SABO SEZ: Learn the Habits of Power and Success
By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”
As a media consultant, my team has had the privilege of being engaged extensively by members of the C-Suite. Becoming a member of the C-Suite is a common goal. To get into any group, acceptance often depends on acting and appearing like established members. Here are some of the actions observed of business masters whom we consulted:
Arrive First
Let’s start with Walter Anderson, CEO PARADE magazine. PARADE was then owned by Newhouse and was the most-read publication in the English language with 30-million-plus readers. Walter Anderson was a rock star. For years he was an award-winning editor and proud of his publication. He was a gifted leader. Smart writers and graphic designers want to work for Anderson. He’s that guy! It was an honor to have lunch with him… always at the Four Seasons.
Lunch at 12:30 pm. I’d arrive at 12:25 pm – Anderson was well seated. Lunch at 12:30, I’d arrive at 12:15 pm and Anderson was well seated. I had to arrive at 11:30 am to “beat” him to the 12:30 pm table. When I finally arrived at 11:30, he was startled that I arrived first. Score! I shared this story with the manager of the Four Seasons, Julian Niccolini. Julian smiled and said, “The most powerful person always arrives first.”
Arriving first is control, preemptive and, yes, powerful. Arrive first in all actions. The first one in a room can rearrange the chairs and name plates. Arriving first for a meeting gives a person a moral upper hand!
Answer Emails Fast
Our clients have included a long list of CEOs, presidents, and CBOs. Who answers their emails first? The most powerful: Bob Pittman, CEO, iHeartMedia; Julie Talbott, president, Premiere Networks; Kelli Turner, CEO, Audacy; Bob McAllan, CEO, Press Broadcasting; Joe Clayton (deceased), CEO Sirius; Scott Greenstein, president, SiriusXM; Kraig Kitchin, CEO, Soundmind; Tim McCarthy, CEO, Broadcasters Foundation; Alan Shaw, CEO, Centennial Broadcasting; and Chris Oliviero, CBO, Audacy all answer their email super fast. (There are other contacts who answer fast, but this is the CEO/president list.) Most of the other CEOs and presidents who answer late or not at all are bankrupt.
Thank You First
Powerful people send thank you notes – fast. After an event, they send thank you to the host before going to bed. Powerful execs study when people in their industry get an award or promotion and then write notes of congratulations – and stamp it. No emails. Those real letters are saved – forever. Thank you, Cathy Black!
Know Thy Numbers
Powerful executives are never vague about numbers. Vagueness invites suspicion and erodes confidence. BUT, the powerful are not driven by the numbers. The numbers are not front and center in conversations.
RKO chairman Tom O’Neil hired my company to consult all of their radio stations. Tom was charming, in charge, and larger than life. RKO owned Frontier Airlines. Over lunch, he casually mentioned the passenger load on Frontier that day. He knew those numbers and the ratings for WOR midday. Pass the bread.
Once a year, PARADE and all Newhouse pubs presented their business plans to the Newhouse brothers directly. Participating in that meeting, I saw that the Newhouses expected the CEOs to know their numbers. The CEOs of their pubs presented the numbers. No CFOs, no accountants, and no business managers were allowed in the business plan meetings. CEO direct to owner.
C-Suite members show up first, answer emails fast, know their numbers cold and send thank you notes.
Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.
number of issues based on data from Edison Research’s ongoing Share of Ear study. One aspect of AM/FM radio’s strength is its ability to reach the country’s political segments. The post notes, “Among registered voters, AM/FM radio has a 67% share of ad-supported audio, followed by podcasts (20%). Whether the target is Independents, Republicans, or Democrats, AM/FM radio shares are in the mid-60s to low 70s.” 
licensed to Walton, New York – previously aired a country format and a news/talk format, respectively. Bold Gold Media Group president Vince Benedetto says, “We have a deep love and connection to the Catskill Mountains and Delaware County, and we are very much looking forward to bringing our programming to the wonderful community of Walton. For a long time, we have had the privilege serving the neighboring town of Hancock, and very much look forward to extending our local programming to include even more of the residents of Delaware County.”
Sure, radio’s superpower is that we’re live. But 75% of all advertising dollars are now spent on digital. And Netflix, YouTube, and podcast platforms have conditioned consumers to expect that their content will wait for them (“on-demand”), not the other way around (“linear,” meaning real-time on-air). If your best content disappears the moment it airs, you’re leaking value. Think: time-shifted, searchable, and shareable.
Jimmy Kimmel’s first monologue back after the recent suspension had the audience laughing and gasping, and, in the hands of countless radio hosts and podcasters, replaying. Within hours, clips of his bit weren’t just being shared online. They were being chopped up, (re)framed, and (re)analyzed as if they were original show content. For listeners, that remix feels fresh. For lawyers, it is a fair use minefield.
for the Amplified Voices Podcast Network and Amplified Voices TV. American Urban Radio Networks CEO Chesley Maddox-Dorsey says, “This launch represents a powerful evolution in our mission to serve Black audiences. By creating two distinct digital destinations under AmplifiedVoices.com — AVTV and AV Podcasts — we are sharpening our focus to better meet the needs of our listeners, viewers and content partners.” Content will include “On the Record” with AURN News correspondent Ebony McMorris, “Café Mocha Radio,” and “reACT with Rev. Al.”
Joyce Wirthlin says, “We are excited and fortunate to welcome Rick back to iHeart to lead programming for our cluster. His proven leadership, creativity and track record of building winning stations will be invaluable for our listeners and partners in Salt Lake City.” Vaughn comments, “This is an incredible opportunity to help shape the future of iHeart Salt Lake City. iHeartMedia is committed to excellence, innovation and growth, and I’m excited to return to the iHeart family to collaborate with such a talented team, create compelling content, engage listeners across every platform, and deliver outstanding results for our advertising partners.”
Markets broadcast operations. Salem CEO David Santrella says, “Linnae is a proven builder of teams and revenue streams. For nearly three decades she has delivered results across every part of Salem’s business, and she has the rare ability to connect vision with execution. As we move into a ‘One World’ selling environment, Linnae is exactly the leader we need to unlock new opportunities across all of our platforms and deepen our service to advertisers. Her leadership will be central to accelerating Salem’s growth.” Also, Jamie Cohen is promoted to chief digital officer, a newly created role designed to unify and oversee all digital operations across Salem Media. Cohen was most recently SVP of broadcast digital. Santrella says, “Jamie has been one of the key architects of Salem’s digital transformation. In just seven years, he took a $6 million business and scaled it to over $40 million—proof of both his vision and his execution. This new role gives him the mandate to break down silos and unify all of Salem’s digital assets under one strategy. With Jamie at the helm, Salem is positioned not just to compete in the digital marketplace, but to lead as a fully integrated media company.”
several capacities over the past 20 years but was most recently with crosstown sports talker WIP-FM co-hosting with Ike Reese. Beasley Media Group Philadelphia Paul Blake says, “Jon Marks is a proven leader and a trusted voice in Philadelphia sports. His credibility, passion, and connection with our audience will be instrumental in driving The Fanatic’s continued growth and success in the market.” Marks comments, “I’m beyond excited for this opportunity. Philadelphia is the best sports city in the country, and the fans here are as passionate as they come. To be able to talk sports with them every day in this new time slot is an honor, and I can’t wait to bring that same energy and passion to middays on The Fanatic.”
Patriot.TV. Root says, “What an honor to join Patriot TV and their millions of conservative viewers. My weekend powerhouse TV show, ‘America’s Top Ten Countdown,’ reaches millions on Real America’s Voice TV. Now my daily video podcast WAR Zone will be on multiple dynamic platforms from Patriot TV, to serving as the official podcast of ‘The Gateway Pundit,’ reaching their 2.5 million unique daily readers, as well as livestreamed on X, Gettr, and TruthSocial. The left has tried everything to stop me, ban me, censor me, harass me, yet the popularity and reach of my shows just keeps exploding. That’s called WINNING!”
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host on WGBB-AM, Freeport, New York (Long Island) for more than 35 years. She appeared on major television programs including, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Good Morning America.” She also served as a columnist for Lifetime Television since. Keller’s long-running radio program with international reach established her as an enduring voice in the metaphysical and self-help space.
KTSA. Morgan will take over for Lance Hawkins, who is retiring. Additionally, integrated sales and sports programming manager Dax Davis will rise to director of sales. Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw says, “This is a big moment for our San Antonio team. That market is a vital part of our company, and Morgan and Dax have earned these roles through their hard work and passion for the business. We’re excited to see them lead the next chapter.” Harrison comments, “I am incredibly honored and humbled to step into the role of market manager.
recently and brings nearly 25 years of experience into the market including recent operations and programming gigs in the Milwaukee and Rockford markets. Mays will oversee seven music brands as well as talk outlets WJOL-AM, Joliet; WKRS, Kenosha, Wisconsin and sports talk WLIP. Mays says, “It’s so exciting to be joining Connoisseur Chicagoland right now and getting to work with such a talented, passionate team that I’ve followed and admired for many years.”
Have you noticed a profile pattern for the mass shooters and political assassins? 20-30 years old. Living at home or close.
launch of Freedom Journeys, a new multimedia storytelling initiative celebrating pivotal figures in Philadelphia’s past and present. Freedom Journeys, created in partnership with Renee Chenault Fattah and Love Now Media, will highlight 250 iconic Black Philadelphians — living and deceased — whose lives and work have helped shape the city. WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Founder’s Day will be a wonderful evening in a beautiful setting — where we will celebrate my father’s life and legacy, have great food, amazing live music and soul-filling affirmations of our culture. But we also aren’t going to shy away from what’s happening in this country. WURD has never done that, and this year’s Freedom Journeys is both celebration and resistance.”
the popularity of mobile devices for audio listening is the most dominant in urban communities. Within that audience segment, 40% of time is spent listening to audio on a mobile device, vs. 28% of time spent listening on an AM/FM radio receiver. The mobile device also holds a strong lead in suburban communities, with 36% of time spent listening on that device compared to 30% of time on a radio receiver. However, the radio receiver is strongest in rural communities where it matches the listening time of the mobile device, each receiving 34%.
Yorker Radio Hour,” and “Terrestrials,” as well as “Freakonomics Radio,” “Science Friday” and “Today, Explained,” which NYPR distributes – available to at-risk public radio stations at no cost. This initiative comes as the CPB prepares to wind down at the end of September, following a $9.4 billion rescission package Congress approved in July, putting the future of more than 1,500 public radio and television stations nationwide in jeopardy. NYPR says, “This initiative will allow stations to redirect funds they would typically use to license our programs toward sustaining their vital local operations and reporting.”
Ilitch’s program focuses on conversations with guests who exemplify her values of overcoming adversity, staying positive, and giving back. The show will air monthly on WJR on Saturday at 5:00 pm. Ilitch says, “I’m thrilled about the partnership with WJR and Cumulus to bring the positive message of ‘The Denise Ilitch Show’ to a wider audience. All of us agree that the stories we explore on this show have the potential to inspire leadership in big and small ways, locally and nationally.” Ilitch is president of Ilitch Enterprises and is currently serving on the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan. Her father’s company launched the Little Caesar’s Pizza corporation.
Hubbard Radio’s all-news WTOP-FM, Washington is looking for a new morning drive news anchor after Michelle Basch informed the company she will leave her position at the end of the year to relocate out of DC. WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler wrote in a memo to the stations staff, “Anyone who knows Michelle Basch, knows how much she and her husband Mike adore their cabin in Pennsylvania. Michelle and Mike have decided to move there full-time in the Spring, which means Michelle will be leaving WTOP after nearly two decades. The good news? Michelle will continue to anchor AM Drive through the end of the year. She will then do some reporting for us until she and Mike are fully moved to PA. Michelle’s passion for news, commitment to excellence and drive to ‘first get it right, then get it first’ will be greatly missed in this newsroom.” 
influencers while enhancing Audacy’s cross-platform marketing capabilities.” Audacy says MOGL’s AI-powered matching system allows brands to quickly connect with athletes whose profiles align with campaign goals. Audacy chief revenue officer Bob Philips says, “Sports is where Audacy wins and sports media is evolving beyond traditional boundaries. This partnership with MOGL is a testament to our commitment to innovation, providing a powerful content-driven approach that benefits athletes, schools, and our advertising partners. Together, we’ll empower our clients to deliver authentic, high-impact campaigns that resonate with today’s fans and drive measurable brand outcomes.”
complexities of divorce – helping people navigate every stage of the process faster, more affordably, and with far less conflict. Hello Divorce says its service “goes far beyond digitizing forms and redesigns the entire divorce experience with proprietary technology and AI to eliminate costly errors, reduce delays, and remove the bottlenecks that wreak havoc on divorce timelines.” iHeartMedia president of corporate development and ventures Joe Robinson says, “Hello Divorce offers a powerful solution for one of life’s most challenging transitions. This partnership gives them a unique opportunity to connect with people nationwide through our platforms, delivering resources and guidance that can truly make a difference.”