Tag: "Greg Clugston"

Thursday, January 19, 2017

RTDNA and Journalism Coalition Seek Pow-Wow with Trump and Pence on Transparency.  In an effort to discuss journalistic access to the Trump Administration and the U.S. Government, the RTDNA and 60 other journalism organizations are requesting a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence.  The RTDNA is announcing the coalition sent a letter on Wednesday (1/18) to Trump and Pence, asking for a meeting or conference call.  Among the issues the coalition wished to discuss are: the ability of reporters to directly interact with government employees who are subject matter experts, rather than interacting with Public Information Officers (or having all conversations monitored by Public Information Officers); access to the activities of the president; and ensuring that the Federal Freedom of Information Act remains as strong as possible.  RTDNA executive director Mike Cavender states, “This is an unprecedented time for the American media and, as a consequence, for the American public.  It is imperative that the incoming administration understand the importance of transparency in government and the cooperative spirit needed in working with the journalists who cover it.  Only then will Americans be fully and fairly informed about the important decisions being made on their behalf.”  Interestingly, this issue isn’t just about the incoming Trump Administration.  Several similar letters were sent to the Obama Administration, beginning in 2013, regarding concerns about White House restrictions on photographers, transparency and public information officer restrictions.  Three such letters were sent in 2013 and 2014.  The Obama Administration’s reply in August of 2014 was deemed unsatisfactory by the journalism organizations.  RTDNA provides a white paper and other articles on the matter for further background.  Wednesday’s letter also issues the following requests: “We urge you to publicly affirm your commitment to transparency, to issue an executive order prohibiting the restrictive public information policies that have been the status quo, and to engage in a public discussion with us about the Trump Administration’s commitment to the free flow of information from the White House and all federal government, to the American people.”

Mayfield Promoted at Ramsey Media.  Talk radio superstar Dave Ramsey announces some news from his organization.  Eight-year staffer Brian Mayfield – most recently vice president of Ramsey Media – is promoted to senior vice president for the company.  Ramsey Media states that Mayfield will “continue to lead the media department while taking on additional company-wide responsibilities as part of the Ramsey Solutions Senior Leadership Team.  He will continue to report to Suzanne Simms, EVP of the business to consumer division.  Ramsey Media includes all aspects of the Dave Ramsey show – currently heard on more than 575 radio stations and a variety of digital outlets – and other broadcast initiatives of Ramsey Solutions.

Trump Inauguration, Last Days of Obama Presidency, Cabinet Nominees Confirmation Hearings, Obama’s Chelsea Manning Commutation, Report of Earth’s Hottest Year, GOP ObamaCare Plans, NFL-Lady Gaga Flap/NFL Playoffs Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (1/18). Friday’s inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump, the Democrats planning to skip the event, and the planned protests; President Obama’s final press conference; the confirmation hearings of Trump cabinet nominees Betsy DeVos and Tom Price; controversy over Obama’s commutation of Chelsea Manning for leaking classified documents to Wikileaks; the report that the planet’s mean temperature was the highest it’s been for the third year in a row; the status of the Affordable Care Act as the GOP plans to revamp the health care law; and the flap over whether the NFL is muzzling Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl halftime performance, tied with the NFL playoffs were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Odds & Sods.  On this weekend’s edition of “Legends of Success with John Resnick,” one of the top entertainment lawyers in America appears on the program.  John Branca – who’s represented some of the most successful musical acts in history, including: Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Carlos Santana, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, John Fogerty, and The Doors – talks about his rocky road to success and the many crazy situations he encountered.  He relates that his success has been, in part, because he has been an authority figure to his clients, choosing not to socialize or party with them.  The interview airs this weekend (1/22-23) and will be posted online on Monday…..Tomorrow’s presidential inauguration will be covered for its radio affiliates by FOX News Radio.  Jared Halpern and Laura Ingle will co-anchor the main event, with correspondents reporting live from multiple locations in Washington DC…..Salem Radio Network News is also covering the inauguration tomorrow, beginning with a stand-alone, two-hour special titled, “SRN Inauguration Day 2017.”  The special will be anchored live from the steps of the U.S. Capitol by SRN News White House correspondent Greg Clugston and SRN U.S. Senate correspondent Linda Kenyon.  SRN News U.S. House correspondent Wally Hindes and SRN News Washington bureau chief Ken Lormand will also participate from inside the Capitol building…..AdLarge Media has entered into an exclusive ad sales agreement to represent the podcast “Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine,” a weekly celebrity interview podcast hosted by the stage and screen actress…..KHTE-FM, Little Rock “96.5 FM The Answer” afternoon drive host Dave Elswick (left) is pictured here interviewing Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchison (right) during Elswick’s recent three-day broadcast from the state Capitol.

Radio Row at SHOT Show in Las Vegas.  This week in Las Vegas, hunters and shooting enthusiasts are converging on the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades Show, a.k.a. the SHOT Show, presented by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.  The radio row at the event is hosting such talk radio personalities as Mike Gallagher, Lars Larson, Ben Ferguson and others.  Pictured above is Tim Kennedy (right), host of the History Channel hit “Hunting Hitler” speaking with “The Dana Show” host Dana Loesch.

 

 

‘Q100’ Atlanta Moves Adam Bomb to Afternoons.  On-air pro Adam Bomb has been holding down the evening show at Cumulus Media’s CHR WWWQ, Atlanta “Q100” in addition to his Westwood One syndicated, eponymous program.  Now, he moves to the live afternoon drive slot on “Q100,” and that leaves an opening for a hot talent to take over the evening daypart.  Reach out to program director Louie Diaz if you’re interested.  Meanwhile, Diaz says, “Adam’s local involvement with Atlanta schools and his popularity with ‘Q100’ listeners at night made him the perfect choice to drive Atlanta home every afternoon… We have a lot of great stuff in mind for afternoons on ‘Q100,’ so get ready to be entertained!”  He’ll continue to host the syndicated program.

Kramer to Host Mornings on ‘BIG 94.9’ Little Rock.  Little Rock native Doug Kramer comes home to join iHeartMedia’s classic hits KHKN “BIG 94.9” to host the morning show.  The station says ‘The BIG Fun Morning Show With Kramer’ launches on Monday, January 23.  Kramer says, “It is a dream come true to move home to Little Rock to be a morning personality on ‘BIG 94.9’ and raise my family.  I can’t wait to start working with the iHeartMedia Little Rock team and get involved in my home town’s community efforts.”  Previously, Kramer worked down the road at U.S. Stations-owned CHR KLAZ, Hot Springs.

More Music Radio News and Career Moves.  At Cox Media Group’s classic hits WSRV, Atlanta “97.1 The River,” Debra Green rises from weekend talent to host of the 7:00 pm to 12:00 midnight show.  WSRV director of branding and programming Chris Eagan says, “Deb is a great addition to our weekday lineup.  Her fresh sound and great content make her the perfect fit for ‘The River’ at night.  I’m proud of how hard she worked to get here!”…..In Anchorage, Alaska, Alexx Dupri moves from the afternoon show to AM drive alongside Mike LaJoie to co-host the “Alexx & Mike AM Takeover” at Ohana Media Group’s rhythmic CHR KFAT.

Legendary Sales Consultant Irwin Pollack Passes.  After a battle with cancer, renowned radio sales consultant Irwin Pollack died yesterday (1/18).  His widow posted the following message on Pollack’s Facebook page.  “Irwin, my amazing husband, incredible father and so much more to so many more has moved on to whatever challenge awaits him after this life.  Thank you all for your kind words and love.  A true gift from God to our family even if just for a short time. Thank you for sharing your stories, memories and feelings.”  Salem Radio Network VP of News & Talk Programming Tom Tradup recalls, “Over the years, I engaged Irwin to bolster our news/talk salespeople at KRLD, Dallas and at WLS, Chicago (his trademark self-confidence was his guarantee that if he didn’t enthusiastically brainstorm at least 24 revenue-generating ideas for our AEs we didn’t have to pay him for his training…we always paid. LOL!) and his 100% confidence in radio as the best-targeted and most efficient advertising medium in America was both hypnotic and contagious.”