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Your music deserves more than an upload button.

You create great music, we get people to hear it. Radio promotion and earned airplay strategy for artists who are ready.

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Every day, artists release tens of thousands of songs. Among them is great music by people who deserve to be heard. Sometimes all that's missing is someone who knows how to navigate the system—and is willing to advocate for them.

Artists We've Promoted

35+ Years

Standing Behind Artists

Trusted

By Emerging & Global Superstars

Proven

Working With Industry Gatekeepers

Tim Dalbec, Radio Promotion Specialist with 35+ years major label experience
  • 35+ years inside the U.S. commercial radio ecosystem
  • Strategic earned-airplay campaigns built for scale
  • Experience supporting artists from early growth to global reach
  • Trusted by artists and teams navigating serious career moments

Decades inside the major label radio system. Understanding how programmers really listen.

I help artists get their songs in front of the right people. It's not about blasting a list and moving on. It's about making sure the music is ready, telling the story the right way, and standing behind the artist as the process unfolds.

Artists Advocate works with a limited number of artists so every release receives real attention, thoughtful follow-up, and genuine advocacy.

Radio promotion works when timing, format fit, and credibility are aligned.

My background comes from decades working inside major label radio promotion and audience development at Atlantic Records. I understand how radio programmers really listen, how decisions get made, and where campaigns often lose momentum early. At the core of my work is bridging the gap between artists, their music, and the people who decide what gets played on the radio—connecting the right music to the right conversations at the right time. That perspective helps artists and managers move forward with confidence, and a real opportunity to build real relationships, and create momentum that grows and lasts.

Work with Tim →

Smart, honest radio decisions.

Artists and managers usually come to me when radio becomes a serious business decision and they want an honest perspective before committing real time and budget. Often, that conversation starts earlier—looking at readiness, positioning, and how a release can be framed before any promotion begins.

We talk through the songs, the timing, the artist's story, and how the music reflects who they are, so everything is aligned.

Careers don't move in straight lines, and promotion works best when it's part of a thoughtful, creative plan—not a last-minute push. Artists Advocate supports artists in the lead-up, helping shape strategy and direction so when it's time to approach radio, the music arrives with clarity and intent. If you're considering radio promotion or trying to understand how earned airplay fits into a broader career path, this is the work I do every day.

See how it works →

Readiness + Honesty = Real Results.

Great music deserves a thoughtful path forward. Artists and managers come to Artists Advocate when promotion becomes a real business decision and they want an honest perspective before investing time and budget. That conversation begins with readiness—Is the song right? Is the timing right? And is promotion the right next step?

Why radio still matters.

Supporting US Radio and Global Streaming

Unmatched Mass Reach

U.S. terrestrial radio reaches 82% of Americans weekly (≈270M people ages 12+), making it the largest audio platform in the country.

Career Affirming

Radio airplay functions as industry validation, accelerating touring guarantees, brand partnerships, and sync placement consideration.

Publishing Income

Terrestrial radio remains a primary revenue source for songwriters, paying recurring performance royalties through PROs without impacting master ownership.

Long-Tail Value

Radio airplay continues generating songwriter income years after release, particularly through recurrent and gold rotations.

Advertising Value Equivalency

A single Top 40 add with moderate rotation can deliver $250K–$1M+ in equivalent advertising value, based on national and regional audio ad CPMs.

Trust + Discovery Premium

Radio consistently ranks as the #1 trusted medium for music discovery among adults 18–54.

Repetition at Scale

Typical radio rotations (10–40 spins/week per station) create frequency levels that would require six-figure digital ad spend to replicate via paid streaming or social.

Catalyst Effect on Streaming

Sustained radio airplay drives measurable increases in on-demand streaming, with songs maintaining strong streaming momentum weeks after radio adds, extending their commercial lifecycle.

How it works.

From honest evaluation to long-term momentum.

Step 01

Honest Evaluation

We assess market readiness—not every song is ready for radio, and we'll tell you upfront.

Step 02

Positioning & Narrative

We develop your story and positioning that resonates with programmers and audiences.

Step 03

Campaign Strategy

Strategic timing and format targeting—we know when and where to push.

Step 04

Targeted Promotion

Personal outreach to programmers who know and trust us—this isn't mass email spam.

Step 05

Momentum Tracking

We monitor response, refine approach, and report transparently on what's working.

Step 06

Long-Term Growth

Building sustainable momentum—not just chasing a single.

When Is a Song Ready for Radio Promotion?

Before investing in radio promotion, understand what makes a song truly ready. A strategic guide for independent artists and managers evaluating airplay.

Read the guide

Why not just upload to a promo site?

Advocacy over automation. Relationships over reach.

Most companies either blast your music to everyone or do nothing at all. We do everything differently: selective outreach, personal relationships, and a reputation built over decades. When programmers hear from us, it means something.

Advocacy Is Selective by Design

Artists Advocate does not operate at scale—and that is intentional. We work with a limited number of artists at a time so every release receives personal attention, thoughtful framing, follow-up that respects relationships, and accountability for how the music is received.

Spam Prioritizes Reach. Advocacy Prioritizes Relevance.

Mass promo blasts damage your reputation before you even get started. We only pitch music we genuinely believe in to programmers who will actually care about it.

Respect Matters in Gatekept Industries

Radio programmers, DSP editors, press, and partners are inundated daily. When they hear from Artists Advocate, it isn't noise. It's contextual. It's considered. It's trusted.

Trust Earned Over Decades

That trust is earned over decades—and protected carefully. We don't burn bridges for quick wins. We build lasting relationships that benefit your career long-term.

Who It's For

Independent artists ready to scale. Emerging artists with real traction. Artists transitioning from DIY to professional campaigns. Teams needing senior-level advocacy and strategy.

Sustainable Momentum

Career arc thinking vs single-release thinking. How advocacy compounds over time. Not promises—principles. We're building careers, not chasing viral moments.

Your music deserves
more than a prompt.

Start the conversation.

Call Text Email

hello@artistsadvocate.com