Meet Jim Conlan of Radio Works in Westchase

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Conlan.

Jim, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started Radio Works in 1987 with my partner, Bill West. Our goal was to provide “Funny Radio Advertising, Serious Results” for local and regional advertisers all over the country. In establishing relationships with advertisers in over 30 states, Radio Works attracted the attention of national advertisers such as Administaff (now Insperity), Slick 50, Jiffy Lube, Alcon, the H.J. Heinz Co. and Jimmy John’s. Our campaign for Jimmy John’s is the longest currently running national radio campaign in the country. We have won more local, regional, and national awards for radio advertising than all other Houston-based advertising companies combined.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The first challenge was simply getting noticed. We were fortunate to gain allies at Adweek (Jeff Pate) and the Houston Post (Eileen O’Grady), who convinced advertisers that funny radio commercials could generate serious results. The immense popularity of our campaigns for Administaff, Jiffy Lube and Jimmy John’s convinced scores of advertisers that humor really can generate awareness. Our major challenge, however, has been the rising rates of air time on local radio stations, which have priced most local advertisers out of the medium.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
The focus on funny radio advertising is a very narrow niche in the advertising business. In times past there were several national companies which specialized in this niche: Dick Orkin, Stiller and Meara, Wynn and Brown, etc. Besides the level of writing, our production includes use of the finest voice talent available, not only in Houston, but in L.A. and New York. We are most proud of helping relatively small advertisers on limited budgets dominate their local markets with campaigns that made them sound national. What sets us apart from others who may still be in business is the ability to create very funny scenarios that are totally relevant to the client’s message.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2500 Tanglewilde
  Suite 486, Houston, TX 77063
• Website: www.usradioworks.com
• Phone: 7137893751
• Email: james@usradioworks.com
• Instagram: Radio Works
• Facebook: Radio Works
• Twitter: Radio Works
• Yelp: Radio Works
• Other: Radio Works

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