The Process of an APK Production

1. Concept

After researching your topic thoroughly we put together a concept for a radio report which aims directly at your target group and goes hand in hand with your intentions and philosophy.

We help you filter out topics which are suitable for radio and make suggestions how they can be converted into audio reports. We offer advice on the choice of interview partners, vox pops, sounds or music with regard to your topic.

2. Production

Interviews

Our reporter visits interviewees to record sound bites, background noises and sounds. Recordings can take place in the context of a press trip, a press conference or at individual interview dates. It is helpful if German-speaking interview partners are available; foreign-language sound bites are over-voiced later on. To make the report more authentic and credible, it is helpful not only to interview experts and company officials but also staff, guests, children, people in the street, fans etc. The greater the variety of voices, the more vivid and entertaining the report.

Edit

The interviews are edited at B & B Medien Studios by qualified radio editors and sound engineers. They pick out the best sounds and statements and cut out repetitions, stutters and disadvantageous phrases. The volume is adjusted and sound bites are enhanced with sounds and effects where possible.

Text

Mediating between the intentions of the client and the demands of the radio stations, a B & B Medien author writes a journalistic text in ‘radio speak’. The chosen sound bites are integrated into the report so that they illustrate or back up the text. The main objective of the text is to convey the client’s message without losing its objective journalistic character. The author finally compiles a track list specifying speakers, content and length of sound bites and writes a personalised letter to radio stations.

Production

The edited interviews, sounds and texts are put together into a radio report script which is read out by professional radio presenters. All sound bites are also offered to radio stations separately so that editors have the option of producing their own reports read by their own presenters. If possible, sound bites are edited in a way that makes it difficult for journalists to change them. The best sound bites which are not used in the report can be listed in a sound bite archive which enables editors to produce longer features or radio specials focussing on other points of interest.

Layout

Using photos provided by the client, B & B Medien’s graphic designers create full-colour CD covers, tray cards and labels to match the topic. The booklet contains a track list and suggestions for radio presenters on how to introduce the reports.

Client Check

All APKs are checked by the client before they go to press.

Final production

In case of changes texts are amended, sound bites are swapped or re-edited and a new version of the report is produced.

Final Autorisation

Clients give their final approval.

Serial Production

After the final approval the audio press kit CDs are burned/pressed in an average circulation of 200-300 copies. CD covers are printed and CDs are packaged.

Mailing

APKs and press information in a DIN 4 press folder are sent directly to the editor in charge along with a personalised letter. All sound files on the CD are also made available to editors on B & B Medien’s online radio platform www.radiosounds.de and, if requested, on the client’s website.

3. Use by Radio Stations

In general, each of our radio reports reaches 1 to 6 million listeners. These figures are based on the average number of listeners per hour. This is the number of people who have actually listened to the report as opposed to the number of potential listeners. Since reports are broadcast in a journalistic context and not during a commercial break, listeners’ attention levels are higher.

Our APK CDs are normally sent to the 200 most influential private and public radio stations in Germany. A further 500 editors receive emails informing them of the possibility to download the audio files online.
Important: audio files can be used more than once!
It makes sense to add a note to all your future press releases referring audio journalists to the audio link where they can download sound bites, just as print journalists are often referred to a link for downloading photos. Current sound bites can easily be deleted from the sound bite archives when out of date. Timeless sound bites are often used by radio journalists for years.

4. Monitoring

CD Mailing

Enclosed with each audio press kit CD is a fax form to be returned to B & B Medien by radio editors in which journalists state their choice of reports or sound bites with respective broadcasting times. If radio stations do not return the fax, they are interviewed by telephone two or three weeks later. According to the number of listeners reached and the independent assessment of economic regions in Germany (called ‘Nielsen’ broadcasting areas) we compile a final analysis and determine the exact media value of each campaign.

Internet

Radio stations are alerted to the report on offer by personalised e-mail. This e-mail contains a download link with a personal access code for each editor. This code allows us to monitor downloads and compile a recap analysis.

5. Promotions

To increase the incentive for radio stations to broadcast a report and heighten public awareness, B & B Medien develops accompanying topical competitions. A radio station receives a prize to give away if it broadcasts the client’s message. Competitions spread out over several days or weeks help to maximise exposure. All on-air promotions are recorded and passed on to the client.