Britney Spearheads WBBM-FM "Jingle Bash." The holiday event presented by
CBS Radio Chicago CHR WBBM "B-96" headlined by
Britney Spears takes place (Saturday) December 10 at Rosemont, Illinois'
Allstate Arena. Others – in addition to Spears – scheduled to appear at the "B-96
Pepsi Jingle Bash" are
Shawn Mendes,
Fifth Harmony,
Chainsmokers,
OneRepublic,
G-Eazy,
DNCE, and
Alessia Cara. Assistant program director and music director
Erik Bradley states, "On paper, it feels like this might be one of the best lineups we've ever had – and that bar has been set pretty high over the years. We are so thankful to our label partners, managers, agents, and especially all of the 'Jingle Bash' artists for helping to make this what we hope will be an all-time moment for the fans who will be there to enjoy it." Tickets for the "B-96 Jingle Bash" go on-sale tomorrow (Saturday, 9/24) at 12:00 noon. Among persons 6+ in
Nielsen Audio's August 2016
PPM report for Chicago, "B-96" ranks tenth (3.4, 6+), while format rival –
iHeartMedia's WKSC "Kiss-FM" – is fourth (4.5, 6+); all-news WBBM-
AM is on top with a 6.1 (6+).
Nelson Named VP/MM For Cumulus Huntsville. Former vice president/general manager/cluster director of sales for
Cox Radio Birmingham,
Ray Nelson, is appointed vice president and market manager for
Cumulus Media's cluster in Huntsville (Alabama). Cumulus Media senior vice president
Jeff Brown comments, "Ray's track record of success speaks for itself. Adding him to our team of market managers was an absolute no-brainer. I am excited for Ray
and for our talented team in Huntsville." Nelson notes, "I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to lead the Cumulus Huntsville cluster; Huntsville is a fabulous growth market. I appreciate the confidence that Jeff Brown and the entire Cumulus management team have demonstrated in selecting me to champion Cumulus Huntsville." Nelson's previous background includes vice president and market manager for
Clear Channel (now
iHeartMedia) Ann Arbor (Michigan) and general manager/general sales manager/national sales manager for
Fritz Broadcasting Saginaw (also Michigan). Among persons 12+ in
Nielsen Audio's spring 2016 book for Huntsville, Cumulus Media-owned CHR WZYP is #2 (7.7); WHRP "Today's Best Variety of R&B" ranks #3 (4.8); AM-FM talk combo WVNN finishes #5 (3.1); country WWFF "Nash Icon 93.3" is #8 (1.3); and AM-FM sports duo WUMP "The Ump" ranks #10 (.6). Leading the field is iHeartMedia country outlet WDRM (11.1, 12+).
Carter, WSB-FM to Celebrate Atlanta Pride Festival. Atlanta's first openly LGBT morning show host –
Melissa Carter ("The Tad & Melissa Show") of
Cox Media Group adult contemporary WSB-FM "B-98.5 – will be part of next month's (10/9) 46th annual
Atlanta Pride Festival and she will make appearances in the
"B-98.5" booth at the marketplace throughout the weekend. Carter comments, "I remember my first Atlanta Pride right after college, because it was really the first time I realized I wasn't the only gay person in the world. Many do not realize how isolating it is to grow up gay since – unlike other minorities – you are likely the only one in your family dealing with the struggle. That alone is why so many kids and adults stay in the closet, out of fear of rejection in their own home. To see thousands at Atlanta Pride just like you gathered together in support and celebration is truly life-changing." Carter was one of the hosts of "Radio with a Twist," the first syndicated show geared exclusively toward the LGBT community. She currently writes the "That's What She Said" column in
GA Voice. Up or flat for the third successive sweep (4.4 – 4.8 – 4.8 – 4.9, 6+), "B-98.5" is sixth in the August 2016
Nielsen Audio PPM report; co-owned talker WSB-AM (9.4, 6+) is #1.
