Tag: "KXTG-AM"

Monday, January 13, 2013

Clear Channel Media + Entertainment Chairman and CEO John Hogan Retires; Position Eliminated.  In a move that comes as a surprise to many, John Hogan is retiring from Clear Channel Media + Entertainment as chairman and CEO and will take on the title of chairman emeritus.  At the same time, his position will not be filled and folks in the CCM+E division will report to CC Media Holdings chairman Bob Pittman and president and CFO Rich Bressler as Pittman announces he’s signed a five-year extension of his contract.  In a statement this morning, Pittman says, “John Hogan has made tremendous contributions to Clear Channel during his tenure – particularly during the unprecedented economic headwinds our country, our industry and our company, faced in 2008 and 2009.  He has been an excellent partner for me and for Clear Channel’s leadership as we have evolved into the only multi-platform media company with national reach and the ability to execute locally.  As my friend and partner in Clear Channel Media + Entertainment, John has been an important element in Clear Channel’s transformation into a multiplatform media company.  There is never a perfect time to make big decisions like this, but his logic was compelling and making this change at the start of a new year made sense.  We thank him for his long service and the enormous positive impact he’s had on both our company and the radio industry, and we are delighted that John will remain part of the family with his title of Clear Channel Media + Entertainment chairman emeritus.”  Hogan joined Clear Channel when Jacor – for which he was serving as senior vice president of radio – was acquired by the company in 1999.  He became president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio in 2002 and took on the chairman and CEO of CCM+E role in 2012.

WBEN, Buffalo Talk Host Tom Bauerle Is the Subject of Talk Himself After Police Visits to His Home.  From a piece published in the Buffalo News, we learn that there is concern among WBEN, Buffalo afternoon drive host Tom Bauerle’s Williamsville, New York neighbors and local police about his recent behavior that some might describe as paranoid.  Here’s the short version: the paper reports that police responded to a 911 call to Bauerle’s home last Wednesday where Bauerle complained he was under surveillance by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s operatives.  Police found Bauerle in his backyard with a loaded weapon.  He surrendered the weapon to police – who were not able to find evidence of anyone spying on Bauerle – and was also willing to surrender additional weapons in his home to his attorney.  The paper also reports that Bauerle’s neighbors held a recent meeting with the talk host after he sent them emails raising the issue of him being “watched.”  Neighbors told the paper his concerns seemed “quirky” and “made you scratch your head.”  Nonetheless, Bauerle – who was off the air last Wednesday and Thursday but returned to the air on Friday to explain his absence was due to hitting a “physical wall of exhaustion” – did agree to a voluntary psychiatric evaluation on Wednesday of last week.  No reports have been released yet and the Buffalo News received its information from neighbors and interviews with police officers who are remaining anonymous until the report is released.  No charges have been filed in connection with the incident.  Read the Buffalo News story here.

Profile: Salem Radio Network’s Mike Gallagher.  Talk radio personality Mike Gallagher has been in the business since he talked his way into a substitute position at WAVI, Dayton while a junior in high school in 1978.  Thirty-six years later and heard in syndication across the country, Gallagher tells TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian that he’s still going strong after a career that’s seen him in morning drive at WABC, New York; in business for himself running his own syndicated show; and moving on with his career after the heartbreaking loss of his wife Denise to endometrial cancer in 2008.  His philosophy about programming a talk show remains simple, “I go where my gut takes me.  You have to reflect the ‘hits,’ and in our business, the ‘hits’ mean the headlines.”  He tells TALKERS that he has always stayed on top of how his show is performing from a business perspective.  “It is self-preservation, and my secret to longevity.  I learned many years ago that ratings in our business are very volatile, and in particular, talk radio ratings can be cyclical.  We are subjected to a political season and a post-political season, so ratings go up and down.  I will always win, however, if I deliver revenue…I know where we are to the penny at any given point, and right now, I’m 7% over my January budget.  It is a tough environment, so I am very proud of that.  We are fighting and scrapping for every dollar.  I have always viewed the radio show as a business.  I learned that many years ago from Greg Anderson.”  Read Mike Kinosian’s entire profile of Mike Gallagher here.

KFBK, Sacramento FM Signal Changes.  News/talk KFBK, Sacramento’s FM simulcast had been 92.5 for much of the past two years.  But after Christmas, Clear Channel Sacramento flipped KFBK’s FM signal to 93.1 – most recently the location of classic hits KHLX.  Now we know that the company made the switch so that it could turn the better 92.5 signal into new country outlet “The New B92.5.”  The 93.1 frequency is licensed to Pollock Pines – some 40 miles west of downtown Sacramento – whereas the 92.5 signal is centered on the market and provides full-market coverage.

KXTG-AM, Portland Sports Talker Named Sportswriter of the Year.  Midday sports talk host John Canzano – heard from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm daily on Alpha Broadcasting’s KXTG-AM, Portland – is named 2013 Oregon Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and Hall of Fame.  Finalists for the award were nominated by NSSA members from mid-October to mid-November.  Final balloting took place during the month of December.   In addition to his work on KXTG-AM, Canzano writes for the Oregonian and makes regular appearances on KGW-TV.  Oregonian editor and vice president of content Peter Bhatia states, “John is a terrific columnist and reporter.  He brings something special to our city and state every day and it is great to see that recognized.”  KXTG-AM PD Bernie Bokenyi adds, “I am honored to have John as a part of our team on ‘750 The Game.’  His commitment to readers, listeners and viewers every day is unmatched.”  Canzano comments, “This market offers the most compelling news anywhere in the country.  I love working and living here and being able to bring that to readers and listeners and viewers.  We’re different than other markets — we have an ongoing dialogue.”

Long Named Co-GSM at WSB, Atlanta.  At Cox Media Group’s Atlanta Radio, Jaleigh Long is named new co-general sales manager for news/talk WSB where she’ll work alongside fellow GSM Beth Bowers.  Director of sales Walt Phillips says, “Jaleigh Long has a proven track record of leading her teams from the front.  Her focus has and will continue to be on developing talent and driving new business development initiatives.  She’s strategic in her problem solving and decision making with an extensive background in digital ad products and strategy.  Partnering with current GSM Beth Bowers only strengthens our position when it comes to coaching and leading this team into a new era at news/talk WSB.”  Long spent the last seven years as GSM for South Central Media in Evansville, Indiana.

Brandon Randazzo Named Social Media Director at Sports USA.  The executive producer of Sports USA’s “Conversations with Joe Morgan,” and podcasts “Leigh Steinberg on Sports” and “Odds Are with Jimmy Vaccaro” is upped to director of social media for the company,  Sports USA president Bob Moore says Brandon Randazzo “is a go-to guy with a vast history of getting the job done.  His background in programming, producing, promotions, and voicing radio stations tied to his skill set of social media makes him the ideal person for this position.  Brandon will front all of our social media platforms going forward.”  Randazzo comments, “Sports USA is one of the most respected names in radio.  Their relationship with a significant network of over 400 radio affiliates and massive audience will increase the exposure of our social media platforms every day.  I am excited for this opportunity to expand the Sports USA brand into social media.”

Talk Personality Brian Holland to Host Syndicated Overnight Show.  The program is called “The Graveyard Shift” and host Brian Holland is planning to self syndicate it beginning March 17.  In a statement, Holland says, “Overnights are often a forgotten daypart because everyone assumes that one show is unstoppable.  That was true a few years ago, but now, the fact of the matter is when a program isn’t challenged, it’s of course going to stay number one.  We are getting a lot of attention from stations that are either concerned with the drop in their overnight audience, or are looking for something serious and sustainable to carry in that daypart.”  Holland’s press release states the program will focus on the paranormal and what he calls “fringe topics,” but will also cover popular culture, movie news, video game news, and other topical items.  Each program will feature at least one guest for an interview, listener phone calls and emails, and a look at current affairs from all walks of life.  The show was formerly syndicated by Harris Broadcasting Network but ceased after the death of that company’s principal.

Three Broadcasters Facing Legal Action for Copyright Infringement.  Orange County California-based Mavrix Photographs LLC has filed complaints against Clear Channel, CBS Radio and Townsquare Media for copyright infringement in the United States District Court Central District of California.  Mavrix claims that the three companies all posted images it owns – specifically, images of pop star Katy Perry – to some of their stations’ websites with full knowledge that the photos did not belong to them.  As in the past, Mavrix is seeking $150,000 per illegal use per company but it is more likely that the issue will be settled out of court for less than what Mavrix seeks.  Still, the lesson for website operators is that – especially with celebrity photos – the companies that own the copyrights will seek out violators and will file complaints if they recognize their property being used without permission.

Cool Talk Radio Opportunity.  WWTN-FM, Nashville seeks full-time midday host.  This is a rare opportunity in the city The New York Times calls “it!”  Nashville is on the rise and WTN is the dominant talk station in Music City.  We are a live and local operation.  With the addition of this position the station is live and local from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm every weekday.  And “yes,” we usually beat Rush.  This is not an entry level job.  We are looking for some authentic, fresh energy – someone that is a people person and will weave themself into the fabric of the community in short order.  Expect to work social media and participate in public events.  We’re looking for someone who is a voracious consumer of news and info – someone that brings solutions with the problems, someone with a sense of hope.  You should be as good as any trial lawyer at convincing people of your position using indisputable logic to connect the dots.  You can’t ‘just’ do national-political; you have to sound like Nashville.  You must be good at sensing the mood of the community and covering a wide range of emotions.  If you are just angry, don’t bother applying.  Being a fan of and having interest in country music is a plus.  Email resume, references, optional cover letter, and un-scoped air-check to cumulusradio.jobs@cumulus.com put “WWTN-FM Nashville Host” in subject line.  Cumulus Media is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer