The presidential race; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; the far right victories in the EU elections; the Justice Samuel Alito “godliness” controversy; the Nancy Pelosi video clips from January 6; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; and the Israel-Hamas war and the UN Security Council’s cease-fire resolution were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President
In case you missed it, honesty was on full display at Friday’s TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond conference.
Sometimes honest or transparent B2B conversations are difficult to digest. But when the truth is presented in an open forum designed to educate and motivate better to listen closely.
High five to keynoter Glenn Beck who shared his personal journey from the bottom to the top. His keynote was clear, honest messaging. Fame and fortune are no substitute for being true to yourself, honest about why and what you do in this business. What will you contribute that will make a difference? Love him or hate him, Beck is a proven, successful professional at what he does best: make you think.
Straight forward hallway conversations with fellow panelist Vince Benedetto, CEO of Bold Gold Media, were philosophical eye openers. Vince is a young, successful owner operator of small and medium market radio stations. Why is radio perceived as a “still is” good business when all his teams know is today’s success? Did someone tell him sales orders rolled in on fax machines? If that was the case, maybe radio stations should go back to faxing. Vince has no rear-view mirror, no experience with the “good old days” – just today’s and tomorrow’s successful opportunities. I explained to Vince, I’ve worked with the frenemy, and it is the generation ahead of him. We who overlook and assume the basics of over 90% radio listenership. It is us who need a look in the mirror!
A moment of honesty comment from John Caracciolo, CEO of JVC Media, was short and to the point, “Where are the bankers?” Nowhere near most local radio station owner operators. Maybe that will change as more terrestrial radio owners, managers, and talent fast forward embracing the future of digital and social media integration.
The research Salem Media Group SVP Phil Boyce shared was inspiring and thought provoking. His numbers tell the compelling story of audience dynamics and choices, especially when we hear how people are listening to radio for longer periods of time. Does anyone honestly care to pitch that key sales point?
Let’s wrap this column up with three key takeaways from the conference:
1. The radio business is alive but wrestling with a future crowded by aggressive competition from the new digital/social media frontier.
2. Successful leaders need trusted, experienced collaborators. Learn from the great Warren Buffet.
3. It takes passion, commitment, expertise, and a great team to stage the annual TALKERS conference. Thank you, Michael Harrison. I learned a lot!
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.
Townsquare Media promotes PM drive producer and fill-in host Kylie Moore to co-host of the afternoon show alongside Jeff Deminski. This move comes shortly after the company cut Deminski’s longtime partner
Bill Doyle from the co-host role. The new “Deminski & Moore” show airs from 2:00pm to 7:00 pm. Deminski states, “The stupid robots in grocery aisles, your phone that fell in a toilet, the governor’s hairstylist somehow avoiding charges, the fact that Kylie still doesn’t understand how to eat M&Ms, the neurosis we all have and never dare talk about. Kylie is fun, smart, and unique. I love the wide range of topics we’ll be able to cover.” Moore says, “I’m excited to partner with Jeff Deminski. He’s one of the hardest-working and most genuine people I know, and you can hear his passion through the airwaves. He can make me laugh, think critically, and argue with him all before we hit our first traffic break!”
Urban One files its reports for the year ended December 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission after a lengthy delay due to previously reported issues with its accounting practices. For the full year of 2023, Urban One reports net revenue of approximately $477.7 million, a decrease of 1.4% from the full year of 2022. Broadcast and digital operating income was approximately $168.4 million, a decrease of 16.5% from the same period in 2022. Net income was
approximately $2.1 million compared to net income of $34.3 million for 2022. For the first quarter of 2024, net revenue was approximately $104.4 million, a decrease of 5% from the same period in 2023. Broadcast and digital operating income was approximately $32 million, a decrease of 18.5% from the same period in 2023. Net income was approximately $7.5 million compared to a loss of $2.9 million for the same period in 2023. Urban One CEO and president Alfred C. Liggins, III states, “Our Adjusted EBITDA for FY23 came in just above the high-end of our previous guidance at $128.4 million. As expected, we suffered a drop in radio division broadcast cash flow as a result of reduced political advertising compared to Q4 2022. Other divisions performed broadly in line with expectations, although the continuing churn in cable television subscribers remains an industry-wide concern. For Q1 our national radio revenues were hit by tough comparatives on a handful of large clients plus a general softness in the market. Second quarter radio pacing’s are sequentially better, with same station core revenues down mid-single-digits and low-single digits including political… We are optimistic about political advertising revenues for the remainder of the year, which should benefit both our radio and digital divisions. During Q1 we repurchased $75 million of our 2028 notes at 88.3%, and we ended the quarter with approximately $155.7 million of cash.”
The presidential race; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war; Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party scores victory in European Parliament elections; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the deadly heat dome affecting the Southwest U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was Joe Biden’s asylum policy change and the U.S. migrant crisis, followed by the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.
The presidential race; the Israel-Hamas war; Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; President Joe Biden’s asylum reversal; the 80th D-Day anniversary; the deadly heat dome affecting the Southwest U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
At iHeartMedia’s news/talk WHO, Des Moines, Jeff Angelo moves from his most recent late morning
daypart to morning drive, taking over for Maxwell Schaeffer and Amy Sweet, who exited the station earlier this year. He posts a message to Facebook saying, in part, “Iowans are all about connecting with each other and WHO Radio has always been at the heart of that. We’ll have conversations about the most important topics of the day, and we’ll share a few laughs along the way.”
Las Vegas-based TV and radio host Wayne Allyn Root tells TALKERS that his latest project is a song co-written by country music artist Natasha Owens and her songwriting partner Ian Eskelin. Root says, “I am honored to have inspired and co-written this song and video about President Donald J. Trump
titled, ‘The Chosen One.’ This song was inspired by the media firestorm across the globe in July 2019 when I said on my Newsmax TV show Trump was ‘like the King of the Jews and the Chosen One.’” Root debuted the song on his Real America’s Voice TV show, “The Root Reaction” and on his Talk Media Network nationally syndicated radio show. Root adds, “In light of this unprecedented persecution, indictments and now unjust conviction of President Trump, this is the perfect song and video, at the perfect time, and the perfect place, to lift the spirits of President Trump and the MAGA world, and to show the world President Trump is on a mission from God to make America great again.” Listen to the song here.
The presidential race; President Joe Biden announces new restriction of asylum at U.S.-Mexico border; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war and the state of Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition; Attorney General Merrick Garland’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee; Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins reelection in India though his party loses seats in parliament; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the deadly Southwest heatwave were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Donald Trump’s conviction in New York; the presidential race; Tony Fauci’s COVID-19 testimony before a House subcommittee; the felony gun charge trial of Hunter Biden; the Israel-Hamas war and Benjamin Netanyahu’s effort to keep his coalition together; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the extreme heat forecast for the Southwest were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President
Almost everything I know about pricing strategy I learned from domestic airlines. Guess what? Airlines are at it again and I hope you are watching and learning.
As a young national sales manager, then general manager, based in South Florida in the 80s, I became a student of some of the best competitive marketing strategies ever created. Anyone would be hard pressed to remember all the domestic airline brands that serviced South Florida back then. Off the top of my head, here are the nine I remember: Eastern, Delta, Continental, American, United, US Air, Pan Am, TWA, and for a short time, Florida Airlines. Depending on the routes and time of year, the competition was crazy. Once the fourth quarter holiday season began in these pre-computerized days, last-minute changes kept me at my desk way too long, showing up late for several holiday dinners. Pricing, heavy ups, and copy changes came down with minimal lead time and a mandate of no make goods. Computers were first working their way into radio stations. Inkjet printers were in development and mobile phones were still in the lab at Motorola.
Armed with a desktop calculator, pencil, and yellow pad, I worked feverishly to keep up with the airline marketing tsunami that hit the Miami market leading up to Christmas travel. Our traffic department was the only part of our radio station that worked with computers. Nevertheless, stress and anxiety ruled until all orders were correctly inputted and confirmed. Once the smoke cleared, I decided to learn from our clients, the original pricing disruptors: the airlines of the early 80s.
After visiting with marketing directors, I learned how market demand and inventory were calculated and balanced to determine pricing. Later, I studied how Southwest successfully pre-sold into markets they were about to service. The successful airlines taught me how to improve the execution of “grid card rate management.” How to fine-tune and balance anticipated sell-out levels and integrate seasonality. Later, the art of successful pre-selling became an important part of our mission.
Fast-forward to today’s airline marketing and pricing. It’s all about the upsell. Consider all the options you have once you book that economy ticket. From early boarding, extra legroom, baggage fees, refundable vs. non-refundable tickets, travel insurance, to double the points, etc.
Airline income and profits are still on the post-pandemic upswing. Domestic travelers are out in force, many travelers comfortably participating in the upsell. The strategy is working.
Few if any radio-audio sellers are skilled in upselling. Most managers are not skilled in the upsell strategy and rarely have the time to learn. The concept may feel a little awkward at first, but once you understand how to work with the spectrum of assets your platforms can offer, the upsell strategy can help increase your sales as you help your clients!
Steve Lapa is the president of Lapcom Communications Corp. based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lapcom is a media sales, marketing, and development consultancy. Contact Steve Lapa via email at: Steve@Lapcomventures.com.
Former President Donald Trump’s conviction in New York; today’s beginning of Hunter Biden’s felony gun charge trial; the political implications of the Biden Israel-Hamas peace plan; the U.S. migrant crisis; Claudia Sheinbaum is elected president of Mexico; and China lands a lunar probe on the dark side of the moon were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The “hush money” trial of former President Donald Trump and his subsequent conviction was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the presidential race, followed by the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.
According to data from Edison Research’s ongoing Share of Ear study, reaching potential voters with campaign ads should include spending on audio because “fully 84% of the voting-age public is reached by ad-supported audio daily.” Where to spend depends on which potential voters campaigns are trying to
reach. “Republicans listen to more AM/FM radio than other groups, with an index of 109 (or 9% more listening than average). The ad-supported spoken-word channels on SiriusXM are a particularly efficient place to find Republicans, with an index of 146. Meanwhile, podcasts stand out as the more efficient platform for reaching Democrats, indexing at 121. And what about those elusive Independents, who often tip an election? Both streaming music, and in particular music videos on YouTube, over-deliver for these potential voters, with indexes of 103 and 123 respectively.” Edison adds, “Regardless of the party that buyers are trying to reach with political ads, audio stands out as a superior pathway to reaching voters. Audio provides enormous audiences and often a far less cluttered political environment than other ad channels.”
The first day of jury deliberation in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the presidential race and RFK Jr’s complaint about debate exclusion; Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito refuses calls to recuse himself from two January 6-related cases in the wake of his flags controversy; the Israel-Hamas war and the failure of the $320 million pier to deliver aid to Palestinian refugees; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the severe weather that’s affected parts of the southern U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The Donald Trump “hush money” trial goes to the jury today; the presidential race and the Republicans vying to be Trump’s VP candidate; the U.S. economy; the Israel-Hamas war and Israel’s operations in Rafah; the Justice Samuel Alito upside down flag controversy and their spat with neighbors; the intense storms that swept through the southern U.S.; Harvard University’s new “no positions” policy; and the Russia-Ukraine war were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Israel intensifies its attacks on Rafah in its war against Hamas; this week’s resumption of former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; Trump at the Libertarian Party convention and the presidential race; the state of the economy; the Memorial Day holiday; the deadly tornadoes that claimed the lives of at least 22 in the southern U.S.; and basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton dies at 71 after a battle with cancer were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend.
The Federal Communications Commission is announcing a new agency proposal that, if adopted, would look into whether the agency should require disclosure when there is AI-generated content in political ads on radio and TV. If adopted, this proposal aims to increase transparency by: 1) Seeking comment on whether to require an on-air disclosure and written disclosure in broadcasters’ political files when there is
AI-generated content in political ads; 2) Proposing to apply the disclosure rules to both candidate and issue advertisements; 3) Requesting comment on a specific definition of AI-generated content, and 4) Proposing to apply the disclosure requirements to broadcasters and entities that engage in origination programming, including cable operators, satellite TV and radio providers and section 325(c) permittees. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel says, “As 
artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, the Commission wants to make sure consumers are fully informed when the technology is used. Today, I’ve shared with my colleagues a proposal that makes clear consumers have a right to know when AI tools are being used in the political ads they see, and I hope they swiftly act on this issue.” However, Republican Commissioner Brendan
Carr opposes the move, saying, “There is no doubt that the increase in AI-generated political content presents complex questions, and there is bipartisan concern about the potential for misuse. But none of this vests the FCC with the authority it claims here. Indeed, the Federal Election Commission is actively considering these types of issues, and legislators in Congress are as well. But Congress has not given the FCC the type of freewheeling authority over these issues that would be necessary to turn this plan into law. And for good reason. The FCC can only muddy the waters. AI-generated political ads that run on broadcast TV will come with a government-mandated disclaimer but the exact same or similar ad that runs on a streaming service or social media site will not? Consumers don’t think about the content they consume through the lens of regulatory silos. They just view content on screens. Will they conclude that the absence of a government warning on an online ad means that the content must be real? I don’t see how this type of conflicting patchwork could end well. Unlike Congress, the FCC cannot adopt uniform rules.”
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce successfully marks up the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act,” sending it to the full House of Representatives for a vote. Subcommittee chair Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) stated, “At our legislative hearing, we heard from our
witnesses about the importance of having a robust emergency alert and public safety communications infrastructure. Further, rural and underserved Americans still enjoy listening to AM radio broadcasts for their diverse viewpoints. Given AM radio’s significant reach as a medium, much of it taking place in vehicles, we 
must ensure it remains a readily available option for all Americans, particularly as we approach hurricane season.” In response NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt states, “NAB applauds today’s markup and passage of the ‘AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.’ This critical legislation ensures that the 82 million Americans who rely on AM radio each month will continue to have access to diverse programming, local news and essential emergency information. AM radio is the backbone of our Emergency Alert System, providing timely alerts and information during disasters and emergencies, ensuring that critical communication remains available even when cell and broadband services fail.”
The Donald Trump “hush money” trial was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the presidential race, followed by the Israel-Hamas war tied with the International Criminal Court’s warrants for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.
Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial in NYC and the hearing in Florida in Trump’s classified documents case; the presidential race; inflation and the U.S. economy; China launches military drills around Taiwan; the controversy over flags flown at Justice Samuel Alito’s homes; Marjorie Taylor Greene says DOJ and FBI planned Trump assassination; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Hunter Biden tax trial is set for September; the tornadoes and severe weather affecting the south and central U.S. and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calls for July 4 election were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Pictured above are the attendees at the May 18 “Creatives Mixer” hosted by KellyKellyKelly and sponsored by Benztown and Steve Stone Voiceovers held at Story Tavern in Burbank, California. Organizers say, “The event was attended by nearly 100 voiceover and imaging talent from across the U.S., Canada, and even some VO pros from across the pond! People were excited to see each other and chatted a lot about what’s new in the industry. A great time was had by all!”
The Israel-Hamas war and Norway, Spain and Ireland’s announcement they will formally recognize a Palestinian state; the defense rests in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the presidential race; the U.S. economy; Russia reportedly launches a satellite-killing space weapon; the Justice Samuel Alito January 6 flag controversy; the controversial Trump bio-pic The Apprentice; South Carolina bans meds and procedures for gender transition for minors; and the deadly tornadoes that swept through Iowa were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
According to a report from Bloomberg, Rudy Giuliani’s creditors are subpoenaing WABC, New York owner John Catsimatidis to get documents “detailing his relationship with Giuliani, Giuliani’s
compensation from WABC, and documents about the shows Giuliani hosted.” The creditors are represented by a committee in Giuliani’s bankruptcy case and until 10 days ago, Giuliani worked at WABC hosting an afternoon radio talk show. The report notes that the creditors are looking for information about Giuliani’s “‘termination or suspension’ and about any statements he made regarding the Georgia poll workers who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him after he accused them of rigging election results.” Giuliani challenged that verdict in court, but his recent efforts failed, and he remains on the hook for the $148 million judgement. Read the Bloomberg Law story here.
The ICC seeks arrest of Israel and Hamas leaders; Iran’s future in the wake of the death of its president; the ongoing Donald Trump hush money trial; the presidential race; inflation, the record-high financial markets and the economy; controversy over the Trump bio-pic The Apprentice; Arizona serves Rudy Giuliani with indictment papers in the 2020 election case; hacking threats against U.S. water systems; and the Justice Samuel Alito upside-down flag controversy were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Because you can? Because you aren’t doing AM/FM radio? Because you are on radio, but can’t-do-there what you can-do podcasting? Because you are making money podcasting?
Podcasters I help must first survive a conversation about WHY. “It’s a success…if…” WHAT?
Wired magazine co-founder Kevin Kelly reckons that “a creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, video maker, or author – in other words, anyone producing works of art – needs to acquire only 1,000 true fans to make a living.”
Devour these four pages he wrote – a genuine whack-on-the-side-of-the-head – and the structure for my coaching: http://getonthenet.com/1000TrueFans.pdf
What you read there may change how you approach the podcast you’re doing… or nudge you into podcasting if you don’t. As does the Edison Research 2024 Infinite Dial survey. Here’s that download, and a cautionary video from TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison: http://getonthenet.com/podcasting.html
Next Monday is Memorial Day here in the USA, so I’ll be back here on “…the third of June.” If you work mornings, this is my last column you will see before your show that day, so make a note in your bumper file: Bobbie Gentry, “Ode to Billy Joe.”
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “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 and connect on LinkedIn
Iran’s president and foreign minister killed in helicopter crash; the Israel-Hamas war and the ICC seeking arrest warrants for Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes; former President Donald Trump speaks at NRA convention; the aftermath of Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech; President Joe Biden’s Moorhouse College commencement; the Trump hush money trial in NYC; the presidential race; and Pope Francis is interviewed on “60 Minutes” were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Edison Research reports that the results of it’s “The Podcast Consumer 2024” study indicates that podcasts have established themselves as a mainstream media platform, attracting an ever-growing and highly engaged audience. Highlighting the targeted appeal and increasing influence of podcasts, Edison
says that key points for advertisers to know about podcast listeners include: 1) More people than ever are listening to podcasts: 67% of the 12+ population has ever listened to a podcast; 47% of the 12+ population are monthly podcast listeners and 34% are weekly listeners; 2) Listeners are spending more time than ever with podcasts: In 2014, out of the daily time spent listening to all audio by those age 13+, 2% was spent with podcasts. In 2024, that number more than quadrupled and podcasts now account for 11% of daily time with audio. Twenty-three percent of weekly podcast listeners spend 10 hours or more listening to the medium each week; and 3) Podcasts reach all generations: 29% of kids age 6-12, 59% of those age 12-34, 55% of those age 35-54, and 27% of those age 55+ are monthly podcast listeners. See more about the study here.
The Donald Trump “hush money” trial was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the presidential race and Trump and Joe Biden agreeing to two debates, followed by the attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico 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. See this week’s complete chart here.
The attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico; President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agree to two debates; the Trump “hush money” trial; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S. military aid to Israel; the record high stock indexes, inflation and the U.S. economy; China’s Xi Jinping hosts Russia’s Vladimir Putin; the Russian advances in Ukraine; and the controversy over Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s stance on women in the workplace in a commencement speech were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Michael Cohen’s testimony in former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial; the Biden administration’s weapons deal with Israel; President Joe Biden increases tariffs on numerous Chinese goods; the presidential race; inflation and the state of the U.S. economy; Tuesday’s primary elections; Russia ramps up attacks on Ukraine; the bird flu in cows were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.