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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

WWNO Launches News Website With College

7-30-2012
The University of New Orleans announced a plan to create a new nonprofit multimedia newsroom in a partnership with WWNO. Built on a public radio funding model, the new service will be made possible through the support of the community, including voluntary donations from listeners and website users; corporate sponsors; and foundation funders and major donors. WWNO is an NPR affiliate. 

WWNO General Manager Paul Maassen will manage NewOrleansReporter.org to coordinate digital and broadcast content. WWNO and NewOrleansReporter.org will share a common newsroom on UNO?s campus, with reporters producing content for both online and radio formats.

Maasen said, ?This is an exciting opportunity to converge digital, mobile and broadcast together in a multiplatform newsroom for New Orleans. We are grateful for the support the community has shown for this initiative.? University President Peter Fos said, ?This initiative demonstrates the University of New Orleans? commitment to our community. We are an innovative, engaged and solution-oriented institution, and we are thrilled to be incubating this project. Public universities should be beacons of light in their communities, and we feel NewOrleansReporter.org will help illuminate the issues that are important to the people of the greater New Orleans area.?  

The new news site is expected to be live by the end of the year.



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Radio is "Cheap, Ubiquitous, Tricky to Track."

7-30-2012

It's interesting to see how others describe radio when the industry makes national news. The AP reported the Friday story about Mitt Romney's Super PAC, Restore Our Future, announcing it will spend $1 million in nine states attacking President Obama. At the same time the AP also dropped in an opinion about the industry. "While both Romney and Obama ? and their allies ? have been shelling out millions on television ads, neither has been aggressive on radio, a relatively cheap and ubiquitous medium that is trickier to track and easier to target."

The Super PAC ads are scheduled to run in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. We should learn more about how much money some of the big companies are actually receiving this year, which is expected to be a record year of spending. Clear Channel reports earning Wednesday after the bell, Radio One, Univision and CBS report on Thursday and Entercom reports Friday


The AP report also said, Mitt Romney bought about $150,000 in radio time this month in the Columbus, Ohio, market and about $9,000 in New Hampshire.

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(TALENT) 6 Habits Of Memorable People

7-30-2012

By Angela Perelli

SPOILER ALERT: The #6 habit in Jeff Haden's "Inc." magazine article is to "get over yourself." That gem and five other tips on how to succeed in business are good reminders for all of us, and especially relevant for morning show personalities, who by nature of their job, should be interesting and memorable.

Here are the points from his article with my comments on how to relate them to radio. Read the original article here.

1. Don't see. Do.

"What you say isn't interesting; what you do is interesting. Spend your life doing instead of watching. Cool things will happen. Cool things are a lot more interesting and a lot more memorable."

In morning radio, some of your show will be about pop culture and topical news stories, and you do need to be informed. Yet, you have to be more than an entertainment correspondent. You have to have stories, and stories happen when you do stuff.

2. Do something unusual.

Personal stories don't come from going to work, going to the gym, doing a little show prep, and then watching TV. Stories come from living life with passion and with curiosity.

"Draw a circle and put all your 'stuff' in it. Your circle will look a lot like everyone else's: Everyone works, everyone has a family, everyone has homes and cars and clothes...."

"We like to think we're unique, but roughly speaking we're all the same, and similar isn't memorable."

"So occasionally do something different. Backpack to the next town just to see how many people stop to offer you a ride. Compete with your daughter to see who can swim the most laps in three hours. Or work from a coffee shop one day just to see what you learn about other people... and about yourself.

"Whatever you do, the less productive and sensible it is, the better. Your goal isn't to accomplish something worthwhile; the goal is to collect experiences.

"Experiences, especially unusual experiences, make your life a lot richer and way more interesting. You can even..."

3. Embark on a worthless mission.

"Remember when you were young and followed stupid ideas to their illogical conclusions? Road trips, failing the cinnamon challenge, trying to eat six saltine crackers in one minute without water... you dined out on those stories for years."

"So do something, just once, that adults no longer do."

We call them "quests" -- which give morning shows serial content, drama, viral content, and more. A quest can be a mission to find someone or something...or it can be a personal quest. A timely idea: Think about creating summer "bucket lists" for each show player as a "worthless mission" to create content for the summer ratings period.

4. Embrace a cause.

When we craft your character profile, we look for your endearing qualities as well as your flaws. Endearing qualities can include passion toward a charity. It shows you have compassion and heart.

"People care about -- and remember -- people who care. When you stand for something you stand apart. But..."

5. Let other people spread the word.

"People who brag are not remembered for what they've done; they're remembered for the fact they brag. Do good things and other people will find out. The less you say, the more people remember."

This is trickier for on-air personalities. Some ways around it:

A.     Air a call from someone your work has helped. You can be humble and even embarrassed by the attention.

B.     Twitter, too, can help by allowing people to thank you publicly without you tooting (or tweeting) your own horn.

C.     Keep the focus on the cause or on the listeners who helped the cause rather than on your own good deed(s).

6. Get over yourself.

"Stop trying to seem perfect. Accept your faults. Make mistakes. Hang yourself out there. Try and fail."

"And when you do fail, people will remember you because people who are willing to fail are rare... and because people who display grace and humility, especially in the face of defeat, are incredibly rare."

Think for a moment about those Facebook friends whose lives appear perfect. (Ugh.) Now think back on a post from someone admitting a character flaw, mistake, or faux-pas. (More likable and memorable, right?)

While you may not be as interesting as the guy in the Dos Equis ads, The Most Interesting Man in the World, think about what your ad would look like. Let me know at angela@randylane.net or on Twitter @AngelaPerelli .

Angela Perelli is a SVP at the The Randy Lane Company (www.randylane.net). She can be reached at angela@randylane.net  www.facebook.com/TheRandyLaneCompany  www.twitter.com/TheRandyLaneCo

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Compass Media and Learfield Extend Contract

7-30-2012

Compass Media Networks and Learfield Sports announced a multiyear extension whereby Compass Media Networks retains first right of refusal to broadcast any Learfield Sports home football and men's basketball  games, retains the exclusive national radio rights to broadcast The Big Ten Football Championship Game and the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament, and will broadcast expanded coverage of regular season men's basketball and football games.

Learfield Sports is the exclusive broadcast and sports marketing partner to over 50 of the nation's leading colleges and universities including Alabama, , Boise State, Indiana University, Iowa, NC State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Purdue, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, University of North Carolina, Wisconsin and the Big Ten Conference. Compass Media Network CEO Peter Kosann said, "Learfield Sports has been a wonderful partner. We are honored to continue this partnership and will continue to expand the breath and depth of our coverage."



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Pirate Boasts About His Station

7-30-2012

This one comes from the Nashua Telegraph where Antoine Anthem tells the paper he doesn't have a license to operate at 87.9 but it's not really that big a deal. ?No, we don?t have one. If a commercial station wants to complain and push us away, they can. ? It hasn?t been a problem because we?re not interfering with any other broadcasting station.? Forget about the fact that it's the law that you need an FCC license. It's also a little out of the ordinary for a Pirate to openly boast about operating illegally.
The FCC is looking into the situation, according to the paper. Absolute Broadcasting GM Jerry DiGrezio is quoted in the story. ?The big deal is we?re playing by the rules and someone else isn?t. And, he added there is occasional signal interference with his stations. Absolute owns AM talk radio stations WSMN, WGAM and WGHM.  DiGrezio pointed out that TheBeat ? which has no call letters because it has no FCC license ? doesn?t pay fees to music-publishing groups such as ASCAP and BMI. ?We have to pay the fees, and we don?t even play any music,? he said. Anthem said TheBeat doesn?t pay a music-publishing fee because it doesn?t play contemporary hits in ?heavy rotation.?

Read the entire article HERE



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Monday, July 30, 2012

(DIGITAL) 3 Ideas To Retain More Listeners

7-30-2012

I must have touched a nerve. I got a flurry of emails responding to my piece, "Looking At Radio From The Digital Side," which was published here a couple of weeks ago. New media changes people's perceptions and expectations, often before we're aware of it happening.

My concern is that online audio entertainment services like Pandora, Spotify, Stitcher, DAR.fm, and others have changed our expectations about the moment of tune-in. How long will we have to wait for the content to start when we first log on? For most online services, it's pretty close to instantaneous. Maybe you sit through a 15-second ad, but that's it. With radio, if you tune in at the start of a stopset, you might have to wait for five minutes or more.

I believe that could be holding us back, and I'd like to offer three ideas to help radio retain more listeners.

1. GUARANTEED SWEEP AT THE START OF THE STREAM
This one takes advantage of streaming technology, so it's a reason to listen on your computer or your mobile device. I'm sure there's a way that many streaming providers can set it up so that at least the first, say, 20 minutes of listening is commercial-free. That way, when you listen to a radio station stream, there might be a :15 video spot to start the stream, but you launch into a guaranteed amount of content no matter when you first start listening.
Let's say that you run stopsets at :12 and :42, as many PPM-measured stations do. If someone logs on at 10:13 a.m., they see the gateway ad on your stream and launch right into several minutes of spots. That's not exactly living up to expectations. On the stream, you could set it to cover that first stopset, and promise at least 25 minutes of continuous music whenever you log on. I don't know if any streaming services offer this service. It should be doable, however, using technology that's currently available.

2. TARGETED ADS
This idea takes a different tack, although it, too, is focused on the ever-growing number of stream listeners. Online advertising has so many targeting opportunities. I search online for travel information, and all of a sudden, Google, Facebook, and Yahoo are showing me travel ads I never saw before. Can we do this with stream ads, too?  What if you worked to make all your stream ads potentially interactive, and kept track of what I clicked on? You could make sure I heard more spots for stuff I was interested in. After all, commercials are irritating interruptions until they solve a problem that I have. Then, I'm very thankful to have the information.

3. DO IT BETTER
This idea is the big market PD in me talking. If radio is saddled with the 15 percent chance that any listener will hear commercials when they tune in, let's make our on-air products 20 percent or 30 percednt better than they are now. Make sure there's always a great song on when someone tunes in. Work with the talent to ensure they're saying brand-appropriate, compelling stuff instead of the usual clich?s. Picture what your target audience is really doing, and invent promotions and imaging that cuts through in a good way. Create meaningful listening appointments that build habitual listening. Quit modeling what you do today against the station from yesterday that's playing in your head. Every time someone says, "We always do it that way," take it as a cue to invent a new, better way to do whatever that thing is.

Chris Miller has been a major-market PD in Atlanta, Portland and Cleveland. He now operates Chris Miller Digital, which he launched. Visit his website at www.chrismillerdigital.com.
Contact Chris via e-mail, chris@chrismillerdigital.com or 216-236-3955.

For more articles from Chris Miller go HERE.

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Triton Digital Hosting Facebook Webinar

7-30-2012

The folks at Triton will be hosting a free webinar on Facebook this Wednesday at 2PM Eastern. The 60 minute event will focus on how stations can use Facebook to connect more effectively with listeners. If you've ever asked yourself any of the following questions, you be well informed if you sign up for the webinar. Is Facebook a strategy or a tactic for reaching your audience? How do you continue to grow your database? How is your audience really using mobile? How loyal is your audience and what are the most effective loyalty practices?

Register HERE



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(SOCIAL) Get Your Fall Social Media Moving Now

7-30-2012

When it comes to social media, you are never surprised that "great content is king."  The trouble is being creative and coming up with ideas that can really turn the page for listeners and get them engaged in your product. As fall approaches, you have big family events that you can take advantage of with creative flair. Consider the return of school and the return of football. These are big events in the lives of your listeners. With a little planning, you can create opportunities for your station. These opportunities should be focused only on your market and should always tilt listeners toward your products (usage).

Here are a few ideas for right now:

1. Create online or Facebook promotions (that lead to your website and on-air) with local schools in your market. This takes a little footwork but local businesses do it all the time and it helps your business grow. You can do it because you can offer them something much bigger than smaller local businesses. Be creative, have great ideas and execute great content, and your radio station will be the pivot point for fall for parents and kids. What will that do for your fall ratings?

2. Do the research and have someone design your own social media or website/online game you can promote on Facebook and Twitter. The game should feature your logo as well as personalities and features of the station. By the way, it should also include opportunities to listen to the station or an invitation to listen to specific things. That is all part of making things fun for players/listeners and tying in the station without being only a promo. Of course, be careful to have the permission of your company before creating this type of content and product.

3. If your state has a tax-free weekend, create a bonus on-air event or promotion where the station involves prizes (and maybe retailers) as well as a potential cash payout -- say for the largest clothes bill up to a certain amount. If you don't think your listeners are focused on saving money this way, you are intoxicated on 2004. It's 2012 and people are scratching for every nickel. By the way, if your state does not have a tax-free weekend, perhaps you should create one as a contest and involve your morning show for the "payoff" for listeners every hour on Monday or each day the following week. It's all about creativity and focus. If you think the process through and do a good job of putting together something that spikes listener interest, the payoff can be unique and big for the station.
When it comes right down to it, radio can be more creative than ever. If you love serving your community and believe in the power of radio to reach out into the social media world and reconnect listeners to your on-air brand, you have the opportunity to do something that becomes extremely viral in your market and maybe makes you famous for helping your station grow from social media.

Loyd Ford programmed very successful radio brands in markets of all sizes for years, including KRMD AM & FM in Shreveport, WSSL and WMYI in Greenville, WKKT in Charlotte and WBEE in Rochester, NY. Learn more about Loyd HERE. Reach out to Loyd via e-mail HERE.
Visit his Facebook radio social media page HERE. 

(7/29/2012 6:14:07 PM)
I have to say, while looking through hundreds of blogs daily, the theme of this blog is different (for all the proper reasons). If you do not mind me asking, what's the name of this theme or would it be a especially designed affair? It's significantly better compared to the themes I use for some of my blogs.

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Philly Fans Remember Joe "Butter" Tamburro.

7-30-2012

The WDAS website was flooded with comments from fans of the man they called "Butterball." Tamburro passed away Friday at age 70. The station website said, "we are honoring his memory by playing the music and the artists that he broke. RIP to our good friend, legendary broadcaster, civil rights leader, the soul of the station for 50 years and Philly icon, Butter. We'll miss you dearly." That was followed by hundreds of comments, shares and thumbs up via Facebook. Tamburro is survived by his wife, five children and five grandchildren.

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Beasley Revenue Drops 2.8% in Q2

7-27-2012

Beasley was unable to keep the good earnings news going today, after a huge quarter from Journal yesterday. Beasley Broadcasting Executive Vice President and CFO Caroline Beasley said a weak April (-7%) and the company's Fayetteville stations underperformning caused the drop. Beasley has a cluster of six in Fayetteville. May was up 2% and June was up 1% for the company. Beasley says July is pacing close to May levels. Beasley also reported weaker than anticipated political revenue ($70,000) mainly in Augusta and Las Vegas. Next up on the earnings board is Clear Channel next Wednesday after the bell.



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(PODCAST) Selling Against Increased Competition

Download this show

7-27-2012

One of the biggest challenges salespeople face today is closing deals with competition at an all-time high. In addition to newspaper, television and billboard, sellers also deal with every new digital platform that comes along such as Pandora, Groupon, Facebook, Google, and every local coupon company John Q Public launches from his one-bedroom apartment. In our Sales Meeting Podcast Matt Sunshine and Sean Luce tackle that problem, along with a long list of other challenges sent in from salespeople all over the country.

Listen to the Radio Ink Sales Meeting Podcast with Matt Sunshine and Sean Luce

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Sunday, July 29, 2012

Journal Has Big Second Quarter

7/26/2012

Journal Communications, with its 35 stations, in Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Tennessee reported a revenue increase of 11.5% to $19.4 million from $17.4 million. The increase was 6.7% when Journal backs out $800K of revenue from the LMA for two Tulsa radio stations which Journal has not had for a year yet. They were purchased from Renda early in the third quarter. Excluding political advertising revenue same station revenue increased 4.8%. Today at 11AM We'll hear from Beasley Broadcasting

Journal says core local revenue increased 9.5% or 4.6% on a same-station basis primarily due to an increase in automotive advertising. Core national revenue increased 12.8% or 7.1% on a same station basis primarily due to an increase in media and other services advertising. The strongest advertising categories for the company were automotive, political and retail and financial services. Weaker categories included building and hardware, beverages, casinos, wireless and pharmeceuticals.

Journal executives discussed their goal of growing the company but seemed to lean more toward growing their TV properties over radio. "People know we're interested. We do get calls. We're look at deals with long-term shareholder value in mind." As far as radio goes, Journal executives say they would seek to fill out clusters, as it did with the Renda purchase in Tulsa.

For the third quarter of 2012, Journal anticipates broadcast revenue (Radio is not broken out) to increase in the low-double digits, compared to the prior year, driven by an improving economy, higher political and issue advertising revenue in key states and Olympic revenue at our NBC-affiliated television stations.

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Rich Reis New VP/GM Digital Ops for Cox

7-26-2012

In this newly created position, Reis will be responsible for the key focus areas of Digital Sales, Shared Content, Ad Services and Creative.   Reis was Group VP of CMG?s Florida radio and TV properties, and he has held senior leadership roles with the company since 1997 when he transferred to Cox as part of the New City Radio acquisition. Prior to his tenure with Cox, he was one of the key operators of New City for 11 years, and grew his radio career through the sales and management ranks in major markets such as Orlando, Worcester-Boston and Syracuse. 

Reis said, ?After years of working with some of the best media professionals in the business, I?m excited to have the opportunity to help shape CMG?s digital future. CMG has routinely been at the forefront of innovation, and we are tackling the challenge of the changing digital landscape in an aggressive way. Working with our brands to build digital revenue and foster the future of our business is a challenge that I am pleased to undertake.? 

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Does a Non-Compete Carry to The Web?

7-28-2012

What if you are on the air, and one day you're not. Fired. Just like that. It could happen. You may say something the GM's spouse didn't like. You may offend the church down the street causing complaints your boss just doesn't want to deal with. Or, HQ may decide your brand new newsish format, geared toward women, should really be music. Out you go. Bye Bye. What about your non-compete? What if you decide to take your funny shtick, cool radio name, Facebook Likes and head for the World Wide Web. Can you do that? Is that legal? We put that question to Broadcast Attorney John Garziglia.

Here's what Garziglia said:
A radio personality taking his or her show to a podcast after leaving a radio station with a non-compete in a state where non-compete restrictions are enforceable, or even if there is not a non-compete, invites a variety of legal issues.  Here are some of the issues that immediately come to mind. 

The first issue is whether by the terms of the non-compete agreement itself, podcasting is specifically prohibited for a time period after employment termination.  Many non-compete agreements only restrict employment with other area broadcast radio stations.  Others may be more broad.  For instance, if the restriction was that the subject employee would not compete with the employer through broadcasting activities that reach listeners within the service area of the former station, that restriction likely would prohibit podcasting.  It all depends upon what the non-compete says, and then how a court interprets what the non-compete says.

The second issue is who owns the names and elements associated with the radio show and possibly even the name of the radio personality.  If DJ Joe Smith was hired five years ago by a radio station and the employer radio station gave Joe his air name of Buffalo Bulldog which Joe has used ever since on his radio show, the name Buffalo Bulldog may very well be owned by the radio station and not the departing air personality.  Likewise with bits, creative, sounders and show elements, either created by the radio station?s personnel or by Joe Smith himself as an employee of the station, those may all be owned by the radio station. The former air personality may not be able to use any of it in podcasts.

The third issue involves advertisers.  If the non-compete specifically prohibits contacting former advertisers, then there is likely not even an arguable claim it can be done.  Even without the non-compete prohibiting this, however, absconding from a radio station with, and using for gain, any internal information such as advertiser lists or sales information that might be regarded as trade secrets or proprietary information, may be grounds for being sued. 

Finally, in our social media era, there are significant issues yet to be fully threshed out as to who owns Facebook and Twitter accounts that may be the work-product of an employee?s employment and created while being paid by the employer. 

There is a reason that successful radio personalities employ agents and lawyers to negotiate employment contracts.  There is also a reason that radio stations likewise employ lawyers to draw up non-competes and related employment agreements.  The more precise an agreement, the fewer gray areas there will be at the time the relationship terminates.  In the absence of a precise agreement, however, the above issues and more may arise if talent upon departing takes content, creative, service marks, client information and even the air personality?s name, and competitively uses it against the former employer. 

For more articles from John Garziglia go HERE
John F. Garziglia is a Communications Law Attorney with Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice in Washington, DC and can be reached at (202) 857-4455 or jgarziglia@wcsr.com. Have a question for our "Ask The Attorney" feature? Send to edryan@radioink.com.

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Tom Joyner to Keynote Radio Show Luncheon.

7-26-2012

You can never get enough Tom Joyner. He's been successful for so long, continues to work so hard every day and remains one of the most successful syndicated personalities on radio. Add on top of that his business accomplishments and philanthropy and he's the perfect speaker for the upcoming Radio show in Dallas. Joyner will keynote the Radio Show Luncheon, which is sponsored by Katz, Friday September 21.

"Tom is a driving force in Radio. He continues to have a profound impact on his listeners and on the important causes he champions," said NAB Executive Vice President, Radio, John David. "We look forward to hearing about the factors that have led to his success."The Radio Show is jointly produced by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Advertising Bureau and it's being held this year in Dallas, September 19-21.



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Unemployment Short-Lived For Silver

7-26-2012

Recently let go by Cumulus in L.A., veteran programmer Jack Silver has an exciting new gig. Dial Global and the NBC Sports Group have hired Silver as Program Director for NBC Sports Radio Network. Silver said, ?I have a world of experience in programming to the daily consumer of sports radio. This is an exciting launch for the sports radio consumer and we?ll add PPM winning strategies and best practices to ensure a huge success.?

Silver comes to the NBC Sports Radio Network after a successful career programming major market radio stations, with an emphasis on talent development, audience growth, and digital and web extensions.  He has successfully consulted a number of sports radio hosts, anchors and personality driven shows.  Most recently, he served as Program Director for KLOS and KABC Radio/Los Angeles, and had spent over a decade with CBS owned KLSX-FM/Los Angeles as VP, Program Director.

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Saturday, July 28, 2012

(MANAGEMENT) Are You a Leader or Just a Manager

 7-26-2012

There's a big difference between what managers do and what leaders do. It's up to you whether you want to be one or the other. But if your goal is to be a real leader in today's highly competitive business world here are ten tips to get you on your way. And while this may be one of the shortest posts I?ve ever written, it took me just as long as one of my 1000-word manifestos.

1. Management and leadership are not the same. Not all leaders are managers and not all managers are leaders. You can be good at one and lousy at the other, or you can be good or bad at both.

2. Managers plan and budget, organize and staff, control and solve problems, and produce predictability and order.*

3. Leaders establish direction, align people, motivate, inspire, mentor, and produce change.*
*Source: John Kotter, "What Leaders Really Do," Harvard Business Review.

4. While leadership and management are different, they are complementary and equally important. One is not "gooder" than the other.

5. Organizations need great leadership and great management or they will crash and burn. To what degree of each depends on the degree of change needed.

6. Given the amount of change most organizations are facing, the need for leadership has increased while the need for management remains constant. Many, if not most organizations are facing a leadership shortage.

7. Neither management nor leadership is a hereditary trait; they both need to be learned and developed over time. For most people, leadership tends to be harder and takes longer to develop.

8. While everyone has some potential to lead, some have more potential than others. Organizations need to cast a wide net to find these individuals and invest in their development.

9. Someone can be appointed a manager but you have to earn the title of leader. A manager can inherit or hire employees, while a leader has to "be elected" by followers to be their leader.

10. You can do management to manage, but you have to be a leader to lead. Management can be an 8-5 job, while leadership is transformational. There is no on-and-off switch.

Dan McCarthy has been in the field of leadership development for over 20 years. He is currently the Director of Executive Development Programs at the University of New Hampshire's Whittemore School of Business and Economics (WSBE).

Reach Dan by e-mail at daniel.mccarthy@unh.edu
Dan's website is www.greatleadershipbydan.com

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(TALENT) The Radio Trance

7-26-2012

By Ronald T. Robinson


Any time I make the case that radio is an indirect medium ? that is, something other than a one-to-one communicative platform, I get notices that people are becoming thoroughly annoyed. I find this ironically spectacular, as there is no evidence whatsoever to support the one-to-one premise. It's all based on a dogmatic tradition. And it is pervasive. And, it's an ongoing disaster.

The following is the standard retort to the proposition that radio is an indirect medium and not a one-to-one experience. The most common and general response ? masquerading as a complete, closed, unequivocal, and unassailable explanation ? is essentially put this way: "When a person, either alone or with someone else in the vicinity, listens to the radio, they do so as an individual! Case closed!"

CNN, might introduce my forthcoming response to that assertion as "Breaking News."

Here, then, is the Hot Flash fresh off the wire ? for those who remember "the wire": Human beings experience everything as individuals ? and at all times. The 37-cent word for that is "subjectivity." When a person is able to make an alternative step and move to a dissociated position or some form of "objectivity," the chasm between reality and experience becomes even wider, not narrower. In other words: This is not new news. It's old news. But, it is useful information, especially for those who have yet to make this significant distinction.

These last few weeks I have made it my business to find out more of what some of the super-duper programmers and consultants have to say on the matter. Essentially, they have nothing to say. And why would they? In their programming world, the one-to-one premise is the rule. Hell, it's The Law! It's a dogma and sometimes it appears to be faith-based. This is so, even given the fact of a lack of any corroborating evidence whatsoever to the contrary ? none.

There are numbers of programming heavy hitters who are prowling the Internet through forums, blogs, and online publications. Some are cruising station hallways. Most, after some analysis are, essentially, speaking on matters of janitorial maintenance and furniture-placement (deck chair) requirements. Granted, there are a multitude of stations that would benefit from the application of just such basic strategies. Yet, none of the pundits are, to my mind, addressing the core issues. (My hat, however, does come off to those who are working effectively with talent to bring out more performance potentials.)

I was reading some once-removed comments from a programmer who was urging client stations to whittle their demographic down to one, typical listener; to get inside her head and to figure out what was important to her ? what makes her tick. If I recall correctly, the admonition was to find out "what keeps her awake at night." This is a strategy that guarantees a Cat-4 disaster. Not only is it impossible to fully determine a listener's subjective experience ? their beliefs, values, behaviors, motivations, fears, dreams, and aspirations ? it isn't valuable information. Not unless she was the only PPM-packin' listener we need to have a successful radio station would this be a worthwhile exercise.

Many of us who have been married to the same person for decades have finally come to the conclusion that we will never, ever get completely inside our significant other's head to the degree we might be able to come to any truly, consistently accurate or dependable conclusions. This (above) programming advice is an example of the one-to-one premise being taken to the edge and? thrown off the cliff. Presuming we can actually accomplish this titanic piece of forensic psychology is just a tad arrogant on our part and a massive, simplifying insult to a complex human being ? that particular (although purely a fantasized construct) listener.

I remember well, being hired and walking into the control room of a station that was failing miserably by any definition, only to find a large poster of a seemingly confident, well-dressed young woman posing beside her Beemer that was parked outside her stylish and opulent, urban town home, and being told, "This is our listener!" I put a stop to that immediately.

Meanwhile, when presented with the radio-as-an-indirect medium principle, a number of broadcasters freak out and exclaim, "If that is the case, you are telling us we can't be personal! We won't be able to connect with the listener!" Of course, the panicked tone and content of these comments advertise explicitly their assumption that "personal" and "connect" are extremely important concepts.

The assumption, however, is true. Broadcasters will not be able to be "personal." Nor will they be able to "connect." But then, they never have and they never will! These claims have been no more than extremely muddy, unsubstantiated assertions ? at best.

Indeed, those who subscribe to the one-to-one, direct communication assumptions are using almost every on-air opportunity to inadvertently intrude on their audience while presuming wild claims about knowledge of an audience's experience. Given that these on-air bleatings are based on prefabricated conclusions and are being made with the purest of kindly intentions, the broadcaster becomes an unwitting participant in the development of their own, waning lack of credibility. This behavior allows for some truly shabby and counterproductive broadcasting ? and advertising. I speculate it also contributes to a low-level, underlying, but ongoing state in the audience that I like to call "Pizzdoughedness".

The highest ideal, then, for an individual broadcaster, rather than being "personal," becomes one of becoming: personable ? an appealing, credible, understandable and, perhaps, even funny and entertaining broadcaster. Plus any "connectivity" will be as a subjective experience of some listeners who have been influenced properly and effectively by the broadcaster. Let's just hope that listeners who do feel connectivity to the on-air personality are otherwise psychologically healthy people, as anything beyond that leads to one-sided expectations and possible stalking behaviors. (CNN's Wolf Blitzer may not be surprised by my response to his claim, "You're in The Situation Room." No, Wolf, I'm not. I'm standing in the kitchen in my shorts, with my back to the screen and I'm scraping out the bottom of the peanut butter jar with a knife rather than a spoon. It isn't me who is in The Situation Room. Nor is anybody else except for you and the crew.)

I recall when I was originally being trained to use hypnosis as part of a coaching methodology, our instructor had something to say which was startling at the time and has stuck with me ever since. He commented, "I have a couple of things to say about hypnosis even though there is no such thing; it doesn't work and it is 'bad' for you. The main point is this: Hypnosis is less about putting people into a trance and more about getting them out of the trances they have been in ? for years." Indeed, the most difficult part of this exercise is not in identifying, explaining, or demonstrating the premises of radio as an indirect medium. The hardest part is breaking through the schema ? the mindset, the trance ? where people refuse to even consider the evidence, as there is the potential that, as a result, their already-existing beliefs on the matter will have to be trashed and transformed.

So, as a trainer of indirect communications strategies and techniques, and as a radio hypnotist, I can offer a suggestion to radio programmers who want to increase their influence and benefit their business: snap out of it? right now? and feeeel good!

Ronald T. Robinson has been involved in Canadian Radio since the '60s as a performer, writer and coach and has trained and certified as a personal counsellor. Ron makes the assertion that the most important communicative aspects of broadcasting, as they relate to Talent and Creative, have yet to be addressed. Check out his website www.voicetalentguy.com

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Dial Global Teams With NBC For Olympic Coverage

7-26-2012

Starting today, NBC's Brian Williams and other top NBC talent will be anchoring Dial Global Olympic Reports from London twice a day during each day of the games.  Williams and Holt are contributors to NBC News Radio, NBC News Radio is distributed by Dial Global. In addition to airing on Olympic stations around the country, the Olympic Games Reports will also be heard within The Billy Bush Show and Dial Global?s 24/7 music formats.



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Friday, July 27, 2012

Female Listeners Love Radio Contests

7-26-2012

Women who keep radio listening diaries or carry a PPM meter are much more likely to participate in radio station contests according to data to be released today by Alan Burns and Associates. CEO Alan Burns says, ?31% of all women 15 to 54 tell us they have entered or tried to win a radio station contest in the past year, which is higher than most people would guess. But diary-keepers and meter carriers are 55% more likely to have done so. Almost half of the actual ratings respondents we talked to had tried to win a radio contest in the last twelve months.?

Burns will host a webinar today at 3:30 (Eastern) to discuss his findings. "The appeal of some contest prizes can be out of proportion to the prize?s actual cost. A year?s supply of free gasoline will attract as much participation as giving away $5,000 in cash, despite costing roughly half that much.?       

Burns says this week?s data release from his company?s third annual study of women?s media behavior will answer key questions about the Top 40 format and its listeners, including:
-        What?s driving Top 40's surge?
-        What?s the biggest difference between winning Top 40s and also-rans?
-        Is ?More Music? is a winning Top 40 strategy?
-        Who would Top 40 fans elect President?

Burns interviewed over 2,000 Top 40 and AC listeners for this year?s study and is releasing the results in a series of free webinars presented by Triton Digital. Register for the Free Webinar HERE

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SiriusXM to Retire $186 Million of Debt Early

7-25-2012

SiriusXM announced Thursday that on September 1st it will redeem all of its outstanding 9.75% Senior Secured Notes due in 2015. CFO David Frear said, "Our strong cash position and growing free cash flow profile have put us in a position to retire these notes three years ahead of their maturity, at the first available redemption date. The early retirement of these notes will reduce interest expense and eliminate the only remaining piece of secured debt on our balance sheet."

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Pittman To Chair Radio Ink's Forecast 2013

7-25-2012

Radio Ink is pleased and honored to announce that Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman will serve as radio chair of Forecast 2013. The annual radio financial summit will be held in New York City at the Harvard Club on November 28, 2012, one week after Thanksgiving. Radio Ink Chairman and Publisher Eric Rhoads said, "Bob is driven to change radio and help take us to the highest possible level of success. His influence on the agenda at this year's Forecast will focus on improving this industry, making this one of the most important Forecast conferences in history." Pittman has topped Radio Ink's "40 Most Powerful People in Radio" list for the last two consecutive years. 

Radio Ink EVP/Radio Deborah Parenti notes, "Forecast 2013 is our 10th annual summit and occurs in Radio Ink's 20th-anniversary year. In addition to having Bob put his unique stamp on the program, attendees can probably expect a few surprises along with the traditional highly focused and targeted agenda being planned."

Radio Ink's Forecast is the radio industry's exclusive financial conference, gathering radio owners, CEOs, CFOs, group executives, and managers with Wall Street and private equity investors and analysts to forecast the upcoming year. Well informed and noted economic, political, and media participants present trends, opportunities, projections, and analytical commentary on the state of business, especially as it impacts media. Now in its 10th year, Forecast has become the premium event in radio financial circles. The event is held at the Harvard Club in New York City and closed to the press.

Immediately following Forecast, Radio Ink's "40 Most Powerful People in Radio" are honored at an exclusive, invitation-only reception, also at the Harvard Club. Forecast attendees will get the exclusive opportunity to mingle with these industry luminaries. Only registered conference attendees are guaranteed invitations to this premier networking after-party. Attendance is limited to 200.

REGISTER FOR FORECAST HERE

(7/24/2012 10:58:02 PM)
Listeners and advertisers, indeed. Is this not like asking Iran to chair a nuclear non-proliferation conference? The main topic of discussion: "How to get away with even less servicing of the marketplaces."
(7/24/2012 9:54:44 PM)
Forecast 2013 will gather "radio owners, CEOs, CFOs, group executives, and managers with Wall Street and private equity investors and analysts to forecast the upcoming year."
OK... One BIG problem-- The BIGGEST categories that count - average RADIO LISTENERS, and RADIO ADVERTISING CLIENTS
are not invited to this conference!!... Wow. ... With those two most important groups missing, one could argue that the conference will simply be industry "insiders" all just "speculating" with each other!

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(SALES) Selling By Seminar

7-25-2012

By Wayne Ens

Old business-to-consumer sales tactics no longer work in the business-to-business sales arena.

Gone are the days of "tricky closes" for example. Your prospects have taken those same tricky-close sales courses, or have had other sales reps try those tricky closing tactics on them, and they see through them as just that?sales tactics.

The good old days of "dropping in" or cold-calling are gone too. Today, cold calls without an appointment are simply rude interruptions to a busy business professional's day.

Your prospects today are confused by too many media salespeople "selling" too many media, in person, online, by phone, email, and voicemail. Business decision-makers need a consultant they can trust to teach them how to sort through all of the new and evolving media choices.

They just heard about MySpace when Twitter came along, and were starting to think about marketing via Twitter when Facebook became the rage?then Pinterest, LivingSocial, and so on and so on.

In addition to a wide range of social media sites, and mobile media salespeople, your prospects hear from daily deal sites, various online directories and "malls," web designers, search-engine-optimization consultants, and, of course, a long line of traditional media all claiming to be number one.

Enough already!

Never since its development in the late 1800s has consultative selling been so important.

Confused and bewildered business owners are desperately seeking a genuine media consultant who can teach them how to sort through all of the hype from a rapidly growing list of media.

One sure way to teach your prospects about radio's fit in the new media landscape, and to make it easier for advertisers to understand and buy your stations, is to facilitate educational seminars.

Legitimate educational marketing seminars are proven to result in more revenue for radio. I emphasize "legitimate" because some broadcasters and consultants try to disguise their sales pitches as seminars, a tactic which always backfires in the long run.

What is it about legitimate educational seminars that can make them powerful revenue generators?

1. Attendees are pre-qualified buyers. Everyone who takes time out of their busy schedules to learn more about marketing, advertising, or sales is searching for help to chart a new and better course to gain a competitive edge.

2. Your staff become "experts" by association. Stations which educate buyers or present new or helpful information on contemporary marketing topics are considered to be experts themselves, and are turned to for help in making future advertising decisions.

3. Your staff learns too! Invariably, the techniques and tactics unveiled at your  seminars become incorporated into the professional presentations of your account executives.

4. Psychological reciprocity kicks in. If your presenter gives your audience one good idea they can use to grow their businesses they feel an indebtedness to do business with you in the future.

5. Your "message" becomes more credible. There is an old joke that an expert is someone with a laptop who is from 10 miles away. It is true that an outside expert can make points that are viewed skeptically when a local salesperson tries to make those same points.

So, how do you create a seminar to build stronger advertiser relationships and generate more revenue for your stations ?

1. Have a clearly defined goal. Do you want to convince your advertisers to focus on better creative, more consistent buys, or where your station fits in the new media world? Whatever your objective, make sure it will help you increase your sales and your advertisers' sales.

2. Find out what questions your prospects and customers are asking about media, radio, or marketing. Select a presenter who will answer those questions with new or cutting-edge insights into the topic that will help them grow their business or make better media-buying decisions.

3. Never mislead your audience by trying to disguises a sales presentation as a seminar. Legitimate seminars can be great relationship builders. Disguised sales presentations are equally-effective at destroying trust.

4. Check out the credentials and reputation of your presenter. Are they trying to sell books and CDs or are they recognized as a helpful expert on their topic?

5. You will always uncover new prospects by advertising your seminars on your stations. The easiest person to sell is someone who listens to your station. You don't have to convince them you have an audience, they know first hand that you reach and influence people.

6. Sell one or two co-sponsors. There are business-to-business marketers in your market who want to talk to the same decision-makers you'll be talking to. Mention your sponsors in your promos, and give them a few minutes at the seminar to welcome your audience. Having credible co-sponsors, like a Chamber of Commerce or a financial institution sponsor your event, also alleviates the fear that your "seminar" is only a station sales pitch in disguise.

7. Facilitate pre- and post-seminar sales meetings to help your salespeople talk the talk. If possible, have your presenter preview his presentation with your staff to achieve buy-in as they work to attract their customers and prospects to your event. A post seminar wrap-up to develop follow-up presentations and tactics will always yield results.

8. Consider facilitating an ongoing series of seminars, focusing on one topic at each event. Presenting a series of different topics at regular intervals will result in attendance or participation growing over time.

Seminars require an investment of time, money, and effort; an investment which will set you apart from a long list of package-peddling sellers in your market, and build stronger relationships and higher revenues for you.

Having seen one our Winning in the New Media Economy seminars recently, the president of one broadcast group said, "I was very impressed with Wayne's message, particularly in light of the new digital media we face. It is a presentation on radio that inspires and positions us correctly against the newspaper, yellow pages, and search media. It is information and positioning that every seller and advertiser should be aware of."

If your stations or broadcast association are interested in teaching advertisers about radio's fit in the new media mix, contact wayne@wensmedia.com.

For more articles from Wayne Ens go HERE
Wayne Ens is President of ENS Media Inc.

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Saga Hires Barry Brown To Run Asheville

7-25-2012

Brown is currently the NextMedia Market Manager in Myrtle Beach and will join Saga in a few weeks. Brown has spent more than 19 years in the Myrtle Beach area including 10 years with NextMedia and nine as an owner/operator in the market. He's served as past President of the South Carolina Broadcasters Association and is in the South Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

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Florida College Station Hit with $10K Fine

7-25-2012

This public file fine should be a reminder to all college stations around the country that rules are rules and even you need to keep your public file up to date. WPRK is licensed to Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. The Commission hits the college with the $10,000 fine for failing to maintain and make available a complete public inspection file.  The FCC says the college's station manager was unable to explain why the issues/programs lists were missing for 2008-2011.

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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Barry Drake Deals 6 To Duke Wright

7-25-2012

The market is Sioux Falls, South Dakota where Drake?s Backyard Broadcasting will sell a cluster to Wright?s Midwest Communications. The purchase price was not announced. Midwest, based out of  Wisconsin owns 47 stations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana. The deal with Backyard includes 5 FM?s and 1 AM (KELO-FM, KSQB-FM, KXQL-FM, KRRO-FM, KTWB-FM and KWSN-AM).

Kalil and Company was the exclusive broker for the deal.

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AUDIO)Blitz Media Group Director Talks Radio

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7-25-2012

Greater Media Vice President for Program Development Buzz Knight, reporting for Radio Ink, recently interviewed Blitz Media Senior Vice President/Group Director Greg Angland (pictured) about how he uses radio for his clients. Anglund had a lot to say about radio, including how he targets consumers via their lifestyle using radio. "The key is the right message. If you use the assets of radio effectively, it really can connect with people."

Listen to the full interview HERE

Buzz Knight is the Vice President of Program Development for Greater Media and he can be reached at bknight@greatermediaboston.com. Read more articles by Buzz Knight HERE

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Salespeople Challenged by More Competition.

7-26-2012

One of the biggest challenges we hear from radio salespeople is how they have to deal with so much selling competition on the street. In addition to the regular cast of characters from newspaper, television and the yellow pages, sellers also have to deal with every new digital product that comes along such as Pandora, Groupon, Facebook, Google and every local coupon company that John Doe launches from his one bedroom apartment. To help you succeed aster, we've lined up a killer Sales Meeting Podcast that will be available to download tomorrow in our morning headlines and on our website focused on helping salespeople sell more radio right away.

Both Matt Sunshine and Sean Luce will be answering questions that were sent in by our readers. The questions are from salespeople and sales managers, and the challenges and objectives they run into selling radio. If you would like to receive a link to this Podcast later today, before it posts in the morning, please send an e-mail directly to edryantheeditor@gmail.com. Here are some of the topics that will be covered.

#1 More and more competition. Meaning: more avenues to advertise. Newspaper, TV, radio, outdoor, social media, internet, direct mail, etc., etc. Harder to be seen and get the desired and frequency needed to succeed.

-?I tried radio once and it didn?t work?--  Managing your clients expectations because people are very visual and they can?t see their commercials on the radio like they can on TV?Trying to manage the desire for immediate results from the client
- No one says that they are hearing my commercials on the radio
- Since new cars sales are up and successful, what about  satellite radio and Pandora in a virtual dashboard
- Too many different media outlets,  ?I?m confused? with what works best
- Attrition
- Getting the 2nd order from a new client
- Dealing with advertisers who have a little bit of knowledge, all of a sudden are ?experts.?
- Competition painting pictures of what?s a ?must do, must-have media outlet, etc.?
- Clients expect immediate gratification and results.
- Smaller or same budgets, but with more ground to cover.
- The ever changing state of media as a whole.  Outside of radio v satellite radio or even the integration of internet and it?s positive and negative effects on radio, medium, it?s important to stay informed about all the other media you compete against and their changes. (ie. erosion of newspaper readership and why;  cable subscription erosion, DVR and its impact on how television viewing habits have changed, etc.) It?s important for me to understand the positives and negatives of all media because I want to be more than an advertising rep.  I want to be considered a marketing consultant as well.
- Finding new ways to effectively target and come up with relevant strategies for non-traditional advertisers that don?t typically utilize radio as a part of their marketing and advertising plans. 
- Figuring out ways to balancing corporate initiatives and client needs. 

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(HIRING) You've Hired A New Seller, Now What?

7-26-2012

You did your homework, you posted, interviewed, reviewed, re-interviewed, checked references, made the offer and now after four months of searching, it is time for the new seller to start.

What are the next steps you take?:
-- Show them their desk and the phone with a pat on the back wishing them good luck
-- Turn them over to their department head and hope for the best
-- Put them in a conference room to train themselves
-- Check in after 30 days to see how they are doing

I can assure you, that if you are doing any of the above, your hard work in finding and hiring them will probably be wasted as they will not be effective and may not stay with you for long. With the investment of time and money, your turnover costs will remain high. That is good money that can be spent on training to make sure your managers are hiring the right person and getting them ramped up to start earning sooner rather than later.
As we encourage hiring managers to take their time to build the right recruitment tools such as descriptive job profiles, strategic interviews, and probing references, we often see that they don't follow up with some key steps: training the manager in how to handle orientation, formal training for the new hire, and monitoring them to ensure they are moving in the right direction.
Having a strategic plan in place to expose the new seller to the team, the processes, the actual selling of radio, how to position your station(s), how to prospect and overcome objections, these key essentials of success are not things that are learned immediately, even for a seasoned seller. Commit your plan to paper and share it with all team leaders so that all of your managers are on the same page. By all means, spend time regularly with the new hire to ascertain where there are before it is too late. Consider having a daily recap at the end of the day for the first few weeks and as they progress, move it to once or twice a week. Remember, to learn new skills repetition and support are crucial. 
Laurie Kahn is Founder and President of Media Staffing Network and can be reached at 480-306-8930 or via e-mail at laurie@mediastaffingnetwork.com. Visit the Media Staffing Website www.mediastaffingnetwork.com

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Ryvicker: Radio Looking "Flattish" in Q2

7-26-2012

It wasn't too long ago the industry was hopeful a big political year would start a revenue resurgence for radio. It appears, buoyed by the Olympics and Political spending, TV is getting more of a lift than radio. We'll soon get a good feel for the first half of 2012 as earnings season is now upon us. Journal reports today, Beasley tomorrow, followed by Clear Channel, Radio One and Entercom next week. Early indications have the month of June looking like a downer.

Wells Fargo analyst Marci Ryvicker says from her conversations with operators they saw "deep deceleration toward the end of June, bringing their revenue down year over year." In a recent research report, Ryvicker added, "we heard very divergent pacings from radio groups - but almost all would agree that June felt a slowdown. The stocks appear cheap and we think there is room for shareholder returns but the macro is an overhang."

It will be interesting to hear what Radio One CEO Alfred Liggins has to say when he reports one week from today. When he last reported to Wall Street, Liggins said May revenue was pacing "off the charts." But in June he told all Radio One employees there would be no raises for the year. Radio One changed several formats in 2011 and Liggins, who took over the Radio division when Barry Mayo left, is expecting those formats to produce this year.  Radio One reports second quarter results, Thursday August 2nd at 10AM.

In addition to the Journal conference call today at 10AM, here are when other public companies will be hosting earnings conference calls.
Beasley reports Friday, August 27th at 11AM
Clear Channel reports Wednesday, August 1st at 4:30PM
Entercom reports Friday August 3rd at 10AM
Salem reports Monday, August 6th at 5PM
Saga reports Tuesday, August 7th at 2PM

Emmis has already reported. Revenue was up slightly for the company.

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Bruins Stay With CBS in Boston

7-23-2012

The Boston Bruins announced Monday they have reached a multi-year agreement to extend their contract with CBS RADIO Boston, the radio home of the Bruins since the 1995-96 NHL season. The games will continue to be heard on "98.5 The Sports Hub." CBS Boston Senior Vice President and Market Manager Mark Hannon said, ?The Bruins are one of the NHL?s treasured franchises and an Original Six team, and we are honored to continue broadcasting the games to fans throughout New England."



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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Bob Moody Starts His Own Consulting Company

7-23-2012

Moody is calling his new full-service consulting company Real Local Radio Group. He says it will offer local content coaching and a wide variety of essential Country programming services to help stations build strong local market brands. ?As listener choices multiply, quality local content becomes even more important as a way to make your station profitable, but there is a generation of broadcasters who never learned those skills.  We teach proven recipes for local programming and show your staff where to find the ingredients.?

Bob?s weekly national playlist recommendations and music reviews are available for free at http://www.reallocalradio.com/  Client stations also receive customized playlists and an additional confidential weekly music memo. Moody has been a member of the board of directors of the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, and the Country Radio Broadcasters.  He was inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame in 2007 and has been recognized as one of Country radio's most influential programmers by Country Aircheck magazine. He is also a Country Music Radio Hall of Fame member.

Reach out to Bob via e-mail Bob@RealLocalRadio.com

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KMYI-FM San Diego Gets New Morning Team

7-23-2012
Clear Channel's KMYI-FM will kick off a new morning show pairing on July 30th. Jesse Lozano will team up with Delana Bennett for "Jesse Lozano in the Morning." Lozano will continue his live afternoon drive show on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles. Market Manager Debbie Wagner says, ?In addition to being some of the best on-air talent in the country, Jesse Lozano and Delana Bennett are also really great people, committed to the San Diego market.  It?s exciting to bring these enthusiastic and community-minded personalities together for a show that?s sure to entertain Star listeners and the entire Southern California region."
Best known to San Diegans as Boy Toy Jesse, Jesse Lozano began his radio career as an intern at Channel 933 (KHTS-FM) in 1999.  Within a few years, his talent and enthusiasm landed him a position on Channel 933?s morning show and eventually his own midday show.  Just as Jesse was adjusting to his full-time radio career, he also became a single parent and full-time father to his baby girl Savanna, who continues to be a focal point of his life and on-air persona.  In 2006 Jesse accepted a position with KIIS-FM in Los Angeles as their afternoon drive host.  Over the last six years, Jesse has successfully balanced afternoon drive shifts for both KHTS-FM in San Diego and KIIS-FM in Los Angeles with being a full-time dad.  This balancing act will continue as Jesse maintains his afternoon drive position on KIIS-FM and takes on morning drive at KMYI-FM.  When asked about hosting mornings in his hometown of San Diego, Jesse said ?I feel like a lot of hard work just paid off.  Timing is everything and I believe this next step has been years in the making. Once again Clear Channel has found a way to help me realize long time career goals while enabling me to keep my family my main priority.  I'm lucky a pro like Delana can help in the process of making a show I have been thinking about for years.  This is truly a dream come true.?

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Tesh Adds Colorado Springs Affiliate

7-23-2012

The voice of John Tesh will be heard daily in Colorado Springs, CO, when the John Tesh Radio Show joins the line-up at Cumulus? ?92.9FM The Peak? (KKPK/FM). The program will air, Monday through Friday from 7pm to midnight. TeshMedia VP of Entertainment, Scotty Meyers said, ?We?re thrilled that The John Tesh Radio show will be joining ?92.9FM The Peak.? John has a huge fan base in the Colorado Springs market, and has also performed many times in the area. We look forward to a long relationship with ?The Peak!?

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After MidNite Launches 3rd Shift Awards

7-24-2012

Premiere's After MidNite hosted by Blair Garner has started the Third Shift Awards. Winners in 10 categories will be chosen via a bracket-style voting contest on http://www.aftermidnite.com/. Categories include: Fanatical Fans (the artist with the most fanatical fans); 3rd Shift Pin Up ? Female; 3rd Shift Pin Up ? Male; Pop-A-Top Award; 3rd Shifter Artist of the Year; 3rd Shifter Song of the Year; Pedal to the Medal Award (the song most likely to get you a speeding ticket); Underdog Artist (the artist deserving of more respect); Top Twit (the artist who gives good Twitter); and Fantasy Duet (living artists only).

Garner said, ?In the spirit of After MidNite, we have created 10 fun categories for our listeners, many of whom work the third shift, to vote for their favorite artists,? said Garner. ?It?s a twist on some of the more traditional categories. For example, we have the ?Fantasy Duet? category where you can vote for your ideal duet pairing of two living artists who have never recorded together. We also have the ?Pop-A-Top? category for the artist you?d most like to share a beer with.?

The top four nominees in each category will advance to round two, with voting taking place July 31 - August 12. The top two finalists will then go head to head August 14 - 22 in the final round. The Third Shift Award winners will be announced live on After MidNite the morning of August 29.

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Pandora Says Audience Still Growing

7-23-2012

Pandora released its June ratings from Triton yesterday and said those numbers have increased to a weekly cume of 25.3 million, a 6% increase over March which was 23.9 million. The June Webcast Metrics from Triton Local says Pandora has anywhere between a 0.6 and 0.8 AQH rating in the 25-54 demo in all top ten Arbitron ranked markets. The Triton report also says Pandora has a 12.9 Cume in New York, a 16.9 Cume rating in L.A. and a 14.1 cume rating in Chicago (adults 25-54).

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

(AUDIO) Young, Smart and Excited to be in Radio. Meet Jennifer Smart

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(by Ed Ryan) Listening to Jennifer Smart discuss the radio industry and her love of being on the air will give you hope that the future of the radio business is quite bright, despite the consistent drumbeat that music curation is going drive radio into a wooden casket. Smart's story is one we hope to see all over the country, young people getting into the radio business, encouraged to do so by her family, and proud to be part of our industry. She's 15, has her own radio show and understands the power of radio.  

The news in the radio trades can often be negative, dominated by cutbacks, layoffs and consolidation of services. What's happening in radio is happening in many industries across the country. And, while it may be a bit of stretch to say a positive attitude will always land you a job, we think you'll agree that uplifting personalities and people that enjoy what they do every day are success magnets. Who wants to listen to someone complain about how the industry has changed day after day? Go do something about it. Jennifer Smart, who started the Jennifer Smart Foundation two years ago, when she was 13 is a Rising Star in our business. She uses a radio station her foundation purchased, in Albuquerque, to promote her foundation and she's having a great time doing it. We wanted to share her story with you. Here's our interview

Visit all three of Jennifer's websites:
JenniferSmart.com
JENNiRADIO.com
JENNi20.com

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Why The Closed Door Meeting on FM Chip?

7-24-2012

It's never a good thing when meetings are held behind closed doors. That lack of transparency leaves people at the mercy of however the meeting participants want to craft a headline. And, when the government is involved in a closed door meeting everyone should be twice as skeptical. For whatever reason, the FM Chip issue was the focus of an FCC closed door meeting last Friday and even the NAB was unwilling to discuss what went on.

Closed door meetings about the FM Chip just give off the impression that the radio industry is trying to sneak this through. And it appears, despite the positive spin coming from our industry, many cell phone manufacturers, including Apple, are opposed to government even getting close to this debate.

A Wireless Association letter to the FCC, praising the commission for "a light regulatory touch" includes signatures from Apple, Motorola, RIM and Samsung. "The Wireless Association and the undersigned manufacturers, who supply over 85 percent of mobile wireless broadband devices to consumers in the United States and the vast majority of devices to the world, write to underscore their strong concern with any intervention in the innovation, design and features of wireless devices in the dynamic wireless ecosystem. This Commission is well aware of the United States? lead in driving innovations in wireless devices, operating systems, applications, and networks."

The letter also urges the FCC to leave this decision up to the consumer, a decision the Wireless Association believes has already been made. And, they are correct on the consumer front. The radio industry hasn't really produced any evidence there is an outcry for the FM chip.  "The fact is, demand for FM-enabled handsets in the U.S. has been underwhelming. The market should drive feature decisions rather than a separate, self-interested industry," the Wireless Industry letter to the FCC stated.

The radio industry originally wanted the government to mandate the FM chip. They have since reversed course on that approach and are now pushing the chip as a safety issue. A chip would not require the use of data so as long as a phone has power, those with a chip could be turned on for information from local radio stations.

The Wireless Association has been clear in its opposition to the chip. It's recent FCC letter included additional concerns they say they would have to deal with. "Issues such as battery life, integration issues, the presence of numerous antennas (perhaps as many as nine or more) and components for other cutting-edge capabilities all compete for extremely limited ?real estate? within sleek, carefully designed devices that attract and excite wireless users. The notion of government intervention in this extremely complex and intricate development and engineering process would dangerously impact this thriving ecosystem and undoubtedly have a detrimental impact."

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Fox Sports and Yarbarker Announce Partnership

7-23-2012

On Monday, FOX Sports Radio and FOXSports.com?s sports opinion site and blog network Yardbarker announced a multi-platform partnership. FOX Sports Radio?s Loose Cannons will feature a daily segment with co-hosts Pat O?Brien, Steve Hartman and Vic ?The Brick? Jacobs as they take listeners into O?Brien?s ?backyard? for all the dirt from Yardbarker. In addition, Yardbarker will feature select content from FOX Sports Radio on their website and social media platforms.



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Hobbs Joins Anthony For Talk Show Boot Camp

7-23-2012

Talentmasters?, presenter of the Morning Show Boot Camp?, and publisher of The Morning Mouth? and Jockline Daily?, announced that Gabe Hobbs (pictured) will join Don Anthony for his 4th Annual Boot Camp. The 2012 event will be held November 16-17 at the Westin Canal Place Hotel in New Orleans. Hobbs is a 35-year radio veteran who specializes in news, talk and sports formats. From 1998 through 2008 Gabe was responsible for the programming oversight of Clear Channel's 275 news, talk and sports formatted stations.

Anthony said, "Gabe is a truly a talk guru. I know of no one who is more respected or accomplished in the talk arena than Hobbs. His track record for discovering, developing and working with some of the biggest and most successful personalities in talk, makes him the perfect partner for Talk Show Boot Camp IV. Like our morning show event, TSBC is an instructional-based forum, where talent, including both current hosts, programmers and those wanting to crossover to talk, can learn from some of the top minds in format."

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WJHM-FM Orlando Adds Bobby Smith as PD

7-20-2012

Smith was already PD for WOMX-FM and now adds similar duties at WJHM-FM. It's a multi-year contract for Smith, according to a Clear Channel Orlando press release. Smith was previously an on-air personality, assistant program director/music director at KHFI in Austin, and also held similar positions at stations in Philadelphia.



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Entercom's KOSI-FM Denver Fills Out Air Staff

7-20-2012

Entercom Denver PD Mark Callahan tells Radio Ink  he has two new staffers. Shannon Stone joins KOSI-FM for middays and becomes Music Director.  Most recently Stone was PD and an on-air talent for the Dial Global Country format. Prior to Dial Global she was on the air and programmed Country KKCS in Colorado Springs. And, Kevin Mussman joins the station to host afternoon drive and as Digital Content Editor. Mussman had been on the air in Fort Collins for 14 years



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Monday, July 23, 2012

(PODCAST) The Carolla Comparison

7-23-2012

By Brian Baltosiewich

A few weeks ago, I got to talk to Adam Carolla about podcasting, for the print edition of Radio Ink that was distributed at the Convergence Conference in June. I'm going to write in depth about my talk with Carolla in the next couple weeks, but there's something I think that needs to be addressed regarding my discussion with him first.

I don't have to tell you that Carolla is considered the top of the pile when it comes to podcasting -- it's his name that comes up in nearly every conversation about podcasting -- and that's all earned. He is what every podcaster aspires to be.

But that shouldn't be the case. Adam Carolla, for all his success, for as good as he is at what he is doing, is just like you and me. Stick with me on this.

Talking to Adam Carolla is just what you might think it would be. I don't know if he was "on" for the interview, or if he's just always "on" but his tangents and rants were quick and funny during our 25-minute conversation -- and inside those rants was great insight into who he is and his philosophy towards podcasting and his success.

At one point he said podcasting wasn't "rocket science." He went on "it's not even science science?it's whatever kind of science I would have been good at in high school."

That's when it clicked for me. I'm not sure Carolla understands why, for most of us, it really is "rocket science."

Here's the thing. I don't think he gets it. I don't think he understands that for the vast majority of us, it IS rocket science.

Carolla opened up his tent in April of 2009 and a quarter of a million people walked in. Imagine that for a moment, then think about how you would look at that statistic and wonder why everyone can't be successful at this thing. For Adam Carolla, this is "easy." He works hard at it, I know that -- his work ethic is legendary and he's very good at what he does.

But he hasn't had to scrape by. After that first show he never sat in front of his mic and wondered if he was talking to himself.

And here's where it gets weird. You're playing on the exact same field Carolla is.

Carolla, in addition to a handful of paid advertisers, has all the same affiliate agreements the rest of us have. Amazon, Pro Flowers, Sheri's Berries, Go Daddy, Legal Zoom?yadda yadda yadda. Here's the difference: When Carolla does a live read for Amazon and five percent of his audience goes to Amazon and buys something?that's 2,500 listeners spending money at Amazon and sending a percentage of that purchase Carolla's way.

What Carolla has that the rest of us covet, is volume. Sheer, huge, massive numbers. Does it help that he's Adam Carolla? Of course. Again, I'm not discounting that.

All I am saying is that comparing yourself to Carolla and getting frustrated when you don't have what he has is unfair to yourself. You're not Adam Carolla, and the best thing is you don't have to be.

Just be yourself. Be consistent, be there when you say you are going to be there and you will develop an audience. Be a relentless self-promoter. Use other ways to reach out to your audience from terrestrial radio and grow your audience virally. Keep making personal appearances, tell everyone you meet about your podcast. Develop a relationship with the media critics and writers in the markets you worked in and see if you can get them to write about your podcast. Make promoting yourself your full-time job. The podcast part? You can do that in your sleep, that's the easy par, the part you were born for. The hard work is in getting the word out.

Do me this favor: Stop comparing yourself and every other podcaster to Adam Carolla. Just do your thing. Let Carolla do his.

It's a great big Internet and there's room enough for all of us.

Brian Baltosiewich has been a broadcast professional for more than 20 years. His podcast website, www.radioexiles.com features professionally-produced podcasts from radio pro?s who have lost their gigs. Reach out to him at brian@radioexiles.com or through their twitter account @radioexiles.

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Guthrie Promoted as Part of New CMG Structure

7-23-2012

As Cox put out "For Sale" signs in six markets, it also announced a new leadership structure. Former Group VP Kim Guthrie (picture), and one of Radio Ink's Most Influential Women, is elevated to Senior Vice President responsible for all radio markets. Former Group VP Ben Reed is now VP and Market Manager of Atlanta radio reporting to Kim Guthrie. Reed succeeds Dan Kearney, who moves to Miami as VP/Market Manager. Kearney succeeds the retiring Jerry Rushin.

If you have a few bucks, here is a full list of what CMG would like to sell
Birmingham (WAGG-AM, WBHJ-FM, WBHK-FM, WENN-AM, WZZK-FM, WZNN-FM, WBPT-FM, and CMG?s contract rights for WALJ-FM)
Greenville (WJMZ-FM/HD3, WHZT-FM)
Hawaii (KRTR-AM/FM, KPHW-FM, KCCN-FM, KINE-FM, KKNE-AM)
Louisville (WRKA-FM, WVEZ-FM, WSFR-FM, WQNU-FM)
Richmond (WHTI-FM, WKHK-FM, WKLR-FM, WURV-FM)
Southern Connecticut ((WPLR-FM, WEZN-FM, WFOX-FM, and CMG?s contract rights for WYBC-FM)
El Paso (KFOX-TV) (Fox affiliate)
Johnstown (WJAC-TV) (NBC affiliate)
Reno (KRXI-TV and CMG?s option and other contract rights for KAME-TV) (Fox affiliate)
Steubenville (WTOV-TV) (NBC affiliate)

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McMillan New Ops Manager for CC in the Triad

7-21-2012

37 year radio veteran Rich McMillan is the new Operations Manager for Clear Channel in the Triad (Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point) where he will oversee the programming for 5 stations as well as become the Program Director for WVBZ-FM and WPTI-FM Rush Radio. McMillan joins the Triad market from Clear Channel Birmingham, where he most recently served as PD for two stations. He joined Clear Channel in 2001 as a programmer for the Miami cluster and later became the Operations Manager.



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(DIGITAL) The Corner Of Broadcast And Digital

7-23-2012

By Chris Miller

"We continue to see a dramatic increase in spending on online media and it is fundamentally changing the media planning and buying process for advertisers."  That's what BIA/Kelsey VP and Chief Economist Mark Fratrik said in Radio Ink recently. It's forecast that online, digital, and interactive revenue will grow at the rate of 13 percent in 2012, meaning that category will make up over a quarter of the local ad market. To take advantage of that, there are lots of digital sales manager (DSM) positions that didn't exist just a few years ago. This segment of our industry is growing so fast and so unpredictably that a DSM in one market in one company may have a pretty different job from another DSM in another market in another company.

Rebekah Hudson, digital sales manager for the Cox Media Group in Atlanta, is an experienced radio seller who, like many, made the move to digital in the last few years. Hudson says that she works with Cox's sellers "in print [at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution], in TV, in radio, and in digital" to make things happen in a big way. Explaining that she's only been in the job for a several months, she says, "In June, we were up 50 percent over June of last year. And year-to-date, we're up 16 percent."  Much of what she does is coordinate the digital activities of Cox's sellers at their various Atlanta media properties. Cox is a dominant player in the 9th-ranked radio metro, and "I get them to play nice and collaborate together! It's easy [for individual sellers] to lose sight of what's best for the client."

  Hudson's focus on old-fashioned people skills is an asset in a field like digital where everything is constantly changing. "One thing that everyone who gets into digital realizes is that it moves incredibly fast, and there is no way you can know everything. But when you start collaborating, you can find people who know what you need to know. My boss says, 'You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable' if you're going to get into digital."

"We see the wave of the future," she says. "The AJC?our radio stations?TV?are all going to go on creating great content. People are just consuming it differently than before," Hudson summarizes. Royle Johnson, digital sales manager at Alpha Broadcasting in Portland, Oregon, clearly would agree with Hudson about where the audience is going. He's driving digital results for direct clients using digital tools, including some exciting work with social media.

 "We've been working on building our Facebook pages," Johnson says; their two most popular Facebook pages, for Country KUPL and Triple-A KINK, both have between 50,000 and 65,000 followers. Johnson's been able to show clients how "we can take our audience and move them over to your page."  Using third-party apps (strictly adhering to Facebook's rules), they've been able to use contesting and special events to make things happen in social media for Alpha's advertisers. Johnson, who moved into digital in the mid-90s after working in the newspaper industry, says with their tools and experience, they've been able to position themselves as consultants who help local direct accounts build business using radio's digital tools. However, even with their knowledge about digital "it's still about selling RADIO?just using digital tools," Johnson explains. "More spots on air, at a higher rate. That's our goal."

There's almost universal agreement among DSMs that a key part of the digital sales puzzle is commitment from top management. As Rebekah Hudson pointed out, you can't know everything and you're going to feel uncomfortable at times. That can cause sellers to focus on other areas if management's not keeping digital on the proverbial front burner. Royle Johnson says that's one thing he checked out before going to work for Alpha. "If this were a case of the tail wagging the dog, I just wouldn't be here." 

Chris Miller has been a major-market PD in Atlanta, Portland and Cleveland. He now operates Chris Miller Digital, which he launched. Visit his website at www.chrismillerdigital.com.
Contact Chris via e-mail, chris@chrismillerdigital.com or 216-236-3955.

For more articles from Chris Miller go HERE.

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Geoff Neuhoff Dead at 59.

7-22-2012

Neuhoff was the President and CEO of Neuhoff Communications. He died suddenly on Sunday according to COO Mike Hulvey. Hulvey said "Geoff Neuhoff was a giant among small and medium market broadcasters. Geoff demanded from all of us a dedication of greatness and excellence no matter the market size or the power of the station. Geoff believed strongly that innovation was the  way forward and he embraced new technologies with enthusiasm. He will be missed by his team, but the legacy he leaves behind will last for years to come" added Hulvey.

In 2010 Neuhoff was named, "Illinois Broadcaster of the Year" by the Illinois Broadcasters Association. In the spring of 2012, Neuhoff owned WSOY-AM, Decatur Illinois, was honored as a NAB Crystal Award winner. In his acceptance speech at the radio lunch in Las Vegas, Geoff dedicated the award to his father and honored the team of radio professionals who raised enough food in one day to fill two Decatur Food Banks for a year.

Neuhoff Communictions, Inc and Neuhoff Family Limited Partnership, own and operate radio stations;
WFMB-AM, WFMB-FM, WCVS-FM, WXAJ-FM, Springfield Illinois. WSOY-AM, WSOY-FM, WDZ-AM, WDZQ-FM, Decatur, Illinois. WCZQ-FM Champaign, Illinois. WDAN-AM, WDNL-FM, WRHK-FM, Danville, Illinois. KMVT-TV, FOX 14 KTWT-LP and CW, Twin Falls, Idaho.

Geoff is survived by his wife Beth (Russell) Neuhoff, a son Jamie, daughters Lexie and Alice. Arrangements are pending on Martha's Vineyard, Masschusettes.

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(AUDIO) What Radio Does When Tragedy Strikes

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7-21-2012

We've all been watching in stunned horror as the state of Colorado deals with yet another unthinkable tragedy. The theater massacre in Aurora highlights yet again how precious every moment of life is as a gunmen took the lives of 12 people, and wounded nearly 60 others, when he entered the movie theater and without warning started shooting. KOA Denver Program Director Greg Foster got the call early in the morning Friday from someone on his 24-hour news team. He knew his team was ready and they were, professionally covering the tragedy for the community that, unfortunately, has gone through this before. We asked Foster about being prepared to serve the community in this situation, how his team did, the KOA coverage and the role social media now plays in pushing out information.

Greg Foster is AM Operations Manager and Program Director for KOA Denver.
He's been with KOA for 2 years and has also worked at WGY in Schenectady.
Foster has been with Clear Channel for 12 years.
LISTEN TO OUR INTERVIEW HERE

How did you cover the tragedy in Denver? Post details or send them to edryantheeditor@gmail.com
Is your station ready to serve the community when tragedy strikes?

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Sunday, July 22, 2012

KFI's Mike Nolan Survives Plane Crash. Breaks Collar Bone.

(UPDATED) KFI's Mike Nolan Survives Plane Crash. Breaks Collar Bone.

(3:30PM Eastern update Saturday) Neil Saavedra tells Radio Ink Nolan suffered a broken collar bone, 2 cracked ribs, and some cuts. The person flying with Nolan suffered cuts but no additional injuries are known. Nolan and his passenger both spent the night at Riverside Community Hospital. Saavedra says he expects them both to be released today.

7-21-2012

Clear Channel owned KFI-AM is reporting on its website that longtime traffic reporter, Mike Nolan, was involved in a plane accident just east of the Corona Municipal Airport. The website story says both Nolan and his passenger escaped with non life-threatening injuries. So far the reports are that the airplane engine malfunctioned.



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CMG Wants Out of Six Radio Markets

Cox Media Group (CMG) is realigning its broadcast portfolio to focus on larger markets, cross-media collaboration, and heightened impact in fewer markets. As part of this realignment, CMG will be adding four new TV stations in two markets ? Jacksonville, Fla. and Tulsa, Okla. ? to its broadcast group from Newport Television. Following receipt of regulatory approvals, the company will take ownership of three of the new stations and will provide operating services to the fourth. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter. The new stations will provide opportunities for collaboration with CMG?s other businesses in those markets.

The new stations include:
WAWS-TV (Fox) and WTEV-TV (CBS) in Jacksonville
KOKI-TV (Fox) and KMYT-TV (MyNetwork) in Tulsa

As part of its strategy and after careful consideration, CMG will be selling its radio locations in Birmingham, Ala.; Greenville, S.C.; Hawaii; Louisville, Ky.; Richmond, Va.; and Southern Connecticut, as well as television stations in four markets El Paso, Texas; Johnstown, Pa.; Reno, Nev.; and Steubenville, Ohio.

?This simplified structure will enable CMG to capitalize on continued growth and synergies, while retaining its size financially,? said CMG President Doug Franklin. ?All of our media outlets, regardless of size, are valuable, profitable brands with strong futures thanks to the hard work and dedication of our talented professionals who serve their audiences, advertisers and communities. We thank the leaders and employees in the locations we?re selling for their outstanding contributions to this company over the years and the valuable service they will continue to provide their respective communities.?

Leadership Realignment to Fit New Media Portfolio
Simultaneously, CMG is realigning its leadership structure to fit its new portfolio. This new structure will provide even more focus on the specific media platforms (newspaper, radio, TV), while continuing to drive collaboration and growth. As a result, former Group VP Kim Guthrie is CMG?s new Senior Vice President responsible for radio markets, and former Austin American-Statesman Publisher Jane Williams is the company?s new Senior Vice President responsible for TV markets, both reporting to Bill Hoffman, EVP over broadcast. Additional leadership changes effective immediately include:

- Former Group VP Rich Reis is now VP and GM of Digital Operations reporting to EVP Neil Johnston.
- Former Group VP Ben Reed is now VP and Market Manager of Atlanta radio reporting to Kim Guthrie. Ben succeeds Dan Kearney, who is now VP and Market Manager of Miami radio. Kearney succeeds Jerry Rushin, who is retiring from the company later this month.
- Former Group VP Jay O?Connor, as previously announced, is the new VP and GM at KIRO TV in Seattle.
- Additionally, EVP Mike Joseph continues to oversee CMG?s newspaper operations and CMG Ohio. The company will announce the new publisher of the Austin American-Statesman in the near future.

Franklin said, ?Our new business realignment enables us to simplify our structure and continue our strategic initiatives of driving cash flow, extending our strong local brands into digital, and continuing the development of our talented people. We will also continue to bolster our core portfolio with new, high-growth initiatives that focus on emerging advertising and scalable content.?

Cox?s media properties for sale include:
Birmingham (WAGG-AM, WBHJ-FM, WBHK-FM, WENN-AM, WZZK-FM, WZNN-FM, WBPT-FM, and CMG?s contract rights for WALJ-FM)
Greenville (WJMZ-FM/HD3, WHZT-FM)
Hawaii (KRTR-AM/FM, KPHW-FM, KCCN-FM, KINE-FM, KKNE-AM)
Louisville (WRKA-FM, WVEZ-FM, WSFR-FM, WQNU-FM)
Richmond (WHTI-FM, WKHK-FM, WKLR-FM, WURV-FM)
Southern Connecticut ((WPLR-FM, WEZN-FM, WFOX-FM, and CMG?s contract rights for WYBC-FM)
El Paso (KFOX-TV) (Fox affiliate)
Johnstown (WJAC-TV) (NBC affiliate)
Reno (KRXI-TV and CMG?s option and other contract rights for KAME-TV) (Fox affiliate)
Steubenville (WTOV-TV) (NBC affiliate)

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