Comrex

KM Strip

Michael Berry

Courtside

Malzberg

Sean Hannity

Dave Ramsey

Tag: "EntreLeadership"

Friday, May 10, 2013

| May 10, 2013

cclogoClear Channel Study Shows Radio’s ‘Reach and Appeal Remain Strong.’  Those are the words of Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman about the results of the Latitude Research- and OpenMind Strategy-conducted study called the “State of Listening in America.”  Pittman says of the study, “This research confirms that radio’s reach and appeal remain strong regardless of the platform, geography, ethnicity, or age group.  American listeners – particularly younger generations – feel a strong connection to their favorite on-air radio personalities – which is made stronger by social media – in a way that isn’t replicated by other media.”  Clear Channel calls the study “the first comprehensive audio analysis that addresses the various ways people are listening today and also clearly demonstrates that the growing prevalence of mobile devices coupled with easy access to streaming apps have made radio more relevant to users.”  Some of the key findings include:  92% of all respondents listen to radio at least once a week; 69% agree “streaming services do not replace radio.”; 80% say radio is helpful in discovering new artists or songs; 82% say the first thing they do when they get in a car is turn on the radio; 66% agree that their favorite radio stations reflect who they are as a person; 78% agree that radio has the power to make a difference in the community;  and 72% believe radio is more community-oriented than TV; 85% say radio is more accessible than at any time before and 78 percent say they can access radio anywhere; Radio advertising is viewed more positively than ads on TV, internet and mobile apps; 72% believe that radio feels more “human” than the internet and 65 percent believe it is more “personal” than TV; and 71% say radio is a part of their daily routine.

mckayjeffInteresting and Useful Fact:  News/Talk Radio and Country Music Radio Share Significant Segments of their Audiences.  Two different radio formats: One plays music by artists such as Johnny Cash, Carrie Underwood and Florida-Georgia Line.  The other has voices such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Stephanie Miller.  Ironically, both the country music format that does not talk politics and the news/talk format that plays no music each have something in common – they cater largely to the same audience!  Leading country radio consultant Jaye Albright calls country radio and talk radio the “universal donor” formats.  In an article posted on May 8, TALKERS special features correspondent Jeff McKay talks to players in the field, cites research and provides an interesting overview of this phenomenon.  To read the entire piece, click here.

ramseyentreleadershipSpecial Dave Ramsey Program to Air as Part of EntreLeadership Master Series.  On today’s Dave Ramsey nationally syndicated program (live 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET), Ramsey will broadcast from Financial Peace Plaza as part of this week’s EntreLeadership Master Series.  This special broadcast will focus on leadership and business questions from callers, e-mails and event attendees.  Ramsey has been presenting this series at his offices in Nashville all this week and today’s broadcast is the culmination of that.  Ramsey’s company explains the EntreLeadership series this way: “EntreLeadership combines the innovative spirit of an entrepreneur with the passion and drive of a leader.  This philosophy is how Ramsey has grown his highly successful company and trained his leadership team since day one.  At EntreLeadership Master Series, Ramsey condenses 20 years of business and leadership wisdom into a seven-day event.  Business owners and leaders who attend walk away with practical ideas that can improve their communication, organization, team culture, finances, negotiating and selling skills, marketing, advertising, and ability to make tough decisions.”

raytomLighting Up the Stick (and Painting it Too).  Once again noted radio engineering genius, consultant and TALKERS technical editor Tom Ray comes through with a priceless column in non-geek terms that is must-reading for today’s beleaguered, multi-tasking station managers who need to know what’s happening in terms of gear - and should be kept in a special in-house (or computer) file as a valuable resource.  In a new article posted today (5/10) Ray explains exactly how VITALLY important it is to keep your station tower(s) up to code in terms of painting and lighting and EXACTLY (down to the specific color of the paint) how to do it.  Plain, simple and to-the-point.  If you work at a station, download this article and make sure whoever is responsible for the place has access to it because in today’s stressed out environment, a lot of this stuff is falling through the cracks!  To read Tom Ray’s entire piece, click here.

wfangiantsCBS Radio’s WFAN-AM/FM, New York Extends Giants Broadcasts Deal.  Sports talk WFAN-AM/FM, New York extends the 15-year relationship between the station and the NFL’s New York Giants with a multi-year deal for the stations to serve as the flagship station for all the team’s games.  The new contract also includes special programming including: A weekly 30-minute Giants-themed segment as part of the station’s Monday Night Football coverage; Giants Power Lunch – the new one-hour live program will be broadcast one Tuesday a month during the regular season from the Giants Training Facility in East Rutherford, N.J. within the “Benigno and Roberts” show; Exclusive weekly player interviews with Eli Manning and other Giants player(s) to be named prior to the start of the 2013 season; and an expansive schedule of weekly and daily updates and vignettes will be executed across several different programs on WFAN from trusted experts and station personalities.

crnlogoCRN Digital Talk Radio Offers Four New Shows.  Sunland, California-based CRN Digital Talk Radio announces four new programs added to its lineup.  They include:  Anthony Dias Blue’s consumer-oriented food, wine, and travel-oriented show “The Blue Lifestyle” that airs Tuesdays at 9:00 pm ET; “The Wise Guys Sit-down Hour” stars controversial former police officer Albert DeRobbio and East Coast-based businessman Nicky Barrilla and airs Saturdays at 3:00 pm ET.  The network says the two “respect, honesty, and integrity – traits on which they feel the world could use a little refresher.  They are real-life, old-fashioned gentlemen who’ve lead double-lives.  They come from two different neighborhoods – and two different families (if you catch their drift).  They are rough around the edges – but always gentlemen.  They’re street smarts experts – and aficionados of life.”; Tommy Hunter’s “The Edge at Night” fuses talk and music.  Stars ranging from alternative Christian rockers to mainstream celebrities merge Saturday nights at 10:00 pm ET.  His first guest this Saturday is Brian “Head” Welch from the heavy metal band KORN; and “The Steve Sanchez Show” stars entrepreneur, pastor, and author Steve Sanchez who tackles “the areas of finance, cultural issues and politics…all from a cutting edge, Christian perspective.”  CRN Digital president and CEO Mike Horn states, “We’re proud to offer our listeners an even greater selection of entertainment, news, politics, sports, and even music.  Food, wine, and travel fans will love Anthony’s show.  The Wise Guys instill lessons and tell jaw-dropping stories that everyone will find fascinating.  Tommy and Steve bring compelling content to the faith-based market – a huge demographic – two fantastic shows that are very different from each other.”

radiomercuryawards2013 Radio Mercury Awards Finalists Announced.  The finalists for the 2013 Radio Mercury Awards have been announced and 114 radio spots and campaigns have made it to the last round.  The Radio Mercury Awards honor outstanding radio created by advertising agencies, production companies, radio stations and students.  Entries are judged on their creativity, originality and effective communication of a brand’s message.  The 2013 finalists incorporate a wide range of small to large advertising agencies and radio stations alike, as well as national and regional advertisers from the automotive, consumer packaged goods, beer, entertainment, fast food, financial services, insurance, telecommunications and retail categories.  Radio Advertising Bureau CEO Erica Farber states, “We continue to see marketers and advertisers leverage radio in unique ways.  I’m really encouraged by the level of agency finalists and radio station finalists as well.  This is a great example of the overall breadth and scope of radio; it continues to be an effective and strategic medium to build brand awareness and purchase intent, no matter the advertiser or marketer.”  You can see the finalists here.

brownejoyTALKERS Weekly Affiliate Roundup.  Radio America announces the Dr. Joy Browne program picks up new affiliates WWRL, New York; WSNO, Montpelier-Barre-St. Johnsbury, Vermont; KHGG, Ft. Smith, Arkansas; WNIX, Greenville, Mississippi; KWBW, Hutchinson, Kansas; WIMS, Michigan City, Indiana; WFEB, Sylacauga, Alabama; and KVPI, Ville Platte, Louisiana…..Talk Media Network reports “Frontlines of Freedom” and “Fat Guys At The Movies” add KBRF, Fergus Falls, Minnesota; “Financial Fitness Show” picks up new affiliates WJML, Petoskey, Michigan and WJNL, Traverse City, Michigan; and “USA Financial Headquarters” adds affiliates WJML, Petoskey; WJNL, Traverse City; KSGF-AM/FM, Springfield, Missouri; and WJET, Erie…..“Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk” is added to the program schedules at: WTCM, Traverse City; KWBY, Ranger, Texas; KRZR, Visalia, California; KBXD, Dallas; KBND, Bend, Oregon; and WCAP, Lowell, Massachusetts.

Benghazi Attack Testimony Top News/Talk Story for Week of May 6-10.  The testimony before congress this week regarding the deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio, landing atop the Talkers TenTM.  Following at #2 this week was the Cleveland captives case.  At #3 was the immigration amnesty issue followed by Mark Sanford winning the open South Carolina House seat at #4.  The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS.  View this week’s entire chart here.

Monday, September 24, 2012

| September 24, 2012

Phoenix Programmer Neil Larrimore Joins Speaker Roster at LA New Media Seminar.  Sellout Expected by Wednesday.  The lineup of outstanding industry speakers scheduled for the forthcoming West Coast installment of the TALKERS New Media Seminar continues to grow as Phoenix broadcaster Neil Larrimore, PD of NewsTalk 550 KFYI and XTRA Sports 910 KGME joins the roster.  The total number of speakers for the power-packed, one-day event has now surpassed 50.  Seminar organizers state that it will be completely sold out by the end of business on Wednesday – perhaps sooner.  According to TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey, “The venue is intimate and even kind of funky, making for a very relaxed and informal environment – conducive to the kind of communicative and networking environment we hope to achieve.  The problem, however, is that unlike industry events that are held in convention centers and big hotels, we are working with a finite amount of seating and space which we are obligated by city regulations not to exceed.”  TALKERS New Media Seminar LA is scheduled for Thursday, October 11 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm in association with the Los Angeles Press Club at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood.  Because it is open only to working media, there is no online registration — only by telephone.  For registration and sponsorship information call 413-565-5413.  A detailed up-to-the-minute agenda will be posted here tomorrow.

Greater Media to Sell WPEN-AM, Philadelphia to Harold Camping’s Family Stations.  The simulcast of Greater Media’s sports talk WPEN-AM/FM will continue until the deal is complete but Greater Media clearly sees no need to have its “97.5 The Fanatic” heard on both the AM and FM bands.  The sale price for the Philadelphia-licensed outlet has not been made public yet.  In a statement, Greater Media’s Philadelphia vice president and market manager John Fullam says “Greater Media looks forward to focusing on the growth of ‘97.5 The Fanatic,’ the best sports talk station serving the market and the new home to Sixers and Flyers play by play.”

John Gehron to Leave Merlin Media.  As reported by Time Out Chicago’s Robet Feder, radio management and programming pro John Gehron  — who serves as the chairman of the advisory board of Merlin Media – will step down from that role at the end of this month.  Gehron, who also serves as COO of AccuRadio, tells Feder, “It was a fascinating experience.  I worked with some wonderful people.”

WGN, Chicago Moves Dean Richards to Sunday AM Slot.  With Tribune columnist and WGN talk host Rick Kogan leaving his radio show to take the PM drive slot at Chicago Public Radio’s WBEZ, WGN program director Bill White announces the station is moving Dean Richards’ Sunday program into the early morning slot held by Kogan’s “The Sunday Papers” program.  “Dean Richards’ Sunday Morning” will air from 6:30 to 11:00 on Sundays beginning October 7.  White states, “Dean’s show has been a staple on Sunday mornings since 1994, and this new timeslot will give him an earlier start — avoiding sports broadcast pre-emptions — while still airing during part of his longtime timeslot.  As a Chicago native, Dean truly embodies the WGN hometown quality and we’re excited to expand the show.”  Addressing Kogan’s new role on WBEZ, White says, “Rick is a true Chicago legend and has been a mainstay on WGN for the past 13 years. We expect him to have a great experience in his new endeavor, but the door is open for future projects down the road at WGN.”

Three Steps to Digital Power.  Digital media consultant Chris Miller says that part of radio’s beauty is that it is the original targeted medium and radio brands can use their digital components to even further capitalize on the value of radio’s targeted nature.  Miller states, “Having digital inventory to sell on our streams and websites only makes us a stronger business partner for clients who want to hyper-focus their message.”  But Miller believes there are three steps stations should follow to effectively work the digital medium: build for it, commit to it, and train for it.  Read Miller’s entire piece here.

Dave Ramsey’s EntreLeadership 1 Day Event Simulcast to 200-Plus Locations.  Nationally syndicated financial talk radio star Dave Ramsey presented his EntreLeadership 1 Day Event live from the People’s Church in Franklin, Tennessee last week.  The program included author Jon Acuff and speaker Chris LoCurto, speaking about how to run a business using the same common-sense principles that Ramsey practices in his own company of more than 300 employees.  This particular presentation was also simulcast to more than 200 additional locations across the country.  The Dave Ramsey show reports that flagship station WWTN, Nashville “SuperTalk 99.7 WTN” reaped big benefits.  Station GSM Timothy Meagher states, “It’s a win for our clients by providing an excellent business-to-business marketing opportunity at the event; it’s a win for our listeners by providing a great way to learn and be educated on sound financial principals from Dave and his team; and it’s a win for ‘Super Talk 99.7’ by providing a solid branding opportunity in the market for our community of listeners and station brand.”

Alex Cohen Replaces Madeleine Brand on SCPR Talk Show.  Southern California Public Radio announces personality Madeleine Brand exits the 9:00 am to 11:00 am talk shot she co-hosted with A Martinez to pursue other professional endeavors.  Her spot on the show will be filled by Alex Cohen who has been serving as KPCC, Pasadena’s anchor for the afternoon block that includes “All Things Considered” and “Marketplace.”  Vice president of content Russ Stanton says, “We are very fortunate to have in Alex a co-host with the combination of news judgment, experience and a lively, energetic on-air presence.  She has a range of experience in public broadcasting and journalism that few can match; she is smart, tenacious and insightful.”

Pasta Promotion.  The 29th Newsradio 1020 KDKA Spaghetti Breakfast was held on Friday, September 21 in downtown Pittsburgh.  Thousands of Pittsburghers stopped by the annual hosted by the CBS Radio station event to feast on spaghetti before continuing on to work.  Pictured here at the serving line are (from l-r): KDKA personality Vinnie Richichi, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Ernie Ricci and KDKA talk show host Mike Pintek.