Industry News

TALKERS Conference is an Advance Sellout

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national event is set for Friday, June 7 at Hofstra University, just outside of New York City on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – like its colorful predecessors – is an advance sellout.  The power-packed, one-day agenda is spectacular! Check it out by clicking hereTALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Because the entire agenda of this year’s event will take place on the state-of-the-art television soundstage at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and a special staging area for individual interviews will be set up on an adjacent TV soundstage, the opportunity to create an in-depth video time capsule of this remarkably transitional moment in talk media history will be unprecedented.” Harrison adds, “The number of heavyweight players from all ends of the business gathered in one place for one day on a television soundstage will be of tremendous historical significance. We will grab the opportunity to save everything we can for posterity. This conference will be more than just another industry ‘convention.’ It will be a ‘symposium’ reflecting and preserving a remarkably colorful and historic era in American media and culture. Broadcasters and students of communications all over the world for years to come will bear witness to this ‘happening.’” The storied talk media industry tradition will again be presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and the school’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. For last minute information, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413.

Industry News

Jeff Angelo Named New Morning Host at WHO, Des Moines

At iHeartMedia’s news/talk WHO, Des Moines, Jeff Angelo moves from his most recent late morningim daypart to morning drive, taking over for Maxwell Schaeffer and Amy Sweet, who exited the station earlier this year. He posts a message to Facebook saying, in part, “Iowans are all about connecting with each other and WHO Radio has always been at the heart of that. We’ll have conversations about the most important topics of the day, and we’ll share a few laughs along the way.”

Industry News

“Brittany & Kendall” Named PM Hosts on KTMY, Minneapolis

Hubbard Broadcasting’s talk KTMY-FM, Minneapolis “myTalk” unveils its new afternoon drive team as “Lori & Julia” – Lori Barghini and Julia Cobbs – invited their successors on the program to beim introduced to their audience. Brittany Arneson and Kendall Mark will host the “Brittany & Kendall” show beginning July 8. Arneson joined KTMY in 2019, filling in on the “Lori & Julia” show as well as hosting events and assisting with social media and video content. She also previously served with KQRS-FM and as a co-host of the “Tom Barnard Podcast.” Mark has been serving with KMSP-TV “FOX 9” and as part of “The Jason Matheson Show.”

Industry News

Wayne Allyn Root Inspires and Co-Writes New Pro-Trump Song

Las Vegas-based TV and radio host Wayne Allyn Root tells TALKERS that his latest project is a song co-written by country music artist Natasha Owens and her songwriting partner Ian Eskelin. Root says, “I am honored to have inspired and co-written this song and video about President Donald J. Trumpim titled, ‘The Chosen One.’ This song was inspired by the media firestorm across the globe in July 2019 when I said on my Newsmax TV show Trump was ‘like the King of the Jews and the Chosen One.’” Root debuted the song on his Real America’s Voice TV show, “The Root Reaction” and on his Talk Media Network nationally syndicated radio show. Root adds, “In light of this unprecedented persecution, indictments and now unjust conviction of President Trump, this is the perfect song and video, at the perfect time, and the perfect place, to lift the spirits of President Trump and the MAGA world, and to show the world President Trump is on a mission from God to make America great again.” Listen to the song here.

Industry News

Audacy and Puck Partner for John Heilemann Podcast

Audacy announces that it and the media company Puck are a new podcast hosted by Puck chief politicalim columnist John Heilemann called, “Impolitic with John Heilemann.” New episodes will drop each Tuesday and Thursday. Audacy Podcasts EVP Jenna Weiss-Berman says, “We couldn’t be more excited to expand our thriving Puck slate with ‘Impolitic’ especially in this election year. John is a singular political journalist whose incisive and insightful analysis and reporting will keep listeners informed leading up to November and beyond.”

Industry News

WBNS-FM, Columbus Extends Browns Broadcast Deal

Tegna’s sports talk WBNS-FM, Columbus “97.1 The Fan” and the NFL’s Cleveland Browns announce aim multi-year extension to air Browns games on The Fan through the 2026 NFL season. In addition to the games, “The Fan” will continue to carry “Cleveland Browns Weekend,” “The Cleveland Browns Preview Show” and “The Kevin Stefanski Show.” During the season, “The Fan” will carry the two-hour “Browns Radio Network Pregame Show” as well as the two-hour “Browns Radio Network Postgame Show.”

Industry News

TuneIn Brings Audio to Discord

TuneIn and Discord announce an agreement that will the former bring music, podcasts, news, and live radio to the Discord platform. The new ‘TuneIn Radio & Podcasts’ Activity will make it easy to shareim listening experiences with friends on Discord with a huge assortment of free audio to add to hangouts or play in the background. TuneIn CEO Rich Stern says, “We’re thrilled to bring TuneIn to the millions of people who use Discord daily to connect and build friendships through audio. This launch underscores our commitment to provide listeners with access to high-quality audio content wherever they are. To be the first audio partner of this kind on the platform is a testament to our continued investment in innovation to power listening experiences everywhere.”

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Industry News

Gunhill Road Examines the Dangers of AI with a Dynamic New Song and Video, “Artificial Intelligence (No Robots Were Injured in the Production of this Song)”

Gunhill Road, the perennial band that has been creating multi-genre rock and pop music spanning more than five decades, has released a breathtaking new song and video titled, “Artificial Intelligence (No Robots Were Injured in the Production of this Song).” The piece – which is an unapologetic examination of the potential consequences AI poses to human civilization – is an advance release from the band’s forthcoming fifth album. Gunhill Road has developed a unique niche in recent years attracting hundreds of thousands of internet followers powered, in large part, by the attention and airplay given it on talk radio. New songs by the group typically debut on multiple radio talk shows sparking conversation about today’s pressing topics of news and social concern. The compositions feature clever, biting lyrics delivered in a highly musical and original way. The band consists of co-founding member/pianist/vocalist/songwriter Steve Goldrich, longtime guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Paul Reisch, noted Broadway theater instrumentalist/guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Brian Koonin, and radio legend/TALKERS publisher/vocalist/writer/songwriter Michael Harrison. This production features a special guest vocal appearance by recording artist Bibi Farber, daughter of the late talk radio pioneer, Barry Farber. The visually stunning video for “Artificial Intelligence (No Robots Were Injured in the Production of this Song)” which, ironically, employs generative AI for many of its remarkable images, was produced by Matthew B. Harrison. The song, an infectious rocker marked by driving guitars, riveting keyboards, soaring horns and a multi-layered group chorus depicts the dangers human civilization faces in an increasingly uncertain environment marked by the rising corruption of deep fakes and manipulative algorithms that threaten elections and question the very premise of “self-evident” truths. Check out the video here. To arrange a talk media interview with Michael Harrison to discuss the song and its implications, email info@talkers.com or call 413-565-5413.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/5) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; President Joe Biden announces new restriction of asylum at U.S.-Mexico border; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war and the state of Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition; Attorney General Merrick Garland’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee; Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins reelection in India though his party loses seats in parliament; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the deadly Southwest heatwave were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Release Spring 2024 Podcast Report

Cumulus Media in partnership with Signal Hill Insights release the Podcast Download – Spring 2024 Report that evaluates the latest podcast audience trends. They say that a key finding uncovered in the this report is that podcast consumption is undercounted due to co-listening that is occurring with friends, family, and children. Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group VP, advertiser measurement & insights Lauren Vetrano states, “Since the dawn of podcast advertising, selling estimates based onim downloads, listens, or views never contemplated a device utilized by multiple people. What we have uncovered is that there is actually a fair amount of co-listening to podcasts that takes place. Whether it be with kids, friends, or family, the podcast industry is leaving ears on the table. There is a richer consumption story to be told as it is not just one person per download. For agencies and media planners, being able to examine co-listening by genre or podcast can offer invaluable insights into reaching the true audience.” Other notable findings include: 1) Marketers targeting people with a side hustle will find a rich concentration among men, heavy, and 18-34 podcast consumers; 2) Podcast pioneers and women like to go back to listen to back episodes and episodes they missed; 3) YouTube has been the most utilized podcast listening platform in the U.S. over the past year and a half: 31% say it is the platform they use the most, followed by Spotify (21%) and Apple (12%); and 4) As the world’s entertainment search engine, YouTube is the dominant podcast discovery platform where audiences are more likely to find podcasts. Find out more and download the report here.

Industry News

Eric Bolling Exits Newsmax

Newsmax journalist and show host Eric Bolling announce that Bolling is leaving the network. In a joint statement, they say, “After working together for three years to produce, present, and break news for the Americanim people, it’s time for Eric to embark on new endeavors. Eric and Newsmax are grateful for their time together and proud of the work they have produced.” Bolling’s program The Balance aired at 8:00 pm ET. Newsmax has replaced his show with its Prime News show with a rotating cast of hosts for the interim until a permanent replacement is named.

Industry News

Audacy Stations Collect 20 Regional Murrow Awards

Audacy radio stations in 11 markets were the recipients of 20 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) for outstanding achievements inim broadcast and digital journalism. NewsRadio 1080 KRLD in Dallas, WWJ Newsradio 950 in Detroit, KNX News 97.1 FM in Los Angeles and WCBS 880 in New York all were honored with the “Overall Excellence” Award. Other stations receiving Regional Murrow Awards include: KMOX, St. Louis (Newscast); KYW-AM/FM, Philadelphia (Newscast, Digital, Hard News); WWL-AM/FM, New Orleans (Breaking News, Continuing Coverage); and WCCO, Minneapolis (Newscast). See the full list of winners here.

Industry News

WTOP Honored with Chesapeake AP Broadcasters Awards

Hubbard Broadcasting all-news WTOP, Washington, DC took home seven first place Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association Awards last weekend, including Outstanding Website forim WTOP.com, Outstanding Newscast and the Best in Show Award for all radio for Outstanding News Operation. WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler comments, “In addition to the breaking news, traffic and weather WTOP offers, we have also made a concerted effort to offer a balanced news diet to our consumers across platforms. There are great ‘good news’ stories happening across the DC region every day. It is a great honor to see some of them honored in this way.”

Industry News

Audacy Relaunches The Bet on WXYT-HD3

Audacy is relaunching “The Bet Detroit” on WXYT-HD3. The station becomes part of Audacy’s BetQL Network presented by BetMGM after its former signal – WXYT-AM – was leased to sports journalist andim media personality Rob Parker to air the “Sports Rap Radio” format. Vice president of programming for the BetQL Network Mitch Rosen says, “With our strategic partnership with BetMGM, we’re committed to maintaining a robust presence in the Detroit market and beyond. Now, listeners nationwide can join in on the excitement through the Audacy app, making ‘The Bet Detroit’ accessible anytime, anywhere.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/3) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Donald Trump’s conviction in New York; the presidential race; Tony Fauci’s COVID-19 testimony before a House subcommittee; the felony gun charge trial of Hunter Biden; the Israel-Hamas war and Benjamin Netanyahu’s effort to keep his coalition together; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the extreme heat forecast for the Southwest were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Salem Divorces Itself from 2000 Mules

On Friday (5/31), Salem Media Group released a statement regarding the 2022 film 2000 Mules (and its companion book) published by former subsidiary Regnery Publishing that purported to examine allegations of voter fraud related to the 2020 presidential election. Salem states, “In publishing the filmim and the book, we relied on representations made to us by [producer] Dinesh D’Souza and True the Vote, Inc that the individuals depicted in the videos provided to us by TTV, including Mr. Andrews, illegally deposited ballots. We have learned that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has cleared Mr. Andrews of illegal voting activity in connection with the event depicted in 2000 Mules. It was never our intent that the publication of the 2000 Mules film and book would harm Mr. Andrews. We apologize for the hurt the inclusion of Mr. Andrews’ image in the movie, book, and promotional materials have caused Mr. Andrews and his family. We have removed the film from Salem’s platforms, and there will be no future distribution of the film or the book by Salem.” The statement refers to Georgia resident Mark Andrews, who is suing D’Souza, Salem, and two people involved with True the Vote for defamation. That case is still in the courts, according to a report in The New York Times.

Industry Views

Pending Business: Upsell

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imAlmost everything I know about pricing strategy I learned from domestic airlines. Guess what? Airlines are at it again and I hope you are watching and learning.

As a young national sales manager, then general manager, based in South Florida in the 80s, I became a student of some of the best competitive marketing strategies ever created. Anyone would be hard pressed to remember all the domestic airline brands that serviced South Florida back then. Off the top of my head, here are the nine I remember: Eastern, Delta, Continental, American, United, US Air, Pan Am, TWA, and for a short time, Florida Airlines. Depending on the routes and time of year, the competition was crazy. Once the fourth quarter holiday season began in these pre-computerized days, last-minute changes kept me at my desk way too long, showing up late for several holiday dinners. Pricing, heavy ups, and copy changes came down with minimal lead time and a mandate of no make goods. Computers were first working their way into radio stations. Inkjet printers were in development and mobile phones were still in the lab at Motorola.

Armed with a desktop calculator, pencil, and yellow pad, I worked feverishly to keep up with the airline marketing tsunami that hit the Miami market leading up to Christmas travel. Our traffic department was the only part of our radio station that worked with computers. Nevertheless, stress and anxiety ruled until all orders were correctly inputted and confirmed. Once the smoke cleared, I decided to learn from our clients, the original pricing disruptors: the airlines of the early 80s.

After visiting with marketing directors, I learned how market demand and inventory were calculated and balanced to determine pricing. Later, I studied how Southwest successfully pre-sold into markets they were about to service. The successful airlines taught me how to improve the execution of “grid card rate management.” How to fine-tune and balance anticipated sell-out levels and integrate seasonality. Later, the art of successful pre-selling became an important part of our mission.

Fast-forward to today’s airline marketing and pricing. It’s all about the upsell. Consider all the options you have once you book that economy ticket. From early boarding, extra legroom, baggage fees, refundable vs. non-refundable tickets, travel insurance, to double the points, etc.

Airline income and profits are still on the post-pandemic upswing. Domestic travelers are out in force, many travelers comfortably participating in the upsell. The strategy is working.

Few if any radio-audio sellers are skilled in upselling. Most managers are not skilled in the upsell strategy and rarely have the time to learn. The concept may feel a little awkward at first, but once you understand how to work with the spectrum of assets your platforms can offer, the upsell strategy can help increase your sales as you help your clients!

Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Double-Check Baseball Sponsors’ In-Game Copy

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

Spots that crow “Baseball is back!” were real welcome in April… and sound real OLD by now.Even if that’s not a copy point, can you freshen the client’s pitch? Simply asking sends-the-message that you’re on-the-ball… and you didn’t wander away once the deal closed.

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And buy ‘em some peanuts and Cracker Jack. Every time we’ve taken advertisers up to the radio booth in a Major League Baseball park, they felt like VIPs. Do selfies with the announce team and that breathtaking view in the background, and they’ll show EVERYONE.

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

Industry News

Saga Closes on Neuhoff’s Lafayette, Indiana Stations

Saga Communications closes on its purchase of the assets of Neuhoff Communications’ Lafayette, Indiana radio stations sports talk WASK-AM, country WKOA-FM, rock WKHY-FM, classic hits WASK-FM, CHR WXXB-FM, and FM translator W269DJ and associated digital assets. The purchase price was $5.3im million. At the time the deal was announced in February, Saga Communications president and CEO Chris Forgy stated, “We regretted missing the opportunity to acquire these stations a number of years ago when the Neuhoff family acquired them. These stations are a great fit for Saga. We see a lot of opportunity with these stations and this market and are pleased that the family has decided to entrust Saga with continuing these station’s long-standing heritage of serving the Greater Lafayette region. Saga intends to continue building its business in radio by identifying and acquiring middle market stations in dynamic communities.” KALIL & CO., INC was the exclusive broker.

Industry News

Jeff Katz Wrestles with Jordan B. Peterson

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WRVA, Richmond afternoon drive host Jeff Katz (left), who was a psychology major in college, is pictured above with renowned clinical psychologist, author, and media figure Dr. Jordan B. Peterson (right). Katz tells TALKERS, “When the good doctor brought his ‘We Who Wrestle with God’ tour to Virginia’s historic Altria Theater, we met and here we are comparing notes on western culture and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Former President Donald Trump’s conviction in New York; today’s beginning of Hunter Biden’s felony gun charge trial; the political implications of the Biden Israel-Hamas peace plan; the U.S. migrant crisis; Claudia Sheinbaum is elected president of Mexico; and China lands a lunar probe on the dark side of the moon were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

State Associations Lobby for Broadcast VOICES Act

In a letter to congressional leaders, the 50 state broadcasters associations are seeking support for and passage of the Broadcast VOICES Act that would reinstate the tax certificate program at the Federal Communications Commission, encouraging investment in TV and radio broadcast station ownership for women and people of color. They note that from 1978 to 1995, the Minority Tax Certificate program established at the FCC provided a tax incentive to individuals who sold their majority interest in a broadcast station to people of color. They say, “During that time, TV and radio broadcast station ownership by people of color increased by more 550%. Fast forward to 2024, diverse ownership in our industry has drastically changed not due to lack of effort or interest, but due to lack of access to capital. Currently, women make up less than 6% of broadcast TV station owners and people of color make up less than 3%. When it comes to broadcast radio station owners, women make up around 7% of owners and people of color make up less than 3%. Broadcasters provide an invaluable resource to all communities, serving as a local and trusted source for news and information across the country. Our strength is in our ability to cover diverse community experiences and tell stories from an authentic perspective. The tax certificate program will help us build a local media landscape that reflects our communities on the air, both in the control booth and boardroom. Additionally, the Broadcast VOICES Act will help with building a pipeline for a new generation of broadcast station owners that is inclusive of women, people of color and other underrepresented individuals. We therefore urge Congress to act swiftly and pass H.R. 8072 and S. 4158 to make sure that all voices are accurately represented in the broadcasting industry.”

Industry News

Kim Komando Adds Affiliates; Ratings Soar for WLS Fourth Hour

Weststar Multimedia reports that the ratings for Cumulus’ WLS-AM, Chicago “fourth hour” of “Kimim Komando Show” content provided to the station on Friday evenings “is getting great traction with listeners” with the audience nearly doubling (Persons 18+) in the 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm hour from Spring ’23 to Fall ’23. Additionally, Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta is adding that hour to its lineup on Saturdays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm; Hubbard Broadcasting’s WTOP, Washington is adding the “Digital Life Hack” daily feature; and Red Apple Media’s WABC, New York adds both the “Digital Life Hack” and “Daily Tech Update” features.

Industry Views

Severe Weather is The New Normal

imToday, consultant Holland Cooke writes, “With 850-plus confirmed 2024 tornadoes – just halfway through the season – each night’s network TV newscast can make you “thankful that we don’t live THERE…”  And with more gnarly weather on the way this week across much of the USA, he reckons that, “regardless of your format, your station can be the weather button that listeners will push, and advertisers can sponsor.” And he suggests a tactic proven over 80 years ago. Read it here.

Industry News

9th Music Industry Reunion: “The Best One Yet!”

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The 9th annual Music Industry Reunion held in Los Angeles on May 22 brought together more than 120 of radio and record industry artists, managers, producers, lawyers, legends and pros to the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, California. Former AllAccess publisher Joel Denver called it “The best one yet.” Legendary radio personality, actor and stand-up comedian Frazer Smith hosted the In Memoriam celebration of colleagues Dusty Street, Geno Michellini, and Jim Ladd that ended with a toast to their memory. Event organizers Jon Scott and Kenny Ryback welcomed folks who traveled from as far away as New York and Florida. Guest included: Val Garay, Michael Lloyd, Rick Frio, David Forman, J.B.Brenner, Mike Bone, Diane Bennett, Mike Gormley, David Helfant, Jean Johnson, Toby Mamis, Tommy Nast, Marsha Costa, Roy Trakin, and Steve Resnik.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of May 27 – 31

The “hush money” trial of former President Donald Trump and his subsequent conviction was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the presidential race, followed by the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.