Nielsen Shuffles Global Communications Team

5-29-14

Ben Billingsley joins Nielsen from The Horn Group as the new SVP, Global Watch Marketing and Communications. Flavie Lemarchand-Wood is given an expanded role at Nielsen as VP, Deputy Communications Director, Global Watch Marketing and Communications, reporting to Billingsley. And, Kristie Stegen is given an expanded role with the company as Global Head of Internal Communications and will report to Chief Communications Officer Laura Nelson. Nelson said, "The incredible experience and expertise that Ben, Flavie, and Kristie bring to this team will play a huge role in shaping the Nielsen story globally. Nielsen's messaging and reputation couldn't be in better hands."

View the original article here

Harris Names Gargiulo President Of Global Sales

10-7-13

Harris Broadcast has appointed Pablo Gargiulo as President of Global Sales. Gargiulo will be responsible for leading a newly created global sales organization, which spans 140 countries and 3,000 customers. The Harris sales organization is organized into four regions ? North America; Central/Latin America; Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; and South Asia/North Asia.

Subsequently, the company has named the following Harris Broadcast sales executives to lead the four regions:
North America: Chris Ziemer
Central and Latin America: Nahuel Villegas
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa: Mathias Eckert
Asia: Joe Khodeir and JiShun Mei

View the original article here

Dial Global Is Now Westwood One

As expected, Dial Global has changed its name to Westwood One. The announcement was made official this morning. CEO Paul Caine said, ?We?re proud of what we?ve accomplished as Dial Global. Through our belief in the power of sound we are dedicated to continuously reinventing the industry and creating the most dynamic audio programming that connects people to their passions. With the audio industry?s ever-changing landscape, we know we?ve just scratched the surface of what?s possible for audio?s broad consumption. By reclaiming and reviving an iconic audio brand name, we are not changing who we are, but accelerating the great work we are doing to contribute to the growth of audio.?

The company has also commissioned an industry study on the ?power of sound,? which it says is "aimed at better understanding consumers, their behavior, and their interaction with audio." The study builds on current recency data proving radio as the most used medium closest to point-of-purchase and will explore trends in audio consumption based on behavioral tendencies among various demographics. Full study results are expected to be released in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The company release also says we can expect to see a new website, social media presence, corporate logo, and marketing materials to reflect the new WestwoodOne brand in the days ahead.

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

TRN Hopes to Block Cumulus/Dial Global Merger

9-4-13
Talk Radio Network CEO Mark Masters tells Radio Ink he plans to file a formal objection with either the FCC or the Department of Justice over Cumulus' announced acquisition of Dial Global (now Westwood One). Almost exactly one year ago, Masters filed suit against Dial Global, alleging that it was a monopoly and engaged in anti-competitive actions. That lawsuit is still in the courts.

Last night, TRN released a statement reiterating its monopoly allegation and issuing a warning: "Dial Global must not be permitted to merge with Cumulus, for more reasons than can be expressed here. Antitrust and First Amendment rights are at stake." Radio Ink reached out to Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey and Westwood One CEO Paul Caine for comment; we had received no response as of the time this story went live.

On August 28, 2012, Masters said of Dial Global, "Our companies were initially Dial Global's most important clients. We brought some of America's most respected brands to Dial Global in their early days. We gave them long-term agreements and the most important quality necessary for business, our trust and good faith. However, sadly, today we begin the fight for the ethical soul of radio's independent spoken-word syndication markets -- on both the sales and content sides. Our goal is to see a healthy, newly reformed marketplace where all independent spoken-word syndicators can compete on an even plane."

In its statement last night, TRN alleged that over the past five years, Dial Global has engaged in a long list of illegal and unethical behavior, including failing to pay TRN its share of the advertising revenues generated by its programming. "We have detailed that conduct in two cases pending against Dial (and others) in federal court in Manhattan and Oregon," says the statement. "Dial's illegal conduct has continued recently, as it has refused even to pay to us our advertising revenues, which Dial collected as our ad rep. We believe that discovery in our actions will show that Dial's conduct was part of a deliberate strategy to acquire or destroy viable companies by interfering with revenue streams that Dial controls as a result of its monopoly power."

The TRN statement goes on to claim that Dial's history demonstrates that all members of the industry should be concerned about, and should act to prevent, Cumulus' proposed acquisition: "In our view, if the transaction goes forward, the combined company could dominate both the radio station platforms in the top 100 markets and the talk and news content for broadcast in those markets. At the same time, we are concerned that Dial's history of illegal and unethical conduct could infect Cumulus and affect the way the merged entity does business. The threat that this merger poses is not just to us. It is to every independent content provider, to many other members of the industry, and more generally to a vibrant marketplace of ideas on radio.

"We will continue to pursue our claims against Dial vigorously, and we will take all necessary actions to oppose Cumulus's proposed acquisition, including in our pending litigation with Dial, with appropriate governmental authorities, and in the media. We have heard from other members of the industry with similar concerns. Given the implications for others, we encourage all independent content providers and other affected members of the industry to rise up and express opposition in every proper forum."

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

Cumulus Calls Dial Global Deal a Deleveraging Event

9-3-13

By now you have all the details on the Cumulus plan to purchase syndicator Dial Global for $260 million (see below under "in case you missed it.") Today at 11:00AM Eastern, Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey will present more details to shareholders about the acquisition. Cumulus executives will tell shareholders this purchase is a "compelling strategic opportunity," and when the deal is closed and the meshing of the two companies complete there will be, "$40+ million of estimated cost synergies and substantial incremental revenue growth opportunities." By acquiring Dial Global, Cumulus CEO believes he would have  enough content in his portfolio to challenge Clear Channel owned Premiere Radio Networks.

During the presentation this morning, Dickey will try to convince shareholders this purchase will help the company by "deleveraging on identified cost synergies alone." The $40 million will be slashed, according to Cumulus from combining the network expenses and from eliminating duplicate infrastructure. The company says this provides, "significant synergy opportunities." Those savings are expected to be realized within the first two years with more than 50% generated in the first 12 months after closing. Cumulus will example the Citadel merger, and the cost savings from that deal, when presenting to shareholders today.

Dial Global distributes, produces and syndicates programming and services to more than 8,200 radio stations. The content includes over 200 news, sports, music, talk and entertainment radio programs, services and digital applications. Dial Global also syndicates live events, 24/7 formats, prep services, jingles and imaging libraries. Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey and Dial Global CEO Paul Caine are hopeful the deal will close before the end of 2013. There is also a question yet as to whether this transaction will be looked at by the feds. Several small market operators have said they are concerned this will end competition for the 24-hour music formats. Dickey told Radio Ink last week they should not worry. He says this deal is going to make life better for them not worse.

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

Details From The Dial Global Release

8-30-13

Dial Global announced today that Dial Global and Cardinals Merger Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cumulus Media, have entered into an agreement and plan of merger. Dial Global will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Cumulus. While the $260 million purchase price payable in the merger is insufficient to repay all of the Company's indebtedness and the liquidation preference on all of the Company's outstanding preferred stock, as part of the Merger Agreement, the holders of the Company's Series A, B, C and D Preferred Stock agreed to contribute a portion of their shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and all of the shares of Series B, C and D Preferred Stock to the Company for no consideration, effective immediately prior to the merger.  As such, upon consummation of the merger, each outstanding share of common stock of the Company will be converted into the right to receive $0.155, and the balance of the merger consideration, after repayment of indebtedness and transaction expenses and subject to certain escrow holdbacks, will be distributed as merger consideration to the Company's Series A preferred stockholders, based on the liquidation preference of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock remaining outstanding after giving effect to the above described contributions of the other shares of preferred stock.

Shortly following the entry into the merger agreement, stockholders holding approximately 90% of the Company's common stock entered into a written consent approving the merger.  The merger is expected to close by the end of 2013, subject to the satisfaction of the closing conditions, however, there can be no assurances that the merger will close within such timeframe, or at all.

View the original article here

$260 Million Gets Lew Dial Global

8-30-13

Cumulus will purchase Dial Global for $260 million in cash (consisting of approximately $45 million attributable to equity and the retirement of $215 million of debt). Dial Global CEO Paul Caine will stay on, with Dennis Green and Mike Pallad reporting to him. Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey says, "These transactions give us the necessary scale to provide the marketing and enterprise solutions our advertising and affiliate partners require. Our goal is to be the leading producer of premium audio content distributed through multiple platforms while continuing to build our broadcast platform in the top 100 U.S. markets."
The acquisition of Dial Global will add sports, news, talk, music, and programming services content to the Cumulus portfolio. New content acquired through the Dial Global acquisition will include NFL, NCAA, NASCAR, Olympics, AP Radio News, NBC News, and other popular programming.

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

Lee Napier Joins Dial Global

8-17-13

Napier is brought on as Regional Affiliate Manager where he will handle affiliate sales for the company?s Prep Services division. Prior to joining Dial Global, Napier served as a Manager at 60 Second Music, responsible for sales and production of jingles and background music for TV and radio stations. He was also General Manager at Brg Music Works. Napier will be based in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and report to Senior VP Susan Stephens.

View the original article here

Dial Global Broadcasting Benefit Concert

5-29-13

In cooperation with NBC-TV, Dial Global will provide a radio simulcast of tonight's ?Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert? airing live from the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City (9pm ET). The concert and telethon, which sold out in :30 seconds, was organized by Country star and Oklahoma native Blake Shelton, who will headline the event. Miranda Lambert, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Usher, and Ryan Tedder from One Republic are also performing.

Dial Global is offering the simulcast to all of its Country radio affiliates and to every country radio station in the US, in addition to radio stations of all formats in Tornado Alley. ?Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert? is set to raise money to aid victims of the deadly tornado that ripped through Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, May 20.  The tornado killed at least 24 people, injured hundreds, and damaged houses, hospitals, and schools in both Moore and Oklahoma City.  Funds will go to the United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund.

View the original article here

Dial Global Names Albee CMO

5-15-13

Former Conde Nast exec Christina Albee is joining Dial Global as its chief marketing officer. In the newly created post, she'll be overseeing the conception and execution of DG's advertising, marketing, and communications, working out of New York and reporting to CEO Paul Caine.

"We're committed to investing in top talent who will be an integral and critical part of our path to success," Caine said. "That's why I am so thrilled to have Christina on board. I have known her for many years. She's a creative, warm, loyal, and supportive co-worker; she will be a huge enhancement to our powerhouse marketing group."

Albee arrives at Dial Global from Conde Nast, where she oversaw digital division The Studio at Conde Nast and supervised event marketing, strategic alliances, and operations at Conde Nast Media Group. Before that she was Conde Nast Media Group's senior executive director, handling corporate integrated and digital sales and marketing initiatives. She's also served as associate publisher at Style.com and Time Inc.'s In Style Weddings and helped launch brands including People en Espanol and In Style.

Albee said, "I look forward to working closely with Paul Caine to innovate and advance our marketing initiatives surrounding Dial Global's premium programming and unique assets.There's an incredible amount of opportunity to redefine the category and I'm happy to be a part of Dial Global's extremely smart team at the forefront of this industry."

View the original article here

Dial Global Closes On Recapitalization

4-16-13

Dial Global has closed on the recapitalization it announced back on March 4. The refinancing deal includes an amended and restated credit agreement among Dial Global, its lenders, and administrator General Electric Capital. The agreement, which has a maturity date of October 21, 2016, consists of -- after a $15 million paydown -- a $136 million term loan and revolving credit of about $23 million, $18 million of which is drawn.

Dial Global also entered into an agreement for an additional $31.5 million term loan facility with Blackrock Kelso Capital, with a maturity date of July 21, 2017, and issued penny warrants for Blackrock to purchase 7.5 percent of DG's common stock.

View the original article here

Dial Global Hires Former Univision Executive

4-10-13

Dave Boretti is now Senior VP of Hispanic Initiatives for Dial Global. Boretti will be responsible to grow content partnerships, leverage digital assets, and spearhead the company?s expansion within the Hispanic marketplace. Boretti comes to Dial Global after 12 years at Univision Radio, where he was SVP, Network Sales. Boretti said, "It's particularly thrilling to join Dial Global at this point in the evolution of the company and to accelerate the growth of our Hispanic marketing assets for our sponsor and station partners."

He will work out of Dial Global?s Chicago office and report directly to Kirk Stirland, President of Programming. Strikland said, ?We?re delighted to have Dave join our team. His experience and expertise in the Hispanic Marketplace, both in sales and programming, will move our Hispanic growth initiative forward and we?re excited about the new offerings we?ll be bringing to our clients in the coming months.?

View the original article here

Dial Global Backstage at the ACM's

4-8-13

Last night the 48th annual Academy of Country Music Awards were held in Las Vegas where co-host Luke Bryan was named Entertainer of The Year. Thompson Square won Vocal Duo of the Year, thanking Country Radio for playing their music, as they took home their second consecutive ACM Award win in that category. Dial Global was backstage for all the action. Here, Dial Global President of Operations Charles Steinhauer hangs out with Carrie Underwood.

View the original article here

A List Of Those Affected By Yesterday's Dial Global Cuts

$(document).ready(function(){ setTimeout("$('#social').load('/site/api/Social/getSidebar?shareURL='+escape('http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/117142/a-list-of-those-affected-by-yesterday-s-dial-globa'));",100); });

Todd Michaels, Heidi Selexa And Others Are Out

As ALL ACCESS was first to report YESTERDAY (NET NEWS 4/4), 28 people lost their jobs as part of a consolidation of DIAL GLOBAL facilities in the LOS ANGELES area, specifically VALENCIA and BRENTWOOD. Some of those operations are being relocated to CULVER CITY.

The list of folks affected is just starting to come out, with one being TODD MICHAELS. MICHAELS tells ALL ACCESS, "due to consolidation at DIAL GLOBAL yesterday, my gig hosting Hot AC and Hot Country on the 24/7 formats in VALENCIA was axed. Without letting any grass grow, looking for another on-air job, or producer or writer gig... preferably in SO CAL. Resume includes work with RICK DEES, JOHN TESH, BILLY BUSH and LEEZA GIBBONS." Reach out to him at toddradio@gmail.com.

Also exiting is Hot AC personality HEIDI SELEXA. Listen to her stuff at soundcloud.com/heidi-selexa and www.heidiselexa.com, and reach out to ERIC WEISS or HEATHER COHEN through  the WEISS AGENCY, (310) 230-1518.

BRYAN SIMMONS tells ALL ACCESS, "I worked both AC and Hot AC at DG. I'm out too. Thankfully still at 94-7 THE WAVE." Stay in touch with SIMMONS at brysimmons@yahoo.com.

If you were affected by the cuts, let us know so we can post your contact info. Email us here.

« see more Net News

View the original article here

More Changes at Dial Global

4-5-13

Dial Global?s Valencia and Brentwood facilities are being consolidated into the Culver City offices, in the Greater Los Angeles area. The changes affect the 24-hour formats produced by Dial Global. Due to limited space at the Dial Global offices in Culver City, California, changes are being made that include jobs being lost there. As a result, some dayparts that were being produced in California will now be produced in Denver and Dallas. The overall net number of jobs at DG will remain the same. About 30 people will lose there jobs in California, although some may decide to move to Denver or Dallas to stay with the company. Many of the employees affected do have other jobs in California.

View the original article here

The Changes Continue At Dial Global

3-20-13

And they come at the very top of the company. It was on February 11 that Dial Global announced it was changing its three CEO structure. David Landau left the company, Ken Williams was named President, and Spencer Brown (pictured) kept the CEO title. Yesterday, both Brown and Williams resigned and 23-year Time Inc. executive Paul Caine was named CEO. This is a change that might have been in the works even before the February 11 announcement. CEO hires typically take a lengthy search and interview process.

A Dial Global press release states that both Brown and Williams will work with Caine to facilitate a smooth transition and will also remain shareholders of the company. Caine takes over April 5 during a challenging time for the network business. The competition is fierce, advertising has been weak due to a stagnant economy, and an explosion of new ways advertisers can reach consumers and the way consumers listen to audio are ever-changing targets.

Cain says, "Dial Global will propel the growth of audio as the essential medium for the mobile experience. 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." Among the brands Caine will have to work with are the National Football League's primtetime games, playoffs, and the Super Bowl; CBS Radio News; NBC News Radio; and the upcoming launch of the 24-hour sports network with NBC Sports.

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

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."

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

Dial Global Teams With SoundHound

3-5-2013

Dial Global launches SoundHound for Radio, a proprietary radio advertising platform developed in partnership with SoundHound Inc. SoundHound for Radio uses SoundHound's audio-recognition technology to connect Dial Global's 225 million weekly listeners with exclusive branded mobile content; integrated marketing campaigns using SoundHound for Radio benefit from direct engagement with radio listeners and analytics never before available to radio advertisers.

"Until now, radio has struggled to keep pace with the kind of measurable engagement offered by newer digital marketing platforms," Dial Global President Ken Williams said. "Together with SoundHound, we have created a marketing solution that delivers trackable engagement between listeners and brands."

SoundHound VP Katie McMahon said, "We are incredibly excited to announce the rollout of SoundHound for Radio with Dial Global. Each month, tens of millions use SoundHound's instant music search and discovery capabilities to engage with and share what they hear on the radio. Now through this partnership, radio advertisers will have the unparalleled ability to directly engage consumers on the go through SoundHound's mobile app, which has 130 million users around the world."

Listeners served by Dial Global and its affiliates can access exclusive offers and branded audio, video, and Web content delivered on mobile devices through SoundHound. Dial Global and SoundHound partnered to test and refine the technology in beta, ensuring the platform will work for all types of broadcasts, from live performances to sports, talk, music and entertainment. Early adopters included Geico and Big Machine Label Group.

Elizabeth Albright, managing director/national audio for Horizon Media, said the new platform offers great value for brands: "At Horizon we are tasked with not only buying media at an efficient cost per point, but with generating an even more significant value for our clients. We believe the SoundHound platform allows for direct engagement with radio listeners in a traceable way that provides meaningful value and results."

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

TRN Dumps Dial Global for Sun

2-27-2013

Sun Broadcast Group will now rep and assist in station affiliation for all TRN products. TRN CEO Mark Masters (pictured) said, "We look forward to a long and prosperous alliance with Sun Broadcast Group. Jason (CEO Jason Bailey) and his team understand what it takes to succeed in radio today. We're pleased our products will be well represented with Sun as we continue to grow each and every one of the TRN companies.? TRN and Dial Global have had a rocky relationship. Masters has filed a lawsuit against DG claiming it's a monopoly.

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

Dial Global Announces Team For Super Bowl

1-24-2013
Dial Global Sports has announced the broadcast team for Super Bowl XLVII. Play-by-play will be covered by Kevin Harlan and he'll be joined in the booth by Boomer Esiason. Additional analysis will be provided by James Lofton, Mark Malone, Jim Gray, and Scott Graham. The game between the 49ers and Ravens will be played Sunday, February 3, in New Orleans and heard on more than 700 radio stations.

View the original article here