Tag: "Ryan Porth"
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Good Karma Brands to Acquire ESPN Stations in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The three sports talk radio stations owned by Disney/ESPN are being acquired by Good Karma Brands, LLC under a deal that is expected to close during the first quarter of 2022. The stations are WEPN-AM, New York; KSPN-AM, Los Angeles; and WMVP-AM, Chicago. The deal will also have Good Karma Brands perform ESPN’s obligations under the current Local Marketing Agreement for WEPN-FM, New York “98.7 ESPN.” As part of a long-term affiliation agreement, all three stations will
remain as ESPN Radio affiliates and continue broadcasting ESPN Network Radio content as well as locally produced programming. There is no price revealed in the press release from GKB. The company has been operating WMVP-AM “ESPN 1000” under an LMA since October 2019. Good Karma founder and CEO Craig Karmazin says, “We are thrilled to add ESPN New York
and ESPN Los Angeles to GKB. These stations and teammates give us an expanded footprint and increased resources to help meet our mission of serving our teammates, fans and advertising partners at a best-in-class level.” ESPN Audio vice president Scott McCarthy comments, “At ESPN, we are focused on evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of our business, providing the outstanding content that our fans expect, and growing our audience in critical, leading markets. We have a strong, 20-plus year relationship with Good Karma Brands and know they will further contribute to the success of these great local audio operations.” In addition, the companies have agreed to extend their ESPN Digital sales agreement, which began in 2015, in which GKB represents display and video inventory on ESPN.com and the ESPN App to local and regional advertisers in 14 select markets.
Porth Joins WSCR, Chicago as Assistant Brand Manager. As reported by Chicago media writer Robert Feder, Ryan Porth is leaving his program director position at Cromwell Media’s sports talk WPRT, Nashville “102.5 The Game” to joins Audacy’s sports talk WSCR-AM, Chicago “The Score” as assistant brand manager, effective January 3. WSCR operations director and brand manager Mitch Rosen is quoted saying, “He will assist us in multiple facets — from organization, digital ideation and assisting all of us moving ‘The Score’ brand forward into the future.” Porth has served as PD of WPRT since 2016 and also served as executive producer for the Nashville Predators Radio Network.
Bonilla Rises to PD at KXNT, Las Vegas. TALKERS magazine hears that Audacy has promoted Mark Bonilla from his assistant program director position at news/talk KXNT-AM, Las Vegas to program director for the station. He assumes the role previously held by Paul Ihander.
Audacy and Voicify Partner for Voice Capabilities Across Digital Platform. A new multiyear partnership is struck between Audacy and Voicify, a company described in a press release as “the market leader in conversation experience management software that combines voice optimized content management, cross-platform deployment, and voice-specific customer insights.” As part of this deal, Audacy will leverage Voicify’s services to drive interactive voice capabilities across the Audacy platform and make station-branded skills more easily accessible for listeners via any voice assistant-enabled device. Audacy will also license Voicify’s patented platform – The Voicify Conversation Experience Platform – to create and deliver
innovative, interactive voice ads and voice commerce experiences through digital audio content for advertisers. The Voicify Conversation Experience Platform enables marketers to connect with their customers by creating highly engaging and personalized voice experiences that are automatically deployed to a broad array of voice platforms, including smart speakers. Audacy chief digital officer J.D. Crowley comments, “As we continue to expand and enhance the Audacy direct-to-consumer platform, adding new interactive voice capabilities and enabling voice commerce experiences across a wide range of devices is an important area of future growth, especially in an age where flexibility and speed to market are a must have for our advertising partners. We are excited to partner with Voicify to provide next generation interactive advertising solutions to our clients to help make their advertising more actionable.”
Former WLS-AM, Chicago Talk Host Stephanie Trussell to Run for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. Former weekend talk host Stephanie Trussell is joining Illinois State Senator Darren Bailey on the Republican ticket for lieutenant governor and governor, respectively. Trussell had hosted the Saturday afternoon program on Cumulus Media’s WLS-AM, Chicago after winning the station’s “Next Talk Star” contest in 2012. She left the weekend gig in 2019 but continued to host a podcast for the station for a period.
Newsmax Names Duchardt Congressional Correspondent. Journalist Kilmeny Duchardt is joining Newsmax as congressional correspondent. A press release says that Kilmeny brings more than 15 years of media experience with the Associated Press, Reuters and most recently as an anchor with Turkish TV’s TRT World. Duchardt has spent the last three years anchoring “Turkish TV’s TRT World” U.S. primetime news bulletins out of Washington, covering the U.S. election, Congress, the White House and other major global news events. Newsmax news director Chris Wallace states, “Kilmeny is a well-regarded journalist known for getting the story right. She will be a great addition to our growing team.” Duchardt comments, “Trust isn’t given, it’s earned. I take great pride in earning the trust of my viewers. I look forward to gaining the respect of our diverse audience at Newsmax and being a source they can count on.”
TALKERS News Notes. Digital and tech services provider Triton Digital announces it is expanding its Podcast Reports to Canada. Triton says the Canadian Podcast Report will provide insight into the Top Podcasts and Networks in Canada each month, as measured by Triton’s Podcast Metrics measurement service. The inaugural Canadian Podcast report will be issued in late Q1 2022. Triton president of market development John Rosso states, “As podcast listening in Canada continues to rise, advertisers need reliable measurement to better understand the performance of on-demand and podcast content. Expanding our Podcast Reports to the Canadian market, where we already have a strong presence, highlights our commitment to eliminate inconsistent measurement practices and self-reported data, providing content marketers, media buyers, and the audio industry at large with access to validated and transparent podcast metrics in the Canadian market for the first time.”.….New Hampshire Public Radio promotes staffer Rebecca Lavoie to director of on-demand audio. Lavoie joined NHPR in 2010 to produce the daily magazine program “Word of Mouth” and most recently served as director of audience & engagement. NHPR president and CEO Jim Schachter says, “Rebecca has nurtured an explosion of excellent journalism and inspired creativity throughout NHPR. Her keen editorial ear is evident in all the material produced under her leadership. Her deep roots in the community and knowledge of the podcast industry make her an essential contributor to our senior management team.”…..Audacy announces that its Richmond stations – including news/talk WRVA – raised more than $670,000 to benefit Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU during the annual “36-Hours for Kids Radiothon.”…..The syndicated “Motley Fool Money” show hosted by Chris Hill is added to the weekend lineup on Bennett Radio Group’s news/talk duo “The Patriot” in WEZR-AM, Rumford and WPNO-AM, South Paris, Maine…..Pictured below is “Florida Man Radio” (WDYZ-AM/W288CJ, Orlando and WZLB-FM, Fort Walton Beach) personality Shannon Burke (left) with Key Networks syndicated radio star Bill O’Reilly (right) backstage at the Amway Center in Orlando on Sunday (12/12). Burke attended the “History Tour” event with O’Reilly and former President Donald Trump – a series of live conversations between Trump and O’Reilly about the four-year Trump administration.
FOX News Radio’s Jimmy Failla to Be Part of FNC’s New Year’s Eve Programming. This New Year’s Eve, FOX News Channel is presenting special programming from 10:00 pm to 1:30 am ET featuring “FOX & Friends Weekend” co-hosts Pete Hegseth, Rachel Campos-Duffy and Will Cain live from the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Joining the trio in the holiday programming will be Jimmy Failla, host of FOX News Radio’s “FOX Across America” midday show, who will perform stand-up comedy from the Wildhorse Saloon. Also involved in the programming will be FOX Nation’s Lawrence Jones, “Outnumbered” co-host Emily Compagno and FOX News correspondent Griff Jenkins from Times Square, FOX News contributor Raymond Arroyo and FOX Nation host Abby Hornacek in New Orleans, and FOX News Congressional correspondent Aishah Hasnie from Folly Beach in Charleston, South Carolina and FOX Business correspondent Madison Alworth from Tampa Bay, Florida.
COVID-19, Economy/Supply Chain/Inflation, Software Vulnerability, Build Back Better, January 6 Investigation, Russia’s Ukraine Aggression, and Tornadoes Aftermath Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (12/13). The rate of COVID-19 cases around the world, the Omicron variant, Pfizer’s pill, and mandates; the state of the U.S. economy, the ongoing supply chain woes, and high consumer prices; criticism of President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan; the investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack, Mark Meadows’ refusal to cooperate with the House committee, and new email revelations; the G7 nations’ warning to Russia about military action in Ukraine; and the aftermath of the deadly tornadoes in Kentucky and Illinois were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Beasley Broadcast Group Reports Q3 Net Revenue Up 5.6%; Caroline Beasley Named CEO. Today’s third quarter financial report comes the day after Beasley Broadcast Group closed on its acquisition of Greater Media’s stations. Beasley estimates that going forward, the acquisition will “more than double Beasley’s revenue base.” This quarterly report reflects the operation of the 52 stations owned as of September 30. Net revenue for the quarter was $27.7 million, an increase of 5.6% over the same period a year ago. At the same time as this report is being released, the company announces that, effective January 1, 2017, B. Caroline Beasley will begin serving the company as CEO, removing the interim from her title. Caroline Beasley takes over for her father, George Beasley, who’s been on
medical leave. He maintains his role as chairman of the board. Also, Marie Tedesco, who presently serves as the company’s vice president of finance, will assume Caroline Beasley’s chief financial officer position, effective January 1, 2017. Speaking about the Greater Media deal, Caroline Beasley says, “The transaction immediately and significantly broadens our local radio broadcasting and digital platform,
geographic footprint and revenue base by adding leading stations and great brands that are complementary to our existing operating base, while presenting the opportunity for synergies with the company’s existing station portfolio. Specifically, the transaction increases our broadcast portfolio by approximately 33% and more than doubles our audience reach as we enter four new markets with nine stations – Detroit; Middlesex, Monmouth, and Morristown, New Jersey – and adds nine other stations in Philadelphia and Boston where we already operate… Looking forward, we plan to apply our historical focus on strong core programming and targeted localism to the newly acquired stations as these strategies support strong ratings and market leadership. While we’ll record initial contributions from the new stations in the fourth quarter, Beasley will realize the value of the transaction beginning in 2017 as we extract operating and cost synergies, enhance sales practices, and apply our proven operating disciplines.”
Porth Upped to PD at WPRT, Nashville. Nashville sports talk duo WPRT “ESPN 102.5 The Game” and WBUZ-HD3/W235BW “94.9 The Game 2” names Ryan Porth program director for the stations. Porth has been serving as assistant PD and rises with the recent departure of Jeremy Bennefield. The Cromwell Group general manager Jana Hampton states, “It’s great when you can hire from within. Ryan Porth has exceeded expectations as the APD and has proven himself worthy of the elevated role.” Porth comments, “There’s a lot of talent with our newly constructed weekday lineup on ‘102.5 The Game’ and I’m looking forward to being a part of the continued growth of our stations.”
WFNZ, Charlotte’s Jim Celania Retires from Sports Talker. Nineteen-year WFNZ, Charlotte air personality Jim Celania retired from the station on Monday, telling the Charlotte Observer he doesn’t want to be one of “those guys” who hangs around too long. The 67-year-old media pro tells the paper, “I’ve seen it in TV and in radio – those guys who hang around too long. I didn’t want to be one of them. That’s the truth. It was time to get off the bus.” Celania (pictured, left) retired the day before Entercom took control of the station under an LMA as it prepares to close on acquisition of the station from Beasley Broadcast Group. Celania, who worked on several shows at the station over the years, most recently co-hosted “The Mac Attack” morning show with Chris McClain (center) and T-Bone (right). He worked for WCNC-TV prior to joining WFNZ in 1999.
Galaxy Names Pam Levine Chief of Galaxy Events. Recently Galaxy Communications announced the creation of a new division – Galaxy Events. Now, we learn that Pam Levine – the wife and longtime business partner of Galaxy Communications president and CEO Ed Levine is heading the division as president/CEO. Ed Levine says, “Pam Levine started this division 10 years ago with a vision of what it could become. A decade of many successful events later, the vision has become reality. As we now expand across New York State and soon the entire country, this new title is overdue.” Galaxy Communications owns 14 radio stations in Syracuse and Utica-Rome and also owns many of the area’s biggest community events including Wine and Chocolate Festivals, K-Rockathon, Taste of Syracuse and many more.
Odds & Sods. WABC, New York personality Sid Rosenberg – co-host of the daily “Bernie & Sid” show – is hosting the promotion “Sid, Sports, ‘n Stuff” at NYY Steak on West 51st Street in New York City on Monday, November 28. The 7:00 pm event will consist of a night of sports, sports trivia, steak, guest athletes, special surprise guests, and prizes…..Digital audio service TuneIn is offering play-by-play of all of this season’s NBA games live via its TuneIn NBA station. It will offer original shows such as “NBA Gametime,” “Open Court,” and “The Starters,” plus is partnering with the Golden State Warriors to launch the “Warriors Sound” radio station. TuneIn is working with additional teams to create similar stations as a destination for free, unique, team-specific content to fans wherever they are…..SiriusXM is launching a new show hosted by Florida State golf coach Trey Jones on its SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio channel. The show is called “Beyond the Tips” and will feature co-host Jeff Cameron and Jones each Wednesday at 9:00 pm ET for an hour covering NCAA golf.
Rick Jakle Selling Three Signals to William Pollock. Broadcaster (and banker) Rick Jakle is selling his three radio stations to William Pollock for an undisclosed sum. The stations are: WRMN, Elgin, Illinois; WBIG, Aurora, Illinois; and KSHP, Las Vegas. The move marks Jakle’s 50 years of serving the Elgin community. Jakle comments, “The greatest privilege in my professional life was coming to WRMN as a young 24-year-old broadcaster in 1966. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to build and operate great local radio facilities and I am proud to have created and developed the Radio Shopping Show concept 34 years ago. None of what we have accomplished would have been possible without my team of dedicated broadcasters. If there’s any secret to our success — simply stated, it’s our remarkable people.” William Pollack’s companies own radio stations in Missouri as well as TV stations in California and Louisiana. He also owns movie theaters in various markets.
The Presidential Race, Hillary Clinton Emails Investigation, U.S. House and Senate Races, U.S.-Philippines Relations, the World Series, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/1). The presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton; the FBI’s renewed investigation of Hillary Clinton’s private email server; the down-ticket races for U.S. House and Senate seats; the state of U.S.-Philippines relations as the result of Rodrigo Duterte’s mercurial behavior; the Cubs-Indians World Series; and the weekend’s NFL Action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
‘Too $hort’s Boombox’ at Popfest in LA. The photo above captures the PodcastOne show “Too $hort’s Boombox” being recorded live last Saturday (10/29) at Entertainment Weekly’s Popfest in Downtown Los Angeles. Also recording their PodcastOne show at the podcast stage on Saturday was “LadyGang,” hosted by the Insider’s Keltie Knight, Glee’s Becca Tobin and fashion designer Jac Vanek. Pictured above are (from l-r): Bobby “Loco” Spencer, Leli Hernandez, Evelyn Gonzalez, Michael Rapaport and Too $hort.