Tag: "Van Harden"
Monday, September 14, 2015
Ramsey Solutions Hits ‘Major Milestones’ in 2015. The Tennessee-based company Ramsey Solutions – led by media superstar Dave Ramsey – announces it has surpassed a number of milestones so far in 2015, including hurdling the $100 million revenue mark. Some of the other accomplishments include: Ramsey’s book, The Total Money Makeover, passing 5 million copies sold; the online budget tool EveryDollar acquiring 500,000 users after only five months; Ramsey Solutions having more than 500 team members, and hoping to add an additional 180 team members over the next 12 months (with more than half being in technology fields). Ramsey Solutions has been voted one of The Nashville Business Journal’s Best Places to Work eight times. This fall, Ramsey plans to close on 47 acres in Williamson County, Tennessee for a campus that, when complete, will include three 200,000 square foot office buildings and a 50,000 square foot conference center. Dave Ramsey comments, “God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams. When I started the company 23 years ago I was selling a self-published book out of the trunk of my car, trying to get a radio show off the ground and teaching our financial classes at night using an overhead projector. I never imagined five New York Times best-sellers, 500 team members and a collection of digital products. It is truly an honor to work with a world-class team and do work that matters every day.”
PPM Analysis: August MLB Flagships. TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents a report on the performances of MLB flagship stations based on data from Nielsen Audio’s August PPM survey data. In this report see charts illustrating the AQH shares of stations from July 2015 to August 2015, from August 2014 to August 2015, as well as the market ranks and how the flagships stacked up based on MLB divisions. View the entire report here.
‘Banana’ Joe Montione Named VP of Affiliate Relations for ‘Business Rockstars’; New Air Time Announced. Career radio pro “Banana” Joe Montione is named the new vice president of affiliate relations for Business Rockstars. At the same time, the company announces that the show time for the long-form “Business Rockstars” program is now 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET. The company calls itself “the largest content platform for entrepreneurs across
broadcast, mobile and social platforms,” and reports that its 60-second, daily feature is now being heard on such major and large market affiliates as WGN, Chicago; WPHT, Philadelphia; WCCO, Minneapolis; and KMOX, St. Louis. Business Rockstars Networks co-founder and chairman Steve Lehman states, “‘Business Rockstars’ continues to attract more listeners, market affiliates, and interest. Our decision to shift to the new airtime was driven by requests from current and new affiliates. The change in time will add 25 new live affiliates to the Business Rockstars affiliate lineup.” On joining Business Rockstars, Joe Montione comments, “Business Rockstars is really a hot place to be right now and this opportunity is a great coming home for me. It’s not every day that you get to work with one of your heroes again, so this reunion with Steve Lehman is exciting to me because of the incredible cutting edge entrepreneurial talk format being pioneered here at Business Rockstars, but also because Steve has been such a great mentor to me in helping to make the transition from on-air personality/programmer to network radio manager and executive.”
WTOP, Washington and CBS News Team for Podcast on Hannah Graham Case. Washington, DC all-news WTOP and CBS News’ “48 HOURS” are launching a new, five-part podcast anchored by WTOP’s Neal Augenstein that reveals the story of murdered college student Hannah Graham. “The Hannah Graham Story,” is the first-ever, five-part, show-specific podcast produced in conjunction with the premiere of a new primetime season. Graham went missing in Charlottesville, Virginia after a night out with friends. The search for her was the most exhaustive in Virginia history and after her body was found, the investigation into her death, which generated national attention, led police to cases of other unsolved attacks against young women spanning a decade. Augenstein comments, “The Hannah Graham story is so tragic, yet compelling, that it takes a news team like ‘48 HOURS’ to do it justice. It’s an honor to collaborate with them on the broadcast and podcast.”
Qerim Adds Mike & Mike Role to ESPN Duties. What was rumored over the summer comes to pass as Molly Qerim joins ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike” show as a contributor. The first hint of Qerim’s future role on the program came around the time ESPN announced Mike Greenberg’s and Mike Golic’s morning show would soon emanate from New York City instead of its Bristol, Connecticut headquarters. That move has since been nixed – or at least postponed indefinitely. But, now Qerim’s expanded role with the company is announced. Qerim rejoined ESPN in July as interim host of “First Take” (hosted by Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith on ESPN2). She’s also been named full-time moderator of that program. ESPN says that on the Mike & Mike show, she’ll “present a variety of content including news and breaking news updates. She will also focus on the hottest trending topics on the sports social scene and will host a short segment late in the show highlighting the segments coming up on that day’s ‘First Take’ program.”
WQAM, Miami PM Show Hits Vegas for Mayweather-Berto Fight. The afternoon drive “Hochman, Crowder, and Krantz” show was in Las Vegas last week leading up to the weekend Floyd Mayweather–Andre Berto fight. While broadcasting from the MGM Grand, the program hosts met Jen Welter, the first female to work as a coach for an NFL team. Welter, on site to help promote the fight, was an assistant coaching intern with the Arizona Cardinals during training camp this summer. Pictured here are (from l-r): Zach Krantz, Channing Crowder, Welter, and Marc Hochman.
Odds & Sods. Business talk outlet WAFS, Atlanta “biz 1190” announces the addition of the Eric Holtzclaw program to its daily lineup, effective September 28. The native Atlantan’s show will air beginning at 11:00 am on the Salem-owned signal. Station manager Adam Wattanbarger comments, “Eric was an entrepreneur before being an entrepreneur was cool. He’s a sought-after expert and speaker on what it takes to successfully establish, grow and nurture businesses. In short, he’s the perfect addition to biz 1190 AM.”…..The 8th Annual Imus Golf Outing will take place Thursday, September 24 at the Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, New Jersey. The Imus Ranch Foundation is donating all proceeds from this event to benefit the Tackle Kids Cancer campaign through the HackensackUMC Foundation. In addition to the proceeds from this event, the Imus Ranch Foundation will donate an additional $250,000 to the Tackle Kids Cancer campaign. Don and Deirdre Imus will present the donation check to Robert Garrett, CEO of Hackensack University Health Network, in support of this very important program…..The Boomer Esiason Foundation is announcing its second “Bike to Breathe Event: Jerry and Em’s CF Adventure Continues,” a 500-mile bike ride that begins in Bar Harbor, Maine and ends in New York City. WFAN, New York’s “Boomer & Carton” show will broadcast live from NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, the finish line for the ride, on September 24.
Cool Job Opportunity. This is a rare opening for program director of “News Radio 1040” WHO, Des Moines. After 30 years, Van Harden is passing on the program director reins to (insert your name here). However Van’s not going far; he will still be in the AM driver’s seat. “News Radio 1040 WHO” is seeking our next program director to take this multiple Marconi-winning radio station into the future. Do you have an overwhelming amount of drive for success, vision, ideas and concepts to keep “News Radio 1040 WHO” great? This station has major market pedigree. Have you done some major market things that create talk, action, emotion and drive people to your station? Then let’s talk. Minimum of 5 years of programming experience is required and nonnegotiable. Rush your vision, plan and material to Greg Chance, SVP/programming Iowa at: gregchance@iheartmedia.com. iHeartMedia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Family Sues Cox Media Group for Illegal Use of Son’s Photo. Nashville-area couple Bernard and Pamela Holland are suing Cox Media Group for WHPT, Tampa’s use of a photo of their son Adam – who has Down Syndrome – as part of the artwork for a feature called “Retarded News.” Here’s the back story: The photo of Adam Holland was taken in 2004 and posted by an art teacher – apparently legitimately – showing Adam holding up a drawing he’d made. The photo was used by WHPT and altered so the paper Adam is holding reads “Retarded News.” The Holland family learned about the image in 2012 and contacted the station. At that time, program director Michael Sharkey explained the bit was not about making fun of handicapped people but about stupid things people do. He apologized to the family and the photo’s use was discontinued. Now, the family is suing Cox, Oswego, New York-based Sign Generator (which also used the image) and a Minnesota man who’s also posted the image on his Flickr account and made derogatory comments about Adam. According to Courthouse News Service, the family “is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for invasion of privacy, misappropriation of likeness, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of the Tennessee Personal Rights Protection Act, and wants to stop the publication and distribution of the photos.” TALKERS magazine’s legal department says this is a case where it’s expected that those being sued will wish to settle. The issue of copyright is only relative to the person who took and posted the photo (the teacher or school). The issue that should concern the company is either intentional or reckless infliction of emotional distress. Harrison Strategies senior partner, attorney Matthew B. Harrison, states, “It’s going to be difficult for the station or company to claim they didn’t know what they were doing was wrong. They can’t claim it was an accident so unless they want to go to court to try to show there was no emotional distress suffered by the family, they’re going to want to settle this. It’s an example of an all-too-common practice of businesses using the multitude of images out there on the internet, a) without permission and, b) without looking ahead to some very possible consequences that could lead to legal troubles.”
CBS Radio Names Bob Socci New England Patriots Play-By-Play- Announcer. Replacing the legendary Gil Santos was going to be a tough chore for CBS Radio’s WBZ-FM, Boston “98.5 The Sports Hub” – flagship for the Patriots Radio Network. Santos retired after the 2012 season after 36 years calling Patriots football games. 
Now, the station announces that play-by-play pro Bob Socci will join color man Scott Zolak in the booth beginning this season. CBS Radio Boston vice president of programming Mike Thomas states, “Bob has more than 16 years of play-by-play experience. We were impressed with his extensive work and expertise calling various football and baseball games and he’s a local guy with great knowledge of the Patriots. No doubt, Bob has big shoes to fill, but we are excited about this new era of play-by-play with Bob and Scott.” Socci’s play-by-play experience includes coverage of the U.S. Naval Academy football team. He is also the lead announcer for CBS Sports Network‘s coverage of Patriot League college basketball.
Dave Ramsey Continues Spring Tour. Nationally syndicated money talk superstar and best-selling author Dave Ramsey continues rolling across the country producing live events. He’s pictured here with Clear Channel’s WHO, Des Moines “NewsRadio” staff that includes general sales manager Mary Grieg (2nd row on the right) and morning show host Bonnie Lucas (3rd row on the right) along with the rest of the WHO sales staff. Ramsey was in Des Moines to present his intimate “Building Your Legacy Live Event” to a sold-out crowd. The program discusses how to win with money, strengthen marriages and lead your children with confidence. His daughter, Rachel Cruze, joined Ramsey on stage. Ramsey worked with local affiliate WHO to promote the event. WHO program director Van Harden says, “At WHO Radio, we are incredibly excited about Dave Ramsey coming to Des Moines for his Living a Legacy live event. We’ve always known that Iowa is ‘Ramsey Country,’ but we found out again when we offered these tickets for sale and Dave had one of his fastest sell-outs ever. This is the kind of radio that really hits home and we’re glad to have it on WHO.” Ramsey was also in Austin this week on Tuesday where he hosted his “EntreLeadership 1 Day Event” before a record crowd at Riverbend Centre. Ramsey, along with speaker Chris Hogan, spoke to more 1,300 attendees about how to run a business using the same common sense principles that Ramsey practices in his own company of more than 300 team members. Local affiliate KJCE vice president and market manager Alan Kirshborn states, “We always look forward to welcoming Dave Ramsey and his team for an event in Austin. In Chapter 13 of EntreLeadership, Dave describes three things successful people never skip. In my opinion this event should be added to the list!”
Lee Cruse to Take Over Midday Show on WVLK-AM, Lexington. WLEX-TV, Lexington, Kentucky morning and noon newscaster Lee Cruse will become the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon talk show host on Cumulus Media’s WVLK-AM beginning May 1, replacing the retiring Sue Wylie. Cruse previously hosted a talk show at Clear Channel’s crosstown WLAP but that program ended as a result of budget cuts. Cruse tells the Lexington Herald-Leader his show will be a bit lighter than Wylie’s. “I’m looking for more light and fun. It won’t mean we won’t talk about things like Boston and other things happening here in our community, but I’m always looking for the laugh. Always.”
WJZ-FM, Baltimore Morning Host Ed Norris Hospitalized After Motorcycle Accident. Morning drive co-host Ed Norris – one half of the Norris & Davis program on CBS Radio’s sports talk “105.7 The Fan” – is still hospitalized after an accident in northern Harford County, Maryland. According to the Baltimore Sun, Norris was riding his motorcycle and swerved to avoid a truck and had to lay down his bike. The paper reports his injuries are not life threatening and one report indicates he may have a broken arm.
NFL’s 2013 Draft Draws Sports Talk Radio to NYC. The biggest off-season activity in the NFL’s yearly schedule takes place beginning tonight at Radio City Music Hall in New York and the sports radio networks are covering it in full force. Fox Sports Radio will air its first-ever, two-night draft event, sponsored by Bridgestone. Fox NFL Insider Jay Glazer will lead the first-round coverage on Thursday joined by former USC Trojan and Fox Sports Radio host Petros Papadakis and current NFL linebacker and Fox Sports Radio host Kirk Morrison. The second and third rounds of the draft will be covered by Jason Smith and Morrison. NBC Sports Radio’s Jon Stashower will broadcast his weeknight talk show from the venue tonight for the first round of the draft. The program airs from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm and will feature special guests including fellow NBC Sports Radio colleague and former New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer. And as TALKERS reported earlier in the week, ESPN Radio’s Mike Hill and Mark Schlereth will broadcast from the draft and will feature the additional analysis of ESPN’s John Clayton and Mel Kiper, Jr.
‘Coast to Coast AM’ Host George Noory Participates in Space Day. The Premiere Networks nationally syndicated talk host is pictured here at Jefferson Elementary School in Riverside, California speaking with a student during “Space Day” activities at the school. George Noory was the keynote speaker at the 15th annual Space Day event at Jefferson Elementary School sponsored by Lockheed Martin. The event drew nearly 1,600 students from four local elementary schools who spent the day learning how environmental scientists and aeronautical engineers use science and math to explore space and protect the environment. The students also experienced and participated in more than 50 hands-on activity stations with space exploration and environmental related themes. Noory presented an inspiring and engaging presentation to students on the importance of learning math, science and technology, as well as always being curious so they could become life-long learners. He challenged the youngsters — who ranged from second to sixth graders and were already well accustomed to using Facebook, Instagram and smartphone technology — to ask questions, seek answers and find their own truths.
Alliance for Women in Media Lobbies Obama Administration on FCC Chairman Issue. The Alliance for Women in Media is letting the Obama Administration know it is concerned about diversity and inclusion relative to the broadcasting industry and wants the White House to take that into consideration when it nominates a new FCC chairman to replace outgoing chairman Julius Genachowski. The organization’s president Erin Fuller says, “The Alliance for Women in Media has been encouraged by the past appointments of commissioners that share our priorities of diversity and inclusion. We eagerly await the FCC to reach full composition, and stand ready to assist in areas including research, public education and promoting the role of all forms of media in our society.” The AWM says it “strongly believes the FCC needs leaders committed to reversing the extraordinarily low representation of minorities and women in media and telecom ownership, procurement and employment, yet the representation of women and minorities remains disproportionately low in industries overseen by the FCC. These industries collectively represent one-sixth of our nation’s economy.” The letter to the White House notes that “minority and women’s participation in broadcast ownership are particularly at risk, as they continue to decline rapidly. As the nation becomes increasingly diverse, the signers of this letter encourage our president to address these issues by nominating leaders who will assign the highest priority to racial and ethnic minority and women’s participation in the nation’s most influential industries.”
Boston Marathon Bombing Aftermath, Immigration Reform, Sequester Effects/Airline Delays, Gun Control Legislation, and Bush Presidential Library Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (4/24). The ongoing post-bombing analysis and legal case surrounding Dzhokhar Tsarnaev; the debate over immigration reform; the effects of the sequester and the growing delays in airline schedules; proposals for gun control legislation and the new Bush Presidential Library were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
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