WPRO Market Manager Fired by Cumulus

5-21-15

That's according to the GoLocalProv newspaper which states Barbara Haynes (pictured) may have been dismissed from the East Providence station due to a series of ongoing personnel issues at the station. The station has dealt with a public fight between former staffer Ron St. Pierre and host John DePetro, a boycott by labor groups and the organization For Our Daughters, and, most recently, the arrest of a producer on child porn charges. In addition to WPRO The other stations Haynes oversaw included AM 790, HOT 106, and Lite 105. No replacement is mentioned in the newspaper article.

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What's Going On With Cumulus' Revenue?

5-1-15

CEO Lew Dickey says March and April were both anemic. "We've seen pretty big swings both positive and negative. We hear this from our peers and other media as well." Dickey said he spoke to Mark Gray at Katz which controls 90 percent of national and was told the issue is non-returning business in the scatter market. He singled out retail, telecom, automotive, and home improvement as the categories giving him the most fits. Dickey said, "It's hard to say if it's the overall economy. There's a lot of nervousness and trepidation from the clients." On a positive note, Dickey said Cumulus now has the strongest operating team in the history of the company.

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Cumulus Land Sales On Schedule

5-1-15

The sale of land in Los Angeles and Washington DC is expected to generate over $200 million in revenue for Cumulus which will be used to pay down debt. The company reported the 10-acre L.A. site where KABC and KLOS broadcast from will generate $125 million and is on target to close in early 2016. In DC a buyer has been chosen after a very healthy bidding process for the 75 acres where WMAL-AM broadcasts from. The Washington Post reported 300 new homes will be built on the property in Bethesda which is expected to generate at least $75 million for Cumulus.

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Cumulus Announces Extension For Lew Dickey

4-28-15

Cumulus Media announced on Tuesday that the employment agreement for co-founder Lew Dickey has been given a multi-year extension. Dickey will continue to serve as President and CEO, as well as a member of the Board of Directors, through 2018. 

Cumulus also announced that long-time director Robert H. ("Trey") Sheridan, III, of Ridgemont Equity Partners, will retire when his term ends at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders, and that the Board has nominated Mary G. Berner to stand for election to fill the vacancy created on the Board by Sheridan's retirement.  Berner is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Magazine Media. 

Dickey said: "We are fortunate to be adding Mary Berner to our Board, where her insights and experience will be valuable as we continue to position the company for long-term success in the changing media landscape." 

Additionally, Jeffrey Marcus, currently the Cumulus Board Lead Director, has been appointed as non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. Marcus is a partner with Crestview Partners, the largest stockholder of Cumulus, where he leads Crestview's media investment strategy. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Cumulus, and its Lead Director, since Crestview's investment in Cumulus in September 2011.

Regarding the renewal of Dickey and his own expanded role, Marcus said: "Our Board is grateful that Lew Dickey, who has built Cumulus into a leading national media business, has renewed his commitment to lead the company into the future. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Lew to build value for our shareholders."

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New Leader For Cumulus Colorado Springs

4-28-15

Rob Quinn has been named as Vice President/Market Manager for the Cumulus Colorado Springs six-station cluster. Although his most recent job was outside radio, Quinn has 30 years' experience in sales management positions in Denver and San Diego. Quinn replaces Kent Hildebrand, who exited in March for a position outside of radio.

Cumulus SVP Dave Milner said: "Rob is a creative and dynamic leader with a solid track record of building strong, successful teams. We are excited to be adding Rob to our talented team in Colorado Springs." Quinn added: "Radio has always been my first love. When I was able to return to the industry with Cumulus I jumped at the chance. Leading six solid stations in a market like Colorado Springs is an exciting opportunity. The region is on a strong upswing and I look forward to helping provide solid solutions for our clients and advertisers."

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Cumulus Media Sued Over WLUP Promo

4-24-15

Cumulus Media is being sued by a company called CMI Films, owned by Remark, LLC and Celestial Mechanix Inc., which is claiming copyright infringement. Cumulus' WLUP/Chicago created a promo for a vacation giveaway in 2014 that used the familiar elements of the "remarkable mouth" commercials, with the camera zooming in on the model's mouth while she lip-synchs the voices of the station personalities. Remark owns the rights to that style of advertisement. CMI Films' complaint filed in the Buffalo office of the New York Western District Court this week seeks financial damages and more.

These "remarkable mouth" commercials originated in Chicago in 1979 for WLUP, when it was just starting out as a rock station. Chicagoland Radio and Media has look at the history of the commercials, the reasons behind the current lawsuit, and even a copy of the complaint, all of which can be seen HERE.

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Cumulus Promotes, Extends Contract With McVay

4-2-15

Early Thursday morning Cumulus announced that senior programming executive Mike McVay has been promoted to the position of Senior VP for Content & Programming. The company has also extended its long-term contract with McVay. McVay has been Cumulus'  Senior Vice President, Corporate/Programming, since September 2011. McVay said, ?Cumulus has added, and continues to add, some brilliant minds to the management and programming teams. The platform we have, the products and brands we?re developing, and what?s on the horizon makes this one of the best companies to work at in this industry? worldwide. We?re having fun!?

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Mills Takes Cumulus Corporate Position

2-2-2015

Steve Mills is exiting as program director of Cumulus Topeka stations Classic Rock KDVV and Classic Hits KWIC, and transferring to Cumulus corporate as manager of stream support and quality. Mills will report to Wynn Corliss, Cumulus director of digital operations. Cumulus is actively seeking candidates for the now-vacant Topeka PD position.

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Bruce Gilbert Jumps to Cumulus

12-14-14

This move explains the Don Martin promotion announced early Monday at iHeartMedia. Bruce Gilbert (pictured) is leaving iHeartMedia to work for Cumulus in a newly-created role of Senior Vice President of Sports. Gilbert was Senior Vice President of Sports Operations at iHeartMedia's FOX Sports Radio. Gilbert will lead the curation, development and execution of all sports content initiatives and will oversee the direction of all of Cumulus' sports stations. Corporate Program Director for sports Jim Mahanay will now report to Gilbert.

Gilbert said, ?Sports is one of the many core competencies of Cumulus and Westwood One. I feel very fortunate to join this team of professionals and look forward to working side by side with them and with our partners to produce best in class content and live events that grow ratings and create unique advertising ownership opportunities for our valuable clients. I want to thank John and Lew Dickey and Mike McVay for this incredible opportunity to provide our sports programming across every platform sports fans access. There is a very bright future for sports radio content and the many sports marketing opportunities associated with that content.?

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Jeff Davis Adds Duties For Cumulus Corporate

11-20-14

Davis is promoted into a newly created post at Cumulus Media, where he's named national director of Stratus Music scheduling. He's a 26-year industry vet who's been programming Hot AC/Top 40 hybrid WQSM/Fayetteville, NC, for the past eight years and will keep those duties. Cumulus' proprietary Stratus Music Scheduling System is in use at more than 450 stations in 89 markets.

Davis has worked with Corporate PD and VP/Stratus Music Programming Emily Boldon on developing and testing Stratus upgrades since he joined the company in 2006. Boldon says, "Jeff Davis is a consummate programmer and professional. He is a progressive and innovative thinker, and he asks incisive questions that allow us to continually improve our music-scheduling platform for the benefit of our stations and listeners. In this new role, Jeff will be a huge asset to our Stratus Music team."

Davis says he's "thrilled" to be working even more closely with Boldon, SVP/Programming Mike McVay, and CTO Alfred Lutter "while staying embedded in my local market at WQSM."

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Cumulus Q3 Revenue Flat. Q4 Looking Better

11-1-14

Cumulus' net revenues for July, August and September were $313.9 million compared to $314 million in 2013. Broadcast advertising revenue decreased by $12.5 million. Cumulus executives say that decrease was due to "ongoing weakness in several large local markets that began in the second quarter of 2014 (see next story). Local revenue was down 3.2%, national was up 2.8% and network revenue was flat. Q4 is pacing up for Cumulus with national pacing up double digits and local up in the low single digits. 2014 Political revenue should come in at about $19 million for Cumulus. The strongest categories were auto parts and auto after market. Weak categories included retail and financial services.

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Cumulus Flips A Michigan Station To NASH Icon

9-30-14

WMIM in Monroe, Michigan becomes 98.3 Nash Icon on Friday. NASH Icon is a new format playing the best country hits from country artists from 1980 through today. The station will feature artists from Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, and the Dixie Chicks, to Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, and Kenny Chesney. 98.3 Nash Icon will feature local on-air personalities including Chris King and Mark Benson and will be operated by current WMIM staff, with no personnel changes anticipated.

Andy Stuart, regional vice president for Cumulus said: ?We spent a great deal of time analyzing what is the best format for Monroe, and it became quite clear that Nash Icon is ideally suited for the market. I really appreciate the time and effort that John Dickey, Mike McVay, Bob Raleigh, and Charlie Cook have all provided and appreciate having this format available in the Cumulus family to bring to the Monroe community.?

Chris King, program director for WMIM/98.3 Nash Icon said: "Nash Icon is an exciting new format and the perfect fit for Monroe and Monroe County. This station will proudly serve Monroe, Monroe County, and Southeastern Michigan with the music that listeners love and our continued commitment to the community. I am very happy to be a part of this new chapter in Monroe radio."

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Cumulus Returning Rush to KSFO San Francisco

9-5-14

Rush will return to the weekday lineup of Hot Talk 560/KSFO-AM in San Francisco where he was heard from 2000 through 2011. Also returning to KSFO-AM are Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. Looking at the current schedule it appears that to make room, Cumulus will be dumping America's Morning News and John Batchelor. It was less than a year ago, December 5, 2013, when Clear Channel's KNEW debuted a new talk lineup at The Patriot AM-960 that included Rush, Hannity and Beck. No word yet on what changes will be made at KNEW. Clear Channel will announce the new programming for KNEW next week. The KSFO programming changes go into effect on September 28. (Note: An earlier version of this story said that Ethan Bearman would be bumped from KSFO. That is incorrect. Bearman is a weekend host and is not affected by this change).

Kevin Metheny, Operations Manager for KSFO-AM said: ?The new KSFO lineup will be like listening to the Conservative Talk All-Star Game all day, every day.?
KSFO-AM?s complete weekday programming schedule beginning September 28 is:
5:00a-9:00a                 Brian Sussman with Katie Green
9:00a-12:00N              Rush
12:00N-3:00P              Savage Nation
3:00P-6:00P                Mark Levin
6:00P-9:00P                Sean Hannity
9:00P-12:00M             Glenn Beck

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Greg Smith Is The New VP Of Sales For Cumulus Detroit

8-27-14

The 19-year radio vet is now responsible for sales at Cumulus' two Detroit stations WDVD and WDRQ. He moves to Cumulus from Greater Media Detroit and also worked for CBS Radio in Detroit for 17 years. Gary Pizzati, senior vice president for Cumulus said: ?Greg has the market equity we needed to lead the sales for WDVD and Nash in Detroit. He has the relationships and respect from the ad community in the Motor City to make an immediate impact. We're thrilled to have Greg as a part of the Cumulus family in Detroit.?

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Katz Launches Division For Cumulus

8-14-14

The new division at Katz Radio Group, called Westwood One National Sales, will be dedicated to Cumulus owned-and-operated stations nationwide. KRG President Mark Gray said, ?Our common goal is to get radio a much bigger share of advertiser spending by solving their marketing problems and showcasing the unmatched results radio delivers. Our new partnership with Cumulus to launch Westwood One National Sales strengthens our ability to deliver the most innovative marketing solutions for advertisers and agencies across the expanding advertising platform of one of our important partners.?

Bryan Forbes has been promoted to senior vice president, general manager of Westwood One National Sales. Forbes is currently vice president/director of sales at KRG, a position he has held since 2003. In his new role, Forbes will oversee National Sales for all 460 Cumulus owned-and-operated radio stations. Westwood One National Sales will have dedicated offices in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.

(8/14/2014 11:02:06 AM)
Is this the Sucker Bait division?

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Is Cumulus Looking to Grow in DC?

8-11-14

That's what DCRTV.com is reporting and the target may be Redskins owner Dan Snyder's Red Zebra Broadcasting. If it ever happens, that deal would eventually give Cumulus four additional signals in DC (WTEM's 980 AM, 92.7 FM, and 94.3 FM, and WSPZ's 570 AM). Cumulus now owns news talker WMAL, 105.9 FM and 630 AM, and CHR WRQX, 107.3 FM. Of course Cumulus would love to expand NASH into the DC market and DCRTV.com says Red Zebra's FM signals might be perfect for that.

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Cumulus News To Be Powered By CNN

7-31-14

It's a new Westwood One news service that will be powered by CNN?s news-gathering resources. This new service will offer stations access to broadcasts, breaking news, wire service, and digital content provided by CNN for use on the air and on websites. Westwood One has 10,000 radio affiliates in the United States, and owns STORQ technology that provides a local feel to syndicated content. The addition of this new service will enable local radio stations to broadcast the latest national and international news acquired by CNN but branded with their own call letters and station slogans.

 As an example of how the new ?white label? news format will sound on the air, Country format stations operating under the NASH brand created by Cumulus will introduce ?NASH News? segments. Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey says, ?Our affiliates and advertising partners know they can count on us for news and information products that reflect how people today consume content through various platforms, and this exclusive access to CNN?s newsgathering will ensure we can provide stations nationwide an unmatched array of news formats.?

"People that are serious about the business of news are in business with CNN,? said Ed Stephen, senior vice president and general manager for CNN Newsource. ?We look forward to helping Cumulus build a world-class radio news service."

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New Faces In Des Moines At Cumulus Cluster

7-10-14

Cumulus brings three new people to Iowa. Sean Elliott (pictured) is the new operations manager and PD at KGGO. Jonathan Monk will program Great Country 92.5 KJJY and take afternoons. Dianna Kelly joins 98.3 The Torch as news director. Elliott was formerly PD at WLZR-FM in Milwaukee and PD at KAZR-FM in Des Moines. Monk was operations manager for Cookeville Communications? four-station cluster in Cookeville, TN. Kelly has worked on the air in Kansas City, Atlanta, Vegas, Fresno, Jacksonville, Grand Rapids, and suburban Nashville.

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Cumulus Unveils R&B New York Team

7-10-14

Last week Cumulus launched new R&B station Radio 103.9 in New York City. Thursday night Cumulus announced the lineup for the station which will include Raphael George (pictured) joining PD Ken Johnson as APD and music director. "Ghost" joins the station as creative services director and Aliya Faust will be the Web and social content coordinator. In addition to Tom Joyner in the morning and D.L. Hughley in afternoon drive, Sharon ?La Loca? Montero takes the midday show (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Marc Clarke gets the night shift (7 p.m. to midnight).

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Cumulus Names Steve Shaw President of Westwood One

6-24-14

Shaw is currently Senior Vice President of Cumulus National Sales, a position he has held since March, 2013. Shaw will expand his role as head of national spot sales for Cumulus? owned-and-operated stations to include all national and digital sales for Westwood One. In Steve?s new role he will oversee Westwood One Networks, Westwood One Sports, and Westwood One Digital, including Rdio and Cumulus National Sales, which will be renamed Westwood One Media Group. Shaw was previously President of Katz Radio Group and President of Cox Digital Solutions.

Lew Dickey, Chief Executive Officer of Cumulus, said: ?Steve will drive the integration of our large stable of national media assets and advertising products under the Westwood One brand. His track record of success in both broadcast radio and digital media will be instrumental as Cumulus and Westwood One combine to provide a compelling new set of ad packages designed to meet the rapidly evolving needs of our advertisers.?

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