Search Results for “about” – Page 31 – TALKERS magazine

Michael Harrison to Guest on Tomorrow’s Launch of Comrex Series, “Tech Talk Live!”

By TALKERS | January 18, 2024 by TALKERS

As reported earlier in TALKERS, Comrex is launching a new, live web series called “Tech Talk Live!” featuring Chris Crump, senior director of sales & marketing, as the host. The inaugural episode of “Tech Talk Live!” will be tomorrow, Friday, January 19 at 11:00 am ET. Andy Mikutta, sales director from Yellowtec, will be discussing new developments and TALKERS founder Michael Harrison will be chatting about the forthcoming United Nations’ World Radio Day 2024 set for February13. “Tech Talk Live!” can be streamed on YouTube Live, LinkedIn Live, StreamYard or the Comrex Facebook page. Harrison states, “I am delighted to participate in this important new program. Comrex is one of the driving forces supporting the amazing technological advancements of audio broadcasting and has been a tremendous friend of the radio industry for more than half a century. I am deeply honored to have served as executive advisor to UNESCO in helping design and organize this installment of World Radio Day and am grateful for the opportunity to talk about this year’s celebration and its theme, Radio: A Century Informing, Educating and Entertaining. A simple way to view “Tech Talk Live!” is via the Comrex YouTube channel here.

Yesterday’s (1/17) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | January 18, 2024January 18, 2024 by TALKERS

The presidential election and Donald Trump’s victory in the Iowa Caucuses; the U.S. migrant crisis; Trump’s legal battles; the race to avoid a government shutdown; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; hostilities between Iran and Pakistan; the Supreme Court hears arguments in the challenge to the 1984 Chevron ruling giving power to regulatory agencies over the courts; AI and deepfakes; and the severe winter weather affecting much of the U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Yesterday’s (1/16) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | January 17, 2024 by TALKERS

Donald Trump handily wins Iowa Caucuses; the U.S. migrant crisis; Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; U.S. military strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen; Iran bombs Pakistan; and extreme winter weather affecting much of the country were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Yesterday’s (1/15) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | January 16, 2024 by TALKERS

The 2024 presidential race and the Iowa Caucuses; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; U.S. military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen; the U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the World Economic Forum at Davos; the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday; and the severe winter weather affecting much of the U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Pending Business: Cold Calling

By TALKERS | January 15, 2024 by TALKERS

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

Let’s take a minute to welcome back an old reliable that has been part of our sales and marketing world since Adam pitched Eve and got the first “yes” on the original cold call. No telling how cold that call really was.

But seriously, here come two shoutouts that should motivate you to re-evaluate the one strategy that has worked since the very early days of sales. Imagine knocking on 3,000,000 doors, making 3,000,000 cold calls. How many sales would you expect? According to The New York Times, a super PAC has knocked on all those doors nationwide, nearly 1,000,000 or one-third in Iowa alone, asking for the order. That’s a lot of cold calling and leave it to Iowa weather to put the “cold” back into cold calling.

Everyone reading this column would argue, TV, radio – especially r-a-d-i-o – and social media ads are more impactful, more efficient, and often more emotionally compelling than old school cold calling. Only time and results will tell if the boots-on-the-ground technique succeeded over the millions in media spend. No, this isn’t about modern-day political marketing strategy, this is about recognizing an old, proven technique that still has a role in today’s modern, hyper-speed, tech-driven world.

Do you remember the cold-calling contests that ended on a Friday with your team turning in the business cards that proved you met with those brand-new decision makers? Business cards in hand, you were well on your way to winning that weekly cold-calling contest. Talk about cold-call champions! All those business cards represented follow up opportunities that often led to long-term relationships netting many sellers nice commission checks.

Now comes the selfie, the modern-day version of those business cards, documenting proof positive you met the brand-new decision maker on the way to developing that newfound business relationship. Suddenly the old school cold-call strategy has a new world spin showing everyone on the team you are out and about in front of new business prospects, setting appointments and with newly fueled positive energy writing business and achieving your goals.

Hard to believe we are all connected to Adam’s very first sale, the 3,000,000 nationwide cold calls and the political strategists who earn big sums while still advising candidates to make sure they are getting out there, shaking hands and making those cold calls.

What’s on your planner this week?

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.

Comrex Launches “Tech Talk Live!”

By TALKERS | January 15, 2024January 15, 2024 by TALKERS

Comrex announces the debut of a new, live web series called, “Tech Talk Live!” featuring Chris Crump, senior director of sales & marketing, as the host. The inaugural episode of “Tech Talk Live!” will be Friday (1/19) 11:00 am ET. Andy Mikutta, sales director from Yellowtec, will discuss new developments and TALKERS founder Michael Harrison will talk about UNESCO’s World Radio Day. “Tech Talk Live!” can be streamed on YouTube Live, LinkedIn Live, Riverside.fm or the Comrex Facebook page. Comrex says, “We are excited to regularly share tech tidbits, unfamiliar product features, some of the inner workings of the industry, and more. ‘Tech Talk Live!’ will feature a new episode monthly with each episode comprising four segments: ‘Ask a Techie’ – featuring a member of the Comrex technical support team to discuss a common problem customers run into and how to fix it; ‘Feature Focus’ – a dive into lesser known features of Comrex products that provide even more functionality and ease of use; ‘The Insiders’ – featuring a guest industry expert to chat about a product/service they offer that is complementary to Comrex codecs and how it makes the job of the end user easier; and ‘Nerd Alert’ – exploring different products, features, happenings and more that may interest those with a more technical background.” Get more information on “Tech Talk Live!” via email at ttl@comrex.com and find out more about Comrex here.

Report: “The Incredible Shrinking Podcast Industry”

By TALKERS | January 15, 2024 by TALKERS

A piece by Max Tani at Semafor looks at the ramifications of Apple’s September 2023 changes in reporting how many people listen to podcasts has dramatically affected the official listener numbers for many of the biggest podcasts. About Apple’s change, Tani writes, “The dominant podcasting platform had begun switching off automatic downloads for users who haven’t listened to five episodes of a show in the last two weeks. But while few users noticed the shift, some of the biggest podcasts in the world saw their official listener numbers drop dramatically. Long-running shows that publish frequently were hit particularly hard. A user who listened to a show like The New York Times’ ‘The Daily’ a few times, subscribed, but stopped listening would continue to count as a download indefinitely. Even better under the old rules: For people who listened to a show, dropped off for a while, but started listening again later, Apple would automatically download every show in between. The arrangement drove big download numbers, a crucial metric for ad sales and a sign of the vast reach of podcasts as a medium.” Read the full story here.

“Paper Boys” at Dinner

By TALKERS | January 15, 2024January 15, 2024 by TALKERS

Legendary New England radio talk show host/newspaper reporter-columnist/prolific author Howie Carr (right) and TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison (left) shared dinner and conversation last night (1/14) at the renowned hotspot Trevini in Palm Beach, Florida where they discussed Carr’s forthcoming guest appearance on the award-winning podcast, “The Michael Harrison Interview” and Carr’s latest bestseller, Paper Boy: Read All About It (2023 Frandel, LLC). The book is a fascinating memoir following Carr’s life in the media “from the early days at Boston City Hall to hanging out at Mar-a-Lago with President Donald Trump.” Carr is heard daily across New England on his HCRN syndicated four-hour radio show, an hour of which is carried on the Newsmax streaming service. He is also a long-running columnist for the Boston Herald.

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

By TALKERS | January 15, 2024 by TALKERS

The 2024 presidential race and today’s Iowa caucuses; House Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to avoid a government shutdown; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; U.S. military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Hunter Biden contempt case; Taiwan elects China-named “troublemaker” Lai Ching-te president; the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday; and the brutal winter cold affecting much of the U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

13 Ideas to Celebrate World Radio Day 2024

By TALKERS | January 15, 2024 by TALKERS

By Michael Harrison
Founder
TALKERS

The United Nations and its specialized agency, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have given the radio industry all around the globe an invaluable gift. It’s called “World Radio Day 2024.” Now in its 13^th installment, WRD takes place annually on February 13 with the purpose of spotlighting the accomplishments, importance, and ongoing relevance of the radio medium as it evolves deeper into the 21^st century. This year’s theme is “Radio: A Century Informing, Educating and Entertaining.” By officially designating the platform as worthy of its own officially sanctioned UN International Day, the august world body has recognized, spotlighted, and endorsed radio’s continuing relevance and potential for being a vital force for the betterment of humanity.

On a global level, the scope of radio is huge. However, we, practitioners of radio in America, face formidable challenges keeping the spirit and uniqueness of the platform viable as both a business and iconic connector as it faces the growing risk of simply getting lost in the noise and distractions of the ceaselessly evolving digital era. I strongly encourage my American colleagues to embrace WRD 2024 for the fabulous opportunity it offers our industry to make a compelling case for the ongoing importance and positive impact of radio to inform, educate and entertain.

Please read and consider any or all of the following “13 Ideas to Celebrate World Radio Day 2024” posted on the UNESCO website and in TALKERS magazine.

1. World Radio Day Minutes. Air the UNESCO package of 20 pre-produced “World Radio Day Minutes”. They are 60-second audios discussing interesting aspects of the radio medium during its first 100 years of service to humanity. The texts figure in their descriptions so that you have the option of producing your own episodes in other languages. These short-form audios can be programmed on a schedule of your choosing leading up to and on February 13, World Radio Day (WRD). You can run them as non-commercial announcements or offer them for local sponsorships.

2. Talk Shows Celebrating Radio. Program (pre-produced or live) talk shows with local and national experts talking about the importance of radio for quality information, highlighting its 100-year history and continuing relevance. Recruit legendary and retired radio personalities known to your audience to participate in these programs supplemented by real clips from the past to be aired leading up to or on February 13.

3. World Radio Day 2024 Live Event. Schedule a live indoor or outdoor event (depending upon climate) on February 13 celebrating World Radio Day 2024. Invite listeners free (or charge admission in conjunction with a charity). Feature a panel discussion about the relevance of the entire audio sector in a changing media world as well as local legends telling stories about their service to the public through radio. Supplement it with display tables presenting local businesses and sponsors. Consider holding it on a local college or university campus in conjunction with the school’s communication department. Organize a group of diverse stations (either under one corporate umbrella/cluster or actual competing ones) to join forces in support of information, entertainment and education through radio in general. The results will be beneficial for everyone involved.

4. World Radio Day 2024 Sponsorship with Local Consumer Electronics Store/Chain. Arrange a sales promotion with a local store or chain of stores within your market to offer listeners a significant one-day discount (February 13) on all AM/FM radios and radio-related equipment.

5. International Dialogue. Schedule interviews/conversations (either live or prerecorded) with your broadcast colleagues from other countries to compare and contrast the history and strength of radio in their respective countries on or leading up to February 13. These shows can be simulcast on both stations or simply be one host interviewing another. For Partnership Opportunities, please check here which stations or partners around the world are interested in collaborative programming and you could contact now.

6. The Greatest “Radio Songs” of All Time. There are songs in almost every pop music format that contain the word “radio” in them or refer to the medium of radio. Highlight the “Greatest Radio Songs of All Time” into your playlist intermittently or as a “countdown show” on February 13 in commemoration of World Radio Day 2024. This is an easy and simple way to highlight World Radio Day and create a fun and entertaining programming element.

7. Visit to a Radio Station. Offer guided tours of your facilities to listeners or local school classes leading up to and on February 13 in celebration of World Radio Day 2024. This will be an effective outreach to a younger generation of new listeners and create community goodwill.

8. Radio and Emergencies. Emphasize radio’s impact as an informational public safety net entering its second century of service. Use World Radio Day 2024 as a reason to talk about and remind listeners of the value of the medium to provide a lifeline to the public when the electricity goes out and the internet goes down. There are numerous examples in just the past year alone to draw from in terms of earthquakes, wildfires, and storms in which radio news helped people in distress in real time. This is also a talking point in the current issue about some automobile manufacturers choosing to not equip new car models with AM radios.

9. Theater of the Mind. Use World Radio Day 2024 as a focal point for radio being the “Theater of the Mind” by producing your own locally produced radio dramas and airing them on February 13. You’ll provide intelligent entertainment, support cultural expression, and stimulate listener interest.

10. Radio, the Original Interactive Mass Medium. Recognize radio’s claim to the title “The Original Interactive Mass Medium” and “The Original Social Media” by using these phrases as often as appropriately possible on February 13. Radio pioneered the concept of taking live calls from listeners on the air to give opinions and receive advice in addition to playing musical requests and announcing dedications in real-time on the air. Highlight the interaction with listeners.

11. Take Me Out to the Stadium. Radio was the first mass medium to provide live, real-time play-by-play coverage of sporting events. The history of radio’s connection to sports is deep and rich. There is a lot of colorful sports broadcasting history to discuss in celebration of World Radio Day 2024 and nourish vibrant conversations.

12. Podcasts. Post several new and timely podcasts featuring quality conversations and panel discussions with experts and leaders in the radio profession from around the world as supplemental World Radio Day 2024 content on your station or network website. You can also generate your own podcasts and programs about radio for placement on your website or general distribution.

13. Positive and Pro-Active – Accomplishment, Pride and Hope. World Radio Day 2024 provides you with a supportive platform and focal point to pursue business, civic and social relationships within your community, and protect free, independent, pluralistic radio. WRD 2024 symbolizes radio’s century of accomplishment, pride in the present and hope for the future. Celebrate World Radio Day 2024 spreading this optimistic perspective leading up to, during and following February 13.

For more information, visit https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-radio

Michael Harrison is a legendary American broadcaster who has served as executive advisor to UNESCO for World Radio Day 2024. He can be contacted via email at michael@talkers.com.

CES100th, Radio Roots

By TALKERS | January 12, 2024 by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

If you’ve been seeing CES coverage on network and cable newscasts this week, you’ve heard it called “the Consumer Electronics Show,” despite we-the-media being told not to. They want us to say “CES,” although, years ago, the Consumer Electronics Association changed its name to the Consumer Technology Association, not its first rebrand.

Back in 1924, it was the Radio Manufacturers’ Association, and eventually it became the Radio & Television Manufacturers’ Association. For all those years – and for decades after it morphed into the CEA – this organization advocated for companies that made… things.

Back-to-the-future: Many of the big stories at CES2024 aren’t about products that come in a box. Artificial Intelligence is big here this year, nonchalantly referred to as “AI.” But – because we should avoid initials that aren’t self-explanatory – you’re hearing CES called “the Consumer Electronics Show;” and smart reporters use “Artificial Intelligence” on first reference.

And one particularly insightful session I attended got me thinking about radio’s “initials.” When we say our call letters, do listeners think about what we were, or what we can do now do?

“All Media is Social Media” panelist Isabel Perry, VP of emerging technology at pioneering digital agency DEPT said a mouthful, in a savvy British accent: “Your brand is not what you tell your customers. It’s what your customers tell each other about you.” And declaring that “media is now communal,” fellow panelist and former TikTok executive Melissa Eccles urged “Invite people to participate.”

Robotic music stations with too many commercials are disadvantaged. Swifties don’t need FM to hear Taylor. She’s already on their phones…and Alexa, and SiriusXM, and YouTube, and streams. Talk radio that’s I-talk-you-listen is a caricature. Media consumers expect to interact. As Larry King said, “I never learned anything while I was talking.”

Yes, there are huge TVs and flying cars here, and CES is still gadget heaven. But 100 years ago – when families sat around large AM receivers, seeming to watch what they were hearing – simply broadcasting at-them was a business. I leave Las Vegas reaffirmed that ENGAGING people is now, in gambling parlance, table stakes.

Covering CES this week for TALKERS, I’m also offering stations 60-second reports. Help yourself 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 “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Premiere’s “Rich On Tech” Celebrates One Year in Syndication

By TALKERS | January 12, 2024January 12, 2024 by TALKERS

Premiere Networks is celebrating one year in national syndication for the three-hour weekend program “Rich On Tech,” hosted by Emmy Award-winning television personality and podcaster Rich DeMuro. Over the course of 2023, Premiere Networks added more than 50 affiliates, bringing the show’s reach to more than 350 affiliates nationwide. DeMuro hosts the “Rich On Tech” segment on KTLA-TV, Los Angeles and hosts a podcast of the same name. He says, “Doing this show is so much fun. The secret is really the listeners. They are my inside track to what the everyday tech user is curious about. It’s my goal to ensure listeners are ahead of the curve – all in a way that’s easy to understand.” Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott states, “We’re so proud of the continued growth and success of ‘Rich On Tech.’ We partnered with Rich DeMuro to create a fresh, intelligent and entertaining program covering the world of technology, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones together.”

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

By TALKERS | January 12, 2024 by TALKERS

The 2024 presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media during the week, landing atop the Talkers Ten^TM. At #2 this week was the U.S. migrant crisis tied with the related move to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, followed by the closing arguments in the Trump Organization civil trial in New York at #3. The Talkers Ten^TM 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.

NAB’s LeGeyt Testifies on AI Impact on Broadcasters

By TALKERS | January 11, 2024January 11, 2024 by TALKERS

NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law yesterday (1/10) at the hearing, Oversight of A.I.: The Future of Journalism. LeGeyt testified that while broadcasters embrace technologies that can advance their mission and enable them to better-serve communities with quicker alerts and more local news, he shared broadcasters’ concerns about AI without appropriate guardrails in place. He presented three primary concerns; 1) that the use of broadcasters’ news content in AI models, without authorization, diminishes their audience trust and their reinvestment in local news; 2) the use of AI to doctor, manipulate or misappropriate the likeness of trusted radio or television personalities risks spreading misinformation or even perpetrating fraud; and 3) the rising prevalence of deepfakes make it increasingly burdensome for both newsrooms and users to identify and distinguish legitimate, copyrighted broadcast content, from the unvetted and potentially inaccurate content being generated by AI.

iHeartMedia Central Florida’s Barbara Latham to Retire

By TALKERS | January 11, 2024January 11, 2024 by TALKERS

Longtime iHeartMedia Central Florida executive and current area president Barbara Latham will retire, effective March 29. The 39-year iHeartMedia veteran has served as region president for Central Florida that includes talk WTKS-FM and news/talk WFLF-AM in Orlando, plus numerous music brands since April 2021. iHeartMedia division president Tom McConnell states, “Barb has excelled in multiple roles throughout her tenured career at iHeart. Although we will miss her leadership and strategic thinking, we wish her nothing but the best as she begins this exciting new chapter.” Latham says, “I am so excited about this new chapter in my life. Thirty-nine years flew by! I’m happy to have worked for iHeart for almost four decades, and I’m honored to have had the opportunity to work with and lead a tremendous team of professionals and iconic brands.”

CES2024: AI, Sustainability, “TV,” Inclusivity

By TALKERS | January 11, 2024 by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

After 4G enabled Uber and other apps now-common, inventors are flexing 5G. And grab-the-armrest for what 6G and 7G will bring. Just when we’re blasé about Wi-Fi, we are told that Li-Fi will use light to transmit data.

Artificial Intelligence? ChatGPT was training wheels. AI’s impact is just beginning to unfold. As it does, Consumer Technology Association research points to concerns over privacy, disinformation, safety, and job loss. 74% believe the federal government should regulate AI safety.

Sustainability is huge here: Solar panels – some are small foil strips — will replace batteries in many applications. And we’re seeing a cube-shaped portable inflatable “smartfarm” that can grow produce anywhere.

What we used to call “a television” becomes the Intelligent Hub for your home, connecting with appliances, security cameras, and thermal imaging for tele-health. It’s an e-commerce platform, like your smartphone… interactive – like betting on live games – and with immersive experiences Netflix is rolling out.

Inclusivity is big business at CES: We’re seeing hearable glasses for people who are vision AND hearing impaired, including some “chic” designs. And lots of tech here helps us as we age. With women’s health a $1.2 trillion market, mattress sensors can trigger cooling during menopause. And Artificial Intelligence will bring drug discovery breakthroughs.

I’m reporting for TALKERS readers, every day this week. Help yourself to today’s report here: http://getonthenet.com/CES2024-Thursday.mp3. It can air until Friday. And I’ll be posting daily 60-second reports you can download 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 “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Yesterday’s (1/10) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | January 11, 2024 by TALKERS

The 2024 presidential race, the Nikki Haley–Ron DeSantis CNN debate, and Donald Trump’s FNC Town Hall; today’s Trump Organization civil trial closing arguments; the Israel-Hamas war; Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s ex-husband is arrested following an incident between the two; Hunter Biden attends congressional committee meeting about his contempt of congress: U.S. regulators approve ETFs investing in Bitcoin; House Speaker Mike Johnson under fire for spending deal; Houthi Red Sea attacks; and the Aaron Rodgers–Pat McAfee-ESPN relationship were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

CES2024: Tech Trends Research Revealed

By TALKERS | January 10, 2024 by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

Hello from Las Vegas, where your undaunted correspondent dutifully suffered the long, long line snaking through the ballroom corridors at Mandalay Bay for what is, each year, a data feast: the Consumer Technology Association’s “Tech Trends to Watch” presentation.

Appetizers:

– After 4G enabled Uber and other applications now common, inventors here are flexing 5G. And grab-the-armrest for what 6G and 7G will bring. Just when we’re blasé about Wi-Fi, we’re told that Li-Fi will use light to transmit data.

– Artificial Intelligence: ChatGPT was training wheels. AI’s impact is just beginning to unfold. As it does, CTA research points to consumer concerns over privacy, disinformation, safety, and job loss. 74% believe the federal government should regulate AI safety.

– Sustainability: Solar panels of all shapes and sizes will replace batteries in many applications. A foil strip on your dog’s collar powers the tag you use to call him from your smartphone. And we’re seeing an inflatable portable smartfarm.

– Inclusivity: Fitness trackers for the wheelchair-bound. Hearable glasses for those vision AND hearing impaired, “chic” designs. Lots of tech for the aging, including…

– Health + Wellness: With women’s health a $1.2 trillion USA market, mattress sensors trigger cooling during menopause. AI will bring drug discovery breakthroughs.

– Mobility: EV goes marine with the Mercury 30E outboard. We’re seeing E-bikes and construction equipment. Critical issues: peace-of-mind about battery range and quicker charging, and “values” choices about using less gasoline.

– TV becomes the Intelligent Hub for your home, connecting with appliances, security cameras, and thermal imaging for tele-health. It’s an E-commerce platform “like a smartphone ecosystem.” More interactive (betting on live games), and immersive experiences Netflix will roll-out.

– Audio? CTA research points to a “rising growth in older podcast listeners:” and how podcasters will monetize superfans.

Here’s the entrée (I hope you’re hungry):

https://cdn.ces.tech/ces/media/pdfs/2024/ces-tech-trends-preso.pdf

I’m reporting for TALKERS readers, every day this week. Help yourself to today’s report here: http://getonthenet.com/CES2024-Wednesday.mp3. It can air until Friday. And I’ll be posting daily 60-second reports you can download 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 “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Yesterday’s (1/9) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | January 10, 2024 by TALKERS

Donald Trump’s attorneys argue presidential immunity before DC appeals court; the 2024 presidential race and tonight’s Nikki Haley–Ron DeSantis debate; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization controversy; the U.S. migrant crisis and the move to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas; the aftermath of Boeing’s 747 Max 9 door plug incident; the Israel-Hamas war; 2023 hottest year on record report; the Jeffrey Epstein list and the related Jimmy Kimmel–Aaron Rodgers spat; and the winter weather affecting much of the Eastern and Southern U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Yesterday’s (1/8) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | January 9, 2024 by TALKERS

Today’s oral arguments before an appeals court over former President Donald Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution in the 2020 election interference case; the presidential election race; the aftermath of the Boeing 747 Max 9 door plug incident; the Israel-Hamas war; the release of the Jeffrey Epstein documents; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hiding his illness and hospitalization; Pope Francis calls for international ban on surrogate motherhood; and Sunday evening’s Golden Globes awards were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Good Karma Brands Launching Bucks+ Audio

By TALKERS | January 8, 2024January 8, 2024 by TALKERS

The NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and Good Karma Brands are introducing Bucks+ Audio, an audio broadcast platform that will offer exclusive, compelling on-demand content, available for download this spring. Bucks chief sales and marketing officer Dustin Godsey says, “We continue to hear from Bucks fans worldwide who want more in-depth content about the team and behind-the-scenes access and Bucks+ Audio will provide this with podcasts and on-demand audio. Good Karma Brands Milwaukee market manager Greg Scalzo states, “We are excited to partner with the Milwaukee Bucks and redefine the on-demand listening experience for fans. Bucks+ Audio introduces a new era of immersive sports content, from the episodic allure of ‘Behind the Bucks’ to the passionate ‘Hear District’ and the concise, detailed recaps of ‘Bucks in 6,’ the platform is a perfect audio companion for Bucks and NBA fans.” Additionally, Good Karma Brands is currently seeking an editor-in-chief to oversee content strategy, collaborate with creators, represent the brand, ensure a positive user experience and more for the platform. Learn more here: www.goodkarmabrands.com/careers/.

Monday Memo: Hello from Las Vegas!

By TALKERS | January 8, 2024 by TALKERS

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

This week, more than a hundred thousand inventors, investors, and techy-nerds from over 150 countries swarm Sin City for CES2024. You’ll be seeing all about it all this week on network newscasts and cable news channels and social media.

And yes, there are square miles of products being introduced here, the “Consumer Electronics” that were the roots of this event. But the big buzz this year will be Artificial Intelligence, at which we-the-legacy-media are looking at over our shoulder, as ChatGPT et al and text-to-speech are augmenting – in some cases displacing – human radio and television talent.

After we’ve spent decades learning how to use his software – Bill Gates tells Inc. magazine that – soon – we won’t need to. He describes your “agent,” your A.I. assistant, a constant companion, in your earbud, that has what Gates calls “a rich understanding of your life.” Think Alexa or Siri…on steroids.

Want to send an email? Just start talking. You’ll never miss a birthday, and you’ll know about flight delays and weather and traffic tangles without checking. And YOUR agent will know your FRIENDS’ agents. Even Gates admits that these virtual social secretaries could faux pas: “Suppose you want to see a friend. If YOUR agent talks to THEIRS, you DON’T want it to say, ‘she’s seeing other friends Tuesday and you’re not included.’” Oops.

Sure, it’s gadget heaven here. And some of these TVs are so big that I can’t figure out how they’d get through the door at home. But, year after year lately, services upstage things at CES. This year’s keynoters include the CEO of L’Oréal and Hyundai and Best Buy and Walmart and executives from McDonalds and Northwestern Mutual and Walmart, as technology changes almost every aspect of life every day.

How big is CES? Even the sprawling Las Vegas Convention Center isn’t big-enough. There will be exhibits and sessions up and down The Strip, so I’ll be getting-in my steps. And I’m reporting for TALKERS readers, every day this week. Help yourself to today’s report here: http://getonthenet.com/CES2024-Monday.mp3. It can air until Friday. And I’ll be posting daily 60-second reports you can download 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 “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Media Executive and BFoA Chairman Emeritus Phil Lombardo Dies

By TALKERS | January 8, 2024 by TALKERS

Broadcasters Foundation of America shares the news of the passing of Philip J. Lombardo, who died early Friday (1/5) following a brief illness. Lombardo was CEO of Citadel Communications and chairman emeritus of the Broadcasters Foundation, having previously served as chairman for 15 years. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Philip J. Lombardo Memorial Fund, which will be established by the Broadcasters Foundation this week in honor of Lombardo’s dedication and service to the broadcasting industry and to the Foundation’s charitable cause. BFoA chairman Scott Herman says, “The Broadcasters Foundation and the broadcast industry lost a great man. As chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation for many years, Phil left an indelible mark. He was passionate about our mission and one of our biggest donors, giving both time and money to helping colleagues in need.” To honor his longstanding dedication to the Broadcasters Foundation, in 2000 the Board passed a near unanimous vote to rename the annual golf tournament and fundraiser, held during the NAB Show in Las Vegas, to the Philip J. Lombardo Charity Golf Tournament. The one ‘no’ vote was cast by Lombardo. The majority of Lombardo’s storied career was focused on buying, turning around, and selling TV stations for his privately held company, Citadel Communications. In 2003, Lombardo was elected to serve as joint board chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters. He was inducted into the Broadcasting + Cable Hall of Fame in October 2015.

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | January 8, 2024January 8, 2024 by TALKERS

The WOKV-FM, Jacksonville-based Mark Kaye Show did a bit on Friday (1/5) in which U.S. Representative Aaron Bean from Florida’s Fourth Congressional District appeared to “take over” the show to “discuss the grim truth about Joe Biden’s open border crisis in Texas.” Bean traveled to the border recently as part of a congressional delegation led by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. The bit continued as “eventually, Mark Kaye was able to regain control of the show, but only by agreeing to a sit-down interview hosted by Congressman Bean. Kaye said ‘It was really weird being a guest on my own show.’”

WABC, New York presented a special program on Saturday (1/6) at 4:00 pm titled, “The Left vs The Right with Anthony Weiner and John Catsimatidis.” As the show name implies, Weiner and Catsimatidis debated current events including the U.S. migrant crisis and more.

Key Networks enters into an agreement with Digitent Podcasts to serve as ad sales representative for the health and wellness influencer and podcast network. Key Networks president of sales Jason Wilberding says, “The timing for our Digitent partnership couldn’t be better, as health and wellness are top of mind in the new year for consumers and for so many of our advertisers. The highly influential Digitent hosts are eager to voice for endemic and lifestyle brands and the Key Networks team is excited for the myriad of possibilities in 2024 and beyond!”

NuVoodoo Media Services announces that it is appointing media sales pro Matt Parvis to the newly created position vice president of sales. Parvis will report to NuVoodoo founder and president Carolyn Gilbert and will be based in Los Angeles. Parvis joins NuVoodoo after 25 years as vice president of sales for AllAccess.com.

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

By TALKERS | January 8, 2024 by TALKERS

The 2024 presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s hospitalization mystery; the Israel-Gaza war; Israel’s strikes on Hamas leaders abroad and the ISIS terror bombing in Iran; the Epstein files fallout; the looming government shutdown deadline; the police investigation of the altercation between Congresswoman Lauren Boebert and her ex-husband; and the in-flight fuselage break of a Boeing 737 Max 9 were some of the most-talked-about stories over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

SABO SEZ: Five Golden Actions for 2024

By TALKERS | January 5, 2024January 8, 2024 by TALKERS

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

Research shows that readers to trade publications like articles with five bullet points. Here are my five bullet points for 2024. If these were to be deployed, you could be thriving by the end of the year. These actions would increase sales and audience share.

1. Radio should be easy to buy. It’s not. Easy fix: Look at your website. Based on the website how would you buy time on your station? It should be as simple as a realtor’s website. Put up pictures of your salespeople with ALL of their real contact information – not a FORM. Offer their email and cell number. Offer a “tour” of the offerings with information about the talent and the audience. What does the host sell best? How about a very brief audio message from each host to your potential advertiser?
2. Every medium creates its own stars. Example – David Caruso, good on TV, bad in movies. Your hosts, good on radio, lousy at original podcasts. Sure, edit up the interviews or bits and make them into a podcast. But don’t ask a host to get off the air and make brand new content for a podcast. Engage locals who are good at making original podcasts and offer them a stage.
3. Sell the biggest number. Your morning show probably has more listeners than the “Tonight Show” has viewers in your city. 1010 WINS has more listeners in New York than FOX News has viewers nationwide. Go check. Those are the numbers that put radio in perspective! Stop selling the smallest number, TIME SPENT LISTENING. Who came up with that!?
4. Don’t make potential advertisers jump through hoops. If you have spent your career in programming, you may not know the tyranny of MEDIA CREDIT. New radio advertiser: Good buy, high rate, longterm business. Sounds great. Not so fast. At most companies, new business still has to go through the gauntlet of a MEDIA CREDIT CHECK. End that.
5. What’s wrong with the hosts? Many hosts use a content formula that MUST generate a diminishing audience size and older and older and older demos. Repeat. WHY? If you start to trust that what you talk about socially, with your friends, your audience will grow and grow younger. Be more like Bruce Collins, PD at WBAP, Dallas. Bruce just hired James Parker who has been featured for years on “Sterling On Sunday.” James is going to talk about life, fatherhood and funny. He joins “New Jersey 101.5” alumnus, Casey Bartholomew, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon, who talks about life, fatherhood and funny. It’s working so well that WBAP will now be simulcast on Class C2 FM, KLIF.

Five bullet points. Goals: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Walter Sabo was a founding architect of SiriusXM and began the recruitment of Howard Stern. He has consulted RKO General, PARADE magazine, Hearst Broadcasting, Press Broadcasting, and other premium brands. He launched the first company to engage online video influencers, Hitviews. As an executive, he was EVP of NBC FM RADIO giving Dr. Ruth Westheimer her first media job and fostering the creation of adult contemporary. As VP ABC Radio Networks, Sabo hired Ringo Starr to be a DJ for a 24-hour special.

“The Greatest Game Ever Played”

By TALKERS | January 5, 2024 by TALKERS

Longtime radio personality and voiceover performer Mark Wainwright writes today in a piece for TALKERS magazine about the 1958 NFL Championship between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants – historically billed as “the Greatest Game Ever Played.” Was it, really? Wainwright says, “On the field? Maybe. In its impact on pro football and sports broadcasting? Absolutely!” While the Colts won in “sudden death” overtime, as it used to be called, it’s important to remember that in 1958 the NFL was not the juggernaut that it is today. Major League Baseball and college football were way bigger in terms of fan interest. But this game is looked at by many as the one that began the NFL’s ascendance to its current place atop the American sports media hill. Read the full story here.

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | January 5, 2024 by TALKERS

The Newsweek-syndicated talk radio program “The Josh Hammer Show” adds new affiliate station KFTK-FM, St. Louis as the station airs the show on Saturdays from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Hammer says, “I am absolutely thrilled to join the weekend lineup of ‘97.1 FM Talk’ in St. Louis. I grew up hearing about how my great-grandparents on my mother’s side immigrated to St. Louis from Eastern Europe, so this is personal for me. I can’t wait to take my own brand of hard-hitting, pull-no-punches conservatism to 97.1 FM Talk’s powerful airwaves.”

iHeartPodcasts announces the launch of “Native Land Pod” hosted by Angela Rye, Tiffany D. Cross and Andrew Gillum. The iHeartPodcasts president Will Pearson says, “This new, groundbreaking podcast brings together an electrifying ensemble of hosts, hailing from a wide range of media backgrounds. As we head into an election year, we’re excited to see how ‘Native Land Pod’ elevates the political discourse and empowers listeners with new knowledge and diverse perspectives.”

Audacy enters into a sales and distribution agreement with the Women’s Meditation Network. Founded by Katie Krimitsos, the Women’s Meditation Network offers 17 different guided meditation podcasts created to be easily accessible, approachable, and deeply fulfilling for people of all ages and experience levels, as well as children.

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of January 1 – 5

By TALKERS | January 5, 2024 by TALKERS

The 2024 presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers Ten^TM. At #2 this week was the state of the U.S. economy, followed by the U.S. migrant crisis and the related move by House Republicans to impeach Biden administration Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas at #3. The Talkers Ten^TM 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.

“The Greatest Game Ever Played”

By TALKERS | January 5, 2024 by TALKERS

Baltimore’s Alan Ameche plunges over the goal line for the winning touchdown!(courtesy YouTube/NFL Films)

On the field? Maybe. In its impact on pro football and sports broadcasting? Absolutely!

By Mark Wainwright

It was one of those indelible moments in sports history: The 1958 NFL Championship, played on December 28, 1958 at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants 23-17 in sudden death overtime. 65 years later, the events of that Sunday afternoon still resonate throughout pro sports and sports media.

In 1958, the National Football League was far from the huge phenomenon we see today. Americans generally had much more interest in baseball, and during the Fall, college football captured the attention of sports fans on Saturday afternoons. The annual Army/Navy and Harvard/Yale clashes were national news stories, and fans followed the exploits of powerhouses like Notre Dame and Michigan. For most fans, pro football was an afterthought. Even in cities with pro franchises, the NFL clubs often played runner-up to the local baseball teams.

Baltimore and New York were two exceptions. The Colts were upstarts — Baltimore didn’t get an NFL team until 1953 — and the city quickly fell in love with the Colts; on game days, Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium was described as “the world’s largest outdoor insane asylum.” Meanwhile, the Giants had been part of the NFL since 1925, and they were considered the league’s most glamorous team, located in the world’s media capital. Two very different teams, both with passionate fan bases, playing a nationally-televised title game in New York City… indeed, America was destined to notice pro football that day.

Seventeen Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees were in the stadium that afternoon, along with a Heisman Trophy winner (Baltimore running back Alan Ameche). The Colts were led by quarterback Johnny Unitas and defensive end Gino Marchetti. The New York offense revolved around halfback Frank Gifford, while linebacker Sam Huff anchored the defense.

There were all-stars in the broadcast booths, as well. NBC’s national telecast was assigned to Chris Schenkel and Chuck Thompson; both of these gentlemen are now legends of their industry. Joe Bolan and Bill McColgan called the game for NBC’s national radio feed, while Les Keiter did the play-by-play for WCBS Radio in New York. And Bob Wolff did the radio call for Baltimore’s WBAL. Wolff was assisted by an eager teenager who worked as his spotter… a young man named Maury Povich (yes, that guy).

The first half, frankly, wasn’t anywhere near “greatest game” territory. While both defenses played fairly well, the offenses looked sloppy and disorganized, and the two teams combined for six turnovers in the first thirty minutes. The Giants managed only a Pat Summerall field goal, while the Colts — almost in spite of themselves — took a 14-3 lead into halftime. It could have easily been 17-3, but Sam Huff blocked a Baltimore field goal attempt.

So, what was the halftime entertainment? Over the years, Super Bowl halftimes have featured performers like Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson. What 1950’s superstars would perform in the “super bowl” of 1958? Elvis Presley? Brenda Lee, maybe? Nope. It was the Baltimore Colts Marching Band, with their prancing majorettes looking quite fetching in their red leotards and reindeer antlers…

The Baltimore Colts Marching Band majorettes, in “reindeer” mode! (courtesy YouTube/NFL Films)

Baltimore’s offensive woes continued into the second half. Early on, the Colts drove the ball to New York’s 1-yard line, but Alan Ameche was stopped for no gain on third down, then Ameche was tackled for a loss when he attempted to run wide on fourth down. In an interview decades later, Baltimore’s Lenny Moore revealed that Ameche botched the play; it was supposed to be an option pass, but Ameche didn’t hear Johnny Unitas’ signals correctly, and he ran instead of throwing a short pass to a wide open Colts receiver.

That goal-line stand awakened New York’s offense, and they needed only four plays to score their first touchdown to make it 14-10. The Giants then took a 17-14 lead early in the fourth quarter on a Frank Gifford touchdown reception, and while the Colts responded with two effective drives, they came up empty on both possessions; one ended with a missed field goal, the other ended when Unitas was sacked twice, taking the Colts out of scoring range. The Giants’ offense only needed a first down or two to ice the game, but Frank Gifford was stopped on a critical third down run. For decades, Gifford insisted he made the first down; Baltimore’s Gino Marchetti suffered a badly broken ankle in the pileup, and Gifford often said that amidst the chaos and confusion of tending to Marchetti’s injury, the officials did not spot the ball properly. However, when ESPN restored the footage for a 50th anniversary broadcast in 2008, an accident reconstruction expert analyzed the images and determined that Gifford was, indeed, just short of the first down (more about that ESPN program in our Epilogue). The Giants chose to punt the ball, and the Colts took over on their own 14-yard line.

This was the moment when Johnny Unitas began his ascent to legendary status. With just two minutes left, he moved the Colts downfield quickly. While there were several misfires, he made four critical completions, including three straight passes to his star receiver Raymond Berry. Those last three plays moved the ball 62 yards to the Giants’ 13-yard line, and with just seconds remaining, the Colts rushed Steve Myhra out to attempt a tying field goal. Myhra had struggled with field goal attempts all season, and Baltimore fans held their collective breath until the ball went through the uprights. The fourth quarter ended tied 17-17.

So… what happens next? Many of the players and coaches weren’t sure. It was not unusual for football games to end in a tie, but this game was for the NFL title. Would the teams be declared co-champions? Fortunately, the NFL had recently instituted an overtime rule for championships, and it would be decided on the field. The teams would play pure “sudden death.” The first team to score in any manner would win, and they would play for as long as it took.

The Giants won the toss and chose to receive, but they were not able to mount any kind of drive, and they punted the ball back to the Colts. Unitas now had all the time in the world, and Johnny U methodically moved the Baltimore offense to the New York 8-yard line. It was first-and-goal, and then, suddenly… the NBC Television feed disappeared! Nothing but snow on the screen!

This caused immediate panic in NBC’s control room, not to mention in homes across the nation, as viewers — particularly in Baltimore — bolted from their living rooms and scrambled to find the nearest radio. It was one of the worst possible moments to lose the live feed of a TV broadcast. And then…

A fan ran onto the field! Play was halted for nearly a full minute before New York’s Finest chased him down and escorted him to the sideline. Over the years, there has been endless rumor and speculation about this incident. Photographs show the fan was well-dressed and appeared very cooperative when the cops took him away; he certainly didn’t look like a drunken lout. Who was this guy?

Whoever he was, he is now the stuff of sports broadcasting legend. More than six decades later, it is widely believed that he was an NBC employee who realized the broadcast was interrupted and ran onto the field — or perhaps was told to run onto the field — to delay the game long enough to give the TV crew enough time to find a loose cable and fix the connection. As far as I know, he was never identified and the story has never been confirmed. One hopes the fellow received a bonus and a promotion for his quick thinking!

When the game resumed, the Colts ran two plays to reach third-and-goal from just over a yard away. A field goal attempt might have been the obvious choice, but Baltimore coach Weeb Ewbank was leery of sending a struggling Steve Myhra in to kick. Meanwhile, the coach trusted Unitas completely, and he left Johnny U and the offense on the field. A routine handoff to Alan Ameche secured a 23-17 Baltimore victory.

The game was breaking news nationwide. It was a big topic of Sunday afternoon dinner conversations, and it was headline news on front pages and in sports sections the following day. NFL and television executives soon realized that professional football could become a very valuable property, and they started making plans for increasing television coverage and boosting marketing exposure for the teams, the star players, and the sport overall. And down in Dallas, Lamar Hunt — a son of oil tycoon H.L. Hunt — started thinking about owning his own football team. Those dreams eventually led to his role in establishing the rival American Football League, which merged with the NFL just over a decade later. Historians and sportswriters have studied the 1958 title game, and they generally agree that event was the start of professional football growing into the colossus it has since become. It was the aftermath and the impact — as much as the drama of the game itself — that led them to calling it “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”

*************************************************************************************************************

EPILOGUE

As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, television did not put a high priority on archiving sports events back then. There is no known videotape of the game; videotape was in its infancy, and while NBC presumably had one or two of the early machines available, it seems nobody bothered racking them up. There is no known kinescope film recording of the television broadcast, either. Fortunately, there was plenty of film footage of the game, both from overhead and from sideline views. This footage was shot by NFL Films, as well as various newsreel cameramen working for different organizations.

On the 50th anniversary of the game in 2008, ESPN produced a special documentary that used the old footage to re-create much of the action. The historic clips were colorized for broadcast, and the action was interspersed with comments and memories from players, fans, and broadcasters who were there. (Sadly, many of these gentlemen have passed away in the fifteen years since.) Most of Bob Wolff’s Baltimore radio broadcast was saved, and the NBC national radio call was saved almost in entirety. This historic audio was used in conjunction with the preserved video. Several versions of the ESPN special can be found on YouTube; here is a link to one of those.

Others have collaborated on an almost-complete reconstruction of the game, using the original newsreel and NFL footage, some of the colorized ESPN content, stock footage, and still photos. The audio portion uses the NBC national radio call by Joe Bolan and Bill McColgan (complete with vintage commercials!). There are several uploads of this project on YouTube, and there is also a version on the Internet Archive, available here. If you’ve never seen any of “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” punch it up on your laptop and enjoy!

Mark Wainwright is a long-time radio personality and voiceover performer. He was most recently the morning host at WSYR in Syracuse; he is also a Baltimore native and life-long Baltimore Colts fan (and he still hasn’t gotten over the Colts leaving town and moving to Indianapolis decades ago!). He can be reached at: markwainwright@earthlink.net

Salem Announces Voluntary Delisting from NASDAQ

By TALKERS | January 4, 2024 by TALKERS

Salem Media Group gives formal notice to the Nasdaq Stock Market of its intention to voluntarily delist its Class A Common Stock from the Nasdaq Global Market and to deregister its Class A Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result, the company expects that the last trading day of its common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market will be on or about January 18, 2024. Further, prior to March 29, 2024, the company intends to file a Form 15 with the SEC to suspend its reporting obligations under Sections 12(g) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In June of 2023, Salem lost compliance with NASDAQ as its stock price slipped below the minimum bid price and never regained compliance and consequently Salem’s board of directors determined that the voluntary delisting is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders. Salem says it anticipates significant financial savings because of this decision. Salem expects that its Class A Common Stock will be quoted on the OTCQX or other market operated by OTC Markets Group Inc.

Yesterday’s (1/3) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | January 4, 2024 by TALKERS

The bombing at a memorial for slain Iranian military leader Qassim Suleimani kills 84 people; Israel’s suspected assassination of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beruit; the November presidential election; the U.S. migrant crisis and the Biden administration sues Texas over its immigration policy; the House moves to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas; the unsealing of the Jeffrey Epstein Johns and Jane Does; and embattled Harvard president Claudine Gay resigns were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.