Caine Promotes Audio In NYC

9-26-13

On a "Kings of Content" panel in New York City during Advertising Week, Westwood One CEO Paul Caine said because consumers are spending a third of their day "listening," and with more platforms to deliver content, the company has had to think differently about that content. "It used to be creating programming just for radio stations, now we think about creating it for audio multiple-consumption. It can be anything from long form, like NFL games, to short form, like Podcasting, to bite-size content which can be shared with friends." Caine says Westwood One launched a product called Sight Sound which allows users to audio-enable their websites and Westwood One has been growing because they are now able to reach more consumers.

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Caine Bulks up the DG Sports Division

7-8-13

Matthew Colborn joins Dial Global as Director of Sports Sales, West Coast. Account Manager Julie Boruchov is promoted to Director of Sports Sales, East Coast. And, Amilia Poin takes on a new role as Sports Coordinator. Dial Global CEO Paul Caine says, ?This is an exciting time for Dial Global and our ability to influence the programming and content in sports through the power of sound. We are committed to delivering the best marketing solutions to our clients with our excellent sports content and live event activations. I am confident that we have the right team in place, with the right mix of experience and knowledge to connect the market to Dial Global?s compelling content, and to continue to push the boundaries of what?s possible in audio.? 

Colborn comes to Dial Global from US Interactive Media (USIM), where he was the Director of Client Services.  Prior to USIM, he worked for Advanstar Communications and Nielsen Business Media, selling advertising in publications, online, and event marketing.  He will be based in Los Angeles and will report directly to Michael Schreck, SVP/Director, Corporate Sports. 

Boruchov began her audio career as a Sales Assistant at Westwood One, moving up to Sales Planner and Account Executive.  Following Westwood One?s merger with Dial Global, Boruchov became an Account Manager.  She will be based in New York City and will also report to Michael Schreck. 

Poin most recently worked in Dial Global?s Traffic division where she acted as a liaison between sales and production to ensure proper placement and delivery of all commercials in Dial Global?s sports programming.

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Who Is Paul Caine?

3-20-13

By all accounts, the new man in charge at Dial Global, Paul Caine, was a rising star at Time Inc. and considered a possible successor to CEO Laura Lang. Time Inc. is in the process of spinning off from parent company Time Warner. In an interview with AdWeek, Caine said his departure had nothing to do with the spin-off and hinted Dial Global pursued him for the CEO job. "This is a really good opportunity. This clearly wasn't something that happened in the past week or two. I was not looking to move on.?

And it looks as if the thinking at the board level of Dial Global was to get new ideas in the building. Outgoing CEO Spencer Brown said, "The company needs a chief executive with a different skill set to steer it through its next phase of growth. We believe Paul is uniquely well-qualified to do just that." It was only a month ago that Brown was tapped to be the CEO, breaking up the co-CEO trio of Ken Williams, David Landau, and Brown.

The 48-year-old Cain had been a rising star during his 23 years at Time Inc., eventually being promoted to EVP/Chief Revenue Officer and Group President of Advertising. What does that title mean? Caine was responsible for ad revenue at all of the Time Inc. magazines, a stable of titles that includes Sports Illustrated, People, and Time. Caine begins his new position at Dial Global on April 5 and takes over as the company weaves its way through a rough patch. Dial Global has gone through several major changes at the CEO level, a major refinancing of the company was completed, and it was delisted from the NASDAQ.

A Dial Global press release says Caine will "create a new opportunity for Dial Global to expand the marketing and monetization of audio, starting with the company's lineup of premier sports, entertainment and news content that includes the NFL primetime games (including the playoffs and Super Bowl), the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, CBS Radio News, NBC News Radio, the NBC Sports Radio Network, and the Grammys. As mobile platforms continue to multiply the occasions for listening, the demand for premium digital audio content is growing fast. This represents a substantial, undeveloped opportunity for content providers, distribution partners and marketers alike."

(3/20/2013 9:53:09 AM)
The Caine hire surprises me. No disrespect to him, but he grew up in sales, yet this company needs a turnaround guru. Dial needs someone who will manage to the bottom line, not just the top line. I note the following:

-- Even after its proposed recapitalization (that has a target close in April), the company has huge debt levels (I estimate about $170 million, post recap). That sum is still too high for a company with no real assets (Dial does not own radio stations, etc.).

-- Growing revenue will be part of the solution (presumably Caine's strength, as a former CRO at Time). But someone needs to do a mathematical review of each of Dial's lines of business, and immediately cut those that do not generate positive cash flow. For too long the company has merely chased "sizzle and PR" rather than profitablity (shoot, look at the press release: you would think the CEO transition was a "victory" and all is really good; they just fired their three CEOs in the past 60 days).

-- To service debt, Dial cannot "grow its way out of its problems." It will have to make some hard, cash-flow-based decisions, something the three CEOs were not willing or able to do.

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Dial Global Names Paul Caine CEO

3-19-2013

More changes at the top of Dial Global. Dial Global announced today that Paul Caine will become its Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Company's Board of Directors, effective April 5. Caine's appointment coincides with the resignation of Dial Global's existing CEO, Spencer Brown, and President, Ken Williams, all of which will be effective April 5. Both executives intend to work with Caine to facilitate a smooth transition and will also remain shareholders of the Company. "Along with our former partner David Landau, Ken and I have taken Dial Global a long way," said Brown. "Now the Company needs a chief executive with a different skill set to steer it through its next phase of growth. We believe Paul is uniquely well-qualified to do just that."

A company press release says, "Caine joins to create a new opportunity for Dial Global to expand the marketing and monetization of audio, starting with the Company's lineup of premier sports, entertainment and news content that includes the NFL primetime games (including the Playoffs and Super Bowl), the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, CBS Radio News, NBC News Radio, the NBC Sports Radio Network, and the Grammys. As mobile platforms continue to multiply the occasions for listening, the demand for premium digital audio content is growing fast. This represents a substantial, undeveloped opportunity for content providers, distribution partners and marketers alike."

"Dial Global will propel the growth of audio as the essential medium for the mobile experience," said Caine. "We have premium content, top-tier distribution, and prestigious live event assets. Our opportunity is to expand these experiences for consumers, broaden our repertoire of content partners, and integrate our on-air, digital and live event offerings to create compelling engagement for advertisers."

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