''Managing Your Mental Well-Being Pt. 2' Set For MSBC 36' San Diego
J’Michael Francois To Lead SummitMedia's Urban & Gospel Programming
THE MOUTH, JULY 30TH, 2024 - SummitMedia LLC has named J’Michael Francois is the new Vice President of Programming for R&B and Gospel. Francois comes to SummitMedia from Cumulus Media, where he served as operations manager and multi-station program director for the Baton Rouge and New Orleans, La. clusters for 18 years. He also programmed WXOK-AM. In this new role, he will oversee these SummitMedia stations: 610AM WAGG – Birmingham 98.7 Kiss (WBHK) – Birmingham 107.3 JAMZ (WJMZ) – Greenville 103.9 The Groove (WRKA) – Louisville.
“I am humbled and honored to take the helm of R&B and Gospel at SummitMedia,” Francois said. “It's humbling to have an opportunity to lead some of the industry's most incredible content creators and innovate and grow stations beloved by our community of listeners and clients. Together, we will set the bar even higher.” Francois also works on audience growth and engagement.
“We are lucky that J’Michael, with all his passion and experience, chose SummitMedia to advance his career and our vision,” said Randy Chase, SummitMedia’s executive vice president. “His expertise and talents will serve our listeners and better position the SummitMedia R&B and Gospel presence nationwide.”
AWM Foundation Announces Dates For Milestone 50th Gracie Awards And Commemorative
THE MOUTH, JULY 30TH, 2024 - The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF )announced dates for the highly anticipated 50th Annual Gracie Awards, to celebrate half a century of honoring excellence of women in media. The 2025 Gracie Awards will be a landmark celebration featuring two marquee events: • Gracies Gala: May 20, 2025, at the iconic Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. • Gracies Luncheon: June 18, 2025, at the prestigious Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. In commemoration of this golden milestone, AWMF is also unveiling a newly refreshed logo for the 50th Gracie Awards, embodying the spirit of strength, innovation, and connection.
Becky Brooks, President of AWMF shared, “As we approach the 50th Annual Gracie Awards, we reflect on five decades of tremendous progress made in advancing women in media. The Gracies have been a beacon of recognition for the incredible talents and contributions of women in our industry. Next year’s celebration is not only a tribute to our past but also a spotlight on the bright future ahead. We are eager to honor the trailblazers who have paved the way and the rising stars who continue to shape the media landscape.” The Gracie Awards were established in 1975 to recognize individual achievement and exemplary programing created by, for, and about women.
The awards are celebrated with an evening event, the Gracies Gala, on the West Coast where national awards are recognized, and the Gracies Luncheon on the East Coast with local and student awards. Call for Entries: The Call for Entries for the 50th Gracie Awards will open in October 2024.
Tino Cochino To Do 'Stand-Up At 'Mic Drop' In San Diego During MSBC 36
THE MOUTH, JULY 30TH, 2024 - Looks like one of this year's guest speakers at Morning Show Boot Camp will be up a little late on opening night. We learned yesterday that YEA Network syndicated host Tino Cochino will be doing a Comedy show in San Diego on 8/8, opening-day for MSBC. In case you're up late and want to take in his show, It will be at 'Mic Drop' Comedy Club. Check it out here.
Tino Cochino Radio currently airs nationally in over 80+ cities across the country. He is also a mental health advocate and host of the "Is Anyone Listening?" podcast which focuses on the normalization of therapy as well as his journey into the world of comedy. As posted at the Mic Drop's website: Each week Tino sits down with fellow comedians to discuss their journey and the highs/lows of life.
Tino will be among this year's panelists on Friday's 'Managing Your Mental Well-Being' Pt. 2' session at Morning Show Boot Camp 36 at the Hard Rock Hotel. Still time to book online here.
Premiere Networks And Bobby Bones Add 'Take This Personally With Morgan Huelsman' To Nashville Podcast Network
THE MOUTH, JULY 30TH, 2024 - Premiere Networks and Bobby Bones, host of the hit national Country radio program The Bobby Bones Show, announced the addition of “Take This Personally with Morgan Huelsman” to Bones’ Nashville Podcast Network, effective immediately.
In each podcast episode, “The Bobby Bones Show” Digital Director and On-Air Contributor Morgan Huelsman hosts honest conversations with experts and friends, helping listeners navigate life’s challenges to become the best version of themselves. Executive produced by Bones, “Take This Personally with Morgan Huelsman” launched this week on the Nashville Podcast Network with weekly episodes available Mondays on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.
“I’m so excited for this podcast to finally be out in the world!” said Huelsman. “It’s something I wish I would have had while going through my toughest seasons. If this podcast is able to help just one person feel less alone in this world, then I will have done my job.” “Morgan always brings a unique and positive perspective to our morning show crew,” said Bones. “I'm thrilled to have her launch her own podcast on the network to continue to build her own audience and community.”
With 94 million downloads to date, Bobby Bones’ Nashville Podcast Network is an eclectic collection of podcasts from a variety of Nashville-savvy hosts, giving listeners an inside look at the lifestyle and pop culture in Nashville. Visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen on your favorite device.
iHeart, Blumhouse Television And Realm Announce New Original Horror Podcast Series, 'Dream Sequence'
THE MOUTH, JULY 30TH, 2024 - iHeartPodcasts, Blumhouse Television and Realm announced a new scripted horror podcast series, “Dream Sequence,” which will tell the story of two estranged sisters and the nightmare that brings them back together. New episodes will be available every Monday beginning August 5. Listeners can hear the official trailer now, here.
“Our slate of scripted shows with Blumhouse TV has captivated listeners and we’re excited to continue this journey with the introduction of ‘Dream Sequence,’” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “The new series will explore the realm of dreams and offer a chilling exploration of the darkest corners of the mind.”
“It has been a joy to extend our track record of producing high-quality and immersive content for partners while also contributing to Blumhouse's run of horror hits with iHeartMedia,” said Molly Barton, CEO and Co-Founder of Realm. “We’re excited to join them in introducing the world to Andrew’s visionary, horrifying new take on the dream dimension.” “Dream Sequence” will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.
SNAPS: Benztown-Syndicated Morning Show, 'Hey Morton Invades Comic-Con 2024 In San Diego
THE MOUTH, JULY 30TH, 2024 - Edina Macic and D-Rock (Derrick Malbrough), co-hosts of the Benztown-syndicated morning show, "Hey Morton," along with host Rick Morton were among the mass crowd at this year's Comic-Con in San Diego. They were there last week attending the four-day event's preview night on Wednesday, July 24th, at the San Diego Convention Center. Edina and D-Rock immersed themselves in the Planet of the Apes Experience ("a 10 out of 10"), ran into TikTok star @straw_hat_goofy and explored some incredible exhibit hall booths!
They also engaged with artists, creators, and the passionate Comic-Con community - all super fans of popular arts at a grand and spectacular scale. Comic-Con 2024 was held at the San Diego Convention Center Thursday, July 25th, through Sunday, July 28th. Also, check out the related video of Edina and D-Rock at Comic-Con 2024 at: https://youtube.com/shorts/X0iPmrScSL8. For more information or to get "Hey Morton" for your station, visit: https://benztown.com/program/hey-morton/.
Beloved 42-Year Albuquerque Host Juan Velasco Passes Away At 60
THE MOUTH, JULY 30TH, 2024 - Jeff Berry, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Albuquerque posted in a statement: "Today we mourn the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Juan Velasco, Afternoon On-Air Host, 92.3 KRST Country and a much-loved Albuquerque radio personality for 42 years, who passed away on Saturday, July 27th, at the age of 60. Juan, a native of Alamogordo, NM, where he started his radio career and later worked at a Las Cruces radio station, went on to work at KRST-FM for 30 years, most of which were spent anchoring Middays before moving to Afternoons in 2017."
Berry added, "He was also briefly the weekend meteorologist for KOAT-TV and had a prolific event DJ and hosting business across the Land of Enchantment. Juan is survived by two sons, Juan III and Gabriel. He will be greatly missed by all of us in the halls of these Cumulus Media Albuquerque radio stations. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and his many friends."
MSBC 36 PARTY ALERT: Benztown and Compass Media Networks invite MSBC San Diego attendees to join us for Beers and a Good Time at East Village Brewing on Thursday, August 8th at 6 PM. It's just a short walk from MSBC, so come by and mingle. RSVP is required! RSVP here: https://benztown.typeform.com/msbcparty
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2022 Radio Hall of Fame Honoree, Lon Helton, To Host Induction Ceremony In Nashville
THE MOUTH, JULY 29TH, 2024 - The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced today that Lon Helton, 2022 Radio Hall of Fame Inductee, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the 2024 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The Radio Hall of Fame will recognize its new class of eight inductees at the in-person 2024 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Omni Nashville Hotel in Nashville, TN. Tickets are on sale now at: www.radiohalloffame.com. A portion of ticket purchases is a tax-deductible charitable donation to the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
Lon Helton’s Country radio career began in Galesburg, IL, and took him to top Country stations in Denver, Chicago, and Los Angeles. He has hosted national Country Music radio programs since 1984, most notably Country Countdown USA, since its inception in 1992. He joined Radio & Records as Country Editor in 1983. In 2006 he launched the Country radio and music industry trade publication, Country Aircheck. A 2006 inductee into the Country Radio Hall of Fame, Helton has been honored as the National Broadcast Personality of the Year by the CMA an unequalled 12 times and by the ACM an unmatched five times.
Dennis Green, Co-Chair of the Radio Hall of Fame, said: “When you put together a Radio Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, you have to have a host with a passion for radio and the iconic figures that make it great. I can’t think of anyone that understands this better than Lon Helton. The Radio Hall of Fame is excited to have Lon serve as host of the 36th RHOF induction ceremony taking place in Nashville for the first time.”
Clint ‘CJ’ Robinson Shifts To Mornings With Jenn Lopez At Mix 105.1 Orlando
THE MOUTH, JULY 29TH, 2024 - While no official word yet, Clint 'CJ' Robinson announced on Instagram, 'A friendship 10 years in the making deserves its time to shine!' And beginning today, Mix Mornings with CJ & Jenn officially begins. CJ joins current host Jenn Lopez on Mix 105.1 105.1/WOMX Orlando. CJ slides up from afternoons where he has covered PM-drive since 2023 and also serves as APD. This was his second stop at the Audacy outlet, having formerly worked at the station from 2012 to 2020. In addition to Mix 105.1, he voices mornings on LGBTQ+ 'Channel Q and afternoons on 102.7 The Beach/WMXJ Miami.
Lopez returned to mornings at Mix 105.1 2021 where she co-hosted with Jay Edwards, Dana Taylor, and Danny Serrano. Prior to Mix, Lopez held stints at former 101.9 Amp Radio/WQMP and JVC Media's 103.1 The Wolf..
Jennifer Schell Podoll Named Chief Development Officer For New York Public Radio
THE MOUTH, JULY 29TH, 2024 - New York Public Radio (NYPR) President and CEO LaFontaine E. Oliver has named Jennifer Schell Podoll Chief Development Officer (CDO), leading the organization’s development and membership teams. She will join NYPR on August 5. “I’m delighted to welcome Jennifer as the organization embarks on its second century of serving New York,” said Oliver. “Jennifer is an experienced frontline fundraiser who also brings considerable strategic planning, marketing, and communications skills to NYPR."
“I’m incredibly excited to join the New York Public Radio team,” said Schell Podoll. “I have been a life-long public radio listener and fan. I can’t wait to combine my professional experience with my personal passion and evolve the philanthropic landscape here.” As Senior Vice President, Constituent Engagement at Autism Speaks, Schell Podoll led the organization’s 46-member field team, responsible for revenue and mission priorities. She launched the Executive Leadership Councils structure, creating a consistent, dynamic development program for volunteer leaders and staff collaborations to further the organization’s advocacy efforts and priority programs at the local level. Prior to Autism Speaks, Schell Podoll was the Chief Development & Marketing Officer at Guiding Eyes For The Blind.
Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame Inducts 9 New Honorees
THE MOUTH, JULY 29TH, 2024 - WGNS Radio reports, The Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame welcomed 9 new members to it hall of fame at The Embassy Suites and Convention hotel in Murfreesboro.
The 2024 Career Class (living) nominees include: Steve Bowers from WYNU-FM and WNWS-FM Jackson, WBOL and WVST-FM Bolivar, and WHOS, WDRM in Decatur, AL - Ted "Gunner" Ousley from WOKI, WIVK, and WNFZ in Knoxville and WBCR Maryville - Sharon Kay from WFSK-FM, 92Q, WLAC, WSMV-TV Nashville, and WREN Topeka, KS - Bob Kesling the Voice of the Vols, WIVK Radio, WBIR-TV, SEC Network and more.
The 2024 Legacy Class (deceased) nominees are - Cook & Powell (Fred Cook and John Powell) WREC, WREG-TV in Memphis Joe Case at WJAK and WBBJ-TV both Jackson, WTVF-TV and Hippie Radio boh Nashville - Fred Harvey (Fast Freddie) at WVOL Nashville - Buzz Benson AFR Network, in Nashville at WSIX, WLAC, WMAK and WAMB, along with WFMG Gallatin.
The Luther" Community Service Award went to WCMT in Martin, TN 2024 and "Legendary Station of the Year": KWAM, the mighty 990, Memphis. Also, a special THANK YOU to the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters board of directors who volunteer their talents out of a love for broadcasting:
Voting For 2024 Texas Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees Ends August 5th
THE MOUTH, JULY 29TH, 2024 - The Texas Radio Hall of Fame (TRHOF) has released the names of the fifty (50) nominees for its 2024 Induction Class. The voting portal will be open and accessible to voting members via www.TRHOF.net through midnight on Monday, August 5th. “We’ve been continually working to refine, streamline, and demystify the nomination and voting process” observes TRHOF Executive Director Doug Harris, “and each year we continue to make major steps forward. Once again, we have a group of outstanding broadcasters for our voting members to consider with a balloting platform that includes their photos and biographical information for review.”
Over two hundred broadcast professionals with ties to Texas radio were nominated for consideration by the TRHOF Review Committee, which reached a consensus on the final fifty. Voting members of the TRHOF will now determine the twenty individuals who will be honored in the TRHOF’s Annual Induction Ceremony at the Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications in Kilgore, TX.
“We are very pleased with this slate of nominees, which spotlights the depth and breadth of Texas radio talent,” says Harris. “From the tower to the boardroom to the conference room, this list of nominees touches the geographic boundaries of the state and connects to a variety of markets, formats and virtually every position of service in the broadcast world.”
Those selected for the 2024 Induction Class will be honored during the organization’s Annual Induction and Reunion Weekend, November 1-2, 2024, at the Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications in Kilgore, Texas. Information on becoming a TRHOF voting member is available on the organization’s website and interested parties may still join—and vote—in this year’s selection.
MSBC 36's Second Annual 'Women's Brunch' Is Just Days Away; Presented In Association With The AWMF
THE MOUTH, JULY 29TH, 2024 - Just days left to grab a seat at this year's highly anticipated return of the 'Women's Brunch' at MSBC 2024, presented In Association with The Alliance For Women In Media Foundation (AWMF). Following our hugely popular inaugural edition in 2023, the Women's Brunch is back and poised to make an even greater impact. This event celebrates the remarkable achievements of women on the air in radio, serving as a beacon of inspiration and guidance for aspiring individuals within our industry.
While dubbed the Women's Brunch, it's important to note that all attendees are warmly welcomed—we wholeheartedly encourage the participation of our male counterparts in championing the advancement of women on air. featured an array of enriching experiences including complimentary headshots, a sumptuous breakfast bar, refreshing mimosas, exciting prizes, and captivating talks from influential figures. This year's event will once again be hosted by Corey Dylan (shown) with scheduled guests Joey Fortman, Angela Perelli and Elaina Smith.
The 2024 edition of the Women's Brunch, set for Saturday, Aug. 10th, 2024 - from 10:00 am to Noon. There are still a few select seats still available. To attend click here.
EVENTS: 95.5 WSB Atlanta's Care-A-Thon For CHOA Raises More Than $2 Million
THE MOUTH, JULY 29TH, 2024 - News/talk WSB’s annual Care-a-thon on Friday broke $2 million in pledges for the first time in its 24-year-history this past week for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The AJC's Rodney Ho reports the station has raised a collective $34 million over the years from its listeners to help the non-profit organization fund research, fellowship and family support.
“There was a not a dry eye in that room,” said PD Ken Charles when the $2 million announcement was made at the event, held at CHOA offices next door to the new hospital off I-85 and North Druid Hills. The new hospital is set to open Sept. 19. “We all do this to make a difference,” Charles added. “The feeling of helping during these two days each year can never be duplicated.” The two-day Care-a-thon, which superseded traditional political and news talk this past Thursday and Friday, featured different combos of talk show hosts who normally don’t hang out together.
The Care-a-thon included morning host Chris Chandler, recently retired morning host Scott Slade (who came up with the Care-a-thon idea nearly a quarter century ago), former WSB host Clark Howard and current hosts Eric Von Haessler and Mark Arum. Howard has attended the Care-a-thon every year since it began. “As a father of three,” he wrote in a text Sunday,
“I can’t imagine the suffering a parent faces witnessing a child go through cancer. And seeing the survival rates go up roughly 20% over the last 24 years motivates me to give my money and my voice.” Howard donated $20,000 this year.
Justin Timberlake & New Kids On The Block Join The Lineup For Audacy's 2024 'We Can Survive Concert'
THE MOUTH, JULY 29TH, 2024 - Audacy announced the 2024 lineup for We Can Survive, the annual event supporting the Company’s mental health initiative, I’m Listening. Superstar Justin Timberlake will be joined by mega boy band New Kids On The Block, singer-songwriter Tate McRae, multi-instrumentalist Benson Boone, R&B crooner Khalid and emerging artist Isabel LaRosa at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Saturday, September 28. Hosted by NEW 102.7 FM (WNEW-FM), the event exemplifies music’s power to connect communities and promotes having more mental health conversations.
“Music is a driving force in so many of our lives. Having an event like We Can Survive that features artists our fans love while supporting mental health just shows how powerful songs and lyrics can be,” said Michael Martin, Senior Vice President of Programming and Head of Music Initiatives, Audacy. “We look forward to welcoming all of the extraordinary artists and can’t wait to see them light up the night.”
The show will follow the annual I’m Listening broadcast, which will air across Audacy’s portfolio of stations on Wednesday, September 25. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit Audacy’s longstanding I’m Listening partner, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and their life-saving work of delivering education, loss support, advocacy efforts and community-based programs, including their ongoing public service campaign, “Talk Away the Dark,” which raises awareness of how to spot the warning signs for suicide and having real conversations that connect people to help.
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iHeartMedia Is NBCU's Exclusive Audio Partner For The 2024 Summer Olympics In Paris
THE MOUTH, JULY 26TH, 2024 - With the Olympics kicking off this week, all eyes and ears will be on Paris following the biggest sporting events and the world’s top athletes. iHeartMedia is NBCU’s exclusive audio partner for the 2024 Summer Olympics and will be bringing games to listeners as they happen. Fans can tune-in to these events live on iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations as well as anywhere they are through dedicated 24-7 digital stations on the iHeart app including, NBC Olympics Radio Plus and NBC Olympics Radio.
Saturday tune into: Men’s / Women’s Swimming, Saturday morning on NBC Olympics Radio Plus Men’s/ Women’s Swimming Finals, Saturday on NBC Olympics Radio Women’s Beach Volleyball, US vs. Canada on NBC Olympics Radio Men’s Soccer , US vs. New Zealand on NBC Olympics Radio Plus Sunday tune into: Men’s / Women’s Swimming Finals on NBC Olympics Radio Women’s Soccer, US vs. Germany on NBC Olympics Radio Plus Men’s Basketball, US vs. Serbia on NBC Olympics Radio
Wendy Gillette To Cover Games In Paris For CBS News Radio
THE MOUTH, JULY 26TH, 2024 - CBS News Radio has sent Wendy Gillette to cover the games in Paris. A lot of great stations have signed up…..WTOP-FM, KRLD-AM and more. The Summer Games return to France for the first time in 100 years! Friday, July 26 – Sunday August 11, 2024, CBS News Radio will be in Paris reporting on the US quest for the gold, from Simone Biles in Gymnastics and Katie Ledecky in Swimming to Sha'Carrie Richardson and Noah Lyle sprinting toward Track and Field history.
CBS's Wendy Gillette will cover the event for six (6) CBS Summer Games Briefs every week day, starting with Friday’s opening day ceremony plus two (2) briefs on Saturdays & Sundays! Friday July 26th : six (6) briefs per day Sat- Sun July 27th and 28th: two (2) briefs per day M-F July 29th – August 2nd : six (6) briefs per day Saturday-Sunday August 3rd and 4th: two (2) briefs per day M-F August 5th – August 9th: six (6) briefs per day Sat-Sunday August 10th and 11th: two (2) briefs per day. Closing ceremony is Sunday, August 11th. Summer Games Briefs at 6am/9am/Noon/3pm/6pm/9pm ET on Weekdays, 6a / Noon on Weekends · Each brief is sixty seconds (:60) in length with :30 Network Adjacency · Available via FTP and XDS
THIS IS THE LAST DAY To Share Your Input In AQ6, Radio's Exclusive Survey Of Air Talent By Air Talent
THE MOUTH, JULY 26TH, 2024 - In collaboration with Morning Show Boot Camp, Jacobs Media’s AQ6 is seeking feedback among on-air personalities, shows, teams, and producers across the U.S. While the radio broadcasting industry has been roiled by disruption, the role of radio air talent remains even more important to the success of radio’s companies and brands.
This sixth study is the only one of its kind, tracking the talent mindset, their perceptions of careers, and how their jobs and lives are changing in a fluid media environment. Last year, AQ5 began to explore their understanding and concerns about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on radio. In this new study, Jacobs Media will take a deep dive into how AI is being used at the station level, both in the studio and behind the scenes. AQ6 will again examine talent relationships with their home companies, the progress of women on the air, what motivates talent and disheartens them.
The true value of AQ6 lies in the demographic and lifestyle breakdowns. Once again, this confidential survey will include cross tabulations by market size, company type, daypart, along with a trended look at how many “hats” they’re wearing and their perceptions about the state of broadcast radio and the companies that employ them.
As in past years, a summary of the findings will kick off Morning Show Boot Camp 36 in San Diego on August 8 by Jacobs Media President, Fred Jacobs. Jacobs adds, “Radio continues to evolve, and so do the roles of air talent in big markets and smaller metros,” notes Fred Jacobs. “As always, AQ6 will include respondents who are morning drive stars for the biggest companies in radio, along with talent in small communities working for mom and pops. These are radio’s ambassadors, and understanding their changing mindset goes to the heart of radio broadcasting continuing its relevance in American media and entertainment.”
Entries for AQ6 has now been extended until FRIDAY July 26. On-air talent in commercial radio in the U.S. can take the survey by clicking the link below. In addition, those now out of work in radio are encouraged to take the survey if they were on the air at any point post-COVID. We also encourage broadcasters to forward the survey link to other on-air talent in their buildings or around the country. Take the survey here
TODAY Is The Inaugural Gracies Day Of Giving
THE MOUTH, JULY 26TH, 2024 -The AWM Foundation (AWMF) will hold the inaugural Gracies Day of Giving, a fundraiser dedicated to honoring the late Gracie Allen's birthday. This special day is dedicated to raising funds that directly impact the foundation's mission of creating positive change in media by producing educational programs, recognition events and scholarships benefitting students pursuing careers in media. It takes place today, July 26, 2024.
Gracies Day of Giving provides an opportunity for both longtime and new donors to make one-time donations that will significantly impact aspiring female media professionals. Funds raised will support the continuation of programs including the Gracies Leadership Awards Fellowship, enabling students to participate and attend the event.
To participate, visit AWMF's donation page or donate via Venmo @AWM-Foundation Share: Use the hashtag #GraciesDayOfGiving on social media to spread the word. The Gracies Leadership Awards, taking place on November 19 at Tribeca 360° in New York City, will celebrate the profound influence women have made in the media industry. Funds raised from Gracies Day of Giving will provide students with networking and educational opportunities by connecting with industry trailblazers. Make a donation HERE.
Longtime Charlotte Host Ramona Holloway Announces She's Been Laid Off
THE MOUTH, JULY 26TH, 2024 - Ramona Holloway announced this week on social media that she had been laid off from her job as community affairs manager for Radio One Charlotte. She will also no longer will make guest appearances on 107.9’s The Morning Mix with Matt Harris & Liz Luda.
Holloway told The Charlotte Observer by phone she was let go from the company during a meeting with her boss on Tuesday morning. She was told the decision was being made due to “budget cuts.” The position was originally created for her and, she said, “it was just, they felt, time to uncreate it, to save money.”
‘Holloway and Matt Harris had been teamed together since 2000, first at “Z104/WNVZ-FM Norfolk, and then WLNK-FM Charlotte starting in 2001. They moved from afternoons to mornings in April 2021 when 107.9 The Link rebranded as Mix 107.9. They ended the show in 2023. She also had done stints on local TV, serving as co-host of “Charlotte Today” for WCNC and “Fox News Edge” for WCCB. Asked by The Charlotte Observer if she is open to an on-air job, she said: “absolutely”
RTDNA: Radio News Salaries Head Backwards
THE MOUTH, JULY 26TH, 2024 - Based on research by Bob Papper and Keren Henderson for RTDNA, after three years of meager salary increases — all of which lagged inflation — this year is worse. Overall, radio salaries actually fell 2.5%. With inflation at 3.1% for the year, that means real wages dropped by 5.6%. But why they fell may surprise you. In terms of real wages (actual wages minus inflation), radio salaries lost 0.5% in 2021, 6.6% in 2022, 1.9% in 2023, and 2.5% in 2024. That’s a total wage loss of 11.5% over the last four years.
There is some good news in radio salaries. For news directors, the median salary stayed the same, but the average salary went up 6.7%. Reporters are also mixed, with the average salary dropping 0.9%, but the median salary is going up 12.5%. News producers did even better with average salary up 5% and median salary up 10.4%. But that’s where the good news stops. News anchor, sports anchor and sports reporter all lost ground in both average and median salaries. Web producer/editor dropped slightly on average and held even on median. Now we see more clearly what’s happening in radio salaries.
Historically, non-commercial radio salaries have been substantially higher than commercial radio salaries. This year, that’s not the case. When we look at large and major markets, all the average commercial salaries are higher than non-commercial salaries, and median salaries are fairly close. But the actual story is what took place between last year and this year. Overall, commercial radio salaries — for the four positions above in large and major markets — went up a whopping 23.5%. Non-commercial salaries went down 8% from a year ago. So the drop in radio news salaries lies almost entirely in the non-commercial world.
The 2024 National Edward R. Murrow Awards Reveal Is Set For August 15th
THE MOUTH, JULY 26TH, 2024 - RTDNA will announce the winners of the 2024 National Edward R. Murrow Awards on Thursday, August 15. Tune in at www.rtdna.org to watch the winners revealed via video.
The full list will be posted to the RTDNA website after the reveal show. Mark your calendars, watch with your colleagues, and share your watch parties on social media! If you’re sharing your win on social media, please tag RTDNA and use the hashtag #Murrow.
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iHeart Names Sara McClure VP For Unified Partnerships California
THE MOUTH, JULY 25TH, 2024 - iHeart has named Sara McClure Vice President of Unified Partnerships for California, effective immediately. Unified Partnerships, a division of iHeartMedia, has a 22-year history of providing advanced media resources for its ad agency partners.
Sara McClure joins the Unified Partnerships team from iHeartMedia Sacramento, where she most recently served as the Market President. After graduating from Chico State, McClure has achieved significant success in her nearly 30 years as a media executive. In her new role, she will report to Breeanna Malik, EVP for Unified Partnerships.
“I am extremely excited to have Sara join our division. She will be broadening her responsibilities and offering her incredible expertise to leading agency partners throughout California,” said Michael Preacher, President of Unified Partnerships at iHeartMedia. “I look forward to advancing my career by joining the Unified Partnership division. This incredible team has unlimited possibilities and I’m excited to bring my scope of marketing and big idea thinking to our partners,” said Sara McClure.
Steve Darnell Named Metro President For iHeart Sacramento
THE MOUTH, JULY 25TH, 2024 - iHeartMedia has named Steve Darnell Metro President for Sacramento, CA, effective immediately. He will report to DJ Hodge, Division President for iHeartMedia.
“After many years of successful leadership in our Pacific Area, it was clear early-on that Steve was the perfect candidate to lead our Sacramento Market as Metro President,” said Hodge “Steve is the ideal choice to continue the great work done by Sara McClure, who is moving into our Unified Partnerships Division.”
Darnell most recently served as the Area President for iHeartMedia’s Pacific Area. He also served as the Market President for iHeartMedia’s Fresno Market, as well as Fresno’s Senior Vice President of Sales. Steve is a proud graduate of Fresno State University. “
I’m excited for the opportunity to lead our Sacramento team and market leading iconic station brands. Sacramento is a dynamic, thriving city and I’m thankful that DJ Hodge, Hartley Atkins and Rich Bressler have entrusted me with continuing our growth in this very important market,” said Steve Darnell.
Pionaire Announces Talent Acquisitions; Appoints Kacey Spivey As It's New Director of Podcasts
THE MOUTH, JULY 25TH, 2024 - Pionaire, the talent-first boutique podcast agency founded by media personality Bert Weiss, announces its continued expansion with the signing of new talent who reflect Pionaire’s commitment to delivering diverse and engaging content to its ever-growing audience. “Each brings a unique voice and perspective that will enrich our content offerings and resonate with podcast listeners and viewers.”
President Mike Morse shared his excitement about Pionaire’s recent partnership with BOWIE, a social first agency under Great Bowery that represents a handful of top creators whose podcasts are being represented by Pionaire. “We are thrilled to welcome massively popular content creators Jessie Woo, Nelly Sudri, Nathaly Cuevas and Jacob Macias (collectively, “Jathaly”) to the Pionaire family,” said Morse. “Each brings a unique voice and perspective that will enrich our content offerings and resonate with podcast listeners and viewers.”
Pionaire has also appointed Kacey Spivey (shown) as the company’s new Director of Podcasts to further strengthen its talent development. In her role, Kacey will spearhead the development and management of the company's podcasting talent, ensuring that Pionaire continues to lead the industry in quality and innovation. With these latest business developments, Pionaire is poised to continue its trajectory as a leader in the podcasting industry, delivering top-tier content and fostering a dynamic and inclusive community for both creators and audiences.
Summer Olympics Are Here - A Look At Podcast Listening In The United States vs. Australia
THE MOUTH, JULY 25TH, 2024 - The Summer Olympics are here, and this is the week countries around the world prepare to be compared on the basis of their athletic abilities, their artistic performances, and of course, their sponsored swag. Although podcast listening is not an Olympic sport, our research allows us to make our own comparisons of audio behavior between countries.
For eight years, Infinite Dial Australia has been tracking the same statistics as Edison Research’s flagship American Infinite Dial report. As the chart above shows, our Australian estimate for monthly podcast listening surpassed the number in the United States in 2022 and continues to run one percentage point ahead. When we first looked in 2017, the Australian numbers tracked well behind those in the USA, and as recently as 2020 the Australian number trailed by twelve percentage points.
Today, just under half of all Australians age 12 and over say they have listened to a podcast in the last month. Among many factors leading to the rapid rise in Australian podcast listening is the heavy promotion of podcasts by their radio companies, a proactive effort in controlling media disruption.
93Q's Cowboys & Angels' Raises $20,000 For Paws
THE MOUTH, JULY 25TH, 2024 - "On Tuesday 7/23, 93Q's Cowboys & Angels Show raised over $20,000 for local Houston non-profit Paws for Heroes. It was an intimate night of country music at the new music venue Texas Rodeo Saloon in Katy, TX with performances by George Birge, Matt Stell, Jackson Dean and Maddie & Tae all benefitting an amazing cause and organization. Paws for Heroes is a local non-profit that rescues homeless dogs and professionally trains them to be companion dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD, at no cost to the veteran.
In addition to the $5,000 kickstart donation, 93Q (KKBQ) and the generosity of their listeners were able to help raise over $20,000 for Paws for Heroes and the incredible work they do for Houston and our veterans."
Photo (L-R) Top row - Katelyn Maida, Deanne Goyer of Paws for Heroes, Mason Pradt, Corey Dillon, Jake Stewart, Paws for Heroes Veteran Octavius, Gerardo Sproet, Jessica Nelson of Paws for Heroes, Erica Rico, and Linda Villarreal. (L-R) Bottom row - Andy 'Riggs' Riggle, Battle Buddy Petey & APD/MD Lauren 'LO' Sessions.
FM99 listeners 'Drained Their Veins At The 37th Annual 'Rock And Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive'
THE MOUTH, JULY 25TH, 2024 - FM99 WNOR (owned by Saga Communications, Inc. in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach market) teamed up with the Coastal Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross again this year for FM99’s 37th Annual Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive. The 3-day event brought in 590 units of blood, which exceeded the Red Cross’ goal!
Held each July when blood supplies are typically low, FM99 listeners “drained their veins,” potentially saving over 1,770 lives with the units collected. Marketing Director, Sonja Morrell: “FM99 thanks our listeners and sponsors for their life-saving donations at this year’s blood drive. Year after year, they come out to donate in record numbers, which makes this one of the largest blood drives in the region. We are already excited for the 38th Annual Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive next July!”
PHOTO: WNOR PM Drive host Nick shows off the blood drive t-shirt and some of the goodies our listeners received as a thank you for their donation.
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Christopher 'Mad Dog' Russo And SiriusXM Ink 3-Year Extension With The Satcaster
THE MOUTH, JULY 24TH, 2024 - Radio Hall of Famer Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo has signed a new three-year agreement to remain the face and voice of SiriusXM’s popular national all-sports talk channel, Mad Dog Sports Radio (channel 82). Russo will continue to host his daily all-sports show, “Mad Dog Unleashed,” every weekday (3 – 6 pm ET). The new agreement will extend Russo’s tenure on SiriusXM through it’s 19th year. He joined SiriusXM to launch Mad Dog Sports Radio in 2008.
“SiriusXM is my radio home,” said Russo. “I’m proud of what we’ve built here over these last 16 years. I love the platform and the freedom to be me and do the kind of show my audience and I enjoy. Four decades into my career I can honestly say I am as excited to turn on that mic and talk to my listeners every day as I was when I first started my career!”
“While he has inspired a lot of imitators over the years, there’ll never be anybody else on the air like Chris,” said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer. “He’s more popular and dynamic today than he has ever been and we couldn’t be more excited and proud to have him continue his legendary career on SiriusXM.”
In 2022 Russo was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, recognizing a pioneering on air career that has spanned four decades and made him one of the most prominent and popular hosts in radio history. After 19 years hosting the market-leading “Mike and the Mad Dog” show on WFAN, Russo embarked on the second major chapter of his career with SiriusXM and built his Mad Dog Sports Radio channel into a popular national sports talk platform.
In addition to his work on SiriusXM, Russo hosts his daily TV show, “High Heat with Christopher Russo,” weekday afternoons on MLB Network and, in recent years, has continued to expand his national profile as a regular contributor to ESPN’s “First Take.”
Mike Hohler Rises To PD For Bay Area's KNBR-A/F, KGO, And KTCT - KNBR; Morning Show Producer John Kerley Promoted To APD
THE MOUTH, JULY 24TH, 2024 - Cumulus has promoted Mike Hohler to Program Director for San Francisco Bay Area Sports stations KNBR-680 AM/104.5 FM, KGO The Spread 810 AM, and KTCT 1050 AM. Hohler is currently Assistant Program Director for the stations, and joined Cumulus San Francisco in 2002 as Midday Producer for KNBR. In addition, Cumulus San Francisco has promoted John Kerley, Producer of the Murph and Markus morning show on KNBR, to Assistant Program Director for KNBR-AM/FM, KGO, and KTCT. He will continue in his role as KNBR morning show producer. The appointments are effective Monday, July 29th.
Larry Blumhagen, Regional Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus San Francisco-Los Angeles, said: “I am excited to see Mike Hohler take the reins as Program Director of these dynamic, listener-driven stations. Mike has been a dedicated member of this terrific team for over two decades and knows every working part of our programming operations. He has meaningful relationships with our broadcast partners, which he will continue to build upon and grow in his new leadership role.” Blumhagen added: “John Kerley brings a strategic approach to the Assistant Program Director role for our Sports stations. We are fortunate to have such a talented and collaborative sports programming team and are in very capable hands with Mike and John at the helm."
WAMC/Northeast Public Radio Board of Trustees Appoint Sarah Gilbert President and CEO
THE MOUTH, JULY 24TH, 2024 -The Board of Trustees of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio announced the appointment of Sarah Gilbert as the organization's new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). “We are thrilled to welcome Sarah to the helm of this incredible organization,” said Dorothy H. Reynolds, Chair of the Board. “This has been an intense and deliberative process.” Ms. Reynolds added that “while the final decision rests with the Board, we are deeply grateful for the thoughtful and on-going input from WAMC staff who took time away from other obligations to work with us in this critical effort.”
Ms. Gilbert spent the first decade of her career in public media at the BBC in London and Brussels, where she worked on the international desk leading teams in the field throughout Europe and the Middle East. In 2006 she relocated to Washington, D.C., where she oversaw the BBC's 2008 election coverage and served as Executive Producer for Americana, a weekly politics and culture show. After a stint in Los Angeles as Managing Editor at APM's Marketplace, she returned to Washington and joined NPR as, successively, Supervising Senior Editor of Weekend Edition, Executive Producer of Morning Edition, and Vice President of News Programming. Most recently, Ms. Gilbert was President and Chief Content Officer at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
“Coming to WAMC, with its strong staff, powerful programming, and dedicated listeners and members, is an incredible opportunity to use all my skills and experiences to continue to build, grow, and strengthen this amazing organization,” said Ms. Gilbert. The Trustees offered their deepest thanks and appreciation to the WAMC leadership team, and in particular to Stacey Rosenberry, Chief Operating Officer, who served as Interim CEO since the retirement of founding CEO Alan Chartock. Ms. Gilbert is in the process of relocating to the Albany area and will start at WAMC on August 19, 2024.
Dana Cortez, Host Of The Dana Cortez Show, Takes To The Court To Co-Host 2024 WNBA All-Star Game
THE MOUTH, JULY 24TH, 2024 -Dana Cortez, host of Skyview Networks’ nationally syndicated The Dana Cortez Show, successfully co-hosted the 2024 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) All-Star Game on Saturday, July 20, in Phoenix, Arizona. The event was held at Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns, and took place in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 18,000 fans.
“I was honored to be involved in such a historic moment in women’s sports,” said Dana Cortez. “Standing on the court watching veterans like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner of Olympic Team USA take on WNBA superstars, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, is something I will never forget. I want to thank the WNBA and the Phoenix Mercury/Suns organization for thinking of me and giving me the opportunity to participate in this monumental event.”
The Dana Cortez Show is available mornings, middays or afternoons, Monday through Friday. The Dana Cortez Weekend Show is available Saturday or Sunday and is delivered via FTP, allowing stations to seamlessly program their own music. For affiliation information on either program, contact affiliation@skyviewsat.com or visit skyviewnetworks.com/dcs.
New Country 96.3 Dallas And Tom Thumb Stores Team With Hawkeye And Michelle’s Diaper Drive
THE MOUTH, JULY 24TH, 2024 - Cumulus' New Country 96.3 (KSCS-FM) in Dallas announced that its 'Hawkeye In the Morning' show joined forces with Tom Thumb grocery stores this month to collect listener donations of more than 20,000 diapers for Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. Hawkeye & Michelle’s Diaper Drive kicked off two weeks of collection events at Tom Thumb stores on Monday, July 8th, with on-air host Hawkeye appearing at Tom Thumb in Weatherford.
The inaugural event drew donations of more than 4,000 diapers the day it was announced on-air. Over the following two weeks, New Country 96.3 personalities including Hawkeye, Michelle Rodriguez, Tom Gribble, Rachel Ryan, and Al Farb all hosted their own Diaper Drive events at participating Tom Thumb stores and at Cook Children’s. Together, they collected donations of over 20,000 diapers for Cook Children’s patients and their families. The diapers will be distributed to multiple departments throughout the hospital. In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) alone, Cook Children’s uses over 600 diapers a day in various sizes.
The idea for Hawkeye & Michelle’s Diaper Drive came from Michelle Rodriguez and Rachel Ryan, who are both currently pregnant with their first children, and wanted to do something to help the community before they both depart for maternity leave. Michelle Rodriguez, Co-Host, Hawkeye In the Morning, on New Country 96.3, said: “We are so incredibly thankful to our listeners who opened their hearts to help local families who are struggling financially with the heavy burden of medical bills. As an expectant mother, I know firsthand how invaluable these donations will be for families at Cook Children's. Their kindness and generosity will truly make a difference in these families’ lives.”
iHeart Jacksonville To Hold 9th Annual Sista Strut Walk For Breast Cancer Awareness
THE MOUTH, JULY 24TH, 2024 - iHeart Jacksonville announced the 9th Annual Sista Strut, a breast cancer awareness walk dedicated to supporting African American survivors and their communities. Taking place on Saturday, October 12, this empowering event will be held at the Jacksonville Baseball Grounds at 121 Financial Ballpark with the rally beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the walk at 10:00 a.m. Breast cancer affects countless lives, and the Sista Strut walk serves as a powerful demonstration of unity, strength and support for those impacted by the disease.
“iHeartMedia Jacksonville is proud to sponsor and present Sista Strut as part of our ongoing commitment to community engagement and support,” said Paul Rogers, iHeartMEDIA Jacksonville Market President, “By sharing stories and experiences, we hope to foster a sense of unity and empower all attendees to take an active role in their own breast health.” This event offers an opportunity to raise funds for local organizations, including the Sisters Network of N.E. Florida and the Pink Queen B Foundation, dedicated to breast cancer research, education and patient support.
'Where’s Dia?' From Pushkin And iHeart Sheds Light On 2020 Disappearance Of Lydia 'Dia' Abrams
THE MOUTH, JULY 24TH, 2024 - Lydia “Dia” Abrams was known in the beautiful mountain town of Idyllwild, California as a glamorous 65-year-old, who, from the outside looking in, seemed to have it all. That is, until she disappeared without a trace on June 6, 2020. In “Where’s Dia?,” an exclusive new six-part podcast series from Pushkin Industries and iHeartPodcasts, journalist Lucy Sherriff reveals the culmination of her four year investigation into Dia’s disappearance, uncovering a tangled web of manipulation, power, estranged families, and greed.
“When someone goes missing, they leave a vacuum. And everyone left behind scrambles to fill that space with reasons why or explanations of how,” says Sheriff. “When Dia went missing, she didn’t get to tell her own story. Her narrative has been crafted by friends, family, lovers – and yes, even enemies. And it’s left to us to decide whose version of events we believe.” In the days after Dia disappeared, her friends, her neighbors, and her kids began to search for her. They ran through endless theories: was she lying hurt somewhere? Had she run away? Had she been kidnapped? Killed? It didn’t take long for some to start pointing fingers. Because, it turns out, there were people who could benefit if Dia suddenly disappeared — her estate was worth millions of dollars.
Two men in her life, her son and a man who claims to be her fiance, launch public campaigns to find Dia. But soon, their efforts – and stories – begin to unravel. “Where’s Dia?” is produced by Pushkin Industries and distributed by iHeartPodcasts.
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Report: Local News Radio Soars Amid Election Mayhem
THE MOUTH, JULY 23RD, 2024 - Audacy's Insights Team reports as people continue to seek out factual and trustworthy voices, local news radio stands out as an indispensable medium, providing real-time updates and a strong connection to the community. Local news radio once again proved its value during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump on July 13, with a notable surge in listenership across Audacy platforms and stations. On that day, Audacy news stations saw a 32% jump in streams compared to the same day the week before. Mobile streams led the way with a 45% increase, while smart speaker usage rose by 30%.
Interestingly, local news listeners are twice as likely to stick around through radio ads compared to the average listener, showcasing their loyalty. Beyond just sticking around, 65% of all news listeners trust radio hosts for news updates, compared to the 30% who look to social media influencers for such information. The difference speaks volumes about the credibility and influence of radio hosts in delivering news in real time.
The assassination attempt on July 13 tested the relevance and reach of local news radio in real-time. On that day, Audacy news stations saw a 32% jump in streams compared to the same day the week before. Mobile streams led the way with a 45% increase, while smart speaker usage rose by 30%. The region closest to the event saw a significant spike. Pittsburgh’s KDKA-AM experienced a 55% increase in streams, underscoring just how vital the station was for local updates. On the West Coast, Los Angeles’s KNX saw a 41% rise as listeners tuned in for the latest information. Read More Here
NRG Media's Brooke Summers Named Official Host For CBS' Country Labor Day Weekend Special
THE MOUTH, JULY 23RD, 2024 - NRG Media announced that Brooke Summers (mornings KBBK-FM/afternoons KFGE-FM) has been named host of CBS’ Country Labor Day Radio Special, airing live over Labor Day weekend. Summers has been making a big splash in the country radio industry since joining NRG Media Lincoln / Broadcast House Media in 2021. In addition to this upcoming endeavor with CBS Radio, Summers has been featured as a two-time voiceover announcer for the Academy of Country Music Awards, nominated as Country Aircheck Awards’ New Face of Country Music.
“I’m thrilled to be part of CBS’ expanded music programming special!” remarks Summers. “Labor Day & barbecues would not be complete without country music.” CBS Radio Executive Editor Jennifer Brown shares in her excitement, “Brooke knows country. We can’t wait for listeners across the country to hear her show.”
The three-hour show, featuring music by Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, and other surprise highlights from today’s hottest country music stars, can be heard on multiple stations nationwide. Froggy98 (KFGE-FM) will air the special on Friday, August 30th from 3-6pm, and Monday, September 2nd from 6-9am. Listen live from anywhere via the stream at froggy981.com
Team Paragon Adds Consultant Seth Resler For Community Building
THE MOUTH, JULY 23RD, 2024 -Seth Resler has joined Paragon as Community Building consultant. Community Building is a new position at Paragon for which Resler is uniquely qualified. Resler has developed a blueprint for community building that capitalizes on existing digital platforms and enables public radio stations to launch, grow, and monetize their own micro-communities. Prior to spending 8+ years as Digital Strategy Consultant for Jacobs Media, Resler worked at WXRK in New York City, WBCN in Boston, KNDD in Seattle, KPNT in St. Louis, WBRU in Providence, and KEZR in Silicon Valley.
In 2024, Resler opened Community Marketing Revolution, which he will continue to operate. His clients have included a range of companies from both inside and outside the broadcast industry, including the National Association of Broadcasters. Based in Detroit, he enjoys exploring the city on his bike. Resler can be reached at Seth@TeamParagon.Consulting.
Paragon CEO Mike Henry said, “Seth brings a new dimension to the table with his accomplishments and vision for building community. At a time when content is not always the differentiating factor, creating communities is the new hyper-local. The evolution from promotions to engagement and now to community building, this has significant marketing ramifications and revenue potential for public radio stations. Paragon and Seth look forward to helping stations master a new toolset.”
Resler said, "As the way people create and consume content has changed, what Americans need from public media has changed. At the top of the list today? Community. Public radio stations are in a unique position to build community in their local markets. I'm thrilled to join Team Paragon, where I can show stations how to use digital tools to connect their listeners to one another."
'Hoppe Hour' With Ryan Hoppe Expands With Podcast Radio US Beginning This Week
THE MOUTH, JULY 23RD, 2024 - 'Hoppe Hour With Ryan Hoppe' the popular radio show known for its unfiltered view on life is excited to announce its expansion through “Podcast Radio US. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the show's growth and underscores its appeal to a diverse and enthusiastic listenership.
"I am thrilled to be featured on Podcast Radio US," said Ryan Hoppe, host and creator of the show. "I have worked tirelessly to create content that resonates with my listeners, and I work everyday to keep you entertained while you are bored in traffic.” We can't wait to connect with new audiences and continue to deliver the entertainment and information that my listeners have come to love since 2012.
"Hoppe Hour’s goal is to continue growing and evolving, reaching even more listeners with my unique brand of radio. I am committed to providing high-quality content and I’m excited about the future of Hoppe Hour on Podcast Radio US. I can’t talk Gerard Edwards, Lorra Smedley, Gary Krantz, and Mike McVay enough for this opportunity. For more information about the show and to find out where you can listen, visit http://www.RyanHoppeRadio.com
Musburger Media Buys Back VSiN The Sports Betting Network
THE MOUTH, JULY 23RD, 2024 - Musburger Media announced it has purchased VSiN, The Sports Betting Network (“VSiN”), from DraftKings Inc. Original VSiN founders Brian Musburger and Bill Adee, who were part of the team that previously launched and led the multi-platform broadcast and content company, will lead it moving forward.
“While a lot has changed in the sports betting industry over the past three-and-a-half years, our original vision for VSiN still holds and we are committed to delivering the most credible, independent information and analysis sports bettors can find anywhere,” said Brian Musburger. “We truly appreciate the work we’ve done with DraftKings and look forward to continuing to collaborate on future projects. Bill and I couldn’t be more excited about leading VSiN into the future and cementing our position as a trusted authority in sports betting.”
VSiN’s current talent roster includes legendary sports broadcaster, Brent Musburger (shown) and some of the industry’s most knowledgeable sports betting experts. For more on how you can watch and listen to VSiN’s content, visit VSiN.com.
Events: Bob & Sheri Utilize Multiple Platforms To Honor Teachers In Nationwide Contest
THE MOUTH, JULY 23RD, 2024 - To salute teachers across America, Bob & Sheri conducted a multi-platform nationwide contest that culminated in a fun-filled trip for eight grand prize-winning teachers and their guests to the Margaritaville Resort in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida this past weekend. Two of the Bob & Sheri co-hosts, Sheri Lynch and Lamar Richardson, along with producer Kary “Doc” Bowser, were on-site to lead the celebrations. Teachers were invited to tell their craziest teaching stories for the original content podcast, called The Oddcast in an upcoming special episode, “Teachers Tell All.” Winners were from markets across the country, including California, Minnesota, Tennessee, Ohio, and North and South Carolina.
“This was our way of recognizing and thanking teachers for the incredible work they do,” said Lynch. “Great teachers are passionate, creative, patient, and inspire students achieve their best.” Beginning in September 2023, listeners were asked to nominate a special teacher in their lives. The contest was also promoted on social media, where Lynch is very active with Bob & Sheri listeners. Thousands of entries were received at the Bob & Sheri website. Entries came from parents, colleagues, spouses, and teachers also submitted their own story.
For more information on Bob & Sheri stations may contact Tony Garcia, co-owner of Now! Media, the company that syndicates the show, at tony@bobandsheri.com or 303-916-6333.
Snaps: Rowdy Yates Throws 'Meet And Greet' For 50th Annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival
THE MOUTH, JULY 23RD, 2024 - WATZ radio and Compass Media’s Rowdy Yates threw a “Country Gold” meet and greet for the 50th Annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival in Alpena.
The 10-day fishing derby set an all-time attendance record for opening night, with over 700 in attendance. Roughly half attending the private pre-party for photos, autographs and some ROWDY face time.
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Beloved St. Louis Host Tammie Holland Passes Away
THE MOUTH, JULY 22, 2024 - St. Louis community is mourning the loss of longtime radio host, Tammie Holland, who died this weekend from her three year battle with cancer at the age of 53. Tony Scott was Holland's so-called 'on-air husband' during one of her radio jobs,
"Tammie was a professional. Tammie was good at whatever she did. And Tammie loved to laugh. She loved to make me laugh. I'd laugh so hard I'd get dizzy. I think one time I actually fell out of my chair. She loved to smile and she gave out some of the best hugs in the entire world. She loved everything about St. Louis and it was genuine. I think the listeners knew that.'
Saint Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones issued a statement that says in part, "Tammie gave so much to our community. I will forever miss her smile - her wit - her style - her hugs - and her infectious giggle." Jones called her a sister-friend.Roberts Metro Broadcasting St. Louis announced Holland's death on Saturday.
She was most-recently a co-host of the "Real Breakfast Crew" on their Foxy 106.9 FM station. The company's issued statement says Tammie will be remembered for her warm smile, contagious laughter, and genuine enthusiasm for life. It goes on to say, "Her signature voice and engaging storytelling style made her a favorite among listeners, and her presence on the airwaves will be deeply-missed."
Ryan Arnold Stepping Away From 93XRT Chicago
THE MOUTH, JULY 22, 2024 - Axios Chicago posted that Ryan Arnold, host on WXRT Chicago since 2013, has resigned after his hours were cut back. "I literally grew up at WXRT," Arnold tells Axios. "The highlight of my career has been my lifelong relationship with WXRT, a connection that began when my mother started at the station in 1984."It has been a privilege to work at such an iconic station. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve our listeners, share experiences with them and spread the love of music."
Last week marked the 11th anniversary for Arnold at Chicago's home for modern rock. Arnold says he will now focus on his media communications firm DeSoto and State.
WRMF-FM's Kevin Rolston Of The 'KVJ Show To Receive MSBC's 2024 ' Kidd Kraddick Award'
THE MOUTH, JULY 22, 2024 -ICYMI, Kevin Rolston of WRMF-FM's top-rated KVJ show has been named the 2024 recipient of Morning Show Boot Camp's (MSBC) prestigious 'Kidd Kraddick Award'. Kevin is joined on-air by co-hosts Virginia Sinicki and Jason Pennington (shown L-R). Named in honor of the late Kidd Kraddick, the annual award recognizes those of unparalleled success, inimitable style and authenticity. exemplary service to their community and serving as a constant source of inspiration to other shows and personalities.
Traditionally, each year's recipient is charged with selecting the following year's honoree. Last year's recipient, Dave Ryan (R) of iHeart's KDWB-FM Minneapolis, said in selecting Rolston, "The responsibility of choosing the next Kidd Kraddick Award winner is the hardest part of winning this award. So many amazing radio people went through my head like characters on a slot machine! But I owed Kevin for helping me hide that body at Boot Camp 2014 so I knew he was the one."
On being named as this year's recipient Kevin says, "There isn't an honor I would cherish more. I believe Kidd Kraddick was the most gifted person to ever crack a microphone in our industry. Everyone to have received his award is an industry giant. I don't feel worthy, but I'm not gonna turn this down either! And to receive this award from Dave Ryan is such a cool full-circle moment for me."
"Dave Ryan is the sole reason I'm even in radio in the first place," Kevin added, "Hearing him on the Morning Zoo at WNCI in Columbus as a young impressionable kid at Ohio University who couldn't pick a career path, inspired me and gave me the idea that maybe I could do this too. I wanted to be him so bad. Kind of weird where life takes you."
The Kraddick Award will be presented during Talentmasters' 36th Annual Morning Show Boot Camp (MSBC), taking place August 8-10 at The Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego. Register now by clicking HERE
TIME RUNNING OUT To Presubmit Ideas For MSBC 36's Legendary 'Battle Of The Bits' Competition'*
THE MOUTH, JULY 22, 2024 -For those attending this year's Morning Show Boot Camp 36 San Diego, time is running out for entries being accepted for the legendary 'Battle of The Bits' competition. Just click on the entree form below for details including a summary of your bit or idea along with supporting audio/video.
Important: Supporting Audio/Video of Your submission should not be longer than 1-minute (00:60) or require added production. We'll select the top 10 finalists** to present their bits on stage (and audio/video will be played) live for our judges and the audience. Judges (Shown above) will pick their favorite bits/ideas based on a scoring sheet, and the winner will receive the top prize. Miguel & Holly will serve as moderators for this year's event - click on the instructions in below video:
New to MSBC 36 will be our Round 2: Rapid-Fire Ideas. Audience members will get a chance to come up and submit their bits/ideas for the rapid fire round. They'll each get 1 minute to describe their idea or bit for a chance to walk away with one of two special cash prizes.
Ideas can include those from on-air, social media or a special event. Send us your bits below and then join us Thursday, August 8th 2024 in San Diego for Battle of the Bits - *You must be present to win! Click HERE For Submissions.
MSBC 36 is set for Aug. 8-10 at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego - Click HERE To Register. MSBC 36 Battle of The Bits 2024 is sponsored by Wise Brother Media.
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Woody & Jim Returning To Mornings In Nashville At Cromwell Media's 93.3FM
THE MOUTH, JULY 19TH 2024 - As we reported yesterday, Cromwell Media Nashville announced the highly-anticipated return of radio duo Woody & Jim to morning radio! Starting Monday July 22, listeners can once again enjoy their unique blend of humor, music, and engaging conversations every weekday morning from 5 to 10 AM on the newly branded 'Totally Hits, Totally Nashville 93.3FM.'
"We are beyond excited to have Woody & Jim join our team,” said General Manager Shawn Fort. “Their ability to not only entertain, but connect and give back to the community perfectly aligns with our motto at Cromwell Media of ‘making a difference where you are.’ After our first meeting with them we knew we had to make this happen. Woody & Jim are back, and they found the perfect home.” Director of Music Programming Chris Atticus added "Their chemistry and connection with the community is unparalleled, and we can't wait for them to bring their energy and fun back to Nashville radio.”
For over a year many have been asking where they are, and now the mystery is finally solved. "We've missed our listeners and are excited to reconnect with them," said Woody & Jim. "We're ready to bring back the fun and make mornings something to look forward to."
Tune in to 93.3FM starting Monday July 22 to catch Woody & Jim every weekday morning. For more information, visit www.totallhitsnashville.com! - Woody & Jim are represented by Heather Cohen of the Weiss Agency.
Internationally Syndicated 'Sunday Night Slow Jams' Hosted By R Dub Celebrates 30 Years On-Air
THE MOUTH, JULY 19TH 2024 - R Dub!, Creator, Producer and Host of Benztown's “Sunday Night Slow Jams,” first aired on July 17, 1994 - when he was just 16 years old (shown in top photo at left)- at a tiny AM station in the middle of the Tucson, AZ, desert. Today, "Sunday Night Slow Jams" is heard on over 200 radio stations in 14 countries and currently reaches over three million listeners per week. The program is also available in a weeknight version which airs Monday through Thursday from 10PM-12M.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero presented an official proclamation from the City of Tucson on June 21st honoring "Sunday Night Slow Jams," the successful internationally syndicated radio show created in Tucson by on-air host and producer R Dub!. Mayor Romero officially proclaimed the day as "Slow Jams Day" in the City of Tucson. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also presented an official proclamation in June from the City of San Diego in honor of the show’s 30th Anniversary.
In the run-up to the 30th Anniversary, the program and its Tucson affiliate, KSZR/97.5 The Vibe, presented the "Sunday Night Slow Jams" 30th Anniversary Party and Concert on Friday, June 21st, at Desert Diamond Casino. R Dub! hosted the live event and concert. The party included a 90-minute hang session with R Dub!, who took photos with listeners and told stories on stage recapping the last 30 years of Slow
Photos: (top left) R Dub! In-studio at age 15, Tucson. (top right) R Dub! with the group Hi-Five and affiliate KSZR 97.5 The Vibe - left to right, are: R Dub!, Krystal Pino (middays), DWayne Chavez (mornings), and Ern Dollaz (afternoons).
Kim Williams Rises To Area President For iHeart Alaska And Hawaii
THE MOUTH, JULY 19TH 2024 - iHeartMedia Alaska and Hawaii has named Kim Williams Area President, effective October 1, 2024 following the retirement of Andy Lohman. She will report to Dan Lankford, Division President for iHeartMedia.
“I have had the privilege of working with Kim over the past four years while she served as Market President for Fairbanks. I’m excited to see Kim’s passion and experience expand to all of the iHeartMedia stations across the entire Alaska and Hawaii area,” said Lankford. Williams joins the iHeartMedia Alaska/Hawaii markets from Fairbanks, where she most recently served as the Market President. She also served as an Account Executive for Pacific Star AM/FM and Sales Manager for Clear Channel Communications in Anchorage.
“I am grateful to iHeart and thrilled for the opportunity to work with these incredible markets. Alaska and Hawaii are two of the most diverse, extreme, and beautiful states. I’m incredibly proud to learn from and contribute to our amazing teams in Honolulu, Fairbanks, and Anchorage,” added Williams.
iHeart Launches Rumba 95.7 Tampa Bay
THE MOUTH, JULY 19TH 2024 - iHeart Tampa Bay debuted Rumba 95.7, # 1 Para Hits Y Variedad. Beginning yesterday at noon, Rumba 95.7 began airing high energy contemporary top 40 hits from the most popular genres in Latin music today, such as Reggaetón, Urban Pop, Bachata, Salsa and more.
The brand, established in 2015, was previously found at 106.5-FM. The on-air lineup will include “The Enrique Santos Show,” Sarykarmen Rivera, Los Anormales, Rodolfo El Chamo, and Laura Laserna with even more local personalities to be named soon. “Rumba 95.7 will feature a special mix of music tailored specifically to the local Latino community in Tampa Bay,” said P.J. Gonzalez, Senior VP of Programming for iHeartLatino. “We’re also excited to have Enrique Santos hosting our morning show on a far superior signal, ensuring that his unique content reaches even more listeners.”
“We are thrilled to expand coverage of Rumba 95.7 on a massive 100,000-Watt signal, in addition to being available across multiple platforms via the iHeartRadio app, dedicated to serving and celebrating the vibrant Latino community in Tampa Bay," said Chris Soechtig, Division President. "This station will provide a platform for diverse voices, culture and music, and we are excited to foster stronger connections within our community.” “I’m thrilled to provide our listeners with our brand Rumba and to become the largest Spanish-language station with the strongest signal in all of Tampa Bay,” said Super Martinez, Program Director.
Tino Cochino Radio Adds Nights At KHTH/Hot 101-7 Santa Rosa
THE MOUTH, JULY 19TH 2024 - The YEA Media Group nationally syndicated Tino Cochino Radio is feeling like fine Sonoma county wine after creating a partnership with Amaturo Sonoma Media Group, LLC, Santa Rosa, CA. Tino Cochino Radio will host nights 6-10pm starting Monday.
KHTH Program Director Danny Wright said... “We’re excited to bring Tino Cochino and the crew to Hot 101-7! They’re exactly what we need to keep Hot top of mind and entertained here in Sonoma County! We all know it starts with the radio show, but the all around social content is next level!”
Tino Cochino Radio host Tino added... "I’ve always been such a fan of this city. I’ve spent time in Santa Rosa, I’ve made friends in the market and now we get to talk to the HOT listeners everyday! Can’t wait to build with the family!"
TCR is available on barter for all dayparts. Get the most relatable and fastest growing show on your airwaves today by reaching out to Mikey@tinocochinoradio.com or Scott@Yeamediagroup.com
Lou Dobbs, Longtime Radio/TV Host And Cable News Pioneer, Passes Away At 78
THE MOUTH, JULY 19TH 2024 - Lou Dobbs, a veteran broadcast journalist who helped launch CNN, died Thursday. He was 78. “It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of ‘the great Lou Dobbs,'” a post on his Instagram and Facebook profiles said Thursday. “Lou was a fighter till the very end — fighting for what mattered to him the most, God, his family and the country. Lou’s legacy will forever live on as a patriot and a great American. We ask for your prayers for Lou’s wonderful wife Debi, children and grandchildren.”
According to NBC, Dobbs started out as a local news reporter in Arizona, where he eventually became an on-air anchor and drew the attention of Ted Turner as he was looking for people to start a new kind of cable channel that would focus entirely on news. Dobbs' “Moneyline” became a staple of that channel at CNN, for more than 20 years. Dobbs would go on to host a radio show, and in 2010 joined Fox Business Network, which would remain his home for a decade. Fox News said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lou Dobbs. An incredible business mind with a gift for broadcasting, Lou helped pioneer cable news into a successful and influential industry. We are immensely grateful for his many contributions and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”
According to Wikipedia, From 2021 until his death, he hosted The Great America Show on iHeartRadio and loudobbs.com.
Feid, Sebastián Yatra, Wisin, Maria Becerra And More To Perform At The 2024 iHeart Fiesta Latina
THE MOUTH, JULY 19TH 2024 - iHeartMedia announced that the 2024 iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina Presented by the All-New Nissan KICKS is making its return to Miami, Florida at Kaseya Center on Saturday, October 26. The annual concert event will celebrate the power of Latin music with a star-studded slate of performances from iHeartRadio Corazón Latino Award recipient Feid, Sebastián Yatra, Wisin, Chencho Corleone, Manuel Turizo, Maria Becerra and more. Enrique Santos, President and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino and on-air talent for iHeartRadio, will once again host the eleventh annual event. In addition to performing, Feid will receive the iHeartRadio Corazón Latino Award for his creativity and impact in the community and industry as a singer, songwriter and producer.
“We’re so excited to bring back the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina event to celebrate Latin music and all the ways it unites our community,” said Enrique Santos. “This year’s show will be an unforgettable night where fans can experience so many iconic artists all on one stage.” Additionally, the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina will be broadcasted across iHeartRadio digital stations. For more information, visit iHeartRadio.com/fiesta.
[WATCH] Janet Jackson Tells Radio Host She Dislikes Interviews; 'Please Stop Asking Me Questions'
THE MOUTH, JULY 19TH 2024 - During a recent appearance on 'Heart Evenings with Dev Griffin' in Central London, Janet Jackson (inset) was asked if there’s one particular question she’s tired of hearing, Jackson responded, “I don’t mean to be rude, but I have to be honest with you,” she said. “Please stop asking me questions.” She explained, “I’ve never thought I give a good interview. I really don’t like speaking, so I’d rather stay quiet and listen to other people talk, and that’s always been me,”
In the interview, Jackson also reflected on the artists that inspired her career. “I have to exclude family because obviously that spoke to me first, seeing my brothers, my sisters, my cousin Stevie [Wonder] — seeing him perform was a huge inspiration,” she said. “My brothers would often take me with them when they would go to concerts, and I remember seeing Earth, Wind & Fire as a kid — just unforgettable,” Jackson added. “I’ll never forget that. Really blew me away, the musicianship, and then the body of work. I absolutely loved it. “
Jackson also remembered meeting Prince when she was in her early 20s,” she recalled. “He did some songs that I wasn’t that familiar with and I thought, ‘If I ever perform on this level, I don’t want to do that. I want to at least do songs that people are familiar with, for sure.’ “ See Post Article Here
Beloved Comedian Bob Newhart Passes Away; A Couple's Scary Hobby
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Edison: Eyes The Emotional Impact Of Sports; 25% Of Men Admit To 'Crying' Over Outcome Of An Event
THE MOUTH, JULY 18TH 2024 - In the world of sports, the intensity of competition and the passion of fans often lead to emotional highs and lows. Edison Research’s recent release of the Sports Audio Report: Female Fans with SiriusXM Media, and GroupM, revealed an interesting insight: female fans are less likely to have shed tears over the outcome of a sporting event than male fans. According to the study, 25% of male sports fans admitted to crying because of a sporting event, compared to 20% of female sports fans.
About half of all sports fans, both men and women, have at least come close to crying over a sporting event: 48% of female sports fans and 50% of male sports fans have either cried or at least come close. In fact, 41% of female sports fans agree that when the sports team or athlete they follow loses, it greatly affects their mood, compared to the 56% of male sport fans. We also see differences in this data when we look at the intersection of race and gender among sports fans.
Black female sports fans are more likely than Latina sports fans and white female sports fans to say the outcome greatly affects their mood: 50% black female sports fans, 42% Latina sports fans, 37% white female sports fans. The emotional investment of fans in their favorite teams and athletes can be profound, leading to either joy or disappointment.
More insights on female sports fans are available in the full report. Click HERE to download the Sports Audio Report: Female Fans.
Florida Man Found Guilty Of Killing Local Radio Host And Her Unborn Child
THE MOUTH, JULY 18TH 2024 - A Jacksonville Florida man who killed a local radio host and her unborn child has been found guilty. First Coast News reports Bursey Armstrong faces between 50 years and two life sentences for his crimes. The State Attorney's Office plans to push for two life sentences. Armstrong is accused of killing Tasheka Young (inset) and her unborn child in July 2022. A representative for the SAO says the state plans to pursue life on both counts.
“It’s a bittersweet moment," said Anthony Cobb, Young's cousin. "It’s bitter to the point that we did lose two lives, but it’s sweet to the point that justice was served today.” Cobb said it was challenging for the family to relive what happened to the radio personality two years ago through the evidence presented in the case against Bursey Armstrong. “It brought back so many memories from two years ago," said Cobb. "It’s taken a long time for this to occur, but we’re glad the verdict did come out the way it did.”
Armstrong opted not to testify. The jury heard from a dozen witnesses throughout the three-day trial, ranging from a neighbor to detectives on the scene to a road worker who found Young’s phone on the side of the road. Olivia Young, Young's mother, took the stand on the second day of the trial to share what it was like to find her daughter’s body with her two young children in the room.
Sentencing is set to start August 19. Young had previously worked as a host on Jacksonville's Power 106.1 Tru Hip Hop station. She was known as "Tysheeks" in the Jacksonville community.
Former WBLI-FM Long Island Host Maria Garcia Passes Away At 52
THE MOUTH, JULY 18TH 2024 - Veteran radio and news host Maria Garcia passed away on Friday, July 12, 2024. She was 52. Maria began her radio journey after graduating from the University of Florida, with a reporting job at WINZ in Miami. Other Miami on-air jobs included WIOD and WHQT. In 1996, Maria moved to New York City with her first stop as a newswriter for WCBS-AM. In 1998, she began co-hosting alongside Steve Harper on what became “Steve and Maria in the Morning” on WBLI/Long Island. They quickly went to number 1, and she remained there for about 8 years.
Maria also spent time at WALK-FM and WKJY-FM on Long Island, 1010 WINS, Merlin Media and a second tour at WCBS-AM, as an anchor, and WFLC in South Florida. She was a two-time Gracie Award winner, and was a recipient of other honors and awards. If you desire to do something in her name, you might consider a donation to the North Shore Animal League. They can be found here: https://www.animalleague.org/.
B-Dub Radio Welcomes Five New Radio Affiliates
THE MOUTH, JULY 18TH 2024 - B-Dub Radio, through its syndication partner, Skyview Networks, announced the addition of new markets with the addition of five radio affiliates. Bryan “B-Dub” Washington, can now be heard on: KPNW-FM Seattle, WA – Hubbard Broadcasting – Monday-Saturday WXLC-FM/WCCQ-FM Chicago, IL – Alpha Media – Monday-Saturday KWEN-FM Tulsa, OK – Cox Media Group – Monday-Friday WOLF-FM Syracuse, NY – Foxfur Communications – Monday-Friday WJKR-FM Columbus, OH – North American Broadcasting – Saturday.
“I still wake up every day feeling absolutely blessed to have a team of people that believe in what I do,” said B-Dub, host of B-Dub Radio. “From our affiliate partners to the team at Skyview Networks, I’m so thankful.” B-Dub Radio airs five hours daily, Monday through Saturday evenings, and offers customization and content-only options to its affiliates. For affiliation information, contact affiliation@skyviewsat.com or visit skyviewnetworks.com/b-dub.
iHeart Pittsburgh Announces New Play by Play Voice for the Steelers Audio Network
THE MOUTH, JULY 18TH 2024 - iHeartMedia Pittsburgh announced today that Rob King, a member of the Steelers Audio Network pre-game and post-game broadcast team since 2014, has been named the Play-By-Play voice of the team’s game audio broadcasts. King has been a part of the Pittsburgh sports media landscape for nearly 25 years and ascends to the position after Bill Hillgrove, who served in the role for the last 30 seasons, retired earlier this year. He joins Color Analyst Craig Wolfley in the broadcast booth.
"Rob King has been a key part of our Steelers gameday broadcast team for over a decade, " said Tim McAleer, Market President, iHeartMedia Pittsburgh. “We are thrilled for him to bring his passion for game calling into the booth and create an exciting radio broadcast for our audiences.” King has held a number of key roles on both the professional and college landscape in the Pittsburgh market over the course of his career. He will continue to be a key contributor on both Steelers Audio Network and the broader Steelers Media Network, which includes video and audio content published across a variety of the team’s content platforms.
“The Steelers hold a special place in this community and across the country,” said King. “I am thankful to Art Rooney II, the Steelers and iHeartMedia for giving me this incredible opportunity to be a meaningful part of one of the greatest organizations in professional sports. I look forward to getting started, doing the job well and bringing the enthusiasm of the games to people around the world. I could not be more excited.”
2024 Rising Through the Ranks Scholarship Recipients Announced
THE MOUTH, JULY 18TH 2024 - Scholarship recipients for this year’s Rising Through the Ranks program, presented by the RAB, BMI, Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. and Xperi have been selected. As previously announced, this year’s program will be hybrid, starting with a virtual session taking place on August 13, leading up to the in-person event August 20-22 at the BMI Nashville office.
The following is the list of 26 individuals attending this year’s program: 2024 Scholarship Recipients Kaylee Barr Cox Media Group, Orlando, Florida Laurie Clotworthy Audacy, New Orleans/Kenner, Louisiana Katie Doherty Southern Stone Communications, Jackson, Tennessee Meg Dowdy Townsquare Media, Purchase, New York Sheri Fermoyle Hubbard Radio Minnesota North, Alexandria, Minnesota Hannah Hageman WHOP, Forcht Broadcasting, Hopkinsville, Kentucky Monique Harris Cox Media Group, Atlanta, Georgia Terri Hayden BMI, Nashville, Tennessee Nikki Kuniej Charleston Radio Group/Saga Communications, Charleston, South Carolina Liz Lively Wheeler Broadcasting, Roanoke, Virgina Alice Lobo Premiere Radio Networks, New York, New York Annette Malave RAB, New York, New York Kellie Marnin Audacy, New York, New York
Also recognized will be Amanda Orlando CUMULUS MEDIA WRRM, Cincinnati, Ohio Lauren Pallitto iHeartMedia, Farmington Hills, Michigan Kelly Pruitt CUMULUS MEDIA, Indianapolis, Indiana Samantha Randall Seven Mountains Media, Elmira, New York Heather Riley Ham Broadcasting/The Edge Media Group, Cadiz, Kentucky Morgan Spano Cox Media Group, San Antonio/Abilene, Texas Kristen Summers Community First Broadcasting, Spirit Lake, Iowa Tess Taylor Hubbard Radio Minnesota Liz Urban Beasley Media Group, Ferndale, Michigan Emily Vainstein Audacy, Los Angeles, California Bani Werner Alpha Media, North Mankato, Minnesota Felicia Wong Tampa Radio | Cox Media Group Local Solutions, Clearwater, Florida Dynasti Young Salem Media Group, Fremont, California
'Good Game With Sarah Spain' - 'Get It To Dutch' In The Spotlight This Week At iHeart
THE MOUTH, JULY 18TH 2024 - This Week's Podcast Spotlight Roundup shines the light on “Good Game with Sarah Spain,” and “Get It to Dutch: A Screenwriter’s Journey” - Good Game with Sarah Spain: Award-winning sports journalist Sarah Spain breaks down all that’s big and exciting in women’s sports with her new daily show, dropping new episodes every weekday. Helping you keep track of your favorite teams, giving you the latest on news and games, and featuring interviews from those in and around these sports.
'Get It to Dutch: A Screenwriter’s Journey' centers around writers in Hollywood which includes an episode featuring “Weird Al” Yankovic. Listen as these incredibly funny comedic minds read from a new, original screenplay and share stories about their experiences in show business. New episodes of this podcast, featuring other exciting guests, release each Thursday. New episodes centering around a wide range of exciting topics are released every other Tuesday.
Podbean Announces 'AI Unleashed' Virtual Event
THE MOUTH, JULY 18TH 2024 - Podbean announced its upcoming event: "AI Unleashed: Podbean's New AI Features and Emerging AI Trends in Podcasting." Building on the success of the previous event, this session will delve deeper into the innovative AI tools Podbean has developed and explore the latest trends in AI within the podcasting industry. Register here "Learning about the development of AI is expanding the possibilities for many independent podcasters," said David Xu, CEO of Podbean. "Our goal is to empower podcasters with the tools they need to enhance their content, reach larger audiences, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry."
This virtual event is part of Podbean's commitment to supporting podcasters in expanding their skills and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving digital environment. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the team at Podbean, enhance their strategy, and connect with a community of like-minded creators.
ns: Get a glimpse of future AI developments and how they might revolutionize podcasting. Thursday, July 25th, 2024, 2 PM EST/ 11 AM PST Online event (Livestreamed on Youtube and Linkedin) - Register free HERE.
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REPORT: 'The Enduring Trust And Connections Provided By The Human Voice Remains Irreplaceable'
THE MOUTH, JULY 17TH 2024 - In a report titled: 'Audio: A Beacon of Trust in the Age of AI' by Audacy's Idil Cakim SVP, Head of Research & Insights, he writes that trust is the number one value brands need to instill in the new age of AI. Today, there’s much excitement about its potential to boost productivity, streamline workflows, and allow us to focus on what truly matters in our lives, both at work and personally. AI-generated images have captivated many, with 40% of people enjoying these digital creations. However, there’s a significant hurdle: trust. A staggering 75% of US adults believe AI can deceive them with false information, raising concerns about authenticity and reliability. Amidst this consumer skepticism, however, the human voice stands out as a beacon of trust.
Radio hosts, for instance, are valued 2.5 times more than social media influencers for delivering news (56% vs. 22%) and twice as much for sports commentary (40% vs. 21%). Similarly, podcast hosts are preferred over social media figures when discussing social issues (43% vs. 34%). These statistics underscore the profound impact of human voices in fostering meaningful connections and reliable information dissemination.
Audiences now have much to choose from when consuming content, and they think twice before sharing their personal information. They are seeking reliable sources of information regarding what’s close to home: their communities and teams. As the Audacy Innovation Tracker reveals, even those at the forefront of new technologies who want to share data to get personalized content are still more likely to trust the human voice.
While AI brings undeniable benefits to efficiency and creativity, the enduring trust and connection provided by human voices and connections remain irreplaceable. Whether through radio broadcasts or podcasts, these platforms continue to play a crucial role in shaping how brands engage with consumers, emphasizing authenticity and building lasting relationships based on genuine human interaction.
Rebe McEntire Returns To Host 60th Anniversary Of The ACM Awards Next May In Frisco, TX
THE MOUTH, JULY 17TH 2024 - Prime Video, the Academy of Country Music (ACM), and Dick Clark Productions announced that the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, the longest-running country music awards show, is set to take place on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. As previously announced, 16-time ACM Award-winning entertainment icon, Reba McEntire, will return to host the monumental 60th anniversary, marking her 18th time at the helm, the most of any artist in Academy of Country Music history. Additional details, including award submissions and voting timeline, nominees, performers, ticket sale details, and additional ACM Awards week events, will be confirmed in the months ahead.
“We’re excited to honor and celebrate the legacy of the ACM Awards all year long surrounding the 60th anniversary show returning to Amazon Prime Video next May,” said Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside. “Reba McEntire has hosted more ACM Awards shows than any other artist in history, and after her triumphant return this year for the 59th show, there is clearly no one better suited to helm this milestone show! Our landmark 50th anniversary show in 2015 marked our debut in Texas, and we’re thrilled to return again to celebrate another major moment in ACM history. We look forward to seeing our industry, artists, and fans celebrate in Frisco, Texas next May for an unforgettable week!”
“I’m thrilled to be coming back to host the 60th ACM Awards on Prime Video,” said Reba McEntire. “It’s going to be an absolute can’t miss show and I can’t wait to see everybody back in Texas!” The 59th ACM Awards streamed live for an international audience across 240+ countries and territories exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.
The 2023 ACM Awards were the first awards show to take place at Ford Center. In 2022, the Emmy-nominated ACM Awards made history as the first major awards show to exclusively stream live for a global audience and deliver an unforgettable concert event that put fans center stage across Prime Video, Amazon Music, Amazon Fashion, Amazon Freevee, Amazon Live, and more. The 2024 ACM Awards is available on demand on Prime Video, Amazon Freevee, and Amazon Music.
Rhonda Gerrard Rises To Area President For iHeart Nebraska-Iowa
THE MOUTH, JULY 17TH 2024 - iHeart announced that Rhonda Gerrard has been named Area President for the Nebraska-Iowa Area, effective immediately. She will continue to report to Shosh Abromovich, Division President for iHeartMedia. “I am thrilled to announce Rhonda as our new Area President. Her insightful knowledge of the industry, combined with her sharp skillsets, will undoubtedly drive our team’s growth and development throughout the Nebraska-Iowa Area and throughout iHeartMedia." said Abromovich.
Rhonda is a 30-year media veteran who has been with iHeartMedia for 13 years. She most recently oversaw the Nebraska-Iowa Area as the Senior VP of Sales prior to taking on this new role. Rhonda began her career at KFOR/KFRX in Lincoln, Nebraska and is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
“It is an honor and privilege to take the reins of the Nebraska-Iowa area and lead this incredibly talented group in employing iHeartMedia’s cutting edge assets to drive listener engagement, community outreach and client outcomes,” said Rhonda Gerrard.
Tish Boden Named Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus Fayetteville
THE MOUTH, JULY 17TH 2024 - Cumulus has appointed Tish Boden to Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus Fayetteville, NC, effective August 1, 2024. Boden steps into the role held by Cheryl Salomone, who announced her retirement earlier this year. Boden moves to Cumulus Fayetteville from Cumulus Shreveport, where she has been Vice President/Market Manager since December 2020. A native of the Carolinas, Boden brings over 20 years of radio management and sales experience to Cumulus Fayetteville. Prior to joining Cumulus Media in 2019, she was Market President for Power 92.3 in Atlanta, GA.
Mark Sullivan, Senior Vice President, Operations, Cumulus Media, said: “Tish Boden has been an impactful leader with a strong record of success. I’m happy for her to be closer to her family and happy for our team in Fayetteville, as they are welcoming a strong leader. I’m also grateful for the time that I had to work alongside Cheryl Salomone and thank her for her meaningful contributions to the company and to the Fayetteville community. We wish her the very best in her retirement.”
Tish Boden commented: "I truly appreciate all the amazing talent in Shreveport and the phenomenal people I’ve worked with there. I am very excited about the next chapter and look forward to joining the awesome team at Cumulus Fayetteville and building on the great success that Cheryl leaves behind. Thank you to Mary Berner, Bob Walker, and Mark Sullivan for this opportunity.”
AWMF Announces Inaugural Gracies Day Of Giving On July 26th
THE MOUTH, JULY 17TH 2024 - The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) is proud to announce the inaugural Gracies Day of Giving on July 26, in honor of the late Gracie Allen's birthday. This special day is dedicated to raising funds that directly impact the foundation's mission of creating positive change in media by producing educational programs, recognition events and scholarships that benefit students pursuing careers in media.
"We are thrilled to launch the Gracies Day of Giving as a way to honor Gracie Allen's legacy and support the next generation of women in media, especially as we begin planning for the 50th anniversary of the Gracie Awards" said Becky Brooks, President of AWMF. “Generous donations will allow us to continue offering vital resources and opportunities to young women who are poised to make significant contributions to the media industry."
The Gracies Leadership Awards, set to take place on November 19 at Tribeca 360° in New York City, celebrate the profound influence women have made in the media industry, while also inspiring and empowering the female leaders present. Through the funds raised on Gracies Day of Giving, AWMF will be able to provide students with networking and educational opportunities by connecting with industry trailblazers.
To Donate: Visit AWMF's donation page to make your one-time contribution or donate via Venmo @AWM-Foundation Spread the word about Gracies Day of Giving on social media using the hashtag #GraciesDayOfGiving. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant difference in advancing all women in media. Join us on July 26 to celebrate Gracie Allen's legacy and support the future of women in media. Make a donation here
Audacy Podcasts Announces Strategic Partnership With 'Office Ladies' Jenna Fischer And Angela Kinsey
THE MOUTH, JULY 17TH 2024 - Leading premium podcast network Audacy Podcasts announced a strategic partnership with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey to handle sales, distribution, and production for their award-winning, critically acclaimed hit series “Office Ladies.” The show had previously been with SiriusXM since its launch in October 2019. “Office Ladies” will move to Audacy on August 14, 2024, on the Audacy app and everywhere podcasts are available. “Angela and I were known for our chattiness on the set of ‘The Office.’ And for documenting details of our work day in photos, blog posts and journal entries. We’ve taken all of that and funneled it into the ‘Office Ladies’ podcast,” said Fischer. “
“What Jenna and Angela have built and accomplished in this space is nothing short of a phenomenon, and we’re beyond thrilled to welcome them and bring the juggernaut that is ‘Office Ladies’ into the Audacy family,” said Jenna Weiss-Berman, Executive Vice President, Audacy Podcasts. “We’re excited to work with them to deliver exciting, wide-ranging opportunities for clients and stellar content for millions of listeners and fans.”
The “Office Ladies” podcast has over 400 million downloads and is regularly on Edison Research’s list of the top 50 podcasts in the US. The show has won numerous awards, including: iHeart Radio Podcast of the Year and Best Ad Reads; the People’s Choice Webby Award for Television & Film (General Series); Discover Pods Best TV & Movies Podcast; and the Signal Award for Television & Film Podcast. For more information, visit Audacy, OfficeLadies.com, and TheLazyGeniusCollective.com.
Key Networks Teams With Oceanic Tradewinds For 'The Mix Factory'
THE MOUTH, JULY 17TH 2024 - Key Networks announced it has partnered with Oceanic Tradewinds to launch The Mix Factory – Top 40, a revolutionary new Mix show format for Contemporary music stations. The un-hosted, four-hour music Mix show is built for stations that want to make their weekends sound exciting.
The Mix Factory – Top 40 uses only the best research, and the presentation is versatile so each station can locally customize. Stations can plug in their own host while The Mix Factory – Top 40 creates the excitement and unpredictability of mixing the stickiest and most unique elements of each song from their playlist.
For more information, visit: https://keynetworks.com/mix-factory/. To get The Mix Factory – Top 40 for your station, contact Dennis Green, Chief Operating Officer, Key Networks, at 844.KEY.NETS or dennis@keynetworks.com. For advertisers and sponsors, contact Ron Russo, President of Sales, Key Networks, at ron@keynetworks.com. Please see the release below and attached for details. Also attached are logos for your use.
SNAPS: Bobby Bones Named MVP At MLB Celebrity All-Star Softball Game At Texas Rangers Stadium
THE MOUTH, JULY 17TH 2024 - Bobby Bones was named MVP at the Major League Baseball celebrity All Star softball game this week at Texas Rangers Stadium. Played with Terrell Owens, Dez Bryant, Pedro Martinez, Jenny Finch, Tiffany Haddish , Deion Sanders, and others . Bones went 2-2 with a home run and triple. And won the gold glove in the field.
Photo at left: Bones with Dallas Cowboys Dez Bryant after a play - Photo at right, Bones with MVP belt.
Jack Black Cancels Tenacious D Tour; Ryan Film 1st Day At The 'Wheel'
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'Backstage Country's Kelly Ford Adding Afternoon Drive On Long Island's 103.1 The Wolf
THE MOUTH, JULY 16TH 2024 - 103.1 The Wolf, Long Island will soon welcome Kelly Ford to Afternoon Drive holding down the 3p-7pm slot LIVE from Airport Plaza, Farmingdale - home of Connoisseur Media’s WWWF/103.1 The Wolf. Ford is the host of “Backstage Country” heard in 80 cities across the US including Philadelphia, Boston, Tampa, and Charlotte on a nationally syndicated morning show, and she remains as the only solo female morning show in the history of county music radio in New York City.
Over her career, Kelly has received three broadcasting honors from the Country Music Association, an ACM Award (Academy of Country Music), three Gracie Awards from the Alliance of Women in Media, and a Marconi Award from the National Association of Broadcasters. With her extensive country radio experience, Kelly has created a reputation for engaging storytelling, charismatic presence, and a genuine connection with the audience. “
We are incredibly excited to welcome Kelly Ford to Long Island and to 103.1 The Wolf,” said Patrick Shea, Program Director for WWWF/103.1 The Wolf. “Her enthusiasm and dedication to country music are evident, and we know she will be a fantastic addition to our team. Our listeners are in for a real treat.”
“I'm beyond thrilled to return to the NY market at 103.1 The Wolf! I know first-hand that Long Island Country listener's have a passion for the genre that is unmatched anywhere in the country,” said Kelly Ford, New Afternoon Host on 103.1 The Wolf. “I can't wait to build this brand with Jeff Warshaw, David Bevins and the Connoisseur team who believe in the power of radio! Listen to Kelly Ford starting August 1st.
After 39-Years, WAPL-FM Appleton Host Rick McNeil Stepping Away From Show Amid Ongoing Health Issues
THE MOUTH, JULY 16TH 2024 - WAPL-FM Appleton announced that one of its on-air hosts is stepping away after 39 years amid ongoing health issues. According to a social media post from 105.7 WAPL, plans were initially made to celebrate Rick McNeal’s retirement from the station, however, according to wearegreenbay.com, ongoing health issues are causing McNeal to leave the station earlier than planned.
"Hey folks, it’s with heavy hearts that we announce some tough news. We had exciting plans to celebrate Rick’s retirement and honor his remarkable 39-year career of entertaining Northeast Wisconsin at WAPL. Unfortunately, due to his ongoing health issues following the WAPL International Incident in early March, Rick is now stepping away. "WAPL officials say they will now be forced to move forward without McNeal and are beginning to start a search for a new co-host to join Cutter on the morning show.
105.7 WAPL Station officials say that they hope for everyone to come together to send McNeal everyone’s best wishes and that if Rick is feeling up to it, he could possibly return down the line as a guest. WAPL adds that updates for an upcoming benefit event for McNeal will be made soon and his goodbye can be heard here.
iHeart Debuts The New Throwbacks 101.1 FM Asheville NC
THE MOUTH, JULY 16TH 2024 - iHeartMedia Asheville announced he debut of the new Throwbacks 101.1, Asheville’s Classic Hip Hop and R&B, effective immediately. “We are so excited to launch Throwbacks 101.1 here in Asheville,” said Brian Hall, Sr. V.P of Programming for iHeartMedia Asheville. “This red-hot format is perfect for listeners who want to relive the glory days of Hip Hop and R&B with the biggest hits from their favorite artists."
“Throwbacks 101.1 allows us to open a lot of new doors in the Asheville community,” added Caroline Taylor, Market President for iHeartMedia Asheville. “We look forward to creating vibrant connections and new partnerships within the community and offering a dynamic listening experience that makes listeners move and feel great!” Full Programming Lineup: Big Boy 6 —10 a.m. Ashlee Young 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. The Block Party with B Paiz 2 — 7 p.m. Lady Ray 7p-12mid Roxy Romeo 12mid-6a.
YouTube Sensation, The Professor Of Rock, Teams With Skyview For Launch of New Radio Show
THE MOUTH, JULY 16TH 2024 - YouTube superstar, Adam Reader as the Professor of Rock, announced the launch of his energetic new radio show, Classic Rock U, in partnership with audio solutions company, Skyview Networks. With over one million subscribers on YouTube, Reader has captivated viewers on a global scale with his engaging content of nearly 700 unparalleled interviews with some of the most legendary musical artists and groups. “As a kid growing up in a small town in Idaho, my dad raised me on Rock ‘N’ Roll, and like many Gen-Xers, Classic Rock radio and MTV, when they used to play music, were my windows to the world,” said Adam Reader. “I listened to Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 countdown every week and was dazzled by the stories behind the songs and the artists who created them.”
The show will debut on 97.1 The Drive (WDRV-FM) in Chicago, KSLX-FM in Phoenix, and KSHE-FM in St. Louis, and will be produced out of Hubbard Radio Chicago. “This is incredibly fresh Classic Hits and Classic Rock content that combines the powers of radio with a YouTube star,” said WDRV-FM Brand/Content Director, Keith Hastings. “Classic Rock U allows Adam's exclusive interviews and rich storytelling to be featured between the songs themselves in a highly compelling show that jumps out of the speakers.”
Jeanne-Marie Condo, President of Network Partnerships and Chief Revenue Officer of Skyview Networks commented on the partnership, stating, “Adam’s special YouTube show and his extraordinary talent has brought Classic Rock U to life, serving as a celebration of creativity and innovation. We are excited for what will be a treasured show by many for its rare access to the legends of Classic Rock, and we look forward to delivering a unique and immersive listening experience for our audiences and advertisers.” For affiliation and programming information on Classic Rock U, contact affiliation@skyviewsat.com or visit skyviewnetworks.com/classic-rock-u.
SPECai Creators Launch Voice Cloning Feature for Spec Spot Production Users
THE MOUTH, JULY 16TH 2024 - NCO Systems, Inc., Benztown, and Compass Media Networks introduce a new voice cloning feature for their award-winning SPECai spec spot creation product for radio. The first-of-its-kind feature gives SPECai users even more customization, diversity, and choice in creating high quality, high impact spec spots for clients. SPECai uses advanced AI technology to generate fully produced spec spots in English and Spanish, including regional accents.
SPECai’s innovative new voice cloning feature allows users to easily clone voices they have the authorization to use in creating a spec spot. SPECai replicates the authorized voice, analyzing a user-uploaded audio sample, which users can then customize to suit the intended tone or emotion. SPECai’s immediate turnaround dramatically reduces the costs and labor associated with manual voice cloning processes, with production times reduced from hours to seconds.
Ken Frommert, President, ENCO Systems, Inc., said: “The voice of the business or radio station now has a powerful tool to lend more credibility to their AI spec spots. SPECai has already changed the game for radio broadcasters and advertisers seeking to streamline and reduce the costs of ad production. Our instant voice cloning feature amplifies SPECai’s value proposition by providing users with a simple and straightforward workflow to upload their own samples of voices they are authorized to use, and create compelling ads that more effectively connect audiences and sponsors.”
For more info, ontact Nancy Abramson at nabramson@compassmedianetworks.com for a demo. For more information about SPECai, visit: www.enco.com/specai.
SNAPS: Doug Gottlieb Throws Out First Pitch At Nationals Vs. Brewers Game Los Angeles
THE MOUTH, JULY 16TH 2024 - FOX Sports Radio syndicated personality Doug Gottlieb – host of The Doug Gottlieb Show and head coach of the men’s basketball team at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay – threw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals vs. Milwaukee Brewers game at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Friday, July 12. Gottlieb also did a live broadcast of The Doug Gottlieb Show from the stadium on Friday. Pictured: Doug Gottlieb throws out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals vs. Milwaukee Brewers game on Friday, July 12.
The former basketball standout shares his quick-witted, smart and outspoken brand of entertainment with listeners nationwide. The program airs Monday through Friday, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET on more than 230 stations nationwide, as well as the FOX Sports Radio channel on iHeartRadio, and podcasts on multiple platforms. For more information, please visit www.FOXSportsRadio.com.
WIBL/Bloomington, IL At The Corn Crib For 7th Annual Seats For Soldiers Event
THE MOUTH, JULY 16TH 2024 - 107.7 & 92.1 The Bull, Magic 99.5, Cities 92.9, CEFCU, Miller Lite, and Tentac held its 7th annual Seats Soldiers event to support local veterans. The event helped to raise money for Hope for the Warriors®, a foundation that helps Central Illinois Veterans from all branches of the military, from the enlisted to the deployed. This year’s goal was $25,000 ALL proceeds donated to Hope for the Warrior.
On July 10th at 6:00 am, Chris Murphy and Glen Cooper (shown left and righ along with Sam Alex at right) took their seats and broadcast from the Corn Crib in Normal for 36 straight hours to help those who have served our country. Over the course of these 36 hours, members of the community will be encouraged to “Save Seats” and/or make a donation to benefit Hope for the Warriors®. “Saved Seats” will be marked with an American Flag, designating that seat saved for a member of our military.
Brewer Broadcasting On The Hunt For PD/Air Talent At KICKS 96 Richmond, IN
THE MOUTH, JULY 16TH 2024 - Brewer Broadcasting in Richmond, Indiana is offering a great opportunity for a Program Director/Air Talent for our flag ship Country Station. Duties are centered on direct oversight of programming, music, and brand management.
Kicks 96 is one of 3 stations for Brewer Broadcasting in Richmond, IN. We recruit passionate, driven, resourceful, problem solvers who work hard and play hard. You get the small market environment of a family-owned radio company within an hour’s drive to Indianapolis, Dayton, OH and Cincinnati. Top candidates will be versatile and possess exceptional PD/On-Air Country Music format experience, have social media skills, and play nice in the sandbox with a track record of success.
We offer competitive pay for small market. Market leading benefits that include PTO, 9 holidays, medical, dental, vision, health savings account with company contribution, and life Insurance coverage, collaboration with a 3-station creative team. Extensive tools and resources available to maintain station strength. Submit a 2-minute selfie-styled video sharing why you are the ideal candidate to join our privately-owned & locally operated winning team, along with your resume & best air-check to: Amy Dillon, amyd@kicks96.com Brewer Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Kate Hudson Releases Album; Disney Investigating Possible Major Hack
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Iconic Radio Sex Therapist Dr. Ruth Passes Away At 96; 'Her Radio Success Opened New Doors'
THE MOUTH, JULY 15TH 2024 - Dr. Ruth Westheimer who turned heads back in the 80's as a radio sex therapist and best-selling author has passed away. She was 96. AP reports that Westheimer died on Friday at her home in New York City, surrounded by her family, according to publicist and friend Pierre Lehu. Her frank approach to discussing formerly taboo topics led her to the national prominence in the early 1980s. Her radio success opened new doors, and in 1983 she wrote the first of more than 40 books.
“If we could bring about talking about sexual activity the way we talk about diet — the way we talk about food — without it having this kind of connotation that there’s something not right about it, then we would be a step further. But we have to do it with good taste,” she told Johnny Carson in 1982. She normalized the use of words like “penis” and “vagina” on radio and TV, aided by her Jewish grandmotherly accent, which The Wall Street Journal once said was “a cross between Henry Kissinger and Minnie Mouse.” People magazine included her in their list of “The Most Intriguing People of the Century.” In 2019, she was inducted into The Radio Hall of Fame.
Walter Sabo, aka, Walter Sterling, posted on Facebook that Dr. Ruth Westheimer holds the audience share record for 18-34s in New York. "When her first-ever radio show launched on WYNY FM it was 15 minutes a week. She solicited letters. By the end of week 2, she was getting over 1,000 letters a week. General Manager Dan Griffin put her on the air. Mitch Lebe had a good talk show and had Ruth on as a guest, she was memorable! Betty Elan, Public Affairs director met her at a City College lecture. Everyone saw and felt the potential, but it was Mr Griffin who came to me with the plan to hire Dr. Ruth. I was Executive Vice-President in charge of the NBC FM stations and WYNY FM was my responsibility—being irresponsible I said—yup, put her on. A few months later, Al Brady Law the next GM and Pete Salant expanded her show to two hours on Sunday nights taking live phone calls. Very quickly she got on the cover of PEOPLE, was a guest on NBC's The Tonigth Show and became Dr. Ruth!" Read More Here - Photo/Getty Images For Radio Hall of Fame
'Yako' Calderon Jr. Tapped As Program Director For Y100 Miami
THE MOUTH, JULY 15TH 2024 - iHeartMedia has named Larry “Yako” Calderon Jr. Program Director of Y100, Miami. He replaces Taylor Jukes who was promoted to Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeart San Diego. He will report to PJ Gonzalez, Senior Vice President of Programming, and Shari Gonzalez, Market President, for iHeartMedia Miami.
“I’ve known Yako for many years and have seen his professional growth first-hand,” said PJ Gonzalez. “His deep knowledge of the vibrant Miami culture, and his passion for the CHR pop format, makes him the ideal candidate for this role.”
Larry Calderon Jr. (Yako) brings over 25 years of broadcast radio experience, having made a significant impact in major East Coast markets such as NYC, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Boston. For the past seven years, Larry has served as the Music Director for Tu 94.9, the #1 Spanish CHR station in Miami giving him a unique perspective and background to lead Y100 in this culturally diverse market.
“I’m thrilled to embark on this new journey with this legendary CHR station,” said Larry “Yako” Calderon Jr. “As a long-time, passionate fan of both Y100 and pop music, I can’t wait to bring my energy and love for the brand to the forefront and make an impact on Miami’s music scene.”
'The Jesse Kelly Show' Expands To Nights On iHeart's NewsRadio WFLF AM 540 Orlando
THE MOUTH, JULY 15TH 2024 - iHeartMedia Orlando has added “The Jesse Kelly Show” to its weekday evening lineup on NewsRadio WFLF AM 540. The Premiere Networks-syndicated show will broadcast Monday through Friday from 7 - 10 p.m. ET. The program joined Premiere’s lineup in June 2021, and can be heard on more than 200 stations across the country, in addition to iHeartRadio. “We are thrilled to welcome Jesse Kelly to WFLA Orlando!” said Ken Holiday, Senior Vice President of Programming, iHeartMedia Orlando.
The addition of WFLF expands “The Jesse Kelly Show’s” reach in Florida. The program can also be heard on WFLA-AM in Tampa, WIOD-AM in Miami, WMMB-AM in Melbourne, WJNO-AM in West Palm Beach, WZTA-AM in Vero Beach, WZLB-FM in Fort Walton, WCCF-AM in Port Charlotte and WXJB-FM in Homosassa.
iHeart Cleveland Debuts the New Throwback 99.1 FM
THE MOUTH, JULY 15TH 2024 - iHeartMedia Cleveland announced the debut of the new Throwback 99.1, effective immediately. Throwback 99.1 will broadcast the best throwback songs from the 90’s and 2000’s. The station will also feature local well-known personalities LeeAnn Sommers in Morning Drive and Allen Colon in Afternoon Drive and launches with 10,000 songs in a row commercial free.
“Throwback is more than just the name of the station; it’s a cultural touchstone that celebrates the artists and anthems that were the soundtrack of a generation,” said Keith Hotchkiss, Market President for iHeartMedia Cleveland. “Clevelanders who grew up with this music have fond memories of the stations and personalities that brought the music to the masses, and we’re bringing it back on 99.1!”
Full Programming Lineup: LeeAnn Sommers 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. City Newwss 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Allen Colon 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. LadyRay 7:00 p.m. – Midnight Roxy Romeo Midnight - 6:00 a.m. Black Information Network programming previously heard on 99.1 is now available on 101.1 FM.
Delilah To Be Honored With MIW's 'Airblazer Award At Morning Show Boot Camp 36 In San Diego
THE MOUTH, JULY 15TH 2024 - Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW), in association with Morning Show Boot Camp, are delighted to announce that legendary radio host and Premiere Networks-syndicated personality Delilah is the recipient of the 8th annual 2024 MIW Airblazer Award.
The MIW Airblazer Award stems from an alliance formed in 2015 between MIW
and Morning Show Boot Camp (MSBC). The recipient is carefully selected, as is tradition, by the prior year’s recipient and is recognized for her dedication and contributions to the broadcast industry and to the communities she serves. The 2024 Airblazer Award will be presented to Delilah during the Morning Show Boot Camp on Friday, August 9, 2024, at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, CA. To register for 2024 MSBC visit: https://radiomsbc.com/.
With an audience of over eight million weekly listeners on 160 radio stations, Delilah is the most-listened-to-woman on radio in the U.S. Her unique voice and connection with loyal listeners and fans have made her a mainstay on radio. Commenting on the announcement, Delilah said, "I'm honored to be recognized by MIW and MSBC with their annual Airblazer Award, joining a group of very talented women who've also received this tremendous award. I do my very best to stay true to my audience and I value the one-on-one relationship we have. If my actions inspire other women in our industry to do the same, then I'm all the more humbled by this recognition."
MIW Board President Ruth Presslaff adds, “Delilah’s dedication to the radio industry, to children, and to communities far and wide has rightfully garnered an impressive collection of awards. MIW is proud to add Airblazer to the list. We are, as always, appreciative of Don Anthony for partnering with us on recognizing extraordinary women broadcasters.” 2023 MIW Airblazer
Dana Cortez, creator, and host of the nationally syndicated Dana Cortez Show said, “I’m beyond excited to announce I have chosen Delilah as this year’s Airblazer Award from Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio. Listening to Delilah gave me chills and learning about her career in radio gave me inspiration. The ceilings she broke through have opened up opportunity for every woman who has ever dreamed of a career behind the mic. Now everyone sing DE LIIIII LAAAHHHHH .” Register HERE for Morning Show Boot Camp San Diego
Atlanta's Steve Craig And Pete Spriggs Among Honorees During This Year's Legends Of Georgia Radio Event
THE MOUTH, JULY 15TH 2024 - In next month's 3rd Annual Friends of Georgia Radio Celebration hosted by legendary morning personalities, Randy and Spiff, venerable Atlanta host, Steve Craig and longtime WSB A/F programmer Pete Spriggs will be among honorees. Steve Craig helped build the original 99X Atlanta brand, then headed to New York City to launch Classic Alternative 101.9 RXP, returning in 2012 to help guide Atlanta’s 97.1 The River for the last decade.
When the 99X brand re-launched on 100.5 in 2022, he re-joined his old station as Program Director and midday personality. On air, Craig has anchored Middays for both WRXP and 99X, and then served as the morning host on 97.1 The River for 9 years. Craig hosted the 99X “Locals Only” show, breaking Atlanta-based artists Collective Soul, Sugarland, John Mayer, and others.
Pete Spriggs took over as program director of top-rated WSB Radio in 2000 and served for 19 years as Director of Branding and Programming. Spriggs managed the addition of an FM signal in 2010. His leadership earned WSB multiple Marconi Awards, including Major Market Station of the Year in 2018. He retired after 19 years, leaving WSB at the top of its game. See all seven honorees HERE
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Stefan Jones Rises To President Of United Stations
THE MOUTH, JULY 12TH, 2024 - Gemini XIII has promoted Stefan Jones to President of United Stations (USRN). Stefan Jones has a wealth of product experience and a proven track record of success in the radio and media industry. With over two decades in various leadership roles, Jones’ strategic vision and deep understanding of the evolving media landscape make him the ideal leader to steer USRN into its next phase of growth.
"We are incredibly excited to elevate Stefan Jones to this position," said Spencer Brown, CEO of Gemini XIII. "His expertise, passion, and approach align perfectly with our mission to deliver exceptional audio content and services."
In his new role, Jones will oversee all aspects of USRN's operations, including programming, services, affiliate relations, and affiliate sales. He will continue to work closely with the talented team at USRN and parent company Gemini XIII to develop innovative strategies that enhance the network's offerings and drive value for its affiliates and partners.
"I am honored to continue my work in expanding United Stations portfolio of high-quality programming and services at such a pivotal time in the industry," said Stefan Jones. "USRN has a rich history and I look forward to working to build upon its legacy and exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation."
Hannah Lane Becomes Mississippi's First MIW Mentee
THE MOUTH, JULY 12TH, 2024 - Congratulations to WUSJ, Jackson, MISS' Hannah Lane for becoming the states first Mentoring and Inspiring Women/MAB Women in Radio mentee! Hannah will be mentored by some of the brightest women in the industry as she continues to grow her career.
"I can’t find the words to explain this career. Knowing I will now be able to be mentored by Broadcasting Presidents around the COUNTRY is absolutely a God thing," said Hannah. "The fact that out of everyone they saw something in me and chose me is something I will NEVER take for granted. I can’t wait to learn from some of the best. Today we made history. Chase your dreams. I hope I show you every day that no matter what age you are, you can make big things happen."
Hannah came to WUSJ in October of 2023 and is on Mornings with Nate and Traci and handles the cluster's social media accounts. You can reach out to Hannah here. (hannah.lane@digiostrategies.com - in case the hyperlink doesn't come through)
Syndication: 'The Other Side of Midnight With Frank Morano' Added At WGN Chicago
THE MOUTH, JULY 12TH, 2024 - Red Apple Audio Networks has announced WGN Radio has added 'The Other Side of Midnight with Frank Morano', the fastest growing syndicated overnight show in the nation. The Other Side of Midnight with Frank Morano debuts on WGN Monday, July 15. The popular overnighter airs Midnight to 4a Monday and 1a to 4a Tuesday through Friday from its flagship station, WABC Radio in New York.
“The Other Side of Midnight with Frank Morano is engaging, creative, and lively – a trifecta not often found in late night radio shows,” said Mary Sandberg Boyle, Vice President/General Manager of WGN. “WGN is one of the most respected news/talk radio stations in America,” said Chad Lopez, President of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio.
In addition to WGN and WABC, The Other Side of Midnight with Frank Morano is on WCCO, Minneapolis; KMOX, St. Louis; K-DAWN, Las Vegas; WCBM-AM, Baltimore; WFDF-AM, Detroit; and more.
Tino Cochino Radio Notches 103.1 NOW FM Monroe, LA
THE MOUTH, JULY 12TH, 2024 - The YEA Media Group nationally syndicated Tino Cochino Radio has officially been named the new night show on Stephens Media Group KNNW - Monroe, LA. Tino and the team are set to light up nights (6-10) starting Monday. Operations manager Taurian T-Lay Collins commented...
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Tino Cochino Radio to 103.1 NOW-FM. Tino's unique and engaging style, along with the dynamic energy of his team, has made them standouts in the industry. We are big fans of their work and are confident our listeners will love the show just as much as we do."
TCR Host Tino added... "T-Lay understands the vision of personality driven radio in 2024. We’re excited to continue and grow our partnership with Stephen’s Media Group. Special thanks to Bob Thorton, Tommy Del Rio and the entire SMG fam" Tino Cochino Radio is available for all dayparts via barter. Reach out to Mikey@tinocochinoradio.com or scott@yeamediagroup.com for details.
Audacy Podcasts Launches 'The Goodness Factor With Shelley Wade'
THE MOUTH, JULY 12TH, 2024 - Audacy’s 94.7 The Block afternoon host and award-winning veteran broadcaster Shelley Wade is launching a weekly podcast focused on good people in the world doing good things. “The Goodness Factor with Shelley Wade” will launch on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, on the Audacy app and everywhere podcasts are available. New episodes will be released on Tuesdays.
"I was motivated to create 'The Goodness Factor' podcast to inspire those who feel discouraged by the daily impact of negative news. Also, I've been inspired my whole life by people like Dr. King, Oprah, and Mister Rogers, who demonstrated that you can use your platform for goodness," said Shelley Wade. "I want to be part of that legacy and 'The Goodness Factor' gives me the opportunity to do just that, and I'm excited to expand my platform at Audacy with the series."
"Shelley is a radio legend whose positive outlook on life mirrors the passion she brings to the airwaves,” said Maddy Sprung-Keyser, VP, Head of Original Podcasts, Audacy. “‘The Goodness Factor’ will bring joy to listeners and offer exciting opportunities for advertisers and clients alike.” An accomplished and versatile media personality, Shelley Wade is currently heard weekday afternoons on New York’s 94.7 The Block (Audacy). Throughout her accomplished career, she’s graced the airwaves of legendary radio stations in Houston, Los Angeles and San Diego, and was the first African American to ever host a full-time show on Z100 New York.
FOX Sports 'The Gambler' Philadelphia Launches New iHeartPodcast — 'Behind the Vig'
THE MOUTH, JULY 12TH, 2024 - HeartMedia Philadelphia and FOX Sports Radio "The Gambler” announced the launch of a new iHeartPodcast series, ""Behind the Vig.” This eight-part series will offer an in-depth exploration of the sports betting industry, going beyond bets and strategies to delve into the business side of sports betting. Tune in for perspectives on the sports betting industry never heard before, brought to you by two Philly guys whose passion and knowledge run deep.
Co-hosts Sean Brace, Program Director for Fox Sports “The Gambler” in Philadelphia, and Evan Davis, Gaming and Sports Practice Lead at Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC, provide unique insights into the sports wagering world. Hear captivating stories from industry insiders to gain a deeper understanding of what goes on behind the scenes in all things sports gambling. Learn about the companies that are driving the industry’s growth and meet the investors who are backing these efforts.
“Behind the Vig” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and FoxPHLGambler.com.
Audio1 Kicks Off 24/7 Christmas Formats In July
THE MOUTH, JULY 12TH, 2024 - You may smell BBQ and sunscreen in the air but at Audio1 we are thinking pine needles and fireplaces. Audio 1’s Custom Format Team have created 24/7 Christmas formats in multiple genres including Pop, Traditional, Christian, Urban, and Country.
The formats are jockless so affiliates can localize the content. These formats are not the same cookie cutter, off the shelf you have heard in the past. Using the latest Audio 1 technology we provide advanced customized formats even with our 24/7 Christmas offerings. Ready to air starting November 1st with reduced pricing through July as an early holiday gift.
“Audio 1 is excited to add “24/7 Christmas” formats to our lineup of Custom Formats that are designed for listeners in YOUR market and every market in the country. Not only do we get to bring festive cheer to listeners around the clock, but by doing so with holiday music, stations will be able to attract a wide audience with a format that has the highest brand loyalty in the game.” says Mike Ragz, Director of Programming, Audio 1. Learn more here: https://audio1.com/formats/christmas-24-7/ Contact Jessica.sherman@audio1.com for more details.
'Inside Out 2' Becomes Pixar's Alltime Top Grossing Film Globally
Joe Jonas Announces Return to Solo Music Career with Jonas Brothers’ Blessing
Beastie Boys Sue Chili’s Owner for Using 1994 Hit Song ‘Sabotage’ in Advertisements
Reba McEntire’s New Sitcom Gets a Premiere Date
Katy Perry Taps Into the Girl Power for Empowering ‘Woman’s World’ Music Video
Singer Dave Loggins Dead at 76
Shelley Duvall, star of ‘The Shining,’ dead at 75
"Miracle" Dog Found Alive Over 40 Feet Down in Virginia Cave, Lured out by Salami
Photo-Casey Durkin/NBC
Edison: Podcast Listening On-the-Go U.S. vs. UK
THE MOUTH, JULY 11TH, 2024 - Ask Americans to conjure up images of the UK and two things quickly come to mind: double-decker buses and The Beatles crossing the street outside Abbey Road Studios. It turns out these iconic figures represent things that podcast listeners in the UK do a lot more than their cousins in the U.S. – listen on public transport and while walking around. Edison Podcast Metrics™ has been collecting detailed data about podcast listening in the U.S. since 2019, and now in the UK for over one full year, and is the source of this week’s insight on podcast listening locations.
One of the items we can examine is where people tell us they listen to podcasts most often. While “at home” is the answer for the majority of podcast listeners in both countries, some clear cultural differences emerge when we look at podcast listening in other settings. In the UK, respondents are far more likely than those in the U.S. to say they listen most while “walking around or on foot” – it is the choice of 14% of weekly podcast listeners in the UK, but only 6% in the U.S.
Similarly, Brits are three times more likely to say they listen most while on public transport (6%) than their American podcast-listening counterparts (2%). The percent of weekly podcast listeners who listen most in the car is higher in the U.S. due to America's car-dominated commute culture. Fifteen percent of respondents in the U.S. say the car is the location where they listen most, as compared to 10% across the pond.
Joe Kelly Joins For Mornings At Newsradio 1080 KRLD Dallas; Mike Rogers Takes Over Middays
THE MOUTH, JULY 11TH, 2024 - Audacy's NewsRadio 1080 KRLD (KRLD-AM) in Dallas welcomes Joe Kelley as the new host of “The KRLD Morning News,” which airs weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. CT. Station veteran Mike Rogers will now be heard weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT and host a long-form news-oriented talk show.
“We’re proud to unveil the next phase of KRLD’s new-look lineup by adding Joe Kelley and moving local favorite Mike Rogers to middays,” Drew Anderssen, News & Talk Format Vice President, Audacy, and Brand Manager, NewsRadio 1080 KRLD and Texas State Networks. “Mike has resonated with our listeners for over three decades, and we have no doubt he will continue to provide informative, relevant content to them in middays. We’re equally excited to welcome Joe Kelley, who, with his rich background in news and multi-platform content distribution, will bring a wealth of experience and passion to our morning news.”
“I am honored to join the esteemed KRLD brand and embrace the responsibility of upholding the legacy crafted by generations of broadcasters,” said Kelley. “Returning to Texas—a place that resonates with familiarity and warmth—fills me with great enthusiasm. I look forward to further elevating KRLD’s prominence in the North Texas community.”
Kelley joins KRLD from Orlando, where he held a similar position at WDBO. Kelley returns to Dallas after serving in on-air roles for KLIF and later WBAP in the early 2000s.
Ryan Gibbons Named Executive Producer For 102.5 KZOK Seattle's BJ & Sarah's Morning Show
THE MOUTH, JULY 11TH, 2024 - Ryan Gibbons (shown top left) has returned to iHeart's KZOK Seattle to serve as Executive Producer For the BJ & Sarah Morning Show (BJ at far right, Sarah second from left and Waldo, associate producer shown in center). Gibbons started out at WYSP as a producer for Danny Bonaduce from November 2008- September 2011. Then stuck around for a bit after 'YSP flipped to WIP before heading out to Seattle to join Danny and Sarah from Feb 2013 to September 2016. From there he moved to WXSS - 103.7 KISS FM to be morning show producer for Riggs and Alley where he remained until April 2020 when I got downsized due to Covid. And now he's back, where he says, 'he belongs.'
BJ Shea commented: “I met Gibbins at 'Bootcamp and was instantly impressed. Happy to have him on our team!” “Happy to welcome Gibbons back to Seattle, his experience and expertise of working with top talent in multiple markets is going to be a difference maker for our already winning team with BJ Shea & Sarah on 102.5 KZOK. Love the energy and enthusiasm he has brought through the front door on day one," added Chris Sargent, KZOK Program Director. Sarah commented: "“I worked with Gibbons in Philly, then again in Seattle, and am SO happy to have him back on KZOK. He is a top notch producer!”
“I’m thrilled beyond words to rejoin my all-time favorite city and radio station with world-class talent like BJ Shea and Sarah," said Gibbins.
The TJ Show With TJ Taormina Up To 60+ Markets
THE MOUTH, JUNE 27TH, 2024 - The TJ Show, hosted by the charismatic and beloved radio personality TJ Taormina, is thrilled to announce its significant expansion, now broadcasting across 60 markets nationwide, and internationally in Canada and the UK. This milestone marks a remarkable year of growth and success for the show, further solidifying its place in the market as a leading voice in omnichannel radio entertainment. The TJ Show's success can be attributed to its innovative approach to daytime radio. TJ Taormina, along with co-host JBo, Producer Kenny, Producer Heather and Camera Guy Josh, have built a loyal following, turning everyday moments into unforgettable radio experiences, not just over the airwaves but beyond. In just a short time, the team has built a presence across digital channels including their weekly newsletter and social media, often generating content that goes viral on both TikTok and Instagram.
"I’m so grateful for the overwhelming support from our listeners, affiliates, and our dedicated team both on and off the air," said TJ Taormina. "Reaching over 60 markets so quickly feels surreal and it’s a testament to the power of connection and community which has always been the heartbeat of radio. We’re excited to continue this journey, bringing laughter and meaningful conversation to even more people across the country."
Leading markets for The TJ Show include: New York, Long Island(Nassau-Suffolk), Mobile, AL, Albany, NY, Lexington, KY, Knoxville, TN, Huntsville, AL as well as the US Virgin Islands, Canada and the United Kingdom. Listeners can tune in to The TJ Show in their city on the radio.
For Media Inquiries, please contact: Erica Farmer VP, Strategic Marketing, Gemini XIII efarmer@gemini13media.com For Radio Affiliation, contact: Scott Meyers VP, Entertainment & Special Projects scott@meyersmedia.com
Still Time To Presubmit Ideas For MSBC 36's Legendary 'Battle Of The Bits' Competition*
THE MOUTH, JUNE 19TH, 2024 - For those attending this year's Morning Show Boot Camp 36 San Diego, entries are now being accepted for the legendary 'Battle of The Bits' competition. Just click on the entree form below for details including a summary of your bit or idea along with supporting audio/video.
Important: Supporting Audio/Video of Your submission should not be longer than 1-minute (00:60) or require added production. We'll select the top 10 finalists** to present their bits on stage (and audio/video will be played) live for our judges and the audience. Judges (Shown above) will pick their favorite bits/ideas based on a scoring sheet, and the winner will receive the top prize.
New to MSBC 36 will be our Round 2: Rapid-Fire Ideas. Audience members will get a chance to come up and submit their bits/ideas for the rapid fire round. They'll each get 1 minute to describe their idea or bit for a chance to walk away with one of two special cash prizes.
Ideas can include those from on-air, social media or a special event. Send us your bits below and then join us Thursday, August 8th 2024 in San Diego for Battle of the Bits - **You must be present to win! Click HERE For Submissions.
MSBC 36 is set for Aug. 8-10 at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego - Click HERE To Register. MSBC 36 Battle of The Bits 2024 is sponsored by Wise Brother Media.
Blog: 'Younger Drivers Pay The Most Attention To The In-Dash Radio Display Screen'
THE MOUTH, JUNE 18TH, 2024 — This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog examines in-car visual displays utilizing data from a May 2024 study of 305 national media agencies and advertisers conducted by Advertiser Perceptions. And while it examines Advertiser awareness, it also takes a closer look at younger listeners and their attraction to in-car radio displays.
As shown in the graphic below, younger drivers pay the most attention to the in-dash radio display screen. Hard-to-reach younger consumers who skip online video ads, use ad blockers, and rarely watch linear TV confound advertisers. It turns out younger consumers pay the most attention to the visuals on in-car radio displays. The Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group© commissioned MARU/Matchbox to conduct a national study of 1,065 adults 18+ in June 2021.
According to the study, 66% of adults 18-34 say they pay attention to the radio screen while they listen in-car. 57% of adults 35-49 say they pay attention to the in-dash visuals on radio displays. The more you listen, the more you notice the in-car AM/FM radio display; The more you drive, the more you notice the in-car display Attentiveness to in-dash visual displays increases by the amount of AM/FM radio time spent and miles traveled.
70% of heavy AM/FM radio listeners say they regularly/occasionally pay attention to the in-car AM/FM radio display screen when they listen. 64% of “mega milers,” those who clock 150 or more miles in the car weekly, say they regularly/occasionally pay attention to the in-car AM/FM radio display screen when they listen. Read blog here.
WRMF-FM's Kevin Rolston Of The 'KVJ Show To Receive MSBC's 2024 'Kidd Kraddick Award'
THE MOUTH, MAY 13TH, 2024 - ICYMI, Kevin Rolston of WRMF-FM's top-rated KVJ show has been named the 2024 recipient of Morning Show Boot Camp's (MSBC) prestigious 'Kidd Kraddick Award'. Kevin is joined on-air by co-hosts Virginia Sinicki and Jason Pennington (shown L-R). Named in honor of the late Kidd Kraddick, the annual award recognizes those of unparalleled success, inimitable style and authenticity. exemplary service to their community and serving as a constant source of inspiration to other shows and personalities.
Traditionally, each year's recipient is charged with selecting the following year's honoree. Last year's recipient, Dave Ryan (R) of iHeart's KDWB-FM Minneapolis, said in selecting Rolston, "The responsibility of choosing the next Kidd Kraddick Award winner is the hardest part of winning this award. So many amazing radio people went through my head like characters on a slot machine! But I owed Kevin for helping me hide that body at Boot Camp 2014 so I knew he was the one."
Ryan adds, "Seriously, Kevin is amazing on two important fronts. Of course he's an incredible radio talent. His content is different and fun and innovative and absolutely compelling. He never plays it safe and it pays off. On top ofthat, he's a visionary. He sees where the industry is going and how to get his show on that same path. If you want to know where to point your show in 2024, follow Kevin."
On being named as this year's recipient Kevin says, "There isn't an honor I would cherish more. I believe Kidd Kraddick was the most gifted person to ever crack a microphone in our industry. Everyone to have received his award is an industry giant. I don't feel worthy, but I'm not gonna turn this down either! And to receive this award from Dave Ryan is such a cool full-circle moment for me."
"Dave Ryan is the sole reason I'm even in radio in the first place," Kevin added, "Hearing him on the Morning Zoo at WNCI in Columbus as a young impressionable kid at Ohio University who couldn't pick a career path, inspired me and gave me the idea that maybe I could do this too. I wanted to be him so bad. Kind of weird where life takes you."
Past honorees include Bert Weiss of the syndicated 'The Bert Show,' The YEA Network Syndicated 'The Kidd Kraddick Show, The Ace & TJ Show, 97X Quad Cities' Dwyer & Michaels Show, Big 105.9 Miami's Paul Castronovo, BJ Shea, co-host of The BJ & Sarah Mornings on KZOK-FM Seattle, The Roula & Ryan Show, on KRBE-FM Houston, Brother Wease Radio 95.1 Rochester, Mojo of Channel 955 Detroit's Mojo in the Morning and, of course, Dave Ryan.
The Kraddick Award will be presented during Talentmasters' 36th Annual Morning Show Boot Camp (MSBC), taking place August 8-10 at The Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego. Register now by clicking HERE
STUDY: Telecommunications Among Most Impacted Industries By Technology in 2024
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 2ND, 2024 - “The Impact of Technology in 2024 and Beyond,” found AI as the technology most likely to have the greatest impact on a broad range of industries from film to medicine. The Impact of Technology in 2024 and Beyond: AN IEEE global study (IEEE) Extended reality, cloud computing, 5G and electric vehicles are also among the top five most important technologies in 2024, according to the IEEE. The survey of CTOS (Global Tech. Officers) from the US, UK, China, India and Brazil found AI to be the most impactful technology next year, encompassing predictive and generative AI, machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP).
Telecommunications, Manufacturing, Financial Industries Most impacted by Technology in 2024- The top five industry sectors that will be most impacted by technology in 2024, according to survey responses, are:
(41%) telecommunications (as compared to 40% in 2023)
(39%) manufacturing (as compared to 30% in 2023)
(39%) banking and financial services (as compared to 33% in 2023)
(31%) automotive and transportation (as compared to 39% in 2023)
(31%) energy (as compared to 33% in 2023)
According to the survey, among the top uses of AI in the coming year will be real-time cybersecurity, increasing supply chain efficiency, aiding and accelerating software development, automating customer service, and the speeding up screening of job applicants. However, integrating AI into existing work isn’t as straightforward as flipping a switch. In the study, nearly half of respondents said they see difficulty integrating AI into existing workflows as one of the top three concerns when it comes to using generative AI in 2024.
The benefit of AI is clear to many, but there’s a tricky part: potential risks. Among them is the risk of overreliance on generative AI for facts. As the IEEE puts it, the problem is that those facts aren’t always accurate. And with all forms of AI, it can be difficult to find out how, exactly, the software arrived at its conclusion. In the survey, 59% of respondents cited an “overreliance on AI and potential inaccuracies” as a top concern of AI use in their organizations. Part of the problem is that the training data itself can be inaccurate. “Verifying training data is difficult because the provenance is not available and volume of the training data is enormous,” said IEEE life fellow Paul Nikolic. In 2024 and beyond, expect intense efforts to ensure that AI results are more accurate, and the data used to train AI models is clean. Read Full Report Here
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Audacy’s 99.9 KISW Presents Halloween Hullabaloo With Headliner Godsmack
THE MOUTH, MAY 10TH, 2024 - Whoaaa, it's only May, but fans can ready for a hauntingly unforgettable night this Halloween as Audacy’s 99.9 KISW presents its inaugural Halloween Hullabaloo! The spooky spectacle will take place on Sunday, October 13, at accesso ShoWare Center. The event features an all-star lineup headlined by legendary rock giants Godsmack, GRAMMY® Award-winning RIAA Platinum artists Halestorm, The Warning, and Flat Black.
"Having an iconic band like Godsmack headline our first-ever Halloween Hullabaloo delivers the high expectation our KISW Rockaholics look to us for," said Ryan Castle, Brand Manager, KISW-FM. "We're incredibly excited to have them, Halestorm, and everyone else as part of this electronic event and can't wait to see what ghostly surprises they have in store."