Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I was contacted my a representative from another prog rock site. They've requested that we run a 30 second advert for their site. I was sent an .MP3 of their commercial.

I, personally, would prefer to keep AM commercial free even if the commercial is for a progressive rock site. When Jim returns, I'll discuss it with him. Even if Jim thinks it a good idea, I believe the commercial is too "in your face" like many commercial radio auto dealer spots. We've kept the web site commercial free and uncluttered with banners unlike other prog station sites. I believe we'd like to keep the stream as devoid of similar clutter. Even if Jim thinks it wise, I would have to balk at the current format of the commercial. A 10-15 sec. spot which is better tuned to a laid back prog rock audience is in order.

So, what is your opinion?

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

Please, no.

Vax, I assume this prog rock site is not for profit?

Even so, accept one ad, and the slippery slope has started.

I avoid ad laden TV, I avoid ad laden commercial radio - to me it would be sad day the day the Moon starts running commercials.

(On a related note, were the Moon to ever consider running ads as a source of revenue, I would rather dig deeper into my pockets than have to endure that aural blight. Just say the word Jim, if that reality ever arises)

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I believe it is albeit, they have links for selling music. I don't know if they make money off of this in any way.


I'm with you there!


So if I run this commercial you'll dig deeper? :D

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

Maybe just get the guy to do an AM station ID wherein he mentions his site address or whatever, 30s is way too long, especially if it's typical commercial nonsense. I'd really prefer the Moon stay ad-free. It already does kinda have an ad in that Caamora promo, I know that's a station ID too, but like it or not it's also kind of an ad for Caamora. Maybe that's a way of helping out artists and other prog related folks, let them do a station ID where they identify themselves and what they do, site name or whatever, they get some exposure and we get another station ID in the mix. I would say 15s max for a station ID. That's my $0.02.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I agree with Mossy, if you folks need more money please let us know, and am sure we will all help out, AM is the one of the only places on the web where you do not have to deal with in your face blinking ads

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

...and you won't! At least not on my watch!

This question, however, was about a request for an audible advertisement.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I'm with Mossy. I also trust you Vax, to do what's best for AM!

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

:ditto:

I would be opposed to advertisements on the Moon (aural or visual). But I don't have trouble with musical artists promotions via our station ID's or as guests in our forum or on shows. It's fun to have a 'celebrity' speak for our station.

I would, however, like to see a space or page (not on the main page) that did have a list of links to related sites. Links could include other forums, those great sites where we find our hard to find cd's & albums, video forums that have prog videos, and stuff like that. No ads on this page - just the links. That's promotion enough. And we should certainly seek the same type of links (not ads) with the other sites. (I realize that most music streaming sites won't want to link to 'the competition', as I'm sure we wouldn't want either.)

So, I say "Heck no, ads must go!" :grump: :bash:

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I'm not sure if theres any benefit in possibly losing listeners to another site.
Would they have a spot for the moon?
Just a few thoughts.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

OK... the site is progachives.com

They're not a radio site and they do list Aural Moon as a radio link. If you do to the progarchives.com site, on the main page is the commercial they asked to air on the moon. Listen and then you'll see why I wouldn't like to hear it in the stream.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I also agree on keeping the MOON ad free, that's part of the appeal of
Aural Moon...along with the great library to choose from. Let's keep it
real. Just my $0.02 :vaxman:

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

Well progarchives is a good site, I've used it, a station ID from them or a link somewhere is probably in order I guess. Like Dale said a prog links page might be a good idea also, dunno if there's room at the top for a Links tab. Anyway that's my other $0.02, now I'm broke... :)

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

You mean "popuparchives"? :LOL: They are a good source of info however.

It's up to Jim, I say no personally. I do some self/station promos, and Cozy has a couple.

The Caamora is to me more of a station identification from an artist, like Dale says - the fact that it mentions them (as jtm notes) is the way it's usually done. I would do these myself (and interviews) but both Jim and I are low-key about it. For instance I could ask Matt Parmenter to say something witty and mention Aural Moon but I just don't.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I agree, Jim has the final word. BUT, please say it ain't so..... In those immortal words so graciously uttered by Liz Taylor during a recent interview.. nooooooooooooooooooooooo noooooooooooo. :ditto:

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

No Commercials here thanks

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

That would be quite amenable to many. I, however, don't want to see the main page cluttered with links and adverts. I'm trying to 'un'busy an already way too busy main page.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

Oh, I don't want these on the main page, for exactly the reasons you state. It should be elsewhere. A separate page that perhaps only a tab (like the playlists, schedule, etc) can access, taking you away from the main page. And it should be one that anyone, not necessarily a member, can access.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I go to Progarchives alot and i did hear the Ad.IMHO its annoying but thats just me.Its a great site thou for prog i go there all the time to read Reviews.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I would prefer not to run this ad.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I would also prefer to not have any ads.

Even tho Gags has PSAs... they drive me nuts...

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

Not to derail this thread and open another can of worms, but at least there is something gained there -- a show. This was a request to air a commercial -- just a commercial.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

No ads, please.

I agree with those who say if money is ever needed, just ask. You don't want to get into the 'commercial' radio arena. Guest spots might be good, like the station promos with Moon artists. I mean, we do listen to their music mostly for free. But I don't think spots for other sites is a good idea, no matter how short.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

This is a questionable theme, but to me, like a listener, I would'nt like!!
Toc.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I can't imagine anyone thinking that playing a commercial on AM is a good idea, even if it is progarchives. And no offense to those guys.

I use progarchives often like many. It is a tremendous resource for getting mostly good reviews and information about bands. The forum is tough to troll through (a rediculous amount of repeat posts and annoying avatars), but I do use that from time to time too.

Providing a means to link to external prog resources in the least intrusive way as possible is not a bad idea. Progarchives is but one choice, and there are several I have bookmarked myself along the travel.

Since they did ask, they deserver a formal response from Jim. It probably would come across in the form of a policy statement from the station owner.

Vax, thanks for soliciting responses from the listener base.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

And now Mortis will throw in his words.

No ads - I do not want to here the words " and now a word from our sponsor" or whatever. I agree with Mossy.

Though I would accept the possibility of sponsorship of shows though I don't think it is viable in this day and age with our small market. Anyway who would pay for ads for 180 lost souls anyway.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

No ads, plz! Especially that one - ewwww - even though I too frequent PA for research & info. A link page is a good idea, as is (perhaps) a station ID mentioning PA.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

First, whether we had commercials or not, why would we air a commercial for another station? "Hey, go listen to these guys!"

Anyway, I've thought before that I'd not be opposed to having commercials on AM. There are a few qualifications.

1. They'd need to remain a minimum. Say, on thirty second commercial every five songs, regardless of length. SAM could be programmed to pull them in.

2. They'd need to be for non-controversial products, like music sellers or Coke. Anything that might get someone up in arms over politics or religion or whatever would defeat the purpose of having a site that was about music.

3. Let's differentiate here between commericials and promos and public service announcements. If I were to be inundated with PSAs for political causes, I'd go elsewhere. My undergraduate degree is in mass media, so, for what it's worth, a commercial is just what the name suggests - commerce related. I'm not sure how the rules work, but it's something like $0.02 per listener when the thing airs. This would be a great way to ensure AM's financial survival. But, I'm not sure what that would do when hitting the whole profit/non-profit thing and paying royalties. So, if that'd mess it up, then by no means should we have commercials.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

Sorry folks, I'm on holiday and not checking in as often as usual.

We will NEVER run audible advertisements in the stream. No way, no how, nein, non, no. Any questions? :LOL:

I like progarchives, and would be happy to link to them. Vax, in your oh so abundant spare time, maybe we can brainstorm about the best way to add a links page or tab. Low priority, of course.

More feedback is welcome, but unnecessary...8-)

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I am the king of unneccessity.....

A small banner I think - Rosfest has long asked to trade banners too.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

We will NEVER run audible advertisements in the stream. No way, no how, nein, non, no. Any questions?

Nope...I think that just about answers it. :)

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

BRAVO JIM.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

Ring up another 'nay' for me.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

the vote looks in, no to commericals :salute

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I'm not sure I know what you mean, Jim. :headscrat Are you sure that's how you feel? You were a little vague. ])


All kidding aside - thanks!

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

Advertising..... hmmm.... NO is my vote. and Especially at 30sec. If they want to do something where their name gets mentioned, a Station ID would be better.

like: "Hello, this is ProgArchives.com. When we're not busy being the history keepers for the world of prog music we're busy listening to Aural Moon, the internets premiere progressive rock radio.

and no physical ads.

let's keep the current precident. even if it means they give AM money. in the long run, it's not worth it.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

I was going to say that I'm not personally opposed to some sort of commercial advertisement if it benefits AM in the long run. But it'd have to be a very limited basis, and the commercial has a limited run before it goes.

But after Jim chimed in, he's made his position clear. So that is that.

Though I would like to see that Caamora tag go. It's old and it's self-serving imo.

This, of course, brings up a new question though. Should we do some new tags for the Moon in 2008?

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

Definitely!!!

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

That Caamora tag was old after it started...but I wouldn't say self-serving, they mention their names and Aural Moon. If they didn't metion who they were what's the point? Does seem to run a lot though.

I mention the current artist, my show name, Aural Moon, and "The net's progressive Rock garden" three times during my show. It's the least I can do.

And yes, new tags would be good...in moderation.

Re: Commercials on Aural Moon?
 

Ad free is fine with me.

Ramsgate.