Radio's Battle With Congress Starts Monday

4-9-14

Over the past few months the NAB has been slowly but consistently adding names of Congressmen who support what broadcasters call "The Local Radio Freedom Act." The bill states Congress should not impose a performance tax on radio for playing music over-the-air. On Monday, a battling bill will be in the spotlight and this bill calls for radio to pay to play. Four Congressmen will be introducing what they call music licensing reform legislation at the SAG-AFTRA office in New York City. It's the latest attempt by some lawmakers to mandate that radio pay artists to play their music. They are calling the bill The "Fair Play Fair Pay Act of 2015." American Association of Independent Music President Rich Bengloff told the Tennessean, "The long-standing issue is we should be paid since no one listens to radio for the commercials. If music is the reason why someone is listening to something, then how come Lee Ann Rimes doesn't get paid when she performs music on the radio, or the Lumineers aren't paid when their music is played on the radio?"

On Monday at 11 a.m., there will be a launch party held at SAG-AFTRA's New York City headquarters. Scheduled to attend the event are three of the bill's sponsors -- Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and John Conyers (D-MI) -- as well as artists and musicians, plus representatives from musicFIRST Coalition and partner organizations.

(4/10/2015 5:06:26 PM)
If we have to pay additional fees then we should be able to charge in return. Getting pay for play makes sense for broadcasters if we have to pay for play to the labels and artists (primarily the labels). In this case, turnabout would be fair play.
(4/10/2015 9:47:22 AM)
Hasn't Cumulus Media been doing this for a while? How do they get all those acts for their corporate Xmas parties, and Jon Dickey's birthday parties? Additionally, their new "American Idol" spotlight is a 'pay-for-play' model. All this, and Cumulus stock continues to tumble...sniffing $2.00...

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At SXSW Dickey Promotes Radio's Strength

3-25-2015

President and Chief Executive Officer of Cumulus, Lew Dickey, appeared at the SXSW Music and Media Conference on the 19th, addressing the benefits of symbiosis of Radio and Online Listening. A streaming link of his talk is now available for on-line audio listening below.

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Pittman: We've Added More Radio's

1-7-15

Another take on the iHeartRadio strategy described above comes directly from the man at the top in an interview published in Billboard magazine. CEO Bob Pittman tells Billboard's Cathy Applefeld Olson that by offering consumers more ways to listen to iHeartMedia radio stations, the company is simply giving consumers more ways to listen to the radio. "We've always had radios in the car, radios by the bed and radios at work, and now we also have what are new radios to the consumer -- digital devices -- at workstations and in everyone's hands." Pittman says this is a very good thing for iHeartMedia, advertisers and the music industry.

On the question of competing with other digital players, Pittman says that's not the way the company looks a things. "We don't look at it as a crowded marketplace and don't look at is as iHeartRadio competing with digital players -- we look at it as a way to extend the reach of our traditional radio brands into new devices where the consumer expects to find us. And though 'almost 60 million' (unique visitors via mobile devices and desktop) sounds big in digital terms, it's only about a quarter of our reach in broadcast radio. Indeed, with broadcast radio alone we reach more consumers than Facebook, Google or broadcast TV networks in the U.S. What has been great for us is that consumers are loyal to the brands they love as long as the brands are loyal to them -- so by extending our reach onto all the devices and platforms where they want to find us, we are continuing to serve our listeners in all the ways they want."

Read the full Billboard story HERE

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Another Name Change For Radio's Biggest Player

9-16-14
Another name change for Clear Channel. It was about two years ago when the company dumped "Radio" for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. On Tuesday, just a few days before the 4th annual iHeartRadio Music Festival in Vegas, the company will now be known as the much shorter iHeartMedia. In announcing the new name, CEO Bob Pittman said, "iHeartMedia reflects our commitment to being the media company that provides the most entertainment to the most engaged audiences wherever they go, with more content and more events in more places on more devices." The New York Times chimes in on the change. AdAge does the same.

From the company press release: "The newly named company includes a wide range of advertising-supported, consumer-focused media businesses, including 859 radio stations in over 150 markets, with more than 245 million listeners a month -- the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America; iHeartMedia Digital, with its more than 90 million digital monthly uniques; Premiere Networks, which syndicates 90 radio programs and services to more than 5,500 radio affiliates; the Total Traffic and Weather Network, reaching almost all U.S. commuters; 20,000 live music events, all of which generate massive consumer engagement on social media platforms and the largest of which are even televised; its related companies, including Katz Media Group; as well as Clear Channel Outdoor, one of the world's largest outdoor advertising companies.

Pittman went on to say, "We have massive consumer reach and influence across our platforms because we know how to program the live content people want to hear, see and share right now, we are the largest mobile media company in existence -- more than 60 percent of our broadcast usage is out of home, compared to just 30 percent for other mobile devices, and we deliver more live programming than any other media company today, built on the national and local on-air personalities who are the heart of our powerful broadcast radio franchises. Combined with Clear Channel Outdoor's reach of over half a billion people worldwide across 30 countries and five continents, it's clear that no other company can match our reach or broad spectrum of media platforms."

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings will retain the Clear Channel brand.

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Hear From One Of Radio's Best Advertisers

8-30-14

The RAB and NAB announced Thursday that representatives from Allstate and Leo Burnett will participate in a Q&A at the Radio Show Advertiser Luncheon, September 10. As many in radio know, Allstate is one of radio's best clients, so this will be a great opportunity to hear from an advertiser that believes using radio is a must in order to achieve success with consumers. RAB President and CEO Erica Farber will moderate a discussion with Allstate Senior Manager Amanda Polito (pictured) and Christopher Warmanen, who is the executive creative director at Leo Burnett, Allstate?s creative agency partner.

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Radio's Competition For Political Ad Revenue Increases

8-20-14

More and more radio companies have been looking at political season, and the local, regional and national campaigns election day produces, to bolster flat revenue numbers. Some companies have even hired political specialists to work that business, hoping to grab as many of those dollars as possible. The arena for 2014 political dollars just became a little more crowded thanks to modern technology. DirecTV and The Dish Network are about to battle broadcasters for the a piece of what's expected to be about $3 Billion in political advertising spending later this year. The Satellite providers have been unable to attract any of that revenue in the past because they could not target local ads. That's all about to change.

Dish's senior vice president of media sales Warren Schlichting tells the Los Angeles Times says his company has built a better mousetrap. "Broadcasters have had this market to themselves because they could offer that local reach." New digital technology is helping both Satellite providers match voter registration information with subscriber homes, and are now offering political campaigns the ability to send targeted ads to select households.

Schlichting says, "If they are a satellite TV subscriber, then we can send an ad directly to their house. Just like in the past when people sent a mailer to your home. Now we are mailing a 30-second spot directly to a person's digital video recorder." The Time says, until recently, there weren't enough homes that received digital TV transmissions to make customized ads economically feasible on a large scale. Political ad spending is expected to top $3 Billion in 2014.

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Automotive Down But Still Radio's Number One

8-15-14

Automotive News reported today that both Ford and Chevy were planning to offer new 0 percent financing deals to combat lagging auto sales. That sentiment seemed to carry over to the advertising world where, despite being the number one category for radio, four of the top five spenders were down compared to 2013. Overall, the category dropped 2 percent compared to April, May, and June of last year. Leading automotive spender, the Toyota Dealers Association, was down 1 percent, followed by Honda dealers dropping -6 percent, Ford dealers declined -24 percent, while the Chevrolet Dealer Association jumped +27 percent and the Nissan Dealer Association declined 4 percent.

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Is Pandora Growing At Radio's Expense?

8-13-14

Not according to NuVoodoo Media Services. The company says it interviewed nearly 1,100 people, ages 14-54, in all PPM markets, to understand how consumers interact with Pandora and radio; more specifically, whether users cut down on the amount of time spent with radio as they increase time with Pandora. Here's what they discovered...

The company concluded that 62 percent of Pandora users who listen for at least 30 minutes per day are spending just as much time with radio. Vice President of Research for NuVoodoo Leigh Jacobs said, ?These latest results validate our hypothesis that longer experience with Pandora doesn?t equate to less listening to broadcast radio. While those who?ve spent more time with Pandora tend to increase their daily TSL from the service, they claim not to reduce their TSL with broadcast radio.?

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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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Radio's Most Powerful Headed To Radio Show

7-15-14 

Clear Channel Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman and CBS Radio CEO and President Dan Mason will be featured on a Super Session panel at the Radio Show in September. The session is called "From the Control Room to the Board Room." Mason and Pittman, who both got their start in Radio as DJs, now run two of the biggest radio companies in America.

According to 2013 BIA/Kelsey figures, Clear Channel and CBS, combined, control 984 radio stations in 178 markets and generate a combined $4 billion in annual revenue, that's nearly one-quarter of the radio industry's annual revenue. Clear Channel and CBS generate more than the next 18 radio companies combined.

Pittman has been on Radio Ink's 40 Most Powerful People in Radio list since he joined Clear Channel. Mason has been on the list for 14 years. The 2014 issue of The 40 Most Powerful People in Radio comes out July 28. SUBSCRIBE HERE

The session will be September 11 at 9:15 a.m. The Radio Show, produced by the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), will be held September 10-12 in Indianapolis. The NAB's John David will moderate.

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Radio's New Story?

4-29-14

With TV's instant ratings and advertisers believing for the longest time they needed pictures (newspapers) to move product, radio salespeople were at an immediate disadvantage when they walked through the door of a client or prospect. Radio has never really had hard data to prove return on investment. For the most part, in small and medium markets the majority of radio sales are built on strong relationships and trust between an advertiser and a seasoned radio seller. In larger markets sales are also the result of relationships, but they are also transactional, where advertisers and their ad agencies want data, ratings and proof that what they spend with radio results in cash registers ringing. Was yesterday the first step toward major change for radio?

Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman is following through on his word to help the radio industry tell a better story about how radio generates business for advertisers. For several years nearly every high-level radio executive has echoed Pittman's mantra, that radio's flat performance in recent years was due to its inability to get to high level decision-makers and tell radio's R.O.I story. That was a little surprising being that most of the people saying we needed to tell a better story were in positions to do so, and they've been around for quite some time. When the NAB/RAB Radio Show rolls around in September, what took place in New York City yesterday, will probably result in the new talking points from Radio executives when they gather in Indianapolis. Here's why...

The CEO's from Clear Channel, CBS, Cumulus, Entercom and others got together in New York City Monday with a goal of taking a first step in changing the perception of how radio works for advertisers. Radio has always needed a better way to prove Return on Investment to advertisers. Radio executives say the comprehensive study, commissioned by Clear Channel and conducted by Nielsen Catalina Solutions, determined how radio advertising influences actual retail sales and measures return on investment. The study found that for every dollar spent on advertising, there was a sales return of six dollars on average for those exposed to the ads in the prior 28 day period. The sales impact was measured for the specific media buys of 10 brands, each of which had different combinations of radio networks. The study also concluded, something radio managers and sales managers have been talking about for decades, that radio delivers a strong consumer sales response close to the time of purchase.

Yesterday, two panels were held in the offices of Clear Channel. One was moderated by Michael Kassan, Chairman & CEO of MediaLink. It focused on the power of radio for marketers and how radio should be used in a comprehensive mix of media. Panelists included: Gayle Fuguitt, President & CEO, The ARF; Matt MacDonald, BBDO; John Nitti, ZenithOptimedia; Ritu Trivedi, MediaVest and Mary Ellen Johnson Jalenek, American Express.

The second panel was moderated by Pittman and included CBS Radio President and CEO Dan Mason, Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey and Entercom CEO David Field. The group discussed Nielsen's study and how they believe it will improve the perception of radio within the ad community.

Now all eyes will be watching to see how the information will be used and shared with the entire industry and if it nets any revenue results when the groups report to Wall Street and the RAB reports quarterly numbers.

(4/29/2014 10:28:14 AM)
Perhaps radio's "stealth factor" keeps its strength as a medium for the delivery of ad impressions undiminished in spite of the ever growing cacophony around it. We now stand out even more, so Bring It On!

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Radio's Reach Remains Steady

12-2-13

That's according to the December Nielsen RADAR report released Monday. Nielsen says radio now reaches 241.8 million people 12+ during an average week. And, Spanish-language radio continues to shine as more and more listeners flock to that format. The September RADAR report (released by Arbitron) had radio reaching 242.2 million listeners every week. Nielsen says year over year more than 700,000 weekly listeners have been added. The report also says those 12 and older who listen to the radio spend approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes a day, down one minute from the September report.

The Hispanic community continues to turn to radio for companionship. The Nielsen September RADAR report shows how important Spanish-language radio is to the exploding Hispanic population. 
- Radio?s Hispanic audience (12 and older) has added 372,000 weekly listeners over the past year, now reaching 94 percent of Hispanic listeners (12+)
- Listenership among young Hispanic teens (12 to 17) increased by 271,000 weekly listeners.
- Listenership among Hispanic adults (18 to 49) added 500,000 weekly radio listeners.

Nielsen?s RADAR December 2013 Report is used for national network radio ratings and measures 46 radio networks. The networks are operated by AdLarge Media, American Urban Radio Networks, Crystal Media Networks, Cumulus Media Networks, Premiere Radio Networks, United Stations Radio Networks, and WestwoodOne. The sample size for December was 396,013 persons aged 12 and older. The RADAR December 2013 Report includes data from all 48 Nielsen PPM? markets. The survey period for RADAR 119 covers September 13, 2012, to September 11, 2013.

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At Forecast, Hear From Radio's Front-Line Advocates

10/24/13

The NAB and the RAB are the industry's leading trade associations, and they work hard to keep the industry positive about the future. That's important -- but it's just a small part of what they do. These groups are far more than just industry cheerleaders, and at Radio Ink's Forecast 2014, set for November 20, 2013 in New York, Entercom Communications CEO David Field will host a frank conversation with NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith and RAB President/CEO Erica Farber.

What will these top executives have to say about the real issues they see facing radio going into 2014? What will be the organizations' top priorities next year -- and what's on their radar? This is a rare chance to hear a candid (no reporters allowed) conversation between a leading radio CEO (and Forecast co-chair) and the heads of the trade organizations that represent and support the industry -- and it's only at Forecast.

David Field is president and CEO of Philadelphia-based Entercom Communications, one of the country's largest radio broadcasting companies and a member of the New York Stock Exchange. Before becoming Entercom's president in 1998, he served in a number of positions with the company, including COO and CFO. Before joining Entercom, Field was an investment banker at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York. Field serves on the boards of Entercom, the NAB, the RAB, and the Wilderness Society. He served as chairman of the Radio Board of the NAB from 2005-2007.

As president and CEO of the RAB, Erica Farber leads radio?s advocacy efforts by helping to drive business, grow advertising revenue, and communicate radio?s digital transition. Farber joined the organization in January 2012 as executive vice president, responsible for membership, services, and professional development.  Before that she was the CEO of  radio consulting and Internet service provider the Farber Connection LLC, a firm she founded in 2010. During her 15-year tenure at Radio & Records, Farber held various positions including COO, President, Publisher, and CEO. She has held nearly every position in radio sales and management, including rising through the ranks at the Interep Companies to servie as EVP/radio development director. Farber currently serves as chair of the Radio Creative Fund and is on the boards of the Ad Council, Arbitron, Broadcasters Foundation of America, and the Library of American Broadcasting.

Gordon Smith joined the NAB as president and CEO in November 2009. Before joining the NAB, he served as a two-term U.S. senator from Oregon and later as senior adviser in the Washington, DC, offices of Covington & Burling LLP. During his tenure in the Senate, Smith?s committee assignments included the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which oversees all broadcast-related legislation. His role on the Commerce Committee and as chairman of a Senate High Tech Task Force helped foster his interest in new media and new technology issues. Before his election to the U.S. Senate in 1996, he was elected to the Oregon State Senate, rising to the position of president of that body after only three years. Smith is an attorney who practiced law in New Mexico and Arizona before returning to Arizona to direct the family-owned Smith Frozen Foods business.

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Live & Local – Radio's Mantra (Again?)

9-27-13
(by Dana Hall) According to CBS Radio President/CEO Dan Mason, that?s the direction he sees terrestrial radio moving towards, once again. Mason appeared on the panel, ?the State of the Industry,? at this morning?s Audio Industry Summit in New York. Emmis' Pat Walsh agreed, citing that competitively, ?radio can elevate brands through being local,? and adding that being local matters to agencies. 

Galaxy Communications? President/CEO Ed Levin notes that while companies like his own are going the live and local route, there are still two distinct radio business models. ?The two C?s (Clear Channel and Cumulus), clearly take the opposite approach ? and when you have two companies that are so prominent, in so many markets, with a different perspective, that becomes a commonly held perception about radio as a whole.

(9/29/2013 9:42:42 AM)
"Live and Local" is not a process that anybody is doing really well. Nor is it a switch that can be thrown. Station owners in every sized market run the risk of frustrating, boring, insulting and otherwise pissing off more audience and advertisers by attempting an amateurish rendition of "L&L" than if they were doing McRadio.
(9/28/2013 1:49:45 PM)
Small and medium market stations. Keep doing what you do good. Live, local, and community.
(9/27/2013 9:59:22 PM)
When you overpay for properties, you leave yourself only one choice to pay the bills...eliminate staff. For the "Live and Local" claims, it's not something new. It's what happens at the lower levels of radio. Just where are you going to find the talent at the upper levels of radio after you've eliminated and burned bridges with former employees? Hire some more newspaper people? Sad days for radio...
(9/27/2013 9:58:12 PM)
The column is right...live and local made radio! But the column is correct about Cumulus and Clear Channel...Dickey and Pittman think they can voice track, use cheap syndication... anything but investing in top local talent.
(9/27/2013 7:32:52 PM)
Wow, live and local! What a concept! (Again) So after beating the brand into the ground the way to make it grow again is by watering it with live personalities and local content. I would have never thought of that. I'm really glad those guys are in charge of such important properties. The bankers who call the shots must be happy with their leadership. Now, think about community responsibility.

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(RADIO'S STORY) The World-Changing Power Of Radio

9-16-2013

I have never understood why, when we talk about radio, we rarely mention the changes in the world affected by the use of radio? Whether it be the Berlin Wall, Apartheid, Communism, Cuba, or a myriad of other world changing events, it was radio that made the difference. We know that the world is a different place today because of the Internet and television, but we may forget about the great changes due to the use of radio.

In the early 1980s, when I worked for McCann Erickson, I was asked to host a group of dignitaries from South Africa who wanted to study commercial radio in America. I was asked to arrange meetings with representatives from a cosmopolitan radio station, a rural radio station, and a political radio station. In the early 80s there were no political stations, only talk radio; and at that time Americans weren?t quite as angry as they have been recently.

I was torn emotionally by this request, as I was not a supporter of Apartheid and was not inclined to help people who promoted a political agenda to which I was deeply opposed. But, as a professional we are not given the choice of imposing our own views on the work we are asked to perform. I sat uncharacteristically still in the meetings, and never spoke or did anything except make the introductions and thanked everyone for their time.

As I listened to these men speak, it became apparent what their mission was. Radio was playing havoc with Apartheid and was changing a world thousands of miles away for the better.

Radio stations were popping up all over the borders of South Africa, radio stations that were sending messages to the people, messages that said ?you can be free,? ?you don?t have to be in a corral at 8 at night,? and ?you have rights.? I listened intently as I heard these men describe the competitive position their ?state-run? radio stations were facing for the first time in their recent history. They came to America to learn how to run their radio stations in a competitive environment. I was listening to history in the making, our world was changing and it was changing for the better; and it was all because of radio. Radio, a simple piece of equipment to build, a piece of equipment so many in our industry built as teenagers in order to play "disc jockey" and play rock and roll music. But, this piece of equipment, the radio, was making the difference in people?s lives and changing the world in front of my eyes.

So, why don?t we tell this story when we talk about radio? Why don?t we tell the world ?Radio makes a difference?? Why don?t we show the advertisers the effect radio has on the listener? We need to tell the story of Apartheid, Communism, the Berlin Wall, and the important world-changing events that were implemented, affected, or altered significantly by radio and radio?s ability to put communication in the hands of the common man.

I am proud to be in the business of radio, it makes a difference and in a good way. Let?s start telling the true story people need to hear, the world is a better place because of radio.

Lisa Miller is the President of Miller Broadcast Management in Chicago. She's also one of Radio Ink's Most Influential Women in Radio. Miller can be reached at Lisa@millerbroadcast.com or 312-454-1111.

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Who is Radio's New Storyteller?

9-3-13

For years now we've heard radio's most powerful executives say radio needs to tell a better story, including Clear Channel's Bob Pittman. Yesterday, the company hired Mark Rosenthal (pictured) as the person to go out and pitch radio's product. Rosenthal comes into the radio industry from cable where he was part of the original team that created MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1 and Comedy Central. As CEO of the Katz Media Group he'll report directly to CCM+E CEO John Hogan and focus on bringing additional revenue into the radio sector. Hogan said, ?Radio is a powerful national marketing platform. Our goal is to continue to tell the success story of radio?s massive reach. Mark joining the team signifies a very exciting step forward in our intensified effort to drive substantial growth for Katz clients by providing the most innovative media solutions available.? Radio Ink spoke to Rosenthal yesterday about his role as radio's new storyteller. Heres what he had to say.

RI: Why did you decide to leave where you were?
Rosenthal: The opportunity to join KRG is just huge. It's a phenomenal company. It's already a phenomenal company. But, I think there is a big opportunity to take the company to the next level by focusing on advocacy for all radio and helping some really good people lead the charge to bring additional money to the radio sector. There's few opportunities in life where you can do that with as clear a mandate. It's very exciting.

RI: Your role will kind of be an advocate for the entire industry, and I am guessing you will go out to advertisers? Can you kind of tell us what your vision of that will be?
Rosenthal: I think it's going to be crafted more specifically over the coming weeks and months. Katz is a great company, and it runs extremely well. It is a very talented group of people that are running the company. It's not like there is anything broken, but it is about how you take that company, that really great company, to the next level. Radio has a great story to tell. I want to take the opportunity to tell that story maybe across a bigger platform, in ways that it hasn't been told.

RI: As an outsider, it's rare that the radio industry gets an outsider that comes in. What has been your perception of radio from the outside?
Rosenthal: I think radio is enormously powerful. I know that when I was at MTV Networks or Current TV, radio was always the preferred partner to tell our story, because of everything that radio represents and everything that radio can do with its enormous reach and its enormous power to be pinpointed locally when necessary. I often looked for opportunities to get more and more involved with radio. This is an exceptional one.

RI: One of the things a lot of radio executives have said is that radio needs to tell a better story to bring more money to radio. Are we going to be able to do that?
Mark: I don't see why not. Look, I think the opportunity is enormous. The dollars are out there. If you can show an advertiser how to accomplish their results, maybe even accomplish better results at a price point that may be less than what they are currently spending on television, I think that is a message that will be well received.

RI: What can other managers or radio executives do to help?
Rosenthal: I'm sure that I'm going to need a lot of help. I think the industry rowing together is obviously going to help tell this story in a bigger way than any one group might be able to do individually. I'm going to be looking for help and guidance and success stories and everything in between so that we all focus on the prize, which is, really, bringing more money into radio.

RI: What is your perception of how the economy is really doing?
Mark: I would rather not opine on that on day one. I think there are people that are far better suited to do that.

(9/4/2013 11:24:00 PM)
In my excitement, I banged a key twice. Sorry.
Now, lemme unnerstand this: A guy with incredibly successful media experiences goes in to run a radio operation. An open mind and strong character can go a very long way.

This could get very interesting.

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Radio's Top Ten Advertisers in Q2

8-19-13

According to the Radio Advertising Bureau, the cell-phone war has been very good for radio.  The Communications/Cellular category increased Spot spending by over ? versus Q2 ?12. AT&T came in as radio's number one advertiser in Q2, increasing its spend over 2012 by 61%. T-Mobile was third up 67%, Verizon was fifth up 16% and Sprint was radio's 8th biggest spender in the quarter up 153%. Here is the list of radio's top ten advertisers in Q2, compared to what they spent in Q2 of 2012.

1) AT&T - up 61%
2) Comcast XFinity - up 8%
3) T-Mobile - up 67%
4) McDonald's - down 8%
5) Verizon Wireless - up 16%
6) PepsiCo - down 12%
7) Safeway - down 4%
8) Sprint - up 153%
9) Walmart - up 40%
10) GEICO - up 16%

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Who Are Radio's Rising Stars?

7-17-13

For the second consecutive year Radio Ink will be spotlighting the future stars of radio. Do you have an Account Executive, Sales Manager, General Manager, Program Director, Engineer, DJ or Talk Show Host working at your station, under 40 years of age, that you believe will be one of Radio's next great leaders? Send details to edryantheeditor@gmail.com. Radio's Rising Stars will be recognized in the August 19 issue of Radio Ink Magazine.

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Pittman Tops Radio's Power List Again

7-16-13

He's never held any other position on our list of Most Powerful People in Radio. For the third consecutive year, Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman has been named the Most Powerful Person in Radio. Not only is Bob Pittman leading America?s largest radio company, he is radio?s self appointed evangelist. Radio Ink Publisher Eric Rhoads says, "Bob Pittman is transforming Clear Channel and as a result, impacting all of radio. His influence ripples throughout the industry with every new innovation and decision." Pittman knows how to build enthusiasm and followers for his compelling message about radio. His pitch and his commanding personality have made him the master of communicating radio?s ?Gospel according to Pittman.? The most anticipated issue of Radio Ink Magazine, identifying the 40 Most Powerful People in Radio, is now making its way across the country to subscribers. Here is some of our interview with the person who wields much of that power.

Glassnote Records CEO Daniel Glass says of his friend Bob Pittman, ?I think he?s a leader. I think he sets the tone. He?s exciting, progressive. If you look at what he does with his events and the excitement of them, I think he is a lightning rod for attention, because he loves it. I think he really loves radio, deep down. He loves local radio and he loves national radio. I think what he set out to do a few years ago, when he came back to Clear Channel, was to make it friendly, to make it cool, make it progressive, give it a zip, build those bridges again ? as evidenced by, twice a year, we are invited into an open forum as an independent label to play our music in front of everyone, and they bring programmers in from all over the country. He was a broadcaster; he was a radio guy. I think he really respects DJs. When he walks in to work, people in the radio business know he?s one of them. He gives his people a lot of freedom, a lot of leeway. I am also very impressed with the team he has assembled. There is no doubt that he?s the guy.?

Pittman's advice to everyone in the industry, would be to recognize how important radio is. "We take our success for granted. TV is America?s hobby, and people treat those programs like they do their hobby. But radio is America?s companion. I think that it is a much more powerful medium. It may not be something that people consciously think of, like they do the new Game of Thrones episode, or who was slaughtered this week on Game of Thrones, but if you stop and figure out what you did today, and what you interacted with, radio is at the absolute epicenter of what we do and who we are. If we would, for one second, just pause and realize how important we are to the consumer, and therefore how important we are to advertisers, that would probably cause us, first, to feel better about programming radio. We would be a lot more excited about what we are doing every day. And second, it would also probably cause us to be confident in selling it to advertisers, because we would be certain that we are offering them a valuable service that they don?t have if they are not using radio,
or not using enough radio.

Though anyone leading Clear Channel will be subject to criticism, Pittman has been changing the dynamic for the debt-saddled company, and for all of radio, by personally opening doors and meeting with CEOs from America?s top brands. Others may not get their calls returned, but when Pittman calls, meetings happen.  and he knows he can?t grow Clear Channel without growing the radio industry as a whole. So radio has become his topic, from that bully pulpit atop radio?s biggest player. Some even see him as the industry?s savior.

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Home Depot Still Radio's Champ

7-2-13

Home Depot maintained the top spot as radio's number one advertiser according to Media Monitors, the company that tracks how many spots play on the radio every week. Last week, The Home Depot aired 60,812 commercials on the radio across the country. A distant second was iHeartRadio with 38,000, although those were probably trade. McDonalds aired 28,900 spots and came in third, while Midas (25,561) and State Farm (21,958) round out the top 10.

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