Today I signed up!
If you haven't heard the news already, Then allow me to enlighten you.
Gareth Cliff the controversially outspoken 5FM Radio DJ has left the broadcasting station to start his own digital platform called CliffCentral.
For years now Gareth Cliff has been the top Dog at 5FM with his Morning Breakfast Show. (No offense to the Big Dawg, DJ Fresh who will be taking his place come 1st May 2014. I am sure DJ Fresh will hold his own in that new slot.
So why exactly is this a big deal?
Well, when someone makes the move to step out of their comfort zone and do something entrepreneurial I think it is always a big deal. If not for us, it definitely is for the person making the move.
Besides that, the world and South Africa in particular with an unemployment rate that is shocking needs to celebrate more people being entrepreneurial. So to have a celebrity like Gareth Cliff take the leap into such an ambitious project in full public view is inspiring to watch.
A brilliant strategic move he has made was to partner with the team at WeChat to help him amplify his new platform. It seems that part of the plan is to target his original audience that are probably having withdrawals from not listening to him for a month now.
I dig the fact that Cliff is brave enough to still make bold statements such as "Radio is dead and I would like to hold it's funeral." (The controversy continues...)
This is probably going to be an awkward time for 5FM as they wait and see what they have unknowingly helped to create.
Gareth Cliff has made a brave move and I take my hat off to him for stepping out like this. No matter how successful a person has been in the past; taking new risks is never easy.
To see more of the interview of Gareth Cliff and the WeChat partnership click here.
To sign up and get a front row seat to Cliff Central click here.
Take Aways:
1. Learn to lead the pack not just follow.
2. Know when to walk away from the status quo.
3. Build anticipation and excitement for change.
4. Find Win/Win partnerships no matter what level you are at.
Question:
Do you think radio is dead? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.