworld will do plenty more customs for AC/CHR. IQBeats will also go a bit wild – Radio 2 may get a custom from here? Lets hope that Radio 2 start to phase a new pack in soon! And another question is… will Music4 make more jingles for other stations than Radio 1? And will they ever update their site in 2007? lol.

[MartinS]

Thanks Geoff. I can imagine that this contribution will come across as fairly blinkered, given that the focus is mainly on jingles from stations I listen to (to varying degrees) in northern England, UK.

OK, here goes anyway…

a) Best New Jingles of the past year (judging by what I’ve saved from demos etc).

New Packages:

1) Wise Buddah – Original 106. (Southampton, SE, UK)
Really Like the top of the hour build up – quite powerful.

2) TM Century/Jones TM – 96.9 Viking FM (Hull, YH, UK)
When I first heard these has mixed views. However, the more I’ve heard the package on air, the more it has grown on me – it really works for the station!

3) IQ Beats – BBC Radio Manchester. (Manchester, NW, UK)
The travel sequence/tag, if nothing else, got me hooked! Sounds great with the various Craig Kelly and Trish Bertram v/os

Syndicated Packages / Re-sings:

1) Wise Buddah – Radio Aire 2006 (Leeds, YH, UK)
Upon hearing the demo I was really unsure as to whether or not these would work on air. As a big fan of the previous (and IMO under utilised) Reelworld Kiss 108 ’03 jingles, I knew any new jingles had a strong predecessor to live up to. Hearing them on air is another proof the plain cut listing in jingle demos can sound very different to the actual jingles on air. They might not be as strong as the previous Reelworld package, but they are definitely more in fitting with the station’s current AC format.

2) TM Century – Key 103 2006 (Manchester, NW, UK)
‘Toolan in the morning Gospel Jingles pt. 2’. After the 2005 cuts (HIM #1, HIM #12, JN # were launched I listened to the ‘Hallelujah it’s Morning’ ‘Joyful Noise’ and demos several times and honestly couldn’t imagine how any of the other cuts would work for Key 103. I was very surprised at how quickly the ‘new’ cuts (HIM #8, JN# 5, JN #7) grew on me. I think it’s all down the well thought out lyrics, which really customise them so well to Key 103 presenters and geographical area. They are very dangerous though, in terms of ‘singalongability’ especially for when walking through central Manchester on a morning listening through earphones.

I always think of the Key 103’s current Reelworld Jingles as being from 2005, otherwise they’d be top of the list! Although the fabulous hour launcher sequence (based on cut 6) which went on air in mid 2006 is the strongest they’ve had in years. I suspect it may have been re-mixed by Reelword sometime during 2006.

b) Worst new Jingles of the past year

I suppose for me it would be the weak imaging on Capital Radio re-launch (London, UK) and 96.4 BRMB’s (Birmingham, WM, UK) travel and news elements from On the Sly. I have nothing against the beds, but just felt it was a shame a big station like 96.4 BRMB couldn’t have gone for a new full custom package, which would have included travel, news beds etc anyway. My BRMB imaging heyday was about 10 years ago, with the original Who Did That Music/Groove addicts package, although I’m sure many here people will go back to the various 1980s packages with fonder memories.

c) Predictions for 2007

1) Radio City 96.7 (Liverpool, NW, UK) will air a cracking new package at end of the year, ready to celebrate the start of Liverpool’s host of European capital of Culture ‘08. Perhaps with a few cuts based clearly on famous Liverpool Bands/Musicians? Will Music 4 be up to the mark for the fourth time in a row, or are they too embroiled with a UK national station to bother?

2) Marcher Sound (Wrexham, WA, UK) will get some new refreshing new jingles and set a trend for the GCap stations that were formerly part of the GWR group.

3) More stations in the UK will continue the trend of reviving sung geographical straplines in order to spatially brand their otherwise similar stations. The sung “Manchester’s no1 Hit Music Station” and “Liverpool’s Hit Music Station” taglines sound great on the air in England’s North West and are much more memorable than the common and weaker ‘More Music Variety / Best of 80s, 90s and now’. I miss the likes of “Yorkshire’s Best Music Mix” and “Yorkshire’s Capital Hits”, from the early 1990s, which truly made stations, feel local / semi regional.

Some of the above are perhaps more on the line of hopes, being honest.

As we see out 2006…..

Thanks again to Roy M, David H, Big Dave N, Simon Hirsty, Steve England, and the rest of the organisers/attendees for a memorable North West Radio night in Manchester during May 2006.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed great audio over the year too, rather than just the rants like me!

And more importantly, best wishes for 2007 to all the Jinglemad members.

Martin S

[ratnobMemberAuthor]

Ah yes, I'd forgotten (thankfully) the Capital jingles – definitely a low-point of 2006! Seems to me that the end of 2006 finds the JingleMad site in pretty good shape too – lots of people posting thoughtful observations, fewer biting comments, even the occasional free jingle upload …! Happy New Year.

GB

[JingleMad2005]

These are my thoughts on 2006 and what may happen in 2007:

(a) The Best New Jingles

I think for me personally my favourite package has been the Key 103 jingles from reelworld. They really are top class and the power intro's from on the sly sound great too.

Also I've been quite impressed by the new on the sly package for Southern FM considering they haven't really produced that many jingle packages before.

(b)The Worst Jingles Of The Past Year

I don't think their have been to many bad jingle packages this year to be honest. I was a bit dissapointed in the new Kiss UK package from reelworld to be honest, and IMO it didn't live up to their previous reelworld package which is a shame.

Also I think as Martin said in his post BRMB's imaging could be better. The jingles are sounded a bit worn now and their tagline is awful “always a better song… always a better mix” they should change it back to “Birmingham's Hit Music Station” or something along those lines (but please don't go on about variety!!!)

Capital Radio's imaging is really disapointing too. Once a station number 1 in London with some of the best jingles and imaging you'd find anywhere in the UK maybe even the world now using dull sweepers. Recently there imaging has improved though in my view as they've decided to remix some of their old Groove Addicts jingles which bring back a few memories.

One last thing too, I think Century FM is sounding really poor and dull at the moment, but I'll cut them a little slack as they've recently been taken over by GMG and the possability of them re-branding to Real Radio.

My Predictions For 2007

1) I think Capital Radio and maybe BRMB may get new packages from reelworld to liven up their underperforming stations. If this does happen I think it will be similar to the Key 103 and Hallam FM packages currently being aired.

2) The two Century stations will re-brand to Real Radio and the whole Real Radio network will get a fresh new package from either Bespoke or IQ Beats.

3) More stations will use production company's like Pure Tonic Media and Noise Fusion to brighten up their imaging.

4) I also have a funny feeling BBC Radio 1 might get a Jingle package but I don't know who they'd go with. Would they stick with favourites Music4 or go with something different (e.g Reelworld or maybe even On The Sly)

5) This is more of a hope than a prediction but I think what Martin S was saying about a new Radio City package for the Capital of culture celebrations is quite likely. As Radio City 96.7 is my local station and probably my favourite too, I think they'd sound brilliant and would really reflect the vibe of Liverpool because it really is a fantastic City.

Anyway, personally i'd like to thank everybody here for making this forum what it is – bloody brilliant, and wish you all a happy new year.

Chris Williams

[johnnyg]

>> Sweeper v/o “talent” with squeeky whiney nasal voices and emphasis on every syllabul
are banned! – bring back “big, deep voice-overs”!

8a) Sweepers may only be played a maximum of 3 times in any clock hour! All else, sung jingles.<< Ooh my first post!!

Couldn't agree more with that!! Those endless whiney voices really make me hit the off button!! %-6

I use some old editted deep voice-overs, along with sung jingles of course, in my Rock-It Radio shows.

I miss the great big TOTH jingles. My long time favourite has always been that fab Radio City (Liverpool) jingle they used back in the early days of the mid 70's.

Johnny G

[NickySMember]

I think that sung jingles/little songs will still be in for 2007 – thanks in part to Chris Moyles who afterall is a jingle anorak like the rest of us. If he uses them and keeps getting audiences increases then others follow. Daryl Denham was a pioneer for it as well.
It'll be interesting to see if Radio 2 bother with a new package or just get top ups from both Groove and Wise B – have a feeling they may go to Wise B if they wanted a full package as they already do 6 Music. We shall see.

[kcmike]

I think the big story of 2006 was not about new jingle packages, but about all the new jingle companies. And that's good news for the radio imaging industry and for those who are fans of it.

I predict increased use of jingle imaging in 2007 as corporate US radio continues to phaze out live and local talent for automation and syndication.

-Mike

[coolnt]

predictions for 2006.

PREDICTIONS:
N2 EFFECT WILL PRODUCE THE FIRST UK PACKAGE. (What about that huh?)
COMING UP:

i made this prediction last 2006 for n2effect in 2007. Well, they never did actually create a package for a UK station, but N2EFFECT jingles did have a resing for a european station via sob.nl

REELWORLD LAUNCHES WJXA 2008: What's New With the Package?

[simon_t123Member]

After bringing in the FIVE package in 2002 & numerous cuts from 107 The Bee now for my net thingy non-stop:VIBE I have to say I'm so impressed with Jones TM / TM Century. I think I must have always been although I thought I was a JAM fanatic through & through. The Jones TM product is excellent, I've been a fan of the sound from BBC Essex in 1991, SGR FM & Breeze AM all here in Essex.

So I hope Jones TM continue to make in-roads to the UK market & Sean over @ iJingles does well with his project, a great way to source Jones TM stuff.

The Viking package is great too, hopefully 107 The Bee will call in the company for some top ups, which of course I can grab later for non-stop-VIBE lol …

Elsewhere I think 10 years will see a time for change with Radio 2, I dont often hear the original stuff now except travel & news intros, most of its the evolved cuts for the new jocks & later WDTM stuff.

S2Blue, I gotta say have done wonders for BBC local radio, a passion of mine is the imaging for these stations & I've liked all the packages S2Blue have put out. The vocals can wildly vary in style but Cornwall sticks in mind as the best vocals heard so far on an S2Blue package, I hope they stick all the demo's up soon.

JAM have got to do something to turn things around for them, Coast 103.5 stuff really tingles my spine through a good basey speaker but it's all classic stuff, a resurgance of the classic sound in a modern style would be cool.

Reelword are great but the sound is tiring & can they do some kind of non for profit / net station deal ? That would better my opinion of them !

There's loads I've not touched on, Top Format in the Netherlands also are so so cool, their Radio 10 Gold stuff through the years has been great.

Good luck to all the companies in what I hope will be a great year for the sung jingle …

[mbMember]

I think its been the year when station imagers rediscovered jingles with more melody rather than whooshes and dull beds.

Highlights of the year:-

Key 103 and Hallam FM Reelworld
BBC Radio Manchester – IQ Beats
The Coast – TM
Original 106 – Wise Buddah
Chiltern FM – IQ Beats

Bad jingles –
I've heard a few –
Capital Radio relaunch imaging for 2006 was truly dreadful, weak and cheap

[freq-ky]

Best Jingles 2006;The Bee & Spirit from TM
Favourite Demo;Kiss Boston 2006 from Reelworld (Just)
Worst Imaging;Capital Radio

Predictions;

Mercia FM reverts back to Mercia Sound
A Jones TM package is used in Scotland
Hereward uses a jingle package properly
Someone comes out with a decent strapline
The Scottish & Northern Irish stations will be forced to have the emap logos to fall in line with their english counterparts (which I hope doesn't happen).

[ah-mediaMember]

Happy New Year folks!

Best Jingles: The Bee (TM Century), Original 106, Radio Aire (both Wise Buddah), Key 103 (Reelworld)

Worst Jingles: Capital Radio (need I say more)

Predictions: Ocean FM to be sold off from GCap
Capital Radio to re-launch (again)

A.

[Paul]

So, were any of us right in our preditcions for last year?

[ratnobMemberAuthor]

Hey, Paul – I'd forgotten about this. What a lively thread it proved to be.
G

[coolnt]

coolnt wrote:

predictions for 2006.

PREDICTIONS:
N2 EFFECT WILL PRODUCE THE FIRST UK PACKAGE. (What about that huh?)
COMING UP:

i made this prediction last 2006 for n2effect in 2007. Well, they never did actually create a package for a UK station, but N2EFFECT jingles did have a resing for a european station via sob.nl

REELWORLD LAUNCHES WJXA 2008: What's New With the Package?

one year ago!

[GlennaMember]

Here's a thought or prediction:
Emily gets a recording contract and leaves RW AND JONES TM.

[Author]

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