I had a wondrous brainstorm about opening up my radio broadcast to the people, Community Radio style. What would be a more appropriate response to corporate media than allowing each listener (and their dog or cat or pet) become a one-time sponsor of the broadcast “Talking To Animals,” live today (Wednesday, the 14th,) on WBTNAM (1370) radio from one to three p.m.?

I got the spark of this idea from Anne, a reader of the blog, who messaged me last night:

“I have an odd idea for sponsorship for the radio show. K— and I could be silent sponsors. Maybe one show a month. We would pay for someone to advertise. Maybe it could be a dog rescue or pet shop. Something to do with animals. Maybe give someone who can’t pay for an ad or is hesitant to buy one a chance to try it?  Or maybe showcasing a pet in need of adoption? I’m trying to think outside the box. But you let me know what you think.
Love the show, and all that you do for so many:).”

Thanks much Anne, for the sweet and very creative idea. All of those suggestions could work. My thought is that listeners could have an active piece of the broadcast for very little money, perhaps as low as $10 or $20 dollars (that’s not ultimately up to me.)

People could sponsor an hour or a segment in their name, or the name of their dog or cat or horse, or in tribute to a rescue group or vet. We would mention them and their topic or animal on the air.

This would break the mold and the stranglehold of corporations on media, or at least on our small community radio station. Why shouldn’t individual people or their dogs or favorite vet or rescue group or Uncle get to sponsor a program they like.

I mentioned this to WBTN Executive Director Thomas Toscano this morning Tommy is an outlaw, he jumped at the idea, we’ll talk about it today on the air and beyond. I’ll get back to you.

It makes great sense In the age of inter-activity, anyone who likes the program ought to have the right to participate in it. (I got a lot of e-mails about animal nutrition issues, especially dogs. We’ll discuss those questions today.

I love this idea, it captures the spirit and promise of the Internet, which can be a boundary breaker by opening up things like radio to the average person. You can sponsor yourself or your dog for an hour of the broadcast, and I think we will make it work, for you, for the broadcast, for the station.

Any payments would go directly to WBTN, not to me. This would be great for them and the idea of community radio, the people’s media.

I am getting e-mail from everywhere about the broadcast, so I know it’s catching on. Since we can’t afford Nielsen ratings, live calls are the only we really have of measuring our success.

So call today if you can and have a question or topic to discuss about pets or animals: 866-406-9286, or if you live close by, 802 442-1010. The broadcast is one to three p.m. You can e-mail me questions live if you can’t get through, I’ll have my Iphone on: [email protected]. You can e-mail me your questions anytime.

You can live stream the show here, or you can download a radio App on the Apple App Store for free, or get it online.

And soon, you’ll be able to sponsor an hour of the show in any cause or name you wish. This is fun. we are sending good signals out into the world.

Thanks Anne, great impulse. You don’t need to be silent