Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Beginning, May 5, the nationally syndicated “Dr. Daliah Show,” hosted by Daliah Wachs M.D., will be syndicated by Talk Media Network. The program is distributed daily from 9:00 am to 11:00 am ET. Wachs says, “I am forever grateful to Genesis Communications Network and all Ted Anderson and the team at GCN did for my radio career and wish them love and luck on their next chapters. Working with Josh Leng and Talk Media Network will be amazing, and I am thrilled to see what this new partnership brings.”

The “Bar Fights” podcast celebrates its three-year anniversary with 70 episodes and half a million listens. The podcast, led by advocate, survivor, and renowned sexual abuse attorney Sarah Klein, takes on issues surrounding sexual abuse and adversity, through engaging conversations with survivors and influential figures advocating for change. Klein says, “As we celebrate our three-year anniversary, I’m humbled by the impact ‘Bar Fights’ has had and the community we’ve cultivated. Together, we’re not only raising awareness but also advocating for solutions and reforms to combat sexual abuse and protect vulnerable individuals.”

FOX Business Network ended the month of April beating its competition across business day and total day hours, according to Nielsen Media Research. This is the first month FBN has led CNBC with total day viewers since October 2023. For the 26th consecutive month, the network delivered the top two business programs, including “Kudlow,” which outranked CNBC’s “Closing Bell” for the 31st consecutive month and “Varney & Co.,” which soared past “Squawk on the Street”/”Money Movers” for the 26th straight month.

The Nebraska Broadcasters Association has made a $25,000 contribution to the United Way of the Midlands Nebraska & Iowa Tornado Relief Fund. NBA chairperson of the board Shannon Booth, vice president/general manager of the Gray Media Group, Inc., television stations in Lincoln, Hastings and North Platte, says, “Our hearts ache for the families directly in the path of the devastating storms. These funds will stay local and benefit our neighbors and friends in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa as they begin to rebuild their lives. Local broadcasters care deeply about the communities we serve.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/30) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The pro-Palestinian protesting students’ takeover of Columbia U. hall and other campuses across the country; the Israel-Hamas war and work on a cease-fire; former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial in NYC; House Democrats announce they’ll back House Speaker Mike Johnson; the U.S. migrant crisis; Florida’s six-week abortion ban; and the Justice Department recommends easing restrictions on marijuana were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/29) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. college campuses and the seizing of Hamilton Hall by protestors at Columbia; the Israel-Hamas war; the presidential race and the latest polling data; former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial in NYC; Marjorie Taylor Greene’s move to oust Mike Johnson from House Speaker post; four police officers are killed in Charlotte while serving a warrant; Antony Blinken’s trip to China; and the Supreme Court’s hearing arguments of presidential immunity were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Pulls the Plug on “The Freak”

According to a report in the Dallas Observer, the 16-month run of talk on KEGL-FM, Dallas as The Freak is over, and the station is returning to its rock roots as “97.1 The Eagle.” The Observer piece cites Athlon Sports’ report by Richie Whitt that broke the news. Dallas radio legend Mike Rhyner – who joined theim station after retiring from Cumulus Media’s crosstown sports talker KTCK-AM/FM “The Ticket” tells the Observer that he and castmates Julie Dobbs and Jeff Cavanaugh were let go on Friday (4/26). Rhyner says, “I could be standing at the New Mexico border and still see this coming. It’s a feeling that I and plenty of others at the station had been getting for some time now. iHeartRadio is a music company that really doesn’t do that much talk radio, and the talk radio they do is not local or locally originated, and they got caught into something [97.1 The Freak] they didn’t know anything about, and they were kind of overwhelmed by it, and they decided that ‘this is not our bag.’” Whitt’s Athlon story noted that “lagging ratings” and the talent expense [high overhead] had the station in corporate’s fiscal sights. Read the Observer piece here.

Industry Views

Pending Business: Non-Compete

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imIt’s complicated, this whole Federal Trade Commission ruling potentially banning the non-compete. Considering where you stand on the non-compete concept, it’s really all about evaluating the five “C” profile of your media business.

Personally, I sit at a roundtable where all sides are given equal consideration. More about that roundtable later.

First the five Cs of your media business: Company, Culture, Customers, Competition, Compensation. Let us define each.

1. Company – What is the image and reputation of your Company (management) internally?

Externally? Is your Company viewed as a destination or last resort for employment?

2. Culture – Is the atmosphere on your sales team or in your talent pool upbeat, positive performance driven, supportive, with access to key management? Is there a feedback loop that makes employee voices valued in this new world of Zoom, Teams, etc.? Is achievement recognized in a positive manner? Do sellers and talent have input into goals? Are missed goals treated like broken glass or the start of a learning curve?

3. Customers – Advertisers and audience are important customers. Advertisers, the cash register of any ad-based media model, move in only three directions – increase their spend, decrease their spend, flatline spending. Audience scale is the currency of your performing talent. Audience, like advertisers, can only go in three similar directions – increase, decrease, level off. If you are a subscription-based media entity, pay close attention to overdelivering subscriber expectations and lowering churn.

4. Competition – Keep a close eye on what your competitors are paying, how they are recruiting and what they are changing.

5. Compensation – My favorite. Have the courage to pay for performance at the high end and many of your non-compete clauses may not be needed.

Check the boxes on all five Cs in the model as outlined. Now back to my roundtable.

When you consider your company’s view, the non-compete in any media business that provides training (sales, talent, and other personnel), promotional investment, exposure to confidential research and strategies, is not simple to eliminate.

Consider the following:

1. The talent/show that is backed with a six-figure promotional campaign. Should the talent/show be allowed to seek employment at a competitor who is smart enough to realize, your company invested the money to make the talent/show a success, and all the competitor needs to do is revise compensation and lift a few restrictions? Your company’s investment could never be paid back.

2. Ever sit in on a focus group project? When the participants open the perception spigot, the bucket can fill up with verbal gold. Whomever gains access to that research and the resulting strategic change in direction has their hands on confidential information that can help drive results off the charts. How is the company’s investment in that research protected? What about the employees learning how it all works?

3. Good sales training, seminars, and off-site are not cheap, and considered an investment in all sellers and management. Should you really be permitted to walk across the street with no notice and all that expensive training in your laptop?

I’m writing this column as a roundtable, considering all sides and it is still complicated.

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 News

Report: Francesa Says Tom Brady “Not Going to Be Great” TV Analyst

The publication Marca reports that former WFAN, New York afternoon drive legend Mike Francesa has a not great prediction about Tom Brady’s probability of success as a FOX Sports NFL color analyst. The seven-time Super Bowl winner will begin his 10-year, $375 million gig with FOX this September, takingim over for Greg Olsen alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt. Francesa is quoted saying that Brady obviously has a deep knowledge of the game but he believes Brady will struggle. “I don’t think his personality is such. I don’t think he’s going to be great at it. I really don’t. I think there’s a unique quality that you have to bring that allows you as an analyst to see the game, see the game quickly, plus bring personality into it. It’s a tricky job for the analyst in football because you’re going to spend a lot of time over replay. You’re going to spend a lot of time breaking down what happens on replay. And you also have to be very personable and glib in how you do it. I don’t see him there.” Read the Marca story here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. college campuses and the Israel-Hamas war; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the White House Correspondents Dinner; homelessness and the courts; the U.S. migrant crisis; Kristi Noem dog killing controversy; Marjorie Taylor Greene’s campaign to oust Mike Johnson from House Speaker role; and the deadly Oklahoma tornadoes were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of April 22 – 26

The pro-Palestinian protests on numerous U.S. college campuses was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM.  At #2 this week was the Donald Trump “hush money” trial, followed by the Supreme Court presidential immunity case 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

Writers Union Files Grievance Against iHeartMedia

According to a story in The Hollywood Reporter, the Writers Guild of America East has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the company’s management alleging that it has intimidated workers and encroached on their rights to discuss their working conditions and share union literature during break periods. iHeartMedia and the iHeart Podcast Union have been in negotiations for two years over theim workers’ first contract. The union says iHeartMedia has “violated Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act ‘by restricting protected Section 7 speech, by engaging in intimidating conduct and by interrogating employees about their support for the union.’” imThe union’s complaint adds, “When we have posted flyers about the union, management has removed these materials within the day, often within minutes… union members have received emails discouraging this activity, pointing out company policies about distributing literature in working areas, without acknowledging our federally protected right to discuss our working conditions or to distribute information about our union to our colleagues. Non-bargaining-unit employees and managers have used common work areas to openly disparage our union literature and efforts to inform unit members.” iHeartMedia has not responded publicly to the grievance. Read THR’s story here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/24) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The pro-Palestinian protests taking place on numerous college campuses; the Supreme Court to hear arguments on former President Donald Trump’s claim of presidential immunity; the Trump “hush money” trial in NYC; the presidential race; the Arizona abortion law battle; Arizona indicts Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani in 2020 fake elector scheme; the GOP’s Marjorie Taylor Greene problem; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the bird flu virus found in cows and questions about the safety of the milk supply were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/23) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial in NYC; the aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan that includes the demand that ByteDance sell TikTok within a year or it is banned in the U.S.; the pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. campuses and Israel’s plans to invade the city of Rafah; the Supreme Court to hear arguments on Idaho’s abortion law and arguments over former President Donald Trump’s contention he has “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution; the U.S. migrant crisis; and Tennessee passes law allowing teachers to carry concealed handguns were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

WWO: Marketers Underestimate Sales Effect of Creative

This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog post looks at the results of an ongoing study by Advertiser Perceptions that surveys brands and media agencies on the sale contribution of five advertising effectiveness factors: Brand, Creative, Reach, Recency, and Targeting.im Interestingly, marketers and media agencies massively underestimate the immense sales effect power of creative. NCSolutions says that creative drives half of sales, about two-and-a-half times what advertisers perceive. The Advertiser Perceptions February 2024 study reports brands and media agencies say creative only represents 19% of total sales effect. NCSolutions science reveals creative generates an eye-popping 49% of incremental sales. According to System1 chief customer officer Jon Evans, “Creative is the number one factor in explaining the performance of your advertising and yet most marketers still don’t realize it. That means that those who focus on getting the creative right have a huge competitive advantage. Firstly, marketers need to wake up to the importance of creative and secondly realize it isn’t some dark art but something you can measure and improve to give you an advantage over the competition who haven’t realized this yet.” Read the blog post here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/22) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial in NYC; the pro-Palestinian protests on several U.S. campuses over the Israel-Hamas war; the presidential race; SCOTUS hears arguments over Oregon city’s ban on sleeping overnight in public spaces; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s job security; Earth Day and climate change; the foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the U.S. migrant crisis were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Pending Business: Talk Radio Questionnaire

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imTime to thank the lawyers in the Donald Trump trial for once again proving beyond any doubt the power of talk radio.

1. Sellers – Get ready for Mother’s Day and Christmas rolled into one.

2. Managers – Prepare a fresh new page in your talk radio media kit.

3. On-air talk radio talent – Don’t throw away that lottery ticket, your number could come in.

4. Media consultants – Hit the brakes on making TV as an automatic first choice for your political campaigns, we’ve got a story for you.

5. Owners – Play your cards right and that talk radio format may have jumped in value.

It has been widely reported that jurors selected for the Donald Trump-Stormy Daniels trial were presented a questionnaire with the following question, “Do you listen to talk radio?” “If so, which programs?” Now wait just a minute all you jury profilers out there or fans of the TV show “Bull.” This is big, but I have a few questions of my own:

1. Why would any lawyer be interested in the radio listening habits of a (potential) juror?

2. Why specify “talk radio?”

3. What’s with the need to know about specific programs?

4. What’s the definition of “listen?” Daily? How long?

Maybe it’s time to recognize just what all this means to great talk radio talent and marketers.

I’m sure by now you have figured out where this goes – influence – as in talk radio hosts, the original influencers.

The very nature of a jury selection questionnaire screening for talk radio listening and specific programs is fascinating. Did an attorney conclude that talk radio shows influenced a potential juror’s feelings, opinions, perceptions (the very currency of talk radio) when it comes to Donald Trump or Stormy Daniels or any other key player on the legal stage?

As every seller knows, talk radio talents were the original influencers and continue to drive sales every day. To the local sellers and managers in the New York DMA pitching Sid Rosenberg, Joe Piscopo, Mark Simone and the other great local talents, imagine experienced legal teams evaluating the influence of their daily shows on potential jurors. Same for the nationally syndicated talent heard in the New York DMA. Talk radio lives and is influencing in the Big Apple!

“Do you listen to talk radio?” “If so, which programs?” that line of questioning should now become part of your daily marketing testimonial. After all, if teams of well-respected lawyers feel talk radio listening can influence the decisions of jurors in one of the most historic cases ever to be tried in our country, imagine what talk radio can do for your advertisers!

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 News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The Donald Trump “hush money” trial in NYC; the presidential race; the aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan; Marjorie Taylor Greene’s threat to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson; speculation about more Iran-Israel military strikes; the tensions at Columbia University and Yale over Israel-Hamas protests; the U.S. House passes a ban on TikTok; the Supreme Court to hear arguments about criminalizing homelessness; and the Russia-Ukraine war were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Stephanie Miller Among Those To Enter Buffalo’s HOF

Buffalo Hall of Fame The Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) has announced this year’s Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductees; Stephanie Miller included on the list is syndicated talk show host Stephanie Miller. Buffalo Broadcasters Association president Steve Monaco comments, “Our Hall of Fame classes become more impressive every year. Each inductee has made important contributions to broadcasting in Buffalo.” A standup comedienne and best-selling author, Miller gained her first radio experience doing comedy bits on Sandy Beach’s morning show. She began her talk radio career at Los Angeles’ KFI in 1994. Miller would later host afternoons in Los Angeles at KTZN in 1997, before doing evenings at KABC (1997 – 2000). Her show was heard on progressive news/talk KTLK from 2005 – 2013 and she started the “Stephanie Miller’s Happy Hour” podcast. In a 1995 Los Angeles Times interview, Miller admitted, “I never thought about doing talk radio. To me talk radio was like old gray-haired guys talking about the budget.” Miller’s fellow BBA 2024 inductees will be former WGR sports radio morning host Howard Simon; former WGR-TV news anchor/reporter Sheila Murphy (who was a news reporter/anchor at Buffalo radio outlets WGR-AM and WBEN); network television producer/writer/actor Nick Bakay; former WKBW-TV reporter Mary Travers Murphy; morning radio team Shredd & Ragan; WGRZ-TV videographer J. Dooley O’Rourke; and former director of national sales for Buffalo/Toronto Public Media Jim DiMino. The Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Dinner will be held September 19 at 7:00 pm at Samuel’s Grande Manor in Williamsville.
Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of April 15 – 19

The tensions between Israel and Iran escalating from the Israel-Hamas War 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 closely by former President Donald Trump’s election tampering criminal trial. Other hot topics include the state of the U.S. economy focusing on inflation,  House Speaker Mike Johnson’s struggle with members of his own party per supporting Ukraine and Israel, The U.S. migrant crisis, and SCOTUS and the January 6 case.  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

TALKERS News Notes

OutKick, the national multimedia sports platform, continued its growth trajectory in Q1 of 2024 versus Q4 of 2023 with 81 million total multiplatform views, up 10%, and 78 million total multiplatform minutes, up 7%, according to Comscore. The platform also saw 6.1 million average monthly multiplatform unique visitors. Additionally, OutKick in March 2024 garnered 24 million total multiplatform views, up 2% versus February 2024, and 23 million total multiplatform minutes, up 4% from the previous month, according to Comscore. In commenting on the digital performance, SVP/managing editor Gary Schreier tells TALKERS, “I’m excited to see OutKick’s continued growth in Q1 of 2024. It’s a direct result of our talented and smart team who push the boundaries on any topic, which separates us from other sports sites. OutKick takes on the important issues and asks the vital questions in sports that our competitors seem afraid to touch.”

As a way to help medium- and small-market stations maximize political advertising in the upcoming midterm elections, Gen Media Partners and the Ten-Minute Trainer Network will conduct a free webinar next Wednesday (4/24) at 12:00 noon (ET). According to Gen Media Partners executive vice president Greg Tacher, “Preparation is vital to ensure stations take full advantage of the political cycle. This is a terrific opportunity for small and medium market stations to gain free valuable knowledge that can help them generate political advertising revenue.” Ten-Minute Trainer Network/P1 Learning president Bryan Marriott adds, “The Ten-Minute Trainer Network is excited to partner with Gen Media Partners to bring this important and timely webinar. In less than an hour, attendees will gain valuable insights from political advertising experts.” The webinar will be hosted by Gen Media Partners’ senior vice president of political/issue advocacy & strategic alliances Roger Rafson; vice president/political strategies manager Linley Grande; and political broadcast strategist Heather Karban. Gen Media Partners is an independently-owned media sales and content organization; The Ten-Minute Trainer Network is a collaboration between P1 Learning and The Swagger Institute.  Click here for the link to register.  

The debut episode of iHeartPodcasts’ weekly “I Choose Me with Jennie Garth” is set to be released April 30. Actress/entrepreneur/designer Garth played “Kelly Taylor” for ten seasons on “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Val Tyler” on “What I Like About You.” When “Kelly Taylor” found herself in a love triangle and was forced to choose one man, she said, “I choose me.” Those three words stayed true to Garth in real life, becoming her formula for fulfillment she wants to share with listeners. “I Choose Me” is the second venture with Garth and iHeartPodcasts, as she’ll continue to host “9021OMG” with her friend/former co-star Tori Spelling.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/17) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s hush money/election tampering trial; U.S. response to Iran-Israel tensions; Ukraine-Israel aid debate; inflation/economy concerns; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s political struggles; the migrant crisis; and Boeing under pressure were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday (4/17) according to the research of TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Sabo Sez: Tap into The Book of Secrets

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

imGrowing a brand is a memory game. Which message will a target consumer value, remember it and take it to the cash register?  The answer is not complicated but it is complex.

A great amount of energy and brain power goes into brand names, logo design, show topics but very little study is made of how often a company should deliver information to their target. The answer to the question of “how often” is critical to landing marks in the Nielsen diary, seeking for your station online or in-car. Effective frequency is essential to everyone’s success!

“When you’re sick of the song, that’s when the listener is just hearing it…” isim about all the science any of us have been tutored in on the subject of effective frequency.

Frequency of message has, in fact, been studied for over 100 years and the answers are astonishing!  The most important, useful  frequency of message studies are in the book, Effective Frequency: The Relationship Between Frequency and Advertising Effectiveness.

I bought the book in 1981 to find answers to how much external advertising does a station need to win (remember?)… how often to rotate a song promo or topic? The answers are not found in myth and legends but in hard studies conducted by companies such as Lever Brothers and Procter & Gamble.

The book was assembled by the Association of National Advertisers. It is a collection of landmark major studies on how memory is Impacted by the frequency of message exposure.  Expertise on the workings of memory is obviously the most important knowledge in a Nielsen diary market and vital to growth in metered markets if a station has been starved of a promotion budget. This book was edited by the head of research for Lever Brothers, Michael J. Naples.

The next three Sabo Sez columns will highlight more actionable data from the book. For example, the studies in the book offer hard data about on how many spots your listener can tolerate, how often to state and restate the topic, phone number, your name and more. This book has, by far, offered my work the most powerful guidance of any source.

Here are a few facts you might be able to put to use right now:

1. The first and last spot in a cluster enjoys the greatest recall. Promos work equally well in either position. Spots placed first and last should be charged more.

2. Moving money out of a TV campaign and putting it into a radio campaign will neither diminish nor improve response. BUT holding the money in a TV campaign and adding money for a radio campaign will improve response.

3. Stunning: For many product categories, daypart significantly impacts the likelihood of conversion to sales. Food product commercials, according to an Ogilvy & Mather study, convert to sales significantly better in late night, fringe time than in daytime.  In fact, food product ads in prime time have a negative impact on sales.

4. Properly conducted research for consumer goods products can be successfully applied to media content development.

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. HITVIEWS clients included Pepsi, FOX TV, Timberland, Microsoft, and CBS Television. He can be reached at walter@sabomedia.com and www.waltersterlingshow.com. “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network airs 10:00 pm-1:00 ET, now in its 10th year of success.

Industry News

NPR Suspends Editor Over Critical Essay

NPR senior business editor Uri Berliner has been suspended for one week from the public media organization after writing an essay for the Substack publication The Free Press without seeking permission from NPR first as required by his contract. However, it was the content of the piece that’sim caused controversy as Berliner criticized the organization saying it “had allowed liberal bias to affect its coverage.” This comes as there is renewed interest among conservative legislators in challenging the use of federal funds for public media with allegations of editorial bias as a primary reason to end federal underwriting of media. NPR managing editor for standards and practices Tony Cavin spoke to The New York Times about Berliner’s piece and said it “mischaracterized NPR’s coverage of crucial stories.” Read the NYTimes story here.

Industry News

NAB Show: Navigating the Podcast Advertising Landscape

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imYesterday’s column outlined techniques that will make podcast interviews click. And here are my notes from another NAB Show session, about podcast advertising. Panelists included agency people who spend LOT$ advertising in podcasts.

Glenn Rubenstein, CEO, Adopter Media: “Don’t over-stuff your ad breaks.”

Sean King, SVP/GM Media & Entertainment, Veritone: Ads from radio DON’T work. “Podcast listeners really connect to their hosts. So, these ads are viewed more like recommendations from a friend.”

Saying “ads are content too,” Krystina Rubino, GM Right Side Up spoke of “an inherent, very close relationship between the host and the audience. Don’t over-script the ads. The vast majority of podcast ads that are working are host endorsements.”

In Q+A, I asked “What can podcasters learn from broadcasters?” Krystina noted a podcast faux pas: “reading an ad like they’ve never seen the copy before.” 

MORE on podcasting at HollandCooke.com 

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  The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Longtime WIBC-FM, Indianapolis talk radio host Tony Katz is entering into national syndication via Key Networks, beginning April 22. “Tony Katz Today” will air live Monday through Friday from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm ET from Urban One’s news/talk WIBC-FM and a weekend program is also available for air on Saturday or Sunday.

iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s The Black Effect Podcast Network announces a new original series titled, “Family Therapy: The Podcast,” hosted by psychotherapist Elliott Connie. It will document a family’s journey to healing through live group and individual therapy sessions. President of creative development and production Dollie S. Bishop says, “We are excited to announce ‘Family Therapy: The Podcast’ and share this incredible journey with listeners. Elliott Connie is a brilliant counselor, and our hope is that this series will entertain, educate and empower people to prioritize mental wellbeing and strengthen familial bonds.”

Audacy Podcasts adds a new show from Puck, the new media company focused on putting journalists at the center of its business model, with “Fashion People,” hosted by Lauren Sherman, a leading voice in the fashion community and writer of Puck’s private email “The Line Sheet.”

A new podcast from New England Public Media uses a mix of storytelling, psychological insight, and societal commentary to examine the stories we don’t tell, what they say about our world, and what they do to our minds. “The Secrets We Keep,” is hosted by veteran NEPM reporter Karen Brown and uses the lens of secrets to explore societal taboos and stigmas around sexual orientation, abortion, genetic origins, family scandals, and money – through the voices of secret-keepers, and those kept in the dark.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/16) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The U.S. considers sanctions against Iran for its attack on Israel; the hush money case against former President Donald Trump; the presidential race; inflation and the state of the U.S. economy; China is accused of fueling U.S. fentanyl crisis; SCOTUS hears arguments on validity of obstruction charges against January 6 rioters; the move to oust Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House; Mayorkas impeachment articles head to the Senate; a Boeing whistleblower to testify before Senate subcommittee today; and USC cancels a graduation speech by its 2024 pro-Palestinian Muslim valedictorian over safety concerns were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Erica Farber Honored with MIW’s Inaugural “Impact Award”

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc honors RAB president and CEO Erica Farber with the inaugural “Impact Award.” This honor is “dedicated to honoring a woman who has effected positive change on multiple fronts. A true champion of service, this individual actively engages with impactful organizations, generously contributing their time, wisdom, network, and resources. They are deeplyim involved, consistently doing the work necessary to drive meaningful change.” Farber’s long and storied broadcasting career includes her work leading the RAB for the past 12 years. MIW board president Ruth Presslaff says, “What more can be said about Erica that hasn’t yet been said? She is a strategic thinker and true trendsetter who gives generously of her time and wisdom. MIW is a better organization because of her.  The industry has been enriched in countless ways because of her. What an impact this woman has made!” Farber comments, “I am deeply honored. Being recognized by such influential women in the industry is incredibly meaningful and humbling to me. I owe immense gratitude to the mentors and inspirational women who have supported and uplifted me along the way. They are the foundation of my success. My heartfelt thanks go to Ruth and the MIW Board, and to all of you who share my passion for radio and the impactful work we are privileged to do every day.”

Industry Views

NAB Show: Directing Real People on Camera

By Holland Cooke
Consultant 

imIf you’re looking to jump-start – or optimize – your video interview technique, this session alone was worth the trip to Las Vegas. Washington-based video content strategist/producer/interviewer Amy DeLouise and cinematographer/gaffer Anne Saul delivered a soup-to-nuts “Boot Camp” session to an overflow crowd.

For the decks, hit AmyDeLouise.com, click Slide Decks then Real People Boot Camp, parts 1 and 2. You can devour an impressive tutorial of production techniques, including specifics about equipment and how-to-use-it.

Even if you’re just doing radio or podcast interviews, Amy offered some useful tips:

“Nervous Speaker Technique”: Before the interview, chat ‘em up, perhaps asking for a personal anecdote, i.e., “Why did you decide to become a _____?” If you are shooting video, do the B-roll and walk-and-talk shots first. Then, when they’ve gotten used to you and the set-up, start the interview. “Worst case: Let them take a break, ‘Go do some emails,’ then resume in 20 minutes.”

“The Contradict Me Technique”: Because “some speakers are very reserved, they won’t show emotion unless they feel they need to correct your misunderstanding.” So, bait them: “Isn’t A.I. just a gimmick?”

“The Shorter Answer Technique”: Some speakers have a LOT to say,’ so Amy says let them get it out of their system, THEN ask “How would I explain this to my children?”

“Two Do-Over Techniques”: If you want to re-ask a question, fib: “The part about X was really great. But we had a little bit of noise, do you mind if I ask you that one more time?” Or “lean in as if you didn’t quite hear the answer, and they will repeat it;” a ploy which “only works for the last part of what they said.”

“The Finish My Sentence Technique”: Amy says “When all else fails, ask ‘Finish this sentence: The biggest value we bring at ABC Company is…’” 

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  The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up,” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn.

Industry News

Former OK City Talk Host Carole Arnold Dies at 85

The Oklahoman reports that former Oklahoma City talk radio host Carole Arnold died last Friday at age 85 after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Arnold worked for then-Clear Channel Communications for about 20 years, including eight as a host at news/talk KTOK. She left KTOK in 1996 and later worked at KNOR, Norman and KOMA, Oklahoma City (now KOKC). Read the full obit here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (4/15) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial begins in New York; Iran’s attack on Israel and the Israel-Hamas war; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s attempt to provide U.S. aid to Israel and Ukraine; SCOTUS to hear January 6 obstruction charges case; the presidential race; U.S. migrant crisis; SCOTUS gender-affirming care ruling; and the selloff in stocks on the world’s financial markets were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

WLS-AM, Chicago Celebrates 100 Years of Service

Cumulus Media news/talk WLS-AM celebrated 100 years on the air on Friday (4/12) and over the weekend. The station launched on April 12, 1924, at 6:00 pm. The station aired a two-part special hosted by Jeff Davis on Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Cumulus Chicago viceim president and market manager Marv Nyren says, “WLS is bigger than a destination on your radio dial – it’s a Chicago institution and treasure. 100 years ago, radio was simply sound communication via radio waves but there’s nothing simple about the impact of WLS on Chicago. WLS has been a neighbor, a friend, and a mentor for people in Chicagoland. It’s been a place where people can go for entertainment and information – and it’s been a companion to the biggest moments in history. We are excited to usher in WLS-AM’s next 100 years with Chicago’s best audio content on-air, online, on-demand, and onsite.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Iran’s missile and drone strike against Israel; the hush money case against former President Donald Trump begins this week in NYC; the presidential race, including President Joe Biden’s ballot issues in Ohio and Alabama; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s push for aid to Israel and Ukraine; Marjorie Taylor Greene’s efforts to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson; the U.S. migrant crisis; the stabbing in Sydney, Australia that left seven dead were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

KNX, Los Angeles to Host Mayor Karen Bass at Town Hall

Audacy all-news KNX, Los Angeles is presenting a live, one-hour town hall broadcast featuring Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at the Audacy SoundSpace on Wilshire Boulevard on Tuesday (4/16) atim 7:00 pm. KNX says, “In her first broadcast town hall as mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass takes the stage at KNX News to take questions from Angelenos on a broad range of public safety-related topics the day after her State of the City address. As the City searches for a new chief to shape the future of the LAPD, Mayor Bass will hear from constituents about what they want that future to look like.” The show is being aired on KNX News 97.1 FM, the Audacy app, and streamed live on YouTube.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of April 8 – 12

The presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was abortion, including the Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling outlawing most abortions and former President Donald Trump saying he would not sign a federal law outlawing abortion. And at #3 this week was the state of the U.S. economy. 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.