Tag: "WAPI"

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Erica Farber to Moderate Major Advertising and Sales Panel at TALKERS New York 2013.  The list of major speakers continues to grow as Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) president and CEO Erica Farber joins the roster of industry leaders that will be speaking at “TALKERS New York 2013,” the 16th annual installment of talk radio’s longest running and most important annual convention.  Farber will serve as moderator for a major panel titled, “The State of Radio Advertising,” which will feature a variety of industry sales and marketing heavyweights discussing the key issues and potential directions of radio advertising, sales and marketing.  TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “The subject of revenue generation has never been more important in the radio industry conversation than it is right now and we couldn’t think of anyone in the business more qualified to lead it than Erica Farber.  Her background and experience in sales and its vital relationship to all other elements of radio is legendary.  Since joining the RAB during the past year and ascending to its top executive position, the organization has clearly become revitalized and is vibrant with the energy of optimism, creativity, information and service – all of which bodes well to the continuing resurgence of radio as a major advertising medium with not just a glorious past – but a solid future, as well.”  Panelists for this session will be named in the coming days along with more of the 50-plus speakers that will be participating in the conference.  The event is set for Thursday, June 6, 2013 at the Concierge Conference Center on Manhattan’s East Side.  Registration for the day including all activities and food service is $199 per person.  An advance sellout is expected due to space limitations.  Registration is limited to members of the working media and can only be taken via telephone.  For registration and sponsorship information call 413-565-5413.  Complete agenda details are being posted daily.  Stay tuned.

WYDE-AM/FM, Birmingham Re-Brands as “Superstation 101.”  Crawford Broadcasting brings Leland Whaley aboard as program director and afternoon drive host and makes a few other lineup changes as it re-brands from its old “The Source” to “Superstation 101.”  Lineup changes include Whaley in PM drive and the move of Michael Hart to mornings with Lee Davis.  Talk Radio Network’s Andrea Tantaros joins the station in the 10:00 am to 1:00 pm slot followed by Dave Ramsey from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  Whaley comes to WYDE-AM/FM from Cumulus Media’s crosstown WAPI-FM.

Hubbard’s KTMY, Minneapolis Shifts Programming.  The female-targeted talk station KTMY, Minneapolis “myTALK 107.1” announces the midday program hosted by Jason Matheson and Alexis Thompson (pictured here) will move to the morning drive slot beginning February 28.  The change comes after Ian Punnett was forced to leave the program he’s co-hosted with his wife Margery Punnett due to a battle with tinnitus.  Margery Punnett remains at the station co-hosting the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon program with Emma Thomas.  As a result, the duo of Colleen Lindstrom and Bradley Traynor shift to the 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm slot.  The St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports that Jason Matheson will leave his other gig as morning news anchor at KMSP-TV “Fox9” in order to do mornings at KTMY.

Have You Hugged Twitter Today?  Radio consultant Holland Cooke remembers first learning about Twitter at the TALKERS magazine conference in New York in 2008 where it was explained, “You post short messages about what you’re doing, follow and reply to similar messages from others in your social network.  These posts and replies can be a great way to increase engagement, and help keep a conversation active long after your show is over.”  So, are hosts and jocks using Twitter effectively five years later?  Cooke says the smart ones are.  “Many broadcasters under-utilize social media, by merely using Twitter and Facebook as additional transmitters.  Instead, use these media to socialize and you can become more than a disembodied voice in the dashboard.  If you’re on air at a music station, this is a real opportunity, to engage deeper than the keep-it-quick format allows on air.”  Holland Cooke has more advice for social media use here.

TRN’s Jerry Doyle to Be Featured at 2013 Phoenix Comicon.  Nationally syndicated talk show host Jerry Doyle will be a featured guest at the 2013 Phoenix Comicon event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the sci-fi series “Babylon 5” May 23-26.  Doyle was a star of the Emmy Award-winning series playing the character of Michael Garibaldi, chief security officer.  Talk Radio Network CEO Mark Masters says of Doyle, “The real Jerry Doyle is not far removed from the character that he played in ‘Babylon 5,’ as they both uphold high standards, are outspoken and live with vivid pasts.  The Jerry Doyle show is a mix of politics, pop culture and current events.  Doyle’s strong opinions, diverse background and quick wit appeals to all listening audiences.”

Central Michigan Duo Flips to Sports Talk.  Blarney Stone Broadcasting’s combo of AC WGRY-FM and adult standards WGRY-AM, Grayling, Michigan  drops the music and signs on with CBS Sports Radio Network to broadcast its entire lineup on the simulcast.  The stations will also air Detroit Tigers baseball and Detroit Red Wings hockey in addition to Grayling High School sports.  President and CEO Cheryl Coyne says, “We are pleased to partner with CBS to provide Central/Northern Michigan a sports talk format that will engage local audience participation with passionate dialog and debate.  WGRY-AM/FM will deliver compelling content that will soon be regionalized with a focus on Michigan sports.”

Talking Obama’s Weekend Golf Outing.  Nationally syndicated talk host Kevin McCullough is pictured here on Fox News Channel’s “America Live with Megyn Kelly” yesterday where he discussed the issue of President Obama’s weekend golf outing with Tiger Woods which happened without the White House press corps’ knowledge, causing the press to question Obama’s transparency.  A common criticism of news/talk cable television is the tendency for guests to talk over each other, not allowing the viewers to hear the arguments.  A number of TALKERS staffers noted how Kevin McCullough and Democratic campaign advisor Mark Hannah clearly stated their takes on the issue and let each other fully state their arguments without interruption.  This smart approach to the discussion of current events is also reflected in the tenor of McCullough’s radio program – a tactic that’s winning audience and affiliates for the hard-working media personality.

WHAM, Rochester Raises Record Funds for Children’s Hospital.  Clear Channel news/talk outlet WHAM, Rochester – along with sister station “100.5 The Drive”  – broadcast a two-day radiothon to benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital last Thursday and Friday.  Listeners pledged more than $217,000 in donations and the amount raised represents the highest total ever for the annual event, now in its 12th year with the Clear Channel stations, and part of the Children’s Miracle Network.  WHAM personalities appearing on the radiothon included Chet Walker, Bob Lonsberry, Joe Lomonaco, and Bob Matthews.

Russillo on the Hardwood.  ESPN Radio personality Ryen Russillo (lower) boxes out Olympic gold medalist speedster Usain Bolt (upper) playing defense at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Houston on Friday evening.  Russillo is heard daily on ESPN Radio (and seen on ESPNEWS) with Scott Van Pelt on the “SVP & Russillo” show.  We hear the over/under on Russillo was that he’d score 5 points but he beat that by tallying 7 points!

Spiking Gas Prices, Oscar Pistorius Murder Case, Obama Florida Golf Outing, Mindy McCready Suicide, and Sequestration/Deficit Reduction Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (2/18).  The sudden and steep rise in gasoline prices; the murder charges being brought against South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius; President Obama’s weekend Florida golf outing and the White House Press Corps’ anger at being excluded; the suicide of country singer Mindy McCready and the threat of sequestration and deficit reduction discussion were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.