Sports Radio Advertising

Message

Marky · #1 Post by **Marky** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:42 pm

How many saw the story of Houston's Sports Radio 610 having to pull a sponsor that advertised a dating service for married people?

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages ... geId=3.2.1

I certainly agree this contract is in poor taste. But it leads me to a question-

Has anyone realized how SLEAZY sports talk radio sponsors can be?

Strip joints. Beer. Tout services.

And here is where I am at a dilemma.

Yes, often times sports radio ads are sleazy. I've been made uncomfortable when respected, professional, and older sportscasters are made to read an ad encouraging you to take some "extra action" on the game or telling us how erotic a gentleman's club is.

If sports radio is a way to target the male audience, this isn't a good representation of men.

On the other hand, I currently live in the bible belt, and I believe the reason it took us 20 years for an all-sports radio station is simply because they didn't want to sell to these kind of sponsors.

And I have been in conversation with many radio stations here about a sports talk show- but I am told up front they do not want any beer, gambling or adult advertising.

Gambling, incidentily, included the Tennessee and Virginia Lottery.

For the record, I'm not a prude. And I'm of the belief that most of these so-called sleazy sponsors wouldn't try to dictate the editoral guidance of a broadcast.

I find it hypocritical that print can take on cigarette advertising but broadcasting cannot. If you don't want cigarette companies to advertise, don't let them advertise in magazines, either.

But, on the other hand, when nobody stops an ad like this from getting on the air in the first place, or a salesman even justifies this account, I have to wonder if sports talk radio advertising hasn't crossed a line somewhere.

Scott_Sudikoff · #2 Post by **Scott_Sudikoff** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:53 pm

I hear that Ashley Madison spot on Howard Stern's Sirius channel. A lot different than hearing it a on a sports station, but still a strange advertisement nonetheless.

Brandon Rush · #3 Post by **Brandon Rush** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 9:53 pm

their money pays the bills just like every other!!!

Plus they key to advertising is promoting products to your target demographic, if those are the people listening to your show or broadcast, then it shouldn't matter to you the subject matter of your advertisers

As long as the product/service is legit and legal, far be it from me to judge who wants to advertise on my show

Marky · #4 Post by **Marky** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:33 am

Legit and legal- interesting.

From this definition- would a sports bar that has been cited for a violation of serving underage drinkers be legal?

What about tout services? Certainly they are encouraging illegal gambling.

I know many of the credit counceling spots that were commonplace throughtout radio were for shady companies.

RadioDaddyKat · #5 Post by **RadioDaddyKat** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:39 pm

In Montana ... it's the norm to have casinos participate as a sponsor for HS football broadcasts, and on sports talk radio, but have yet to hear any of the "gentlemen's club" ads. They appear on rock stations, but have yet to hear one on the ESPN affiliate here in Missoula.

Honestly, if you can find a way to tastefully do such an ad, and it's legal and placed well ... it pays the bills. In fact, one of the best places I have had a steak was at a place which is a gentleman's club -- although I was there and ate before the dancers showed up. Not that I would be comfortable doing an endorsement for a place ... but it is a slippery slope.