KBLA, Los Angeles to Kick Off Black History Month Tomorrow (2/1) with Major Climate Justice and Black Health Campaign Aimed at CA Communities of Color
SmileyAudioMedia, Inc. announced today (1/31) that its flagship Los Angeles-based radio station, KBLA Talk 1580, will launch year two of its Climate Justice work. This $2 million, 12-month campaign will link and combat the relationship between climate change and poor health outcomes for African Americans, other people of color, and the poor. The campaign was recently named a national semifinalist for the American Climate Leadership Awards 2025 by ecoAmerica. Climate inequities have taken a toll with multiple health triggers in the Black community, such as extreme heat and poor air quality, made worse by the recent wildfires.
Building on the success of last year’s campaign, KBLA will tailor brand-specific health messaging to the Black community, use strategic alliances to create a healthful behavior pipeline, create culturally and socially sensitive health education opportunities, and enhance knowledge and awareness among Black community stakeholders.
The initiative plans a robust schedule of climate/Black health-themed broadcasts and special programming during the next 12 months, free community events each quarter, a one-of-a-kind Black health online portal, two town halls broadcast nationally from Los Angeles, and a savvy social media and marketing campaign. Last year, KBLA Talk 1580 hosted a national conversation live on C-SPAN. It will do so again this year with the theme, “Narrowing the Gap: Addressing Health Disparities Among African Americans.” KBLA is being joined in this effort by an array of public and private partners.
“The harsher impacts of climate change weigh heavily on communities of color, as we can see with the impact of the wildfires on historic Black communities like Altadena where lives were lost, property was destroyed, and these toxic air pollutants are likely to cause even greater harm in the months and years to come,” stated Tavis Smiley, KBLA’s chief visionary officer, host of the nationally syndicated “Tavis Smiley Show,” and 2023 recipient of the coveted “Freedom of Speech” Award from TALKERS. “There is real concern that these wildfires may leave even more inequity in their wake.”
As a Black-owned and operated major media company focused on these underserved communities, and as the most ‘trusted, credible and reliable’ media source in Southern California for African Americans and beyond, we are committed to doing more than talk in these troubled times,” added Smiley. “KBLA assigns itself the task of elevating the climate conversation connected to Black health outcomes by amplifying the voices of those who are most impacted by the climate catastrophes we are all witnessing in real-time.”
After the first White House press briefing by the youngest presidential press secretary in history, the calls, emails and texts keep flowing in to me about Karoline Leavitt.
Back in 2022, we were at a client remote, and the owner told me he wanted to introduce us to this young lady who had been a White House aide near the end of Trump’s term. “She is going places,” our client told us.
In early 2024, BBC Studios launched a dedicated audio unit to maximize creative and commercial opportunities for the BBC’s premium podcast output in the global audio market. iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne says, “BBC has held its position as one of the most respected, highest-quality brands in media for decades, and we couldn’t be more honored and excited to expand our relationship and represent their podcasts titles in the exploding U.S. podcast market.”
optimize operations, and deliver even more value to advertisers and content creators alike. Additionally, by leveraging ART19’s advanced tools for dynamic ad insertion, PodcastOne can implement programmatic advertising and direct sponsorship integrations. PodcastOne president and co-founder Kit Gray states, “We’re not only ensuring the stability of our current monetization streams but unlocking new growth opportunities by leveraging ART19’s cutting-edge technology and advertising opportunities. This move underscores our commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional value to our talent, advertisers, listeners and shareholders.”
Harrison as “one of the most dynamic and effective radio managers in America” – has served as president of WABC Radio, Red Apple Media Group, and the Red Apple Audio Network since the iconic AM station was acquired and expanded five years ago by New York-based billionaire businessman / talk show host / philanthropist John Catsimatidis. Since then, the station and its associated media group have shown explosive growth that has grabbed the attention and respect of the national broadcasting industry. Prior to joining Red Apple, Lopez had already achieved notable recognition for his leadership as VP/MM of Cumulus New York and before that as GSM of CBS Radio New York. The Fireside Chat will be one of the highlights of the innovative four-hour TALKERS event on Saturday, March 8 that will be co-located with the national Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference March 7-8 at the Sheraton New York Times Square hotel. More speakers will be announced next week. For more information about the event including discount conference registration and room registrations, please see the story immediately below.
of 2025 beginning February 1 through March 31. Radio HoF co-chairman Dennis Green says, “We look forward to hearing from people across the country to advance names of outstanding broadcasters worthy of Hall of Fame recognition. 2025 marks the 37th year of bestowing the honor of Radio Hall of Fame induction on those who left an indelible mark and had a lasting impact on the radio industry.” The 2025 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held in Chicago on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
It says, “BIA will share radio ad forecasts to offer a clearer picture of what’s in store this year and which verticals are ready to spend in 2025. The advertising landscape keeps shifting, and we’re here to make sense of it all.” 
indelible mark on the industry, growing Audacy from a few small radio stations into a scaled multi-platform audio content and entertainment powerhouse. He has built a great company with leading positions across the country’s largest markets and an outstanding portfolio of exclusive, premium audio content. Under David’s dedicated leadership, Audacy has been positioned for longterm success, and we look forward to working with Kelli and the entire team as the company begins its next exciting chapter.” In a statement, Field says, “Since I joined Audacy, then Entercom, we have grown from $10 million in revenues with ten niche radio stations into a $1.2 billion, multi-platform audio leader with one of the country’s two scaled radio broadcast groups, one of the largest podcast networks and the unrivaled top position in sports audio. Audacy recently completed a very successful 2024, delivering industry-leading EBITDA growth of more than 70% through the third quarter and significant revenue share gains across our radio and digital businesses. With the company in a strong competitive and financial position, now is the optimal time to pass the baton to new leadership. I am deeply proud of our extraordinary team and everything we have accomplished for our listeners, customers, partners, and communities. The company is in great hands, and I look forward to seeing the next chapter of Audacy’s success.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital media, creators often walk a fine line between inspiration and infringement. The 2015 case of “Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc.” offers a cautionary tale for anyone producing reaction videos or commentary-based content: fair use is not a free pass, and transformation is key.
Offering LLC and says the deadline to apply for shares in the pre-public offering private placement is Friday (1/31). Newsmax says that its private placement investments are near the $185 million mark. Newsmax has made information about the offering available via its NewsmaxInvest.com site. The offering is available to accredited investors with an annual income of $200,000 or a $1 million-plus net worth.
Spadea – morning drive host at WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” – and his employer Townsquare Media created an illegal “shadow campaign.” The complaint says Townsquare used radio, social media and public events to promote Spadea’s campaign thereby providing him with “hundreds of thousands of dollars” worth of advertising. Ciattarelli is asking the Commission to deny Spadea’s campaign access to matching public funds and to fine Townsquare for the campaign violations. Spadea’s campaign says the complaint is baseless and that it has complied with election law throughout his campaign. 
African Americans across U.S. history and society. Red Apple Audio Networks air personalities Dominic Carter and James Golden, a.k.a Bo Snerdley anchor the stories about notable black figures from activists and civil rights pioneers to entertainers, politicians, scientists, and athletes who broke through racial barriers including: Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King Jr,Malcom X, Rosa Parks, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Portier, Muddy Waters, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson,Kobe Bryant, Clifton Wharton, and more. The RAAN Black History Month Vignettes are available to radio stations for download upon request by contacting the network 
managed Cumulus’ Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana stations. Welling takes over for the retiring Chris Monk. Cumulus president of operations Bob Walker says, “We are thankful to Chris for the strong foundation he has built for our clusters in Flint and Saginaw and wish him all the best in his retirement. As we look to the future, we are excited to welcome Cody back to Cumulus to take our powerful brands to the next level. Cody is a passionate broadcaster who is dedicated to helping local businesses connect with our audiences and fully leverage the opportunities our traditional and digital assets provide.”
platforms that emphasize conversation and create a sense of connection. To win with this community who wields $2 trillion in buying power, brands must prioritize engagement strategies that center diverse Black experiences and cultural nuances.” The study notes that social media apps have become a haven for Black consumers – Black adults overall spend more time scrolling than their peers. Black millennials (between 18 and 34-years-old) spend the most time on social media among all adults by almost an hour per week. Black adults also have high engagement with radio and podcasts. Radio averages the same as TV in weekly reach with Black adults – each medium reaches 27 million Black adults on average. 
show tonight (1/29) at 9:00 pm ET. The interview was recorded at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and FNC says it “will cover the first 100 days of the Trump-Vance administration and other news of the day.”
1,250 startups at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from February 23 – 26. Sessions at the event will feature iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne, as well as iHeartPodcasts talent including Malcolm Gladwell, Jay Shetty, David Eagleman, and Jonathan Strickland. Additionally, as part of the partnership, Web Summit Qatar will introduce the iHeart Podcast Creator Studio, featuring an on-site iHeartPodcasts Recording Studio and attendee lounge for live show taping on the showroom floor.
Audacy. Before he was chairman, Carr had argued that the FCC should not allow a “Soros shortcut” but must follow FCC procedure. In June of last year Carr said the FCC had never previously used the “Soros-shortcut” procedure to approve licenses to a firm with significant foreign ownership. But Audacy argued in its opposition to the Petition to Deny (filed last summer) that there is nothing unique about this request, saying that the FCC “granting a limited waiver deferring its foreign ownership review to facilitate a licensee’s prompt emergence from bankruptcy is consistent with the Communications Act.” Audacy added that the notion that the limited waiver is new “completely ignores longstanding precedent establishing the Commission-approved special warrant process used in a number of prior transactions to allow licensees to emerge from bankruptcy promptly, while affording the Commission sufficient opportunity to review foreign ownership issues post-emergence.”
from 27% in 2021; 2) the top podcast genres of 2024 were News (25% of downloads), True Crime (19%), and Comedy (13%). Of True Crime podcast listeners, 67% were female, of Comedy podcast listeners, 61% were male, and of News podcast listeners, 56% were male; 3) NPR News Now (NPR) remained the top podcast in 2024; and 4) “Bongino Report Early Edition with Evita” had the #1 debut in 2024. Triton SVP measurement products & strategy Daryl Battaglia says, “2024 marked another year of remarkable growth for the podcast industry, with listenership broadening across demographics and becoming more mainstream than ever. As new audiences dive into podcasts and spend more time listening, fueling deeper engagement, genres like True Crime, Kids & Family, and History drive the highest back catalog consumption, creating untapped opportunities for programmatic advertising. At Triton Digital, we remain dedicated to providing deep insights into listener behavior and platform preferences as this dynamic medium continues to evolve.” 
international nonprofit relief organization Foor for the Poor’s podcast, “Beyond the Plate.” Gallagher is feted for the philanthropic spirit and the millions of dollars raised by him and his listeners – inspired by his late wife, Denise. Salem Radio Network VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup states, “In addition to being one of America’s best talk show hosts, Mike Gallagher is literally second to none in tapping the generosity of his nationwide audience in fighting hunger and malnutrition by generating donations to nonprofits like Food for the Poor.” 
which is 19.6% of adults planning a new vehicle purchase. Among heavy radio listeners (those that listen more than 3 hours a day), that number jumps to 30%. That’s 53% stronger than the general market.” Forester says that podcasts are also a good genre for auto advertising. He says, “The multi-media analysis by The Media Audit revealed podcasts captured the interest of 30.1% of adults 18+ planning to buy a new vehicle in the next 12 months… 53% higher than the general market. Audio streaming does well at 22.7%… 16% higher than the general market” Forester concludes, “Automotive advertisers have a tremendous opportunity to leverage radio’s ability to connect with ready-to-buy consumers. Our data shows that radio not only drives awareness but also inspires action, making it an essential part of any automotive advertising strategy.”
advertising and marketing solutions to their expansive customer base, which importantly exists in markets that do not compete with ours. Our expertise is coaching and training high-performing broadcast sales teams to leverage our proprietary programmatic advertising platform and data-driven insights to deliver exceptional results for their clients. By sharing our proven strategies and dynamic approach, we look forward to helping Steel City strengthen their digital capabilities, driving growth and measurable success for their clients.” Steel City Media vice president Michael Frischling comments, “We are excited to partner with Townsquare Ignite in both of our markets. Townsquare has the best digital solutions in the radio industry and a proven track record of delivering great results to clients.”
election for the seat held by Republican Joe Borelli who is leaving his post to work as a lobbyist. Borelli would have to leave the Council at the end of this term in December due to term limits. Morano tells the Post he’s running because “he’s watched too many friends and family members leave the Big Apple over ‘woke policies’ driving up crime and costs and owes it to his three-year-old son Carmine to ‘fight.’” Morano could remain with WABC hosting his syndicated show while running but the show would have to be blacked out in the New York market because of campaign regulations. 
decided they didn’t want to call it quits and began formulating a plan to take their talents to the digital realm. According to a report in the Des Moines Register, they are launching the streaming program “The Rush” today (1/27). The 6:00 am to 8:00 am show streams live on YouTube, X/Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms five days per week. The duo survived a round of layoffs in 2020 after their program was canceled but listener blowback caused management to bring them back. 
December 30 to January 19 and aims to leverage its on-air reach to help a local business brand, rebuild, or grow. Audacy Chicago VP of sports programming Mitch Rosen says, “This contest and promotion embodies everything ‘The Score’ truly stands for: live, local sports and, most importantly, the community. From the hundreds of entries we received, we know how important it is for the community to support local businesses. We’re excited to spotlight Heritage and share their story to help them grow and expand their business. Given the massive audience the game attracts on ‘The Score,’ our goal is to leverage every platform to maximize exposure for the restaurant.”