Let’s face it – keeping radio local has never been harder. Smaller teams, more platforms, and an audience that wants it all, faster than ever. ERIN CALLAGHAN (President of Enterprise Partnerships, Futuri) knows the struggle, and she’s got a game-changing answer: AI. Not to replace creativity, but to give it space to thrive while keeping your station rooted where it matters most—locally.
“We can’t afford a single throwaway hour,” Erin said. And she’s right. Local content isn’t a nice-to-have anymore; it’s a must. According to Nielsen, local and community-focused radio saw a 12% engagement boost. Listeners care about what’s happening in their backyard—weather, traffic, news. That’s where **Futuri’s TopicPulse** shines. It identifies the local stories that matter, helping stations craft content that clicks with their community. Stations using it are seeing stronger engagement because it’s simple: the more local you are, the more it shows.
And it doesn’t stop there. AI is flipping the 90% process/10% creativity trap. Automated tools help create and distribute snack-able, local content faster. Think instant YouTube shorts, quick podcasts, or branded video grams—all tailored to local interests/topics/themes.
It’s about being present where your audience is, with personalized content.
Then there’s Futuri’s AudioAI. It crafts local scripts, builds AI-powered on-air personas, and creates voice content that feels authentically local. Imagine an AI DJ who knows what’s trending in your city and sounds like they’re right there with you. That’s the future of keeping radio truly local.
The takeaway? AI isn’t about replacing the heart of radio. It’s about protecting it. Giving stations the tools to stay local, stay relevant, and never miss a moment that matters. Because in radio, being local isn’t just important. It’s everything.
image © Afroditi Zaggana
