Industry News

WFDF-AM, Detroit Flips Again – to News/Talk

A little more than two weeks after dropping its local urban talk format for syndicated sports talk, Kevin Adell-owned WFDF-AM, Detroit “910 AM Superstation” becomes a conservative news/talk outlet. Theim station features Michigan talk personality Justin Barclay in morning drive, followed by Premiere Networks’ daytime lineup of “The Glenn Beck Show,” “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show,” Sean Hannity, and Jesse Kelly, supplemented by “Our American Stories” and some FOX News Radio content. Adell bought the former Radio Disney station in January of 2015 and launched “910 The Superstation” featuring Black talk hosts who were not on the payroll but were given the platform to get their message out. Ultimately, Adell says it wasn’t financially successful. He told the Detroit Metro News, “When you look at it, no one supported it. I couldn’t get the community to support it.”

Industry News

FOX Sports Radio Debuts New Weekend Show

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FOX Sports Radio unveils a new weekend program hosted by FOX Sports personality Alex Curry (left) and FOX Sports Radio anchor Monse Bolaños (right) that debuts tomorrow (9/2) in the 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET slot. FSR says, “Curry and Bolaños will deliver their unique combination of opinions and instant analysis on the games in play, breaking news and the biggest stories in sports, in addition to conversations with insiders and experts.”

Industry News

Cumulus vs The Dumb Zone Set for September 15

The legal battle between Cumulus Media’s KTCK-AM/FM, Dallas-Fort Worth and former midday hosts im Dan McDowell and Jake Kemp has its next court date on September 15 for Cumulus’ Renewed Emergency Application for Temporary Restraining Order and Request for Preliminary Injunction. Cumulus is suing the duo for alleging they have violated their non-compete and other clauses in their contracts with the company. The two sides have been ordered to mediation over the matter.

Industry Views

13-Year-Old Singer/Songwriter Stella Mabry Discusses Bullying on Harrison Podcast

Stella Mabry – a stunningly talented 13-year-old singer/songwriter from Owensboro, Kentucky – is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” At the tender age of 10, Stella was the victim of school bullying… but she did something about it. She wrote a song as a message to her tormentor titled, “Mean Girl,” and it proved to be a far more effective defense mechanism and diplomatic bridge than a nasty verbal or physical escalation of the problem. The power of music made a huge difference.

Stella’s parents had already recognized their daughter’s musical talent at an early age and gave her lessons and encouragement. But her dad was so taken with the quality of the anti-bullying song that he booked her into a local studio, recorded a rough demo and sent it to his old friend in Los Angeles. That old friend happened to be Les Garland – one of the most plugged in-pop media executives of the past half century – a brilliant radio programmer-turned-innovative-media-entrepreneur who, among his long list of achievements, co-founded MTV.

Garland was so impressed by the song and its back story that he played it for a couple of his buddies in the LA music scene – Sasha Krivtsov and Paul Mirkovich from the famed NBC’s “The Voice” house-band. They loved it and agreed to record it with Stella in the renowned L.A. studio, Sound Factory. With Garland now serving as executive producer, the entire band with instruments in hand was in-studio to record the song as well as a number of other tracks written and performed by Stella. The track “Mean Girl” and its accompanying music video are being released TODAY (8/22). Check it out on YouTube at www.MeanGirlVideo.com.

Michael Harrison says, “Bullying is a major societal cancer with devastating impact. Although with us since the dawn of time – bullying is a worsening problem that torments so many of our children in this era of social media where there’s no relief from taunts, lies and cruelty 24/7 even at home – away from school or the playground. It can lead to depression, unspeakable violence, and teen suicide. I am gratified to be able to interview this young woman about this deeply important topic at such a key point in what could very well become a major musical career. She is authentic, talented and on a meaningful mission. I encourage my colleagues in talk media to book her as a back-to-school guest as soon as possible… before the music media world gobbles her up.” Harrison suggests that interested hosts and producers contact him directly at michael@talkers.com.

Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

Retired WLW, Cincinnati Icon Jim Scott Announces ALS Diagnosis

In a recent Facebook post retired, longtime WLW, Cincinnati morning host Jim Scott announces that he was diagnosed with ALS a year and a half ago. Scott, who retired in 2015 and is now 80, used the announcement to promote the annual ALS Walk in Cincinnati taking place September 15 in which he’ll participate. He says in the post, “I have had a wonderful life, am still having a wonderful life, and I don’t have any intention of checking out soon. My walking abilities have changed considerably. I now use a cane. I named my cane ‘Abel’ and trusty Abel makes it possible for me to walk without falling, though I’ve done that a few times.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

ABC Audio’s Labor Day weekend special programs include, “What’s Next? Life & Tech,” hosted by ABC News technology reporter Mike Dobuski who explores the role of artificial intelligence and the future of technology and the internet. The program also includes ABC News Radio correspondent Jim Ryan reporting on space travel developments and speaking with astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi and Eric Ingram, the founder and CEO of SCOUT, a U.S.-based company developing orbital products and services.

American Forces Network is moving the talk content it currently airs on radio as AFN PowerTalk to its digital platform AFN Go.

Westwood One is broadcasting the 2023 Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic live from Canton, Ohio, on Sunday (9/3) featuring the Virginia Union University Panthers vs the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers. The team of Troy Clardy, Anthony Herron, and AJ Ross will handle the game broadcast and Scott Graham will host the pregame and halftime coverage live from Westwood One’s studios.

Consulting and research firm Paragon promotes Michelle Conrad to marketing director in which she’ll oversee its marketing and communication efforts. The company also adds Jasper Logan as community engagement consultant.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of August 28 – September 1

The numerous legal battles facing former President Donald Trump combined at the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the legal theory that Trump is disqualified from holding office under section 3 of the 14th Amendment, tied with the 2024 presidential race, followed by the criminal cases and legal strategies of former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani 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 magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Scalzo Promoted to Market Manager for Good Karma Milwaukee

Good Karma Brands announces the promotion of Greg Scalzo to market manager for the company’s Milwaukee station group that includes news/talk WTMJ, talk WGKB-AM/W269DL “101.7 The Truth,” and sports talk WKTI-FM “ESPN Milwaukee.” Interim market manager Emily Dillinger states, “Greg’s impressive leadership, deep knowledge of the media and advertising industry, and personal experience as a successful on-air host, makeim him the right person to lead this market and continue to raise the bar. I’m excited for our team to continue our commitment to serving our communities through local news, talk and sports with best-in-class brands in Wisconsin.” Scalzo comments, “I am honored and excited to take on the role of market manager with our GKB Milwaukee team. We are excited to work together to serve Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin with quality, trusted content in news, sports, and talk while connecting fans with our partners and impacting the community. We are proud of the new content we will be creating on ‘ESPN Wisconsin’ and the amazing things to come across all of our brands.”

Industry News

GKB Announces New Lineup at “ESPN Milwaukee”

Good Karma Brands makes programming changes to sports talk WKTI-FM “ESPN Milwaukee” that features two new local afternoon programs. Airing from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the “Kyle, Brust, & Nortman” show is being hosted by Kyle Wallace, a current host on the company’s talk “101.7 The Truth,” former University ofim Wisconsin hoops star Ben Brust, and former Wisconsin Badger and NFL punter Brad Nortman. The station also adds “The Homer Hour” hosted by Steve “Homer” True airing from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and featuring former Packers star Bryan Bulaga, sports commentator John Anderson, ESPN reporter Rob Demovsky, Wisconsin State Journal NFL contributor Jason Wilde, and more. ESPN Milwaukee director of content Bryan Dee says, “The new lineup includes a dynamic group of hosts with unique perspectives, all of whom possess a passion and expertise in Wisconsin sports. It begins in the morning with Evan Cohen, a UW-Madison alum, followed by ESPN College Gameday reporter Jen Lada, ESPN Radio host Gabe Neitzel, and former Packers tight end Mark Chmura. The midday slot features ‘Kyle, Brust, & Nortman,’ while the day concludes with Homer. Fans can expect to enjoy fresh, bold, and entertaining local content throughout the day.”

Industry News

Bendixen Named National Director of Talk for Corus

According to Broadcast Dialogue, programming pro Mike Bendixen joins Canada’s Corus Entertainment as national director of talk radio and director of talk and talent for CFIQ-FM, Toronto. Bendixen previously served with Bell Media as PD atim CFRB-AM, Toronto “Newstalk 1010” and as national format director, news & talk programming. Most recently he’s been a principal with RMR Media Strategies. Corus VP Ronnie Stanton comments, “Mike’s knowledge combined with Corus’s commitment to excellence sets the stage for a promising future for the world of talk radio.” The story indicates that Bendixen takes over for Amanda Cupido, who exits the company. Read the Broadcast Dialogue story here.

Industry News

NRG Media’s Presents “KXEL Caucus Cookout”

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Last weekend, NRG Media news/talk KXEL-AM – serving the Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, Iowa markets – held its annual listener appreciation picnic, this year dubbed the “KXEL Caucus Cookout,” on the grounds of the historic National Cattle Congress fairgrounds. The event was attended by about 250 people and included in-person presentations from 2024 GOP presidential candidates including businessman Vivek Ramaswamy (right) and radio/TV host Larry Elder (pictured above left with KXEL PD and host Jeff Stein). Stein says, “The more candidates we can place in front of our listeners in person, in addition to our radio interviews, the better the chance that people will participate in the process and make good choices. Our job is not to play favorites or pick winners; our job is to make sure all voices are given a fair chance to be heard.”

Industry News

FOX Business and Univision Hosts to Moderate Next GOP Debate

FOX BusinessStuart Varney and Dana Perino will be joined by Univision’s Ilia Calderón in co-moderating the second Republican presidential primary debate on September 27 from the Ronald Reaganim Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. It will be broadcast live on FOX Business Network, FOX News Channel and Univision. It will also be livestreamed via FOX Nation. FOX News Media president and executive editor Jay Wallace says, “We are very proud to have Stuart Varney and Dana Perino co-moderating the second debate with Univision to provide Americans with a comprehensive view of the qualifying candidates vying for the Republican nomination for president.”

Industry News

Triton Digital Releases July Streaming Ranker

Triton Digital publishes its Streaming Ranker for the July 2023 period that lists the top performing digital audio publishers based on Average Active Sessions. For the United States (6am-12mid, Mon-Sun), iHeartMediaim remains ranked #1 with 281,120 Average Active Sessions. Following at #2 is NPR Member Stations (69,006 AAS) and Audacy at #3 (62,853 AAS). Cumulus Streaming Network is #4 (36,554 AAS), Beasley Broadcasting Corporate comes in at #7 (15,728 AAS), followed by Hubbard Broadcasting at #8 (13,478 AAS), and Urban One at #9 (9,131 AAS). See the complete ranker here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes’ latest episodes of his “Chachi Loves Everybody” podcast feature Workhouse Media CEO Paul Anderson and former Greater Media chairman and CEO Peter Smyth. You can hear the podcasts here.

Hope Media Group announces that Mike McCall is named chief of donor engagement for the firm. He most recently served in a similar position with Educational Media Foundation. Hope Media Group says, “Mike has been blessed with a 30-year journey of building successful donor relationships and leading large teams of development officers.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (8/30) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The legal battles facing former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants; the New Hampshire GOP debates the legal theory that Trump cannot run for office under the 14th Amendment; the 2023 presidential race; the Hunter Biden investigation; concern about Mitch McConnell’s health as he freezes during a press conference; and Hurricane Idalia slams Florida, Georgia and South Carolina were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Southeast U.S. Radio Stations Prepare to Keep Public Informed

Radio stations in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina are working to keep citizens informed as Hurricane Idalia makes landfall. The effects of the Category 3 hurricane are likely to cause widespread power outages that will cut power to millions, leaving them with battery-powered AM/FM radios as the sole source of information. This emergency situation – on the heels of radio’s outstanding performance in Maui – will certainly give timely support and ammunition to those in Congress pushing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.

Industry News

Emmis Shareholders Support Stock Redemption Needed to Go Private

At its recent shareholders meeting, Emmis Corporation received “overwhelming support” to amend its articles of incorporation that permit it to offer redemption of its “Class A Common Stock at the price of $6.00 per share during the first year following August 29, 2023, $6.50 per share during the second year, and $7.25 per shareim during the third year, with each price subject to adjustment as specified in the Third A/R Articles.” The redemption of the Class A Common Stock will allow founder and chairman Jeff Smulyan to ultimately take Emmis Corporation private. He comments, “I am grateful to the Emmis shareholders for their tremendous support of our proposal to amend our articles of incorporation, which will give us the opportunity to return significant capital, invest in our current businesses and seek new ventures.” Emmis’ sole radio properties are WEPN-FM, New York “ESPN New York” – currently leased to Good Karma Brands – and Gospel WLIB-AM, New York. The sale of those signals would help fund the stock redemption.

Industry News

Rick Cummings Retires from Full-Time Post at Emmis Corporation

Related to the story above, 43-year Emmis Corporation programming executive Rick Cummings announces that he’ll retire from full-time employment with the company as of Friday (9/1). He will remain a consultant with Emmis. Cummings was Emmis Broadcasting’s first program director at flagship station WENS-FM, Indianapolisim in 1981. He eventually rose to become president of the radio division in 2002, overseeing more than 20 radio stations. In 2008, he became president of programming for Emmis’ domestic radio group. Cummings comments, “Save my immediate family, nothing has given me more joy in life than working for Jeff (Smulyan) and Emmis. This company has afforded me extraordinary professional and personal opportunities, here and abroad, that no kid from rural Indiana could ever have imagined. I am eternally grateful for this and the future as Emmis allows me to continue in a consulting role. As I told Jeff, ‘I’ll work for you until they carry one of us out!’”

Industry News

Western Massachusetts Public Radio Outlet Goes News/Talk All Day

In a move that’s happened at public radio outlets in markets across the country, New England Public Media’s WFCR-FM, Amherst Massachusetts is dropping the classical music that’s aired during middays and is adding news and talk programs including national shows “1A,” “On Point” and “Fresh Air,” in addition to expanded localim news programming. The company is launching a classical network that will air on five signals in the region as well as online. NEPM president Matt Abramovitz says, “These moves position NEPM to better serve western Massachusetts with journalism and conversations that create connections across our wonderfully diverse communities. That investment in local storytelling will also fuel upcoming multi-platform initiatives to reach new, diverse audiences. At the same time, we are bringing a full-time classical service to the region.”

Industry News

MIW and McVay Media Announce “Behind the Mic” Mentoring Program

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc and McVay Media announce the “Behind the Mic Mentorship”im program designed specifically to support the growth and evolution of women on-the-air. The “Behind The Mic Mentorship” program is a year-long experience exclusively for female personalities that have been in an on-air position for at least three to five years in local or national radio programming and have demonstrated a desire to grow their on-air career. The selected mentee will receive personalized conversations and advice from a wide range of industry professionals including two of radio’s top stars – national radio and television personality and Gracie Award winner Elaina D. Smith of “Nights with Elaina,” and WLTW, New York morning personality Christine Nagy. The mentorship is available to one female on-air personality from any U.S. based music format. Applications can be found here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (8/29) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s various legal battles; New Hampshire’s AG is reviewing whether Donald Trump can appear on the ballot under 14th Amendment grounds; the move by former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows to have his Georgia case moved to federal court; the special counsel Hunter Biden investigation; tensions between Black Floridians and Governor Ron DeSantis over Jacksonville shootings; Hurricane Idalia strengthens and heads toward Florida; and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo meets with her Chinese counterpart were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

AM/FM and Podcasts Dominate Ad-Supported Audio Listening

Based on data from Edison Research’s Share of Ear Q2 2023 study, the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group analyzes the state of listening in a blog post. The post says that imagining listening to ad-supported audio as an hour of time, a person 18+ listens to 41.4 minutes of AM/FM radio, 11.4 minutes ofim podcasts, and 2.4 minutes each of ad-supported SiriusXM, Pandora, and Spotify. Limiting listening to that done only in cars, a person 18+ listens to 51 minutes of AM/FM, 4.2 minutes of podcasts, 2.4 minutes of ad-supported SiriusXM, and 1.2 minutes each of ad-supported Pandora and Spotify. The piece also reveals the steady growth of podcast daily reach. “As of Q2 2023, Edison’s ‘Share of Ear’ reports the daily reach of podcasts among 18-34s is 39%. Among 18-49s, podcasts reach 34% daily. Among persons 25-54, podcasts now have a 32% daily reach, a large increase over 2022.” See the blog post here.

Industry News

Jacksonville Sheriff Addresses Racially Motivated Slaying on Mark Kaye Show

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WOKV-FM, Jacksonville-based, syndicated morning drive talk host Mark Kaye (left) scored an interview with Jacksonville, Florida Sheriff T.K. Waters (right) on yesterday’s program (8/28) in which Waters spoke about his telephone conversation with President Joe Biden, told Kaye’s audience that the implication that “regardless of the rhetoric people are spewing, Jacksonville is a great place… and that guy doesn’t represent Jacksonville.”

Industry News

Texas Longhorns Voice Craig Way to Host Show on “The Zone” in Austin

iHeartMedia announces that Craig Way – the voice of University of Texas Longhorns athletics and play-by-play – joins KVET-AM, Austin “AM 1300 The Zone” as host of the 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm show. iHeartMedia SVP of programming for Austin and San Antonio Jason McCollim says, “We’re thrilled to share that Craig Way, theim iconic voice of the Texas Longhorns, is now part of our team. Every day from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, he’ll be diving deep into UT sports, sharing insights only he can offer. It’s a new era for afternoon radio, and we couldn’t be prouder to bring this experience to our listeners.” Way joins iHeartMedia Austin from Austin Radio Network, where he most recently served as the sports director. He comments, “I was honored to be a part of the launch of ‘AM 1300 The Zone’ as Austin’s first all-sports station in October of 1998, and am thrilled to return as host of a daily show on ‘The Zone’ once again at a station that I called home from 1997-2017.”

Industry News

Cumulus Launches “The Game Sports Radio Network” Across Three Markets

Cumulus Media announces that it is launching “The Game Sports Radio Network” across three South Carolina markets. The network originates from the company’s WNKT-FM, Columbia “107.5 The Game” – which serves as the flagship for South Carolina Gamecocks sports. Network content is also now heard on former classicim country WWFN-FM, Florence – now branded “100.5 The Game” – and sports talk WSEA-FM, Myrtle Beach, which re-brands as “100.3 The Game.” WNKT program director Terry Ford says, “‘107.5 The Game’ Columbia, has been keeping the Midlands sports fans informed, engaged, enlightened, entertained, and sometimes enraged for 16 years! Our live and local team of sports specialists interviews coaches, players, and fans, and invites listeners to participate via call, social media, and on-location events. At our core are the teams, coaches, players, and fans of the South Carolina Gamecocks. We are very excited about growing the ‘107.5 The Game’ brand into two markets in South Carolina and making our great content available to almost half of the state.”

Industry News

Former Salem Talk Host is University President

Salem Radio Network’s twin 24/7 national news services – SRN News and TOWNHALL News – recentlyim presented a five-part series profiling Colorado Christian University and its new president Eric Hogue. Earlier in his career, the ordained minister served with Salem Media Group as a talk show host at KTKZ, Sacramento.

Industry News

KMG Networks and USBC Announce “The Good News”

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KMG Networks and U.S. Black Chambers, Inc held a press conference yesterday (8/28) to promote the debut of “The Good News,” the national daily radio commentary by Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr that highlights “those good news stories from a national and global perspective that have relevance to the aspirations of all Americans who strive for excellence and achievement in all fields of endeavor.” Pictured above are (from l-r): Sharon Barnes Waters, WINS-AM/FM, New York and DEI director for Audcacy NYC; Skip Dillard, brand manager “94.7 The Block” (WXBK-FM) New York; Gary Krantz, CEO – KMG/KMG Networks; Ron Busby, president & CEO of The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc; Dr. Benjamin J. Chavis, Jr; Tish Bazil, global head of media & experiential, The Chavis Group; Steve Roberts, founder & CEO of  Roberts Broadcasting Company; and Tiffany Murphy, CEO of The Culture Equity.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (8/28) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Judge Tanya Chutkan sets former President Donald Trump’s Washington, DC trial for March 4 and Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows testifies during a hearing to move his Georgia election interference trial to federal court; the special counsel Hunter Biden investigation; a UNC Chapel Hill faculty member is killed by gunfire; the racially motivated killing of three in a Jacksonville store; the migrant crisis; the rash of retail thefts and the closing of urban retail outlets in response; evacuations are ordered as Hurricane Idalia heads for Florida; American Airlines is fined over lengthy tarmac delays; and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo meets with her Chinese counterpart among top news/talk media stories yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Pending Business: Head Start

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imIt’s time to start planning your holiday strategy.

Wait, what? You have not finished Q3 and here I am pushing Q4?

The fourth quarter is easily the most time consuming, thought provoking, overwhelming mish-mash time of the year for every Baby Boomer and Millennial walking the planet. Especially those of us who earn our keep marketing. The transition window from Q3 to Q4 is the perfect time to lock down your plan and that window is about to open.

Let us review priority planning:

If you sell at the national level, your upfronts are in play and gradually moving to the won-lost report as you juggle and balance your daily avails.

If you sell at the local level here are five thought starters, so start thinking:

— Second Opinions. As we review everything from our insurance, financial, legal and medical needs, everyone can use another set of eyes on the prize. Plans change, laws change, life happens. Suggest messaging that works. Start prospecting now.

— Gift Giving. Last year over $200 billion was spent on the holiday season. Will your audience spend more this year than they did last year? Considering online research is a part of daily life, when do the purchase decisions really begin?

— Politics. You don’t need this column to remind you nearly 13 million watched the debate on August 24. Voters are interested in how this tumultuous political scene will ultimately play out. Politics is big business, and nobody covers it better than talk radio. We are in this window through 2024, get focused on where you need to be.

— Holiday Travel. Just this past week, our family get together was impacted by airline delays, rescheduling, and traffic. Travelers will plan earlier and smarter. You may or may not have contacts at the airlines but consider all the businesses that thrive based on travel and tourism.

— Weather. Is there a market that is immune? From hurricanes and wildfires to snowstorms and floods, weather is a factor that can impact your business flow in both a positive and negative way. As we say here in Florida, Be Prepared!

I am guessing you have thought about everything you’ve just read. I never assume the gap from thinking to doing happens. You know what they say about assuming…

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

Emotional Is Local

By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, Sterling On Sunday
Talk Media Network

imMentioning a local street name won’t do it. Constant local references is not LOCAL LIVE, it’s a GOOGLE MAP!

For years, as VP/GM of the ABC Radio Networks, I explained to affiliates that, yes, our six network services were in fact local programming – local to a demographic.  The networks reached specific demographics and therefore were local to the heart and soul of a specific listener. (Yes, this usually worked!)

Today, true local programming hits an emotional moment in the day of the listener.  For example, by far the most topic response from listeners on “Sterling on Sunday” is to stories about my sister-in-law. The premise of these stories is that your sister-in-law controls your marriage. I share the horrors of life with my sister-in-law. The email, phone and Facebook response from listeners is stunning.

The greatest response to any host is when a listener is compelled to say “YES!” within the solitude of their car. That emotional response comes when a host shares their personal feelings, life events and experiences. It rarely comes from an interesting observation about today’s editorial page. Let me suggest that it NEVER comes from an interesting observation about today’s editorial page.

Bonding emotions are the result of a host’s personal, intimate revelations

Sharing personal, intimate emotions are pre-emptive. While other hosts may duplicate endless, dreary, old age attracting rants against Democrats, no two hosts have the same emotional life-events.

Mother-in-law, kid, marriage, sex, personal impact stories are singular, unique and MEMORABLE. Listeners return to hosts who tell personal, emotional stories. They want to hear what happens next, they remember the last host revelation and anticipate the next. Many radio stars share their personal stories every single day like Howard Stern and Elvis Duran.

Shared emotional appeal transcends demographics and geography. Emotions are universal and the foundation of a unique hit show.

Walter Sabo is Walter Sterling. Host of the hit Talk Media Network syndicated show “Sterling on Sunday. LIVE 10PM-1AM EST. Heard live 10:00 pm – 1:00 am live on affiliates KMOX, WPHT, KDKA, KMBZ-FM; and dozens more. Contact Walter at Walter@sabomedia.com, 646.678.1110. www.waltersterlingshow.com

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Improving Results from Endorsement Spots

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imThe stations I work with make big money with live endorsement spots delivered by familiar local on-air personalities. Remember them? With most AM/FM broadcast hours now robotic or non-local, your relationship with the listener is precious and can be leveraged… carefully.

Quality vs. Quantity

The more products or services you endorse, the less special each pitch will be. You’re asking the listener’s trust each time, so asking too often can sound insincere. So back-to-back “I’m [name] for [account]” is verboten, and that can happen when spots you voice air outside your show.

 “Tell me a story”

 When the late, great Don Hewitt – the father of “60 Minutes” – spoke at a NAB convention years ago, he told us that he was often asked, “Why is this the most successful TV news show of all time?” And he said, “I can tell you in four words: ‘Tell me a story,’” which every piece did.

Describe your personal experience with the advertiser’s product or service in before-and-after fashion – problem was, problem solved – in a relatable way.

im

 OOPS!  Do you say, “I haven’t sold you yet?”

Often, these are long-standing advertiser relationships.  Two cautions:

If you’ve been touting an advertiser for a while, DON’T say so. “For years, I’ve been telling you about [name of business]” = “…and I haven’t sold you yet, have I?” Instead, keep the pitch fresh.

And keep it customer-centric rather than talking about a store. In one spot I heard, for a sewing supply retailer, the well-intentioned host sounded awestruck as he recited the store’s inventory (“over fifteen hundred bolts of fabric!”). That’s the store’s problem. Instead, solve the listener’s problem: “Imagine the money you could save if you made all your kids’ back-to-school clothes this year?  [advertiser] will give you free lessons!”

Avoid saying…

 “MY GOOD FRIENDS AT [name of business],” which sounds phony.

“All-new:” Say “new,” if it IS new, AND if newness is a listener benefit (and say why).

“…AND MUCH MORE,” which means nothing. Weed-out stuff like this, and you’ll give copy more time to breathe.

“Needs,” as in: “FOR ALL YOUR [product category] NEEDS” (the ultimate “BLAH, BLAH, BLAH”).

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Spot-On: Commercial Copy Points That Earned The Benjamins,” a FREE download; and “Multiply Your Podcast Subscribers, Without Buying Clicks,” available from Talkers books. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Industry News

Scott Stanford Named Morning Anchor at WINS, New York

New York City news pro Scott Stanford is named morning drive co-anchor at Audacy’s all-news WINS-AM/FM, alongside Susan Richard. WINS brand manager Ivan Lee says, “As we continue to reshape mornings on WINS, we’re delighted to welcome Scott Stanford into the mix. His impressive resume and wealth of experienceim in this market will undoubtedly enhance our commitment to delivering top-notch news coverage and engaging content to our listeners every morning.” Stanford, who is currently co-hosting “The Suki & Scott Show” on Gannett’s USA Today Network, begins his new role on September 5. He comments, “Like most life-long New Yorkers, my Dad was always listening to 1010 WINS in the car when I was a kid. As an adult, WINS has been my go-to station for news, traffic and weather. As a New York broadcaster, it’s an honor to now be one of the morning voices on this legendary station.” Stanford served as PIX11 morning show co-host from 2013 to 2019. He’s also served as sports anchor at NBC4-NY, UPN9-NY, WCBS 880, CBS Sports HQ and Boxing30 on YES.