If Slacker senior vice president of marketing, Jonathan Sasse was trying to make a statement, he did just that by attacking traditional radio in the Los Angeles Times. Instead of taking on Pandora, his company's real competition, he ripped traditional radio. "If you look at where broadcast radio is going, it looks like they're trying to become what online radio used to be." Sasse claims Slacker is taking a different approach. "What we're trying to become is what broadcast radio used to be, which is radio that's expertly programmed and tailored to you. It used to be that when I came to a new town, I'd find an awesome station with a local DJ that talks about the music in my city, the concerts in my city and play some new music. Radio done right can be really good. And broadcast radio is really missing out, because they've just turned into generic hit machines." But how does Sasse really feel about traditional radio you might ask...
Sasse leveled his blast at traditional radio on the eve of Slacker's launching of its premium on-demand music service that lets subscribers listen to any of the 8 million songs in its catalog for about $10 a month. Slacker will be competing with Rhapsody, Rdio and MOG which offer similar services. Slacker Premium is available on most iPhones, iPads, BlackBerries and smart phones that use the Android operating system. Slacker wants consumers onboard quickly and are giving away a limited number of subscriptions by visiting their Facebook page...
If you're keeping score on where Slacker stands against Pandora it's the latter that leads in subscribers - 50 million to 5 million. This would explain why Slacker will be taking on traditional radio. By launching a new on-demand music service while describing broadcast radio as "generic hit machines", it should be noted that good traditional radio is about a lot more than just playing music. Slacker knows that but they've already lost their battle against Pandora, won't be taking on Sirius XM, so they may as well take on traditional radio...
Timeline Memories:
1875] Derby debut: Aristides wins the first Kentucky Derby...
1963] Do you know the way to Monterey?: Joan Baez headlines the first Monterey Folk Festival. Also starring: Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary and The Weavers...
1973] Scandalous: The Senate begins hearings into the Watergate scandal...
1973] Released on this date: "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" - Stevie Wonder...1975] "I'm Not In Love" - 10cc...
1974] Number One on this date: "The Streak" - Ray Stevens...1983] "Let's Dance" - David Bowie...
1983] Isles streak: The Islanders sweep Edmonton in 4 games to win their 4th consecutive NHL Stanley Cup. Only Montreal has done better, winning 5 in a row (1956-1960)...
1996] A law for Megan: Bill Clinton signs legislation authorizing "Megan's Law", named for 7-year old Megan Kanka from New Jersey who was raped and killed in 1994. This law requires community notification when sex offenders move in to a neighborhood...
1998] Perfecto: David Wells pitches a perfect game as the Yankees beat Minnesota at Yankee Stadium. It's just the 13th perfect game in the modern era of baseball...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Craig Ferguson (49), Enya (50), Jim Nantz (52), Bob Saget (55), Sugar Ray Leonard (55), Henry St. Clair Fredericks aka Taj Mahal (69)...
Timeline Countdown: 13 days until Memorial Day, 33 days until Fathers Day, 36 days until summer & 48 days until July 4th...
