Westwood Launches Classic Hip Hop Format

5-18-15
Westwood One has announced a new 24/7 format for its affiliated stations: Classic Hip Hop. The format is based off of the one being used by Cumulus' WRWM/Indianapolis. That station, featuring hit music from the early days of rap and hip hop, helped the station reach high ratings in its target demo of Adults 18-49. Westwood One's Classic Hip Hop will be hosted by veteran personalities including mornings with Adam Bomb and evenings with WPLJ/NY personality Ralphie.

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ABC Radio Launches "Your Body"

5-4-15

ABC Radio has announced a new daily radio report entitled Your Body. The segment will be hosted by ABC News Senior Medical Contributor Dr. Jennifer Ashton and will be geared towards helping women achieve better health and wellness. The segment can be heard on music- and talk-formatted radio stations.

ABC Radio VP/GM Steve Jones said: "Radio now has a powerful female doctor who connects specifically with women, and advertisers now have a highly targeted and credible programming platform with which to associate their message. Your Body is ideal for today's music stations seeking to create appointment listening and engage women from around the country."

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WGN Launches Tornado Relief Effort

4-10-15

Tornadoes tore through northern Illinois on Thursday night. On Friday, Chicago's WGN-AM partnered with the McCormick Foundation, WGN-TV, Chicago Tribune, and Hoy to launch the Illinois Tornado Relief Effort 2015 to help communities struggling with the weather-related devastation. The radio station will have a dedicated day of fundraising on Monday, April 13.

The McCormick Foundation will match the first $500,000 raised at 50 cents on the dollar. 100 percent of the funds raised will support nonprofit agencies providing disaster relief and recovery efforts. WGN Radio President/GM Jimmy de Castro said: "We will continue our fundraising efforts to make sure these communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible."

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Goldstein Exits Saga, Launches Digital Company.

3-26-2015

Saga Communications announced on Thursday afternoon that Executive Vice President and Group Program Director Steve Goldstein has exited the company. Goldstein has held the EVP & Group PD position with Saga since 1988 and has been  with the company since its inception in 1986. Chairman, President and CEO of Saga Communications, Edward K. Christian, thanked Goldstein for his many contributions over his 28-year career with Saga. To assist with his transition from the company, Goldstein has agreed to serve as a consultant to Saga. Goldstein is foucusing his attention on his new company, Amplifi Media. Radio Ink exclusive audio interview below.

Commenting on his departure, Mr. Goldstein noted in the press release announcing his exit, "Saga has been a remarkable home for 28 years. We have built some terrific brands and grown top talent. Best of all has been working with a wonderfully gifted staff. While I will miss them and Ed Christian, I am pleased to continue with Saga in a consulting capacity and am excited to move on to a more entrepreneurial role with my own company where I will be focusing on digital on-demand audio."

The Focus on audio Goldstein mentioned is the formation of the new compay Amplifi Media. Amplifi will focus on the podcast and audio on demand sector. Goldstein noted on the new company, "The top of the iTunes podcast chart is dominated by NPR and affiliates. They have done a tremendous job but there is a world of mainstream topics yet to be explored for on-demand-audio. That's where Amplifi will live."

Goldstein continued, "As connected cars, Bluetooth, and smartphones converge, time-shifted audio will grow exponentially. People will listen to content at a time and place of their choosing, just as is occurring rapidly in the television industry with Netflix, DVRs, and on-demand video."

(3/27/2015 3:31:01 PM)
Good idea, but he needs a PR coach... sounded bored and disinterested. Soon, you may need to convince a VC for cash, or talent to work for you...polish up.

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Omny Launches Omny Studio

3-20-2015

Linking broadcast and digital distribution, Omny has launched its new Omny Studio. Omny Studio permits the capture of live broadcast audio, with the ability to create short audio clips and publishing of shareable audio content to websites and social media. Omny Studio is available as a subscription service, more info is available on the Omny website.

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NextRadio Advertising Campaign Launches

2-19-2015

NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith announced NextRadio is launching a national marketing campaign promoting FM radio on mobile devices. Smith stated the benefits to the future of radio from NextRadio and put his weight behind supporting the new ad campaign. The spots, produced to align with various formats and available in both English and Spanish, are available for download Here.

Traffic and sales managers can go to the website FreeRadioOnMyPhone.org. Spots and traffic instructions are available here: www.NextRadioApp.com/campaign. 

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TM Launches New Country Imaging Product

12-14-14

The Westwood One press release says the new product, called BRAND,  features customized and infused sound-alike intros for PDs less likely to use traditional jingles or who want to find another way to own the music in their markets. Stations can add their brand directly into the music instead of around it. TM Creative Director Ryan Drean says, ?While multiple Country stations are launching in competitive markets, a jingle package may not always be the solution.  BRAND doesn?t place a station?s name around the music; it performs it in the music.? BRAND pre-launched on 99.5 WYCD in Detroit.

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CMG Orlando Launches Classic Hip Hop

12-1-14

The trend for this new format continues. This time Cox Media Group in Orlando is ending its "STAR" format for "Orlando's Throwback Hip Hop and R&B." The new format will feature Notorious B.I.G, R. Kelly, Tupac, Mary J. Blige, Jay Z, Missy Elliot, LL Cool J, and similar artists with hits from the 90s and the early 2000s. PD Mike Saunders said, "STAR has been a ratings and community leader in Central Florida. To continue to dominate in that leading position, we must evolve to the marketplace and our listeners' needs. Today is such an exciting day for STAR 94.5 and our team. This evolution will help continue STAR's dominance in Urban and the overall market staying true to who we are while updating the format"

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Former Napa GM Launches Online Station

10-31-14

Jeff Schechtman, who was general manager at KVON/KVYN in Napa, has launched NAPAbroadcasting.com. NAPAbroadcasting has partnered with Napa Valley College on the project and its offices and studios are located on the Napa Valley College campus. Schechtman said that ?after leaving KVON/KVYN, I worked on several other non-radio projects. Suddenly it became clear to me and others in the community that there was a huge need for local programming that wasn?t being served.?

NAPAbroadcasting.com uses audio integration through SoundCloud and streams using RadioJar. A video element will be added at a later date. Schechtman says, "Initially the focus has been on local election coverage, and NAPAbroadcasting.com expects to add at least four new shows immediately following the elections in early November. This is a commercial venture, with shows seeking overall sponsorship. We see this as a commercial version of the NPR model. We don?t want to have our programs interrupted by long stop-sets and annoying jingles. We think our sponsors appreciate the value of the programs and we have a high degree of respect for our audience and their time."

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NBC Sports Radio Launches Digital Only Show

10-24-14

NBCSportsRadio.com debuts its first-ever digital-only show, The 2 Robbies ?Football? Show, a Premier League-focused program hosted by NBC Sports Group analysts Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe. The first show is this Saturday at 5 p.m. ET. The weekly one-hour Saturday show follows NBC Sports Group?s live Premier League match coverage. The 2 Robbies ?Football? Show will focus on the Premier League and international soccer, featuring commentary and analysis from Earle and Mustoe who will take calls and answer questions from listeners. The show will also feature interviews with top names in the sport, including current and former players, managers and analysts.

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Clear Channel Launches ALT 98.3 in Nashville

8-25-14

ALT 98.3 (WNRQ-HD2) will feature artists like Nashville residents The Black Keys, Kings of Leon, Jack White and other superstars including Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Imagine Dragons and The Lumineers. The station will be commercial free through Mid-September, with a local on-air talent lineup to be announced soon. Additionally, ALT 98.3 will be the official FM home for Vanderbilt Football, beginning August 28, when the Commodores kickoff the 2014 season against Temple.

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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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NRG Omaha Launches "The KEG"

8-13-14

NRG Media in Omaha is retiring its Big O 101.9 brand for what it's calling a refined Adult Hits station with a mass-appeal playlist. 101.9 The KEG will now target men and women ages 25-54 with music that will remind them of their "KEG" days. That means music from  Guns N? Roses, Journey, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Def Leopard, and others. NRG GM Andy Ruback said, ?It?s Adult Hits without the Pop. The KEG is all about the party and all about the fun, which to us means yes to Van Halen and no to the Go-Go?s.?

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Former Fox News Radio's Johnson Launches Vegas Website

8-4-14
Rich Johnson is ready to talk all things Vegas. The former Fox News Radio Senior National Correspondent Rich Johnson is now the co-founder and Managing Editor of Inbound Vegas, a Website devoted to helping Las Vegas visitors navigate the scene. Johnson tells Radio Ink, "A new residency? A new resort opening? Another superstar chef coming to town? What?s hot and what?s not at the sports books? Rich is available."

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Ventura Launches Podcast

8-1-14

We the People with Jesse Ventura premiered Thursday on Adam Carolla's podcast network. Ventura is the latest addition to Carolla Digital, Adam Carolla's podcast network. We the People with Jesse Ventura will be available for download on Carolla Digital and iTunes every Thursday. Ventura's first guest was the number one podcast host himself, Adam Carolla.

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WRXQ In DC Launches New Morning

7-27-14

Starting Wednesday, it's The Sarah, Ty, and Mel Show on Cumulus' WRQX's 107.3 in Washington, D.C. Cumulus Senior Vice President of Programming Mike McVay said, ?We consider ourselves fortunate to be able to assemble a team like Sarah, Ty, and Mel for mornings. There is a high level of competition in D.C. I believe in Gillette. He believes in the team. That makes me a big believer in this show."

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Cox Launches Alternative In Atlanta

6-23-14

Country is out and Alternative is in for CMG in Atlanta. The new station is "X107.1 FM, Atlanta?s New Alternative." Like most new launches these days the station will kick off with 10,000 songs in a row. The format will feature alternative artists such as The Tantrums, Imagine Dragons, Passion Pit, Avicii, The Black Keys, The Lumineers, Vampire Weekend, and many more. CMG VP of Programming Steve Smith says research shows Atlanta is ripe for an Alt40 radio station like X107.1.

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Hubbard DC Launches "Women Of Washington."

6-3-14

FederalNewsRadio.com and 1500 AM are launching a weekly interview series called Women of Washington, hosted by Aileen Black and Gigi Schumm. PD Lisa Wolfe says, ?I?m very excited about this particular program, not only because Aileen and Gigi are so well informed about the federal market, but because they have a higher goal to inspire young women to reach and excel at the executive level.? Some early guests include, Martha Johnson - former GSA Administrator, Linda Cureton - former CIO, NASA, Teri Takai - former CIO, Department of Defense, and Jill Singer - Partner, Deep Water Point.

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NAB Launches Online Leadership Academy

5-29-14

This new Leadership Academy includes a free summer webcast series for NAB members and you'll have access to an archive of the series through the end of the year. The nine-part series begins June 11 and will include webcast from Radio Ink writers Matt Sunshine and Lauri Kahn. GO HERE to take a look at the all topics to be covered in the series. Register for the webcast series HERE

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Cumulus Launches Record Label and New Format With Big Machine

5-13-14

The label is called NASH ICONS and is a partnership between Cumulus and Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Label Group. This new distribution platform, under Cumulus' NASH brand will be for Country music's iconic artists and compliment the contemporary music now heard on NASH stations all around the Country. As part of the NASH ICON label launch, Cumulus will also create and distribute a new format and feature show. There will also be live events, merchandising, video and a section in NASH magazine for NASH ICONS. Cumulus says its new venture with Big Machine will be profitable this year.

Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey said, "We are excited to partner with Scott and Big Machine on the creation of NASH ICONS. This is an important line extension for our NASH brand that provides a new multi-media platform for Country music?s most prolific artists from the last two decades.? Big Machine Label Group president and CEO Scott Borchetta added, ?There are so many iconic Country artists who are still passionate about recording new music and hearing their biggest hits on the radio. NASH ICONS will allow so many of these artists to do both. Big Machine Label Group is proud to partner with Cumulus in a way that allows us to keep entertaining the millions of fans of these all-time favorite artists.?

NASH ICONS will be based at the NASH Campus in Nashville.

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