Industry News

Danny Bonaduce to Retire from Radio

Morning drive radio personality Danny Bonaduce announces he’s retiring from his gig hosting the morning show on iHeartMedia’s classic rock KZOK-FM, Seattle, effective this Friday (12/15).  While Bonaduce worked mostly at music-formatted stations as a host, he worked at KLSX-FM, Los Angelesim during its time as an FM talk station. KZOK says in its announcement of Bonaduce’s retirement, “Danny’s career in the limelight began at an early age, starting with appearances on ‘Bewitched’ in 1969 that landed him the role of Danny Partridge on the ‘Partridge Show’ from 1970 to 1974. Later, Danny would appear in Corvette Summer with Mark Hamill and many cameo appearances on TV and movies over the years.” He says, “I am the luckiest guy in entertainment. I joined the actors union at age three and with little interruption, I have worked in the industry I love for 60 years. I loved almost every minute of it. I want to thank the loyal fans who have followed me throughout my career, including the last 12 based in Seattle. Thank you to iHeartRadio for believing in me, to my on-air partner Sarah for putting up with me. My thanks to Paul Anderson, my agent for decades who has been my steady guide and business partner.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The 2024 presidential race and the latest polls; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; Penn president Liz Magill resigns and the fate of other college presidents in the aftermath of their anti-Semitism testimony; the pressure on Israel to end its Gaza operations; Hunter Biden is indicted on felony charges of tax evasion; Volodymyr Zelensky’s pending trip to Washington; U.S. immigration policy; and the deadly tornadoes that swept through Tennessee were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

KTTH, Seattle Adds Guy Benson and Jimmy Failla to Program Schedule

Bonneville’s news/talk KTTH, Seattle announces a new program lineup effective on January 1 thatim includes two FOX News Radio personalities. “The Guy Benson Show” will air from 12:00-3:00 pm and “FOX Across America with Jimmy Failla” is being delay imbroadcast in the 12:00 midnight to 3:00 am daypart. KTTH program director Jason Antebi states, “We’re incredibly excited to add Guy Benson’s fresh conservative perspective to our primetime lineup. Guy’s political acumen, ability to break down complex issues in ways making it easy to follow, and his pulse on what’s happening from Washington state to Washington, DC will be a huge asset for the KTTH audience.” Benson is the political editor of Townhall.com and a FOX News contributor.

Industry News

Affiliate Sales Pro Tim McDonald Retires

Imaging and voiceover firm Benztown announces that longtime affiliate sales pro Tim McDonald is retiring from the radio business after a successful 40-year career. McDonald joined Benztown in 2019 as a member of its affiliate sales team. Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes says, “I’ve learned immensely from Tim. He’s contributed greatly to our success and I’m thankful to have worked with him over the last five years. We thank him for sharing his talents with us and wish him every success in his next chapter.”

Industry News

Brian Kilmeade is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

FOX News Radio and FOX News Channel talk media star Brian Kilmeade is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.”  Kilmeade, ranked number three on the TALKERS Heavy Hundred, is seen every morning as one of three co-hosts on the popular FOX News Channel TV show “FOX & Friends” and heard on numerous stations across the country hosting his own daily midday program on FOX News Radio…among a number of other FOX projects and programs including the weekend, “One Nation with Brian Kilmeade.” He is the author of eight books – two about sports and he’s just published his sixth about key figures and stories in American history. Subscribing to the tried-and-true adage, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it,” Kilmeade brings new insights into the lives, times and impact of icons such as George WashingtonThomas JeffersonAndrew JacksonSam HoustonAbraham Lincoln, and Frederick Douglass. His latest book is titled, Teddy and Booker T: How Two American Icons Blazed A Path For Racial Equality (Sentinel, 2023) referring to the relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington and its impact on race relations in America. Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of December 4 – 8

The 2024 presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was Wednesday’s GOP debate tied with Sean Hannity’s Donald Trump town hall, followed by the resumption of the Israel-Hamas war 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

Dan Bongino Renews Deal with Westwood One

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One announces that talk host Dan Bongino extends his contract to host both his eponymous syndicated daily radio program and his podcasts, including the unique podcast “The Dan Bongino Show,” on the Cumulus Podcast Network for multiple years. This comes a couple of years after Bongino said he would not renew his contract when it ran out because of his very public protestationim over Cumulus’ mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. Bongino says, “It’s been a fascinating couple years of ups and downs both personally and in the political space. I love what I do, and I’m ecstatic that we’ve agreed to move forward with the show after changes were made. I want to thank all the shows’ supporters, the stations, and program directors for their continued support. I promise to keep my foot on the gas pedal.” Westwood One president Suzanne Grimes states, “‘The Dan Bongino Show’ is one of the greatest growth stories in network syndication, with Dan delivering programming unlike anyone else. As we head into what will surely be an unpredictable election cycle, we know Dan will be always insightful, sometimes provocative, and never disappointing, which is why our listeners are wildly engaged, and our advertisers have flocked to the show.”

Industry News

Report: Middleton Interviews for WBZ-FM, Boston Morning Gig

A Boston Herald piece by Rick Sobey reveals that WBZ-FM, Boston “98.5 The Sports Hub” personality Kendra Middleton has interviewed for the open morning drive position on the station alongside Fred Toucher. Rich Shertenlieb parted ways with the company last month. However, Middleton appeared onim afternoon drive host Mike Felger’s Facebook Live “Off-Air Show” and said she doesn’t think she’ll get the gig. When asked why she said, “Just because I think that I’m young and new. I think [program director] Rick [Radzik] took me very seriously. It’s just I think that there’s probably someone who, I don’t know, I think that I’m qualified. It’s just I haven’t been here very long, so I don’t know.” Station afternoon personality Jim Murray has said he’s not interested in the position. The piece notes that midday personality Rob “Hardy” Poole is being talked about as a candidate for the morning show post. Read the Herald story here.

Industry News

Robert Dove to Lead Alpha Media Portland as Lisa Decker Retires

Alpha Media names Robert Dove SVP/market manager for its Portland station group that includes news/talk KXL-FM, talk KUFO-AM, sports talk KXTG-AM and four music brands. This comes as current market manager Lisa Decker announces her retirement at the end of this year after seven years withim the company. Dove, who starts on January 1, comes to Alpha Media from iHeartMedia where he most recently served as Pacific Northwest Region president. Alpha Media president and CEO Bob Proffitt commented on the announcement, “I am very excited to have Robert lead us to new heights, opportunities, and successes. He knows Portland like no other broadcaster, has deep relationships and knowledge of our city’s intricacies, and will be a great addition to our team of market managers all across America.” Dove adds, “I’m very excited to join the Alpha Media team. As a native Portlander having the chance to work with some of Portland radio’s most iconic brands is very rewarding and fulfilling. I can’t wait to get started.”

Industry News

Cumulus Promotes Holly Paras to Regional VP

Cumulus Media promotes Holly Paras to regional vice president for the company in which she adds the New London, Connecticut stations to her current oversight of the Providence, Rhode Island cluster.im Cumulus operates news/talk WXLM-AM in the New London market and news/talk WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM and sports talk WPRV-AM in Providence. Cumulus Media president of operations Dave Milner states, “Holly is an extremely effective and capable leader. Having her lead New London in addition to Providence allows for us to provide enhanced solutions for customers in Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut.”

Industry News

No Changes in Top Tier of Podtrac’s November Top Podcasts Chart

Podtrac releases its Top Podcasts, Publishers and Sales Networks charts for the month of November and the Top Podcasts chart – based on unique monthly audience – shows no movement among the topim five, with The New York Times’ “The Daily” remaining in first place. NPR’s “Up First” is #2 and NBC News’ “Dateline NBC” is #3. Commercial radio-related podcasts of note in the top 20 include The Daily Wire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” – down two spots to #8 – and Dan Bongino’s “The Dan Bongino Show” – down two spots to #11. FOX Audio Network’s “FOX News Hourly Update” slipped one place to #16.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (12/6) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The 2024 presidential race and Wednesday’s GOP debate; Israel’s resuming its mission to eliminate Hamas and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the Senate impasse over aid for Ukraine & Israel and the demand for border security measures; Kevin McCarthy announces he’ll exit Congress at the end of the year; Sean Hannity’s Donald Trump town hall broadcast; Iran-backed Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea; the deans of Ivy League schools under fire for dodging questions about anti-Semitism on campus; the deadly shooting on the UNLV campus; and Norman Lear dies at 101 were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Audacy Promotes Rachel Williamson and Kevin Cassidy

Audacy announces two promotions within its senior leadership team. Rachel Williamson is promoted to president of local sales strategy and innovation, and Kevin Cassidy moves from his role overseeing theim company’s New Orleans market to take over for Williamson as SVP and market manager for the Chicago market. Williamson reports to Brian Benedik, chief imrevenue officer, and Cassidy reports to Brian Purdy, regional president. Benedik says, “We are thrilled to move Rachel into this new, important assignment. Her leadership experience and expertise with linear and digital audio and video will be a tremendous asset to growing our local business across Audacy.” Purdy comments, “With an impressive multiyear track record of success overseeing our New Orleans cluster, Kevin knows how to grow brands and deliver performance. We are confident that Chicago will continue to thrive under Kevin’s guidance.”

Industry News

Anne Gress Exits Townsquare Media New Jersey in Budget Move

Programmer Anne Gress – who was responsible for news/talk WKXW-FM, Trenton New Jersey 101.5 and CHR WPST-FM – exits her position as director of content for the two stations. Townsquare Mediaim issued the following statement: “Regional VP Brian Lang, who manages all of Townsquare’s stations in New Jersey, explains that the company earlier consolidated leadership in sales, promotions, finance, and engineering for the Trenton-Princeton and Monmouth-Ocean markets. Now it has also aligned content for those markets under Sam Gagliardi as VP of content. Gagliardi, who goes by the name Sam Elliot on the air, earlier served as general manager of Northern Lights Broadcasting in Minneapolis-St. Paul.”

Industry News

WICC, Bridgeport Host Lisa Wexler’s Interview with Mayor Confirms Ballot Stuffing

WICC, Bridgeport, Connecticut talk host Lisa Wexler’s Tuesday (12/5) program featured and interview with Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim who said he believes his supporters broke the law by mishandlingim absentee ballots but says he had nothing to do with it. He also says he won’t challenge a judge’s decision to toss the results of the September 12 Democratic primary election and possibly rerun the general election. Security cameras revealed people stuffing numerous absentee ballots into collection boxes in what appears to be a campaign of illegal ballot harvesting. Wexler tells TALKERS magazine the exclusive, one-hour sit down with Ganim made the AP and US News & World Report.

Industry News

WBAP Names Morning Drive News Anchor

Cumulus Media’s news/talk WBAP, Dallas-Fort Worth brings Carla Marion back to the air staff to serveim as morning drive news anchor for the “Dallas’ Morning News” program co-hosted by Ernie Brown and Hal Jay. She begins her new position in January.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (12/5) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Senate battle over aid for Ukraine in exchange for U.S. border security measures; Israel’s resuming its mission to eliminate Hamas; FBI Director Chris Wray warns of U.S. terror threats; college deans grilled in Congress over anti-Semitism on their campuses; the 2024 presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; Sean Hannity’s Donald Trump town hall program; and military promotions are approved as Senator Tommy Tuberville ends his blockade were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Cumulus Names Collin Jones to Lead Westwood One

Cumulus Media announces that Collin Jones adds the role of president of Westwood One to his responsibilities, effective January 1, 2024. Jones, who also holds the title, EVP of corporate strategy & development for Cumulus Media, takes over for Suzanne Grimes who has decided to “embark on the next chapter of her career after eight years.” Jones has served with Cumulus Media since 2011 and is responsible for leading the company’s strategy, corporate development (including major partnershipsim and M&A), and investor relations efforts. Jones has led the Cumulus through several strategic transactions and growth initiatives including the acquisition of Westwood One in 2013. Additionally, he oversees IncentRev, the company’s e-commerce and daily deal platform. Cumulus CEO Mary Berner comments, “With his deep understanding of both Cumulus Media and Westwood One, Collin is uniquely qualified for this role and is well-prepared to harness the full power of our platform to help Westwood One grow. Collin has consistently demonstrated his savvy business acumen, effective management style, and collaborative spirit, and I have full confidence that he has the skills and the vision to build upon Suzanne’s considerable accomplishments.” Berner adds, “I would like to thank Suzanne for her invaluable contributions and her pivotal role in our success. Under her leadership, we launched the top-rated Cumulus Podcast Network, built the multi-platform Westwood One News/Talk franchise, and established the industry-leading Audio Active Group. Throughout her time with Cumulus, she has been a remarkable leader, colleague, and mentor to many, and we are certain she will accomplish great things wherever she chooses to share her talents next.”

Industry News

New Titles and Responsibilities as iHeartMedia Realigns Markets Group

iHeartMedia realigns its Markets Group – part of the company’s Multi Platform Group segment –  that “takes advantage of iHeart’s unique scale and multiple platforms; leadership in audio; and its expertise in consumers, monetization and data.” In 2020, iHeart announced that it would group its markets by common needs and characteristics into three different divisions – Region, Metro and Community – to make sharing of resources and experiences easier and more targeted.  The company now names five new division presidents:  Bernie Weiss and Paul Corvino for the Region Division, and Kristin Foley, Chris Soechtig and DJ Hodge for the Metro Division. Tom McConnell, formerly a Metro Divisionim President, will also become a Region Division president. In addition, Nick Gnau, formerly a Community Division president, will become a Metro Division president, and Shosh Abromovich and Dan Lankford will add Nick’s former Markets to their responsibilities as the Community Division presidents. Amy Leimbach, who served as senior vice president of sales for Austin, Dallas and San Antonio, will become president of those Markets. The company also announces changes that will enable it to increase its focus on a number of high-growth opportunities. Kevin LeGrett, president of the iHeart Sports Network, makes the transition from his role as division president of Los Angeles to now focus exclusively on leading and growing the company’s leading Political and Sports platforms. Additionally, Tony Coles, president of BIN: Black Information Network, now leads all multicultural efforts as the president of multi-cultural business and development.  The new division presidents will report directly to Hartley Adkins, president of the iHeartMedia Markets Group, and Coles and LeGrett, as well as Adkins, will report to Rich Bressler, iHeart’s president, COO and CFO and CEO of the iHeartMedia Multi Platform Group. The company will be making this transition over the next few weeks.

Industry News

WMAL-FM, Washington Raises $400k-plus for Fisher House

Cumulus Media’s WMAL-FM in Washington, DC raises more than $413,000 during its 21st annual “WMAL Operation Fisher House Radiothon” held on November 30 and December 1. The broadcast event featured WMAL hosts’ interviews with families of injured veterans that have benefited from the donations made in past radiothons. Over the past 21 years, WMAL listeners have donated more than $8.7 million to support the efforts of the Fisher House Foundation, which provides housing to familiesim of injured military members and veterans who are undergoing treatment. Group homes at Bethesda, Walter Reed, the VA, Dover AFB, and at military and VA medical centers around the world offer a comfortable place for loved ones to live while remaining close to their injured family members. Fisher House Foundation chairman and CEO Ken Fisher says, “For an incredible 21 years, WMAL and its audience have given to military and veteran families through Fisher House Foundation. We are overwhelmed and grateful for the dedication and incredible generosity in support of our nation’s heroes and their loved ones.” WMAL PD and Cumulus Media VP of news/talk Bill Hess comments, “Year after year, our listeners step up with support for injured veterans and their families. As the Fisher House Foundation approaches its 100th house worldwide, it’s rewarding to know our listeners play such a large role in the organization’s ability to serve the families of our wounded servicemen and women.”

Industry News

Civic Media Adds New Evening Show to Wisconsin Talk Network

According to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, comedian and filmmaker Pete Schwaba is now hosting a nightly talk program on the network of news programs and progressive talk shows that Civic Media is airing on its network of stations in Wisconsin that includes flagship station WAUK-AM,im Waukesha. The “Nite Lite With Pete Schwaba” airs from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Schwaba has hosted programs for PBS Wisconsin in addition to his work in the film industry that includes writing for the 2003 film, A Guy Thing, and his own indie comedy film, The Godfather of Green Bay. He also served as a producer on the Jeff Foxworthy TV show, “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” He says, “Entertainment, just like sports, helps bring people together, which is more important now than ever. I’m excited to introduce listeners to people I’ve met over the years in the entertainment business, share experiences, and generally celebrate arts and culture in Wisconsin.” Read the Journal Sentinel piece here.

Industry News

Longtime WCCO, Minneapolis Host Jearlyn Steele Signs Off

Bring Me the News reports that longtime Sunday evening host Jearlyn Steele ends her weekly show,im “Steele Talkn’” after 27 years on the air at Audacy’s WCCO-AM, Minneapolis. She told listeners on last Sunday’s final program. Steele made the announcement during her final broadcast on Sunday, saying: “It’s been a blast. I want someone else to come and do a great job and learn, hopefully as much as I have learned. I have been a part of your lives and you have been a part of mine for many years. And I will not forget that.” Read the full story here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (12/4) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Israel resumes fight against Hamas as UN warns of “apocalyptic” humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the 2024 presidential race and Wednesday’s GOP debate in Alabama; Liz Cheney considering third party run for president; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; Senate Republicans demand U.S. border policy changes in exchange for approving Ukraine and Israel funding; and the SCOTUS to hear tax case on what is income were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

UK Perspective: Shedding Light on DAB and International Radio with Podcast Radio’s Gerard Edwards

TALKERS founder Michael Harrison speaks with Gerard Edwards – the founder and CEO of Podcast Radio (podcastradionetwork.com) based in London, UK. Podcast Radio has shown tremendous growth since its launch less than five years ago and is heard worldwide with a menu of podcasts online as well as on air in the UK via DAB radio stations.  The company recently expanded its footprint into North America as a radio program content supplier. Harrison and Edwards take a deep dive into the state of DAB as a 21st century radio broadcast technology in addition to discussing a big picture view of the state of radio in general. Harrison describes Edwards as one of world radio’s rising young visionaries. Listen to the uninterrupted interview in its entirety here.

Industry News

Audacy Gets Grace Period Extension; JPMorgan Chase Resigns Lender Role

In SEC filings made on November 29, Audacy gets extensions on the grace periods before default on its Credit Facility to January 9, 2024 and on its Receivables Purchase Agreement for the October Audacy Party Payment to December 10 and the November Audacy Party Payment Due Date to December 11.im The filing comes as Audacy “continues to engage in discussions with its creditors with respect to a number of potential alternatives regarding a restructuring of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness.” It also announces in the filing that JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. has resigned as Letter of Credit Issuer and Swing Line Lender (both as defined in the Credit Facility) and that Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB was appointed as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under the Credit Facility.

Industry Views

Pending Business: When the Package Doesn’t Work

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imIt happens to everyone at least once.

You present your package with every asset at your disposal to make the campaign a winner – host read radio, podcast, X(Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and anything else at your disposal. You work with your manager for pricing, coordinate the digital team for input, and touch base with your business department for the all-clear. Your presentation is an award winner, your enthusiasm is contagious and the deal closes. The campaign launches and to your shock and dismay the feedback from your client is utter disappointment as results are anemic. You verify everything is running properly, digital and social media are coordinated, yet the anticipated tsunami of results is barely a rain shower.

Are you kidding me right now? What in the world happened? A little history and a little reality will help you right the ship.

It’s been 60 years since Marshall McLuhan taught us the “medium is the message” and arguably became the original disruptor. He was so far ahead of his time, Musk, Zuckerberg, and Altman would be challenged. The bottom line is McLuhan got it right as we still stumble our way through the performance side of the ads.

Let us examine how we package and sell 60 years later.

Mistake #1- All creative is the same. In the example above, I listed 6 common platforms many local hosts utilize daily to spread the word.

A) Sellers focus on packaging scale, competitive efficiency and closing the business.
B) Hosts focus on product and content acceptability.
C) Managers focus on deal points.
D) Traffic and business focus on integrating systems.
E) Production is ready to deliver the deadline.
F) STOP!!!! Who is focused on matching the platform or medium with high impact creative messaging? “50% OFF” is an empty value proposition when there is no product sell-in. Who is making sure EVERY asset is delivering the creativity that engages and motivates the listener/viewer for each medium?

Mistake #2. I got this. Wake up! The multi-platform package is more complicated than the beta binomial curve for duplication. Oops, did I lose you? The concept is the radio listener may or may not be the podcast listener who may or may not be the YouTube viewer, who may or may not be the Facebook follower, and so on. You are the sales pro who put this package in motion, yet did you stop to think through: Does each medium have a unique campaign with different frequency, creative updates and feedback loops? Do you have any idea how many daily tweets it takes to sell that product or service? Or are you applying branding metrics to sales goals? And that is just the beginning.

We often forget, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, are barely 20 years old and we are still learning. Yet our terrestrial radio station heritage goes back over 100 years, so you think, “I Got this.” To paraphrase the great Marshall McLuhan, don’t drive into the future using only a rear-view mirror.

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: Time Management? Don’t Even Try

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imNews flash: Time cannot be managed. But tasks can.

As we install a new PD at a client station, I will share with you what I’m sharing with him: Four techniques I myself have found EXTREMELY helpful over years of dancing-as-fast-as-I-can in several management positions.

1. “Map” your week. Use a spreadsheet, to create a schedule that doesn’t change week-to-week. Slot-in items like:
a) If you’re on-air: Your show + prep + when you do your daily promo/blog, post/social media, etc.
b) Talent meetings.
c) Regularly-scheduled Boss Time (see “folders’) below.
d) Is there a weekly staff meeting or department heads meeting? Do you routinely meet with sales? Slot it in.
e) In-bin and phone time (see below).
f) Days you’re available to do-lunch, or for sales calls.
g) MBWA time (“Management By Walking-Around”). Build it in.
f) What else?

Tip: Round-up. If something takes 45 minutes, slot-in an hour, to allow for bathroom breaks, checking voicemail, or running-across-the-street for a cuppa cawfee. Consider doing so even if there’s free crankcase coffee there at the station. It’s fresh air. Building in a couple short walks each day can really help you clear your mind between events.

This map you are making is “a living document,” subject to ongoing revision. But plan-your-work-and-work-your-plan, and you’ll find that lots more gets done. You’ll also find that people respond by being more punctual for you.

Tip: Find a hiding place. Always-being-in-your-office tempts interruptions. Two decades of management – and 23 years as a landlord – taught me how some issues that seemed “urgent” to people seeking your attention tend to resolve themselves before the would-be interrupter finds you.

2. Show your boss two file folders, one with your initials on the tab, the other with his/her initials on the tab. Give him/her the one with your initials, and keep the other one. Then, schedule a regular meeting (that goes on your map). The meeting can be weekly, daily, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, whatever. Lock it in, show up on-time.

Pledge to each other that you will avoid ad hoc, single-topic conversations. Unless someone is bleeding or something is on fire, the conversation can wait for a scheduled meeting. Toss a note, or pertinent document, into the folder.

I started doing this when I worked for a particularly “spontaneous” GM. NO NAMES. His half-dozen daily “Got a minute?” interruptions were extremely disruptive. And he was flattered when I showed him the respect of blocking-out Quality Time for issues we shared. Sure, he’d back-slide from time to time. When he did, I would ask, politely, “Do we need to handle this now, or should I put it in The Folder?” He took the hint; and praised me later, during my Performance Review, for suggesting the idea, which he instituted with the sales manager, business manager, and chief engineer. THANK ME LATER FOR THIS ONE.

3. Don’t answer the phone! That’s why there’s voicemail (and caller ID). Phone calls about every little thing are a torturous pause button and invite long workdays and more and taller piles of half-finished tasks. Set aside two times per day to schedule and return calls. Quality Time. Try it, and you will REALLY thank me. And I saved the best for last…

im

4. Touch each piece of paper ONCE. See “In-Bin time” in your weekly map above. Do one-of-the-following with every piece of paper or email that finds you:
a) Deal-with-it instantly (i.e., scribble a response and return to sender), or otherwise bring the issue to closure; OR
b) Send it to someone else (“delegation” in management lingo); OR
c) File it; OR
d) Circular-file-it (sort your mail over the wastebasket); OR
e) There is no e).

Ritualistic as all-of-the-above may seem, YOUR LIFE WILL CHANGE if you take these suggestions literally. Things are busy enough that no routine less structured will suffice. And conducting yourself accordingly will send an important message to the people you work with.

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 “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Industry News

Cumulus Promotes Beth Coughlin to Regional VP

Cumulus Media promotes Beth Coughlin to regional vice president for Buffalo, Erie, and Syracuse markets. She currently serves as vice president/market manager for the Syracuse operations. Theim company operates news/talk WHLD-AM, Buffalo; sports talk WRIE-AM, Erie; and sports talk WSKO-AM, Syracuse as well as 11 music-formatted stations. Cumulus Media president of operations Bob Walker states, “We are pleased to expand Beth’s responsibilities over these three key markets for Cumulus. Her deep experience and effectiveness as a leader make her a natural choice for this enhanced role.”

Industry News

Sean Hannity’s DeSantis vs Newsom Debate Averages 4.75 Million Viewers

The FOX News ChannelDeSantis vs. Newsom: The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate” show that was aired last week was the second most-watched program in linear television, averaging a total of 4.75im million viewers, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. The Sean Hannity-hosted program pulled in 742,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo, which FNC says represented nearly 73% of the cable news share in total viewers and 77% of the cable news share in the key demo. Additionally, the Hannity-hosted post-debate show earned 3.4 million total viewers and 541,000 in the A25-54 demo.

Industry News

Cumulus/Signal Hill Release Podcast Download – Fall 2023 Report

Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights are releasing the Podcast Download – Fall 2023 Report that looks at the latest podcast audience trends. Some of the findings include: 1) Podcast consumers continue to embrace YouTube as the number one podcast platform, especially with podcast discovery;im 2) Audio is powerful. Podcast consumers spend a significant amount of time on YouTube listening to podcasts without watching the video; 3) Since 2019, YouTube and Spotify have been growing among podcast newcomers at the expense of Apple Podcasts; 4) More than half of the weekly YouTube podcast audience say they have listened to the same podcasts in another place; and 5) Podcast consumers who watch video podcasts often have eyes on the screen. More than 6 in 10 look at the screen at least some of the time, even during ads. Since October 2021, podcast watchers have been increasing their time spent with eyes on the screen. See more about the study here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Israel resumes war against Hamas; the 2024 presidential race; the U.S. economy and dissatisfaction with Bidenomics; the NewsomDeSantis debate aftermath; Trump legal battles; George Santos expelled from Congress; US shoots down Iran-backed drones over Red Sea; and SCOTUS to hear Sackler opioid case were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Ratings Takeaways

November 2023 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four

imNovember 2023 PPM Data – Information for the November 2023 survey period (October 12 – November 8) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.

The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.

NFL; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.

DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear

Comparisons are October 2023 – November 2023 (6+). 

AUSTIN

News/Talk

KLBJ-AM 4.7 – 4.3, #5 – #6

KJCE .4 – .3, #28 – #28

News

None

Sports Talk

KVET-AM 1.3 – 1.0, #22 – #22

KTAE .7 – 1.0, #25 – #22

KBPA-HD2  .5 – .5, #27 – #27

Public Radio News/Talk

KUT 5.6 – 5.8, #4 – #4    

RALEIGH

News/Talk

WTKK 8.2 – 6.9, #3 – #3

WPTF .7 – .8, #20 – #19

News

WRAL-HD3  .1 – .3, #23 – #24

Sports Talk

WCMC-FM 3.5 – 3.0, #11 – #12 (Carolina Hurricanes)

Public Radio News/Talk

WUNC 9.4 – 9.8, #2 – #1

INDIANAPOLIS

News/Talk

WIBC 6.9 – 7.3, #3 – #2

News

WOLT-HD2  .1 – DNA, #24 – DNA

Sports Talk

WIBC-HD2  4.3 – 4.0, #12 – #12 (Colts)

WNDE .9 – 1.0, #21 – #20

WXNT .1 –.1, #24 – #24

Public Radio News/Talk

WFYI 4.6 – 4.3, #10 – #11

Note: Sports talk WFNI (DNA) is the flagship of the Pacers.

MILWAUKEE 

News/Talk

WISN 9.7 – 10.7, #1 #1

WTMJ 9.6 – 7.7, #2 – #2 

WLIP .1 – .2, #28 – #23  

News

None

Sports Talk

WRNW 2.6 – 2.8, #14 – #14 (Green Bay Packers)

WKTI 1.0 – 1.2, #18 – #19

WOKY .4 – .3, #22 – #22

WSSP .2 – .2, #25 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

WUWM 3.0 – 3.1, #13 – #12

WHAD 1.7 – 1.6, #17 – #17

WGKB .1 – .1, #28 – #27

WHAD Stream  DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Note: Whereas news/talk WISN’s +1.0 (9.7 – 10.7) represents Milwaukee’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 increase, similarly-formatted WTMJ’s -1.9 (9.6 – 7.7) is the market’s largest October 2023 – November 2023 decrease; the two rivals remain first and second (6+).

NASHVILLE

News/Talk

WWTN 5.7 – 5.7, #5 – #5

WLAC 1.4 – 1.5, #19 – #19

News

WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Sports Talk

WGFX 7.3 – 7.4, #3 – #3 (Tennessee Titans)

WPRT 1.9 – 2.0, #17 – #18 (Predators)

Public Radio News/Talk

WPLN 4.1 – 4.4, #10 – #10

WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – .2, #23 – #23

PROVIDENCE 

News/Talk

WPRO-AM 6.5 – 6.8, #5 – #5

WHJJ  .3 – .5, #18 – #16

News

None

Sports Talk

WBZ-FM 3.6 – 3.4, after thirteen consecutive months at #8, slips to #9

WVEI 2.4 – 2.0, #9 – #11

WPRV DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA

Public Radio News/Talk

WGBH 2.4 – 2.0, #9 – #11

WNPN 1.4 – 1.6, seventh straight month at #14

WCAI .1 – .1, #20 – #20

NORFOLK

News/Talk

WNIS  3.3 – 3.0, #12 – #13

WGH-FM HD2  .2 – .2, #22 – #23

News

WNOH .3 – .3, #20 – #20

Sports Talk

WVSP 2.9 – 2.4, #13 – #14

WTAR .2 – .3, #22 – #20

WGH-AM .3 – .2, #20 – #23

Public Radio News/Talk

None 

JACKSONVILLE

News/Talk

WOKV-FM 7.5 – 8.3, #3 – #3

News

None

Sports Talk

WOKV-AM .2 – .3, #22 – #21

Public Radio News/Talk

WJCT 2.8 – 2.4, #12 – #13   

Note: Sports talk WJXL-AM (DNA); sports talk WJXL-FM (DNA); and country WGNE are the flagships of the Jaguars.

WEST PALM BEACH

News/Talk

WFTL 2.3 – 2.7, #9 – #9

WZZR 1.8 – 2.0 #13 – #11

WJNO 1.2 – 1.2, #14 – #15

News

None

Sports Talk

WMEN .4 – .5, #18 – #16

WBZT .4 – .3, #18 – #18

Public Radio News/Talk

WLRN 2.5 – 2.9, #8 – #8

WLRN-HD2 Stream .2 – DNA, #21 – DNA

GREENSBORO

News/Talk

WPTI 4.9 – 4.4 #7 – #8

News

None

Sports Talk

None

Public Radio News/Talk

WFDD 3.5 – 3.6, #9 – #9

WUNC 1.7 – 1.5, #14 – #14

MEMPHIS

News/Talk

WREC 2.4 – 2.4, #9 – #9

KWAM .2 – .4, #13 – #13

News

None

Sports Talk

WMFS 3.0 – 2.8, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)

WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #13 – #15 (Grizzlies)

Public Radio News/Talk

WKNO 1.9 – 2.0, #10 – #11

HARTFORD

News/Talk

WTIC-AM 5.1 – 4.8, #6 – #6

WDRC-AM 1.9 – 1.9, #15 – #15

WTIC-AM Stream .8 – .6, fifth consecutive month at #17

WPOP .2 – .2, #22 – #23

News

None

Sports Talk

WUCS 2.5 – 2.3, #11 – #13

Public Radio News/Talk

WNPR 3.8 – 4.0, #9 – #9

WFCR .8 – .6, #17 – #17

Mike.Kinosian@gmail.com