Personalized radio services are registering millions of new users each month. We asked the Controller of our agency Marian Borzelleca, a self described fabulous Baby Boomer, to listen to Pandora for a week and discuss her experiences. Here is her take:

So how easy was it to sign up?

Very! It took seconds I just put in my name and email and age.

How did you start your listening experience?

I started with the pre-programmed genre stations. Today’s R&B Hip Hop, Smooth Jazz and Classic Rock.

That’s quite a variety—

Well it’s what I like. That’s what is nice about this, I have eclectic music taste and I like to listen to a variety of music through out the day. No terrestrial station has all the music I want to listen to. It was fun to program stations that had a little bit of everything.

What’s a high and low of your experience so far?

I was surprised some of the songs weren’t edited. I heard some language I don’t hear on terrestrial stations! On the plus side I do like the lyrics being displayed. How many times do you not know the lyrics of a song?

What features of Pandora have you been using?

Well I haven’t used all of the features yet but I plan to. I really like what you showed me about how to add friends and listen to their playlists. I like being exposed to other people’s music. I like the “add variety” features and making my own stations in addition to the pre-programmed stations. I just made a “George Station” George Benson, George Handel, George Thorogood, George Gershwin.

How about the ads? Too many? Not enough? Just right?

Just right. I jotted down some of the advertisers: Verizon, Netflix, Starburst. Travelzoo. The only one that didn’t seem relevant was for a University. I definitely received lots and lots of travel ads.

Would you use this service in your car via your iPhone?

No. In my car I listen to satellite for the news and views. At the office I listen to music because it doesn’t require as much attention.

Last question- What were the last three songs you listened to?

“New York State of Mind” Eric Mariethal, “That Smell” Lynyrd Skynyrd, and “Pretty Girl Rock” Keri Hilson
Marian Borzelleca is Controller at The Radio Agency. Please follow The Radio Agency’s Blog “Sounding Board” by subscribing to the email or RSS links above. Visit our website TheRadioAgency.com