Industry News

Beasley Names Snyder Head of Digital Content Marketing

Beasley Media Group names David Snyder head of digital content marketing. For the past 14 years, Snyder has been CEO at content marketing platform Copy Press that served clients including Uber, AirBnB, Indeed,im and Macy’s. In this newly created corporate position, Snyder will be responsible for overseeing digital marketing and building revenue opportunities on behalf of the company with an emphasis on newsletters, SEO, websites and affiliate marketing as well as leading the developers working across the organization. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley comments, “We could not be more thrilled to welcome Dave into the Beasley family. His marketing expertise is exactly what we need as we continue to build new revenue streams on behalf of the company.”

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Don’t Say Goodbye

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

If you’re hosting a weekend ask-the-expert show to attract new clients and customers, DON’T say goodbye at the end of your show.

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Instead, tell ‘em: “THAT’S IT FOR TODAY’S RADIO SHOW. IF YOU MISSED ANY OF IT, YOU CAN LISTEN AT YOUR CONVENIENCE OR DOWNLOAD IT FROM [describe how to find on-demand page on station web site; and/or “ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM”]. AND WE’RE ALWAYS AVAILABLE AT [your business’ web site address]. AND WE’LL TAKE YOUR CALL ANYTIME, AT OUR [store, office, etc.], [phone number, nice-and-slow]. OR EMAIL ME AT [address, something memorable, i.e., AskAndy@yourURL.com].

And ICYMI, there’s more guidance from a previous TALKERS issue here.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up” and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Newsmax to Present Webinar on Planned Public Offering

Newsmax Inc. announces it is hosting an online Special Investor Webinar conversation with CEO Christopher Ruddy tomorrow at 12:00 noon ET. The company is currently holding a private placement offering ahead of its planned Public Offering and expected Listing and “this online event will provide accredited investors with insight into the Company’s vision, strategy and growth prospects.” (Accreditedim investors are defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rule 501(a) as individuals with a net worth greater than $1 million – excluding their primary residence – or incomes in excess of $200,000 in the last two years with the expectation of the same in the current year – or $300,000 with a spouse.) Last month, Newsmax announced that it would seek to become a public company later in 2024 or in early 2025 with a listing on the NYSE or Nasdaq. In preparation for this contemplated public offering, Newsmax has launched a private placement offering seeking to raise up to $225 million. Ruddy states, “We are excited to connect with the tens of thousands of investors nationwide who have already shown interest in investing in Newsmax. There is much to be enthusiastic about Newsmax, including significant growth in our audience, a surge in interest in conservative media and our expanding portfolio of platforms and distribution. Now more than ever — especially in this election year of 2024 — America needs Newsmax. We look forward to sharing more details with everyone who tunes in to the webinar.” Find information about the webinar here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, announces the appointment of media industry executive Steve Cohen as the network’s EVP, talent and programming. Cohen served for 20 years as the SVP of sports programming at SiriusXM. This comes on the heels of Musberger Media recently buying back VSiN from Draft Kings.

Both Townsquare Media and iHeartMedia will release 2024 second quarter operating results this week. Townsquare will do so on Wednesday (8/7) and iHeartMedia will so the same on Thursday (8/8).

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The presidential race; Japan’s stock crash and global investors’ reactions to the U.S. economy; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Olympics and gender controversies; Israel’s war on Hamas and Iran’s vow to avenge the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin undoes 9/11 plea deal; anti-immigrant violence in England; the California & Colorado wildfires; and Hurricane Debbie approaches Florida were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Cumulus Media 2024 Q2 Net Revenue Declines 2.5%

Cumulus Media reports its operating results for the second quarter of this year and reveals net revenue of $204.8 million, a decrease of 2.5% that is in line with the company’s pacing guidance. Cumulus’ total broadcast radio revenue was $136.1 million, a decline of 7.3%, with spot revenue down 4.9% and network revenue down 13.6%. On the positive side digital revenue was $39.5 million, up 5.0%. Cumulus Mediaim president and CEO Mary G. Berner says, “In the context of a challenging advertising environment, second quarter total revenue finished in line with our pacing guidance, down 2.5% year-over-year. However, our unrelenting focus on areas of the business that are in our control helped us to mitigate the impact of soft demand while also driving tangible progress in key priority areas. During the quarter, we grew our digital marketing services business by 24%, reduced fixed costs by $4 million, and continued to strengthen our balance sheet through the successful completion of our exchange offer, ABL upsizing, and the buyback of a portion of our remaining 2026 maturity debt. Looking ahead, while the advertising outlook remains uncertain, our advertisers continue to be focused on when – not if – they’re going to return to more typical spending levels. Fortunately, thanks to our success at extending our debt maturities, we have time on our side and the flexibility to pursue multiple paths to create shareholder value.”

Industry News

Mike Missanelli Back on “97.5 The Fanatic”

Philadelphia sports media pro Mike Missanelli is returning to Beasley Media Group’s WPEN-FM “97.5 Theim Fanatic” to host the midday show, effective August 12. “97.5 The Fanatic” program director Scott Masteller says, “I am excited to welcome Mike back to the Fanatic. I know that both previous and new listeners will be anxious to hear his insight and perspective on Philadelphia Sports.” The company also announces that Bill Colarulo, a recent addition to the station, will join Mike Missanelli as part of the show’s new on-air lineup.

Industry News

2024 Marconi Award Finalists Announced

The NAB announces the finalists for the 2024 Marconi Awards, the winners of which will be named at theim NAB Show New York on October 9. News/talk stations WLS-AM, Chicago and WLW-AM, Cincinnati are finalists for Legendary Station of the Year. WWTN-FM, Nashville talk host Dan Mandis is a finalist for Large Market Personality of the Year. KIDO-AM, Boise host Kevin Miller is a finalist for Medium Market Personality of the Year. The finalists for News/Talk Station of the Year are: WSB-AM, Atlanta; KRMG-FM, Tulsa; WLW-AM, Cincinnati; KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh; and WIBC-FM, Indianapolis. See the complete list of finalists here.

Industry Views

The Fine Line Between Serious Investigative Journalism and Flimsy Conspiracy Theory Mongering

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Historian, author, and investigative journalist Mark Shaw joins TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison in a revealing discussion about the preponderance of conspiracy theories and flimsy sourcing currently flooding the nation’s talk and print media under the guise of researched reporting. Shaw, the author of dozens of critically acclaimed books including the 2016 best seller, The Reporter Who Knew Too Much, is this week’s guest on the TALKERS MEDIA YouTube channel video series “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison” (see it here) as well as the award winning PodcastOne series “The Michael Harrison Interview” (listen here). Harrison and Shaw examine the important role responsible journalism and critical thinking play in maintaining a healthy, functioning democracy. Have we entered a “post-truth” era? Harrison says, “There’s a growing tendency in the rapidly unfolding digital age for the media, the politicians, and the intellectually dishonest from all strata of society to seek victory at the expense of truth.” Don’t miss this provocative thought-starter!

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

SiriusXM announces that Megyn Kelly will host a series of one-hour specials that will air on SiriusXM’s Triumph Channel 111. “Get Closer with Megyn Kelly” will run on Fridays throughout August with video available on the SiriusXM app with topics including marriage, aging, parenting, and sex.

The Talk Media Network syndicated Dr. Daliah Wachs show is now airing on KBJA, Salt Lake City in the 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm slot.

Job Opportunity

Saga Seeks Weather Director/News Reporter in Spencer, Iowa

Saga Communications’ Spencer Radio Group is seeking a full-time weather director and news reporter for the cluster including news/talk KICD-AM/W237DD and music brands “BIG Country 107.7,” “MORE 104.9,” and “PURE Oldies 98.3/98.5.” The company says, “We’re looking for someone with the ability, talent andim passion to continue SRG’s long tradition into the future. The person for this position will need to live in Spencer, Iowa (or surrounding area). We need someone who understands small-market, local radio and is willing to be involved in the community. Knowledge of radio automation software, adobe audition, word press, and general computer experience is preferred.  We value creativity and the desire to win!  Duties for this position include (but not limited to): 1) Gathering, writing and reading local news stories; 2) Covering some meetings/events; 3) Conducting on-air interviews; 4) Anchoring LIVE, local, severe weather coverage; 5) Compiling/recording local weather data for National Weather Service; 6) Read LIVE market updates on air; 7) Posting local content on our websites/social media platforms. Send your resume and demo to operations manager Kevin Tlam at ktlam@spencerradiogroup.com. No phone calls. No voice-track inquiries. EOE.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of July 29 – August 2

The 2024 presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the economy and inflation, followed by the U.S. migrant crisis at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Bob Cooney Exits “97.5 The Fanatic”

Bob Cooney exits Beasley Media Group’s sports talk WPEN-FM, Philadelphia “97.5 The Fanatic” where he’d been hosting the midday show. Crossing Broad’s Kevin Kinkead reports that market sports talk proim Mike Missanelli is a possible replacement. He writes, “Jonny Marks reported last week that the Mike/Fanatic reunion looks to be in place ahead of football season. My understanding is that 97.5 is also high on Bill Colarulo and Amy Fadool as new pieces. Colarulo hosts weekends and has filled in on P.M. drive while Fadool had been co-hosting alongside Cooney.” For his part, Cooney posted the following to Facebook: “Wanted to say thanks to all who listened over the years during my time at The Fanatic. Loved the conversations and getting to know a lot of you. They told me today they are moving in a different direction.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia to Launch Raleigh Sports Talker

iHeartMedia announces that it will launch a new sports talk station on Monday (8/5) in the Raleigh market onim the HD2 channel of talk WTKK-FM. It will be branded “FOX Sports 106.1 FM HD2” and feature the full lineup of the FOX Sports Radio network. iHeartMedia Multi-Platform Group – Raleigh president Michael Burger says, “Raleigh/Durham has long been a market that has celebrated the best in athletics. Partnering with FOX Sports Radio is an incredible opportunity to share the news and stories that shape the sports world daily. This partnership will also bring unique sponsorships and marketing engagement for existing and new clients. We are incredibly excited to add FOX Sports Radio to our already strong lineup.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Paragon announces that public radio fundraising consultant and voice coach Christina Shockley joins its consulting roster. Paragon CEO Mike Henry says, “Several Paragon clients raved about Christina’s work for them and once we started talking, I realized why. She is a dynamic thought leader who excels at everything she does. Christina’s long tenure as an on-air host at NPR News stations fuels her creatively effective approach to fundraising and voice coaching. Her unyielding focus on the listener experience is a perfect fit for Paragon’s mission of re-inventing content.”

On Long Island, the Suffolk County District Attorneys office is releasing public safety announcements to remind the public of the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, the importance of staying at the scene of a crash, and the legal and financial ramifications of a criminal arrest.  All of the announcements will be broadcast on all of the JVC Broadcasting Long Island radio stations. JVC president and CEO John Caracciolo says, “All of us at JVC Broadcasting are committed to work with our elected officials to get this important message out. We were happy to donate the airtime to make it possible, this is what live and local radio is all about.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (7/31) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; Iran vows to strike Israel after the killing of Hamas political leader Ismael Haniyeh; U.S. agrees to plea deal with 9/11 mastermind and two others; the ecomony; the U.S. migrant crisis; the validity of Nicolas Maduro’s reelection in Venezuela; the California and Colorado wildfires were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry Views

SABO SEZ: Hunt for Humility

By Walter Sabo
CEO, Sabo Media Action Partners
A.K.A Walter M Sterling
Nightly host, WPHT, Philadelphia
Weekend host, Talk Media Network

imHumility means to be teachable. It’s the most important trait of great leaders and managers. For years I looked forward to focus groups to reveal the top-of-mind awareness of media among listeners. These groups always reminded us of a listener’s life priorities which never included radio listening! They taught us the correct secular language to use in promos and slogans, and what they remembered versus what we wanted them to remember.

Today’s hack for focus groups is Google Search Trends. When starting “Sterling on Sunday” 10 years ago, I was kidded by some lame program directors about the inclusion of John Weatherbe weather forecasts in a national show. Since John passed away, the weather is provided by meteorologist Dr. Dave Eiser. Dr. Dave has had a solid career on TV in Chicago and Phoenix. He gives national forecasts with a curious emphasis on cities where we have large affiliates!

Dr. Dave provides a real service on Sunday nights when not one AM station (other than all-news stations) deliver the most important information: Weather.

Google Trends is a humility machine. It shows real-time facts about what a potential listener cares so much about that they enter it in a Google search – right now! What are you talking about today? How does it compare with weather? Here are results from moments ago:

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The results can be filtered for specific cities, time periods, categories of interest. Try it. Seek humility!

Walter Sabo has been a C Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.

Industry News

Trump-Backing Talker John Fredericks Dubs Project 2025 a “Grifter Sh*t Show”

On the heels of the resignation of Paul Dans, who served as the director of the Heritage Foundation’s controversial Project 2025, talk radio host and broadcasting entrepreneur John Fredericks is calling Project 2025 “an unauthorized grifter sh*t show that was generated by The Heritage Foundation for the sole purpose of raising money.” Fredericks is a dyed-in-the-wool Donald Trump supporter and operator of 10 conservativeim news/talk stations plus the John Fredericks Radio Network. He adds, “This undertaking was never authorized, sanctioned, or endorsed by President Trump or his campaign. Despite several very direct public communications disavowing any affiliation by Trump campaign senior staff, the fake news continued to propagate phony stories, which The Heritage Foundation and their Project 2025 leaders were willing and happy to substantiate. Sources say President Trump made the decision to shut it down himself. Good riddance to yet another grift charade using Trump to raise money.” TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison commented on Fredericks’ statement saying, “It has been disturbing watching the once-honored think tank known for its even-handed academic fastidiousness devolve into what is now perceived as just another fund-raising propaganda machine in the mud-slinging political wars. This is the kind of credibility squandering that damages the true American conservative moment and people’s confidence in all political organizations.”

Industry News

WJR, Detroit Launches “School Talks” Weekend Program

Cumulus Media’s Detroit news/talk outlet WJR AM 760 will debut a new weekend program on Sunday, August 25 at 3:00 pm titled, “School Talks,” hosted by longtime respected educator Dr. Robert Livernois.im The station says, “After a distinguished 36-year career in public education that included serving as a classroom teacher, school principal, and most recently, Superintendent of Warren Consolidated Schools, Dr. Livernois brings to WJR AM 760 and its listeners a wealth of experience and perspective on teaching and learning, technology, social-emotional learning, school safety, social media, and many other areas of interest to both parents and educators alike.” Dr. Livernois continues to serve as an adjunct faculty member of the College of Education at Wayne State University. WJR program director Ann Thomas comments, “Education is the key to a great future for our children and WJR is proud to partner with Michigan’s top educators to help them tell their stories about the great work they do in our communities.”

Industry News

Edison Research: Digital Continues Eating into AM/FM Listening

Edison Research – celebrating 10 years of its Share of Ear audio survey – is making a topline finding from its subscriber-only dataset available to the public. The company says the data indicates some substantial shifts in the amount of time U.S. listeners age 13+ spend with various types of audio in an average day. “Ten years ago, the average American age 13+ spent just over half of their total daily audio time with AM/FM radio,im including radio over-the-air and radio streams. The next highest portion, 18%, was spent with owned music such as CDs and downloaded audio files, and 11% of their daily audio time went to streaming. Today, we see the increase in listening from linear sources to more on-demand audio sources such as YouTube for music or music videos (not the YouTube Music streaming service), and podcasts. Americans age 13+ now spend an average of 18% of their audio day listening to streaming music from sources such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, and Spotify, 14% listening to YouTube for music, and 10% listening to podcasts. AM/FM radio still takes the largest portion of the audio day on a 13+ basis with 36%, driven heavily by in-car listening.” Edison director of research Laura Ivey adds, “A decade ago Share of Ear was created to answer the question, ‘What do Americans listen to?’ Today we can understand the listening patterns of Americans and see how audio sources have emerged to vie for our daily listening time. There are surely audio developments that we can’t even imagine that will impact our daily audio time over the next 10 years.” See more about Share of Ear here.

Industry News

WWJ, Detroit Announces News Staff Additions

Audacy’s all-news WWJ, Detroit brings Tim Pamplin aboard as a news reporter and promotes Darrylinim Horne to a full-time reporter position. Pamplin has spent the past 30-plus years with WDIV-TV as a photojournalist and reporter. Horne has been a part-time producer and imreporter at WWJ since 2021. Previously, she was a weekday reporter and weekend fill-in producer at WLNS-TV. Audacy Detroit market manager Debbie Kenyon states, “We couldn’t be more excited for Tim to join our news team. We plan to leverage his renowned breaking news reports to provide our listeners with quality coverage of each day’s top stories. We’re also looking forward to supporting Darrylin in this new role as she applies her skillful storytelling in everything from feature stories to contributions on our digital platforms.”

Industry News

Beasley’s “97.5 The Fanatic” Extends Ricky Bottalico

Beasley Media Group and air personality Ricky Bottalico agree to a multiyear contract extension in which he’ll continue serving as co-host of “The Best Show Ever with Tyrone Johnson.” Bottalico – a former MLBim relief pitcher – joined the afternoon drive show in August of 2022. Beasley Philadelphia cluster manager Paul Blake comments, “Ricky was a fierce competitor on the mound during his 12-year career in Major League Baseball. His grit, toughness, and strong work ethic make him an ideal co-host for our afternoon show on ‘The Fanatic.’ We’re thrilled to announce his renewal.” Bottalico says, “I am happy to be back with Tyrone and ‘The Best Show Ever.’ I will continue to work hard to bring my best every day. As a group, we are striving to be better every chance we get!”

Industry News

Magnum Broadcasting Unveils “Power Up My Podcast”

Magnum Broadcasting chief of podcasts Pat Ryan announces a new marketing tool for podcasters called Power Up My Podcast (PUMP) that uses broadcast radio to improve podcasts’ exposure to new listeners. Ryan, who also serves as PUMP CEO, says, “There are so many good podcasts that have no traction.im Here’s a cost-effective way to see if you’ve got what it takes. I’m tired of podcasters coming to me in tears after they sign up for services that market their work ‘wherever podcasts are available.’ That’s not a marketing campaign. Don’t you want to be more than a ‘wherever?’ PUMP is your answer.” He says that with PUMP, a selection of the podcaster’s episodes will be broadcast across five states via six prominent radio stations, helping tap into new listener bases, turning casual listeners into dedicated subscribers. Ryan adds, “If you want to turn your DUDcast into a serious PODcast with marketing power, this is how you do it.”

Industry News

WSB Care-a-Thon Raises More than $2 Million

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Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta hosted the 24th annual 95.5 WSB Care-a-Thon on July 25 and 26, raising $2,037,439 for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. During the two-day radio broadcast WSB hosts Scott Slade, Clark Howard, Mark Arum, Erick Erickson, Eric Von Haessler and Shelley Wynter were joined on-air by patients and families as they shared their stories of resilience, loss and hope. Adding a unique perspective to the broadcast was 95.5 WSB’s newest and youngest host, 15-year-old cancer survivor Lex Stolle, who spoke as both a Children’s patient and a teenager.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Talk host Stephanie Miller says, “The Sexy Liberal Show is back with a bang, featuring myself, John Fugelsang, Hal Sparks, and Frangela! We are hitting the stage at the VIC Theatre in Chicago for a Democratic National Convention Special on Saturday, August 17. Thanks to our awesome friends at Meet Hook, listeners can join the fun from the comfort of their own couch!”

Conservative broadcaster AUN TV Network is seeking help after the Northern California wildfires destroyed the transmitters for two of their most popular stations, crippling their ability to communicate with a large portion of their audience. Those interested in donating can find more information here.

CRN Digital Talk Radio announces the third anniversary of “The Divorce Hour with Ilyssa Panitz.” She says, “While some people have a negative perception when it comes to the topic of divorce, Mike Horn, CEO of CRN Digital Talk Radio Networks, saw it differently and for that I will always be grateful. His vision was the same as mine and because of that, I was able to create an hour-long educational radio series that explores anything and everything that can happen during every stage of a divorce.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (7/30) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; potential Kamala Harris running mates; Hamas political chief Ismael Haniyeh is killed in Iran; the economy; the U.S. migrant crisis; Olympics “Last Supper” blowback; congressional hearing over Secret Service failure in Donald Trump assassination attempt; Simone Biles and USA gymnasts win gold in Paris; the UK stabbing attack; and the Park Fire in California were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.