Industry News

NPR Shows Remain Atop Triton Digital Podcast Ranker

NPR’s “NPR News Now” and “Up First” kept their #1 and #2 places (respectively) on Triton Digital’s U.S. Podcast Ranker for May (April 29 – June 2). The ranker presents the top U.S. podcasts based on weeklyim average downloads for shows that opt in. This month sees the inclusion of iHeart Audience Network podcasts and a lot of shows debuting on the chart for the first time. Some of those include “Stuff You Should Know” at #6, “The Breakfast Club” at #16, “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” at #26, “The Sean Hannity Show” at #63, and “The Jesse Kelly Show” at #84. See the complete ranker here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/19) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The Louisiana Ten Commandments law; the renewed Russia-North Korea alliance; the presidential race and next Thursday’s presidential debate; the Israel-Hamas war; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the U.S. migrant crisis; the U.S. national debt; the Juneteenth holiday; and the extreme heat in the eastern U.S., the New Mexico wildfires & Tropical Storm Alberto drenches south Texas were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Ongoing Coverage of TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running, and most important national event took place on Friday, June 7 at Hofstra University on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond was an advance sellout. The power-packed, one-day agenda featured a roster of more than 60 speakers from all ends of the talk radio and related talk media industries including talent, station owners, CEOs, programmers, technical experts, journalists, syndicators, and a wide variety of visionaries. The annual talk media industry tradition was presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. Key discussions included “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World,” “The Case for AM Radio,” “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era,” “The State of Sports Talk Radio,” “The Brave New World of Technological and Generational Change,” “Programming News/Talk Radio,” “Perspectives on Hosting Television Talk,” “Philanthropy and Community Service,” “The Art of Story Telling,” “Talk Radio Programming Opportunities Beyond Politics,” “Meeting the Challenges of Being a Talk Talent,” “The Big Picture of Radio’s Role in a Rapidly Changing World,” and “The State of the First Amendment” among others. As the volumes of data generated by this gathering are sorted out, TALKERS will provide in-depth, detailed coverage of the conference in the days and weeks ahead including posting videos of its key segments.  See a selection of photos from TALKERS 2024 Radio and Beyond below.

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Like father, like son… Heavy Hundred member John Curley, afternoon star of KIRO 97.3 FM Newsradio, Seattle (r) and his son Ry Curley, sports reporter for KOZI, Chelan, WA (l) were among the attendees at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond.  John Curley was this year’s recipient of the TALKERS Sharon L. Harrison Memorial Award for Community Service (“Humanitarian of the Year”).

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Compass Radio Networks syndicated talk radio Heavy Hundred goliath Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo (l) was a major presence at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond delivering the kick off breakfast address “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World” and moderating the “Behind the Mic” panel.  He is pictured here accompanied by his daughters Jia “Pags” Pagliarulo (c) and Sam ”Pags” Pagliarulo (r). Sam serves as executive producer of “The Joe Pags Show.”

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Two of talk media’s long-running mainstays were photographed in the hallways of Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at TALKERS 2024: Radio and BeyondChris Krok, evening star of WBAP, Dallas (l) and recent Radio Hall of Fame inductee Lee Harris, director, integrated operations, NewsNation / WGN, Chicago.  Lee Harris served as moderator of the conference’s “Great Debate.”

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Heavy Hundred member Paul Vandenburgh, owner/host, WGDJ (Talk 1300) Albany (l), who spoke on the “Programming News/Talk Radio” panel is pictured with Kevin Casey, VP/executive editor, TALKERS (r) who served as master of ceremonies for TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond.

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Up from the Sunshine State with very long titles… Grace Blazer, VP, national NTS brand coordinator, director of news and AM programming, Florida region, iHeartMedia Miami (l) and Alex Fife, VP/operations, Southeast, iHeartMedia, Total Traffic & Weather Network (r) played significant roles at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond. Grace appeared on the “Programming News/Talk Radio” panel and Alex introduced the “Case for AM Radio” address.

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Deck the halls with major broadcasters: WAQY (Rock 102), Springfield, MA morning co-host Mike “Bax” Baxendale (l) and Deborah Parenti, publisher Radio Ink / RBR+TVBR (r) were captured in one frame entering Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication to participate in TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond.   Bax spoke on the “Beyond Politics” panel and Deborah was a participant in “The Big Picture” discussion.

More pictures from TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond — as well as videos of panels and presentations — still to come!

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/18) Top News/Talk Media Stories

President Joe Biden’s undocumented spouses plan and the U.S. migrant crisis; the Biden Administration budget deficit; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the presidential race and next week’s debate; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S.-Israel relations; USDA inspectors assaulted in Mexico; Vladimir Putin meets with Kim Jong Un in North Korea; the House Ethics Committee investigation of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz; the Juneteenth holiday; the heat dome affecting much of the eastern U.S. and the western U.S. wildfires; and baseball great Willie Mays dies at 93 were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Ongoing Coverage of TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running, and most important national event took place on Friday (6/7) at Hofstra University on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond was an advance sellout. The power-packed, one-day agenda featured a roster of more than 60 speakers from all ends of the talk radio and related talk media industries including talent, station owners, CEOs, programmers, technical experts, journalists, syndicators, and a wide variety of visionaries. The annual talk media industry tradition was presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. Key discussions included “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World,” “The Case for AM Radio,” “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era,” “The State of Sports Talk Radio,” “The Brave New World of Technological and Generational Change,” “Programming News/Talk Radio,” “Perspectives on Hosting Television Talk,” “Philanthropy and Community Service,” “The Art of Story Telling,” “Talk Radio Programming Opportunities Beyond Politics,” “Meeting the Challenges of Being a Talk Talent,” “The Big Picture of Radio’s Role in a Rapidly Changing World,” and “The State of the First Amendment” among others. As the volumes of data generated by this gathering are sorted out, TALKERS will provide in-depth, detailed coverage of the conference in the days and weeks ahead including posting videos of its key segments.  See a selection of photos from TALKERS 2024 Radio and Beyond below.

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TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond took place on the ultra-modern TV soundstages of Hofstra University’s magnificent Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. This photo is of the stage during the 8:00 am breakfast which was attended by what was already a packed house. TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey is seen at the podium. The breakfast was sponsored by the Sean Hannity Show and Premiere Networks.

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TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond was attended by some of the most important players in talk radio programming. Pictured (l-r) are two key members of the Audacy team: Lisa Polizzi, brand manager of WBEN, Buffalo and Greg Stocker, brand manager of WPHT, Philadelphia. Stocker appeared as a speaker on the “Programming News/Talk Radio” panel.

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All segments of the talk media industry were represented at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond. Pictured (l-r) mingling in the halls of Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication are Dave Gorab, VP/GM of talk programming at SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Steven Portnoy, ABC News Radio national correspondent. Gorab presented a touching tribute to Sirius legend the late Joe Madison and his widow (and executive producer) Sharon Madison who was the 2024 recipient of the TALKERS “Woman of the Year” award.

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The dean of Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Mark Lukasiewicz addressed the attendees at the TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond luncheon.

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Widely respected talk radio programmer/host Joe Thomas (r) and his wife Elaine Thomas (l) celebrated the new co-ownership of their recent acquisition of WTON, Staunton, VA by attending TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond. Joe Thomas served as introducer of the panel discussion, “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era.”

Industry News

FOX News Promotes Heinrich and Doocy

FOX News Media promotes Jacqui Heinrich to senior White House correspondent. FOX News Media president and executive editor Jay Wallace says Heinrich will continue covering all facets of the Whiteim House beat, the President of the United States’ national and international activities and the issues impacting the administration. She will also continue co-hosting FOX News Audio’s “FOX News Rundown” podcast. At the same time, the company promotes Peter Doocy to senior White House correspondent. In this role, he’ll continue to provide coverage of the President of the United States’ domestic and international activities as well as the issues that affect the administration.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/17) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; the U.S. migrant crisis; Donald Trump’s legal battles; Vladimir Putin’s visit with Kim Jong Un in North Korea; Russia’s warships in the Caribbean; a Kentucky judge blocks Joe Biden’s Title IX expansion; the Juneteenth holiday; New Jersey Democrat George Norcross indicted on racketeering charges; and the heat dome affecting much of the eastern U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Ongoing Coverage of TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running, and most important national event took place this past Friday (6/7) at Hofstra University on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond was an advance sellout. The power-packed, one-day agenda featured a roster of more than 60 speakers from all ends of the talk radio and related talk media industries including talent, station owners, CEOs, programmers, technical experts, journalists, syndicators, and a wide variety of visionaries. The annual talk media industry tradition was presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. Key discussions included “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World,” “The Case for AM Radio,” “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era,” “The State of Sports Talk Radio,” “The Brave New World of Technological and Generational Change,” “Programming News/Talk Radio,” “Perspectives on Hosting Television Talk,” “Philanthropy and Community Service,” “The Art of Story Telling,” “Talk Radio Programming Opportunities Beyond Politics,” “Meeting the Challenges of Being a Talk Talent,” “The Big Picture of Radio’s Role in a Rapidly Changing World,” and “The State of the First Amendment” among others. As the volumes of data generated by this gathering are sorted out, TALKERS will provide in-depth, detailed coverage of the conference in the days and weeks ahead including posting videos of its key segments.  See a selection of photos from TALKERS 2024 Radio and Beyond below.

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One of the exciting sessions of TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond was titled “The Big Picture.”  It sparked a dialogue about the state of talk media and radio in general in the face of tremendous technological and sociological change.  It put forth the premise that for “radio” to succeed in the multiplatform arena of the digital age, its health and survival will depend upon its practitioners having a clear understanding what the term “radio” means and how that definition differs from the word “audio.” The stellar panels included (l-r): Tavis Smiley, host/owner, KBLA, Los Angeles / Smiley AudioMedia; Kraig Kitchin, CEO, Sound Mind, LLC; Deborah Parenti, publisher, Radio Ink / RBR+TVBRChris Oliviero, market president, Audacy New York; Lisa Wexler, host, WICC, Bridgeport; and Chad Lopez, president, WABC, New York / Red Apple Audio Network. (Not pictured, moderator Michael Harrison.)

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Westwood One host Rich Valdes, host of “America at Night,” introduced “The Big Picture” panel eloquently pointing out that for radio to successfully serve the big picture of American society it will have to grasp the demographic and ethnic changes that are rapidly taking place within the nation’s shifting population.

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The “Beyond Politics” panel explored the programming options available to talk radio stations – particularly news/talk – to expand programming possibilities that enhance ratings and revenue beyond reliance on the popular paradigm of pure, targeted 24/7 partisan politics.  Panelists included (l-r):  Asa Andrew, MD, host, “The Doctor Asa Show”; Danielle Lin, C.N., producer/host, “The Art of Living and the Science of Life”; Lee Habeeb, CEO/host/producer, “Our American Stories”/American Private Radio; Daliah Wachs, MD, host, “The Dr. Daliah Show”; Mike “Bax” Baxendale, co-host, morning show, WAQY (Rock 102), Springfield, MA; and Walter Sabo (A.K.A. Walter M Sterling), consultant, Sabo Media Partners / host, “Sterling On Sunday,” TMN / “Sterling at Night,” WPHT, Philadelphia. (Not pictured, moderator David Bernstein.)

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Talk radio programming legend David BernsteinTALKERS director of broadcast operations, served as moderator of the “Beyond Politics” panel session.

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Kevin Casey, TALKERS VP/executive editor (l) served as TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond master of ceremonies and John Fredericks, owner/host, the John Fredericks Radio Network (r) delivered the introduction to the “State of Sports Talk Radio” fireside chat. 

Industry Views

Pending Business: Summertime Blues

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imWhen market leaders drop rates, what comes next?

We have all been there. A market leading radio station will review sales, income, profits, pacing, costs and determine the best path to increasing income and reversing a negative sales trend is to strategically reduce, repackage or simply drop rates.

Assume the position of being downstream in audience delivery, which should mirror most reading this column. This is the time of year when many news/talk operators face this never-ending strategic pricing dilemma. Unless you are fortunate enough to sell or manage for the market leader, the trickle-down effect of the market leader dropping rates in a knee-jerk reaction to slow sales can be a 90–120-day revenue and income killer for those living downstream. It can happen in any business, but ad sales are particularly vulnerable as cancellations, market business conditions and weather can often impact the delicate ecosystem of radio ad sales.

Like it or not, very few if any business decision makers wake up shouting, “Gotta buy some radio ads right now!” With Father’s Day behind us (hope you had a good one) and Labor Day in front of us, let us review some basics to help keep our collective eye on the prize and focus on delivering performance through year end.

1. Summer Sales. Like or not, the American retail world we grew up and live in today conditioned us to anticipate and respond to those great summer sales events. July 4th, Labor Day, Back to School, these are all themed marketing opportunities that most of us expect and celebrate. That “Summer Sizzler” sale is not limited to steaks, barbeques, fashion, and vacations. Be creative, go with the flow and work with your teams to be a front runner in the creative packaging opportunities department.

2. Plan to adjust. Keep an idea or two on hold until it is “break the glass” time, then pull the trigger on your adjustment and move fast!

3. Expand your prospecting universe. New business opportunities are the lifeblood of sales. That email you send asking if there is anything happening this season is a necessary evil and without anything compelling to add it is deleted as quickly as you hit send. Be different!

4. Balance your short-term sales panic button with a long-term plan. We all must deal with the uncontrollable competitive variables in our sales environment. But success belongs to those who anticipate, adjust, accommodate, and answer the challenge!

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 Supreme Court’s mifepristone and bump stock rulings; the presidential race; Benjamin Netayahu disbands the Israeli war cabinet; Justice Department won’t prosecute Merrick Garland; Alex Jones bankruptcy court ruling; U.S. migrant crisis; the rise of Europe’s far right; surgeon general seeks warning labels for social media; and the deadly heatwave predicted to affect much of the country this week were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Ongoing Coverage of TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running, and most important national event took place this past Friday (6/7) at Hofstra University on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond was an advance sellout. The power-packed, one-day agenda featured a roster of more than 60 speakers from all ends of the talk radio and related talk media industries including talent, station owners, CEOs, programmers, technical experts, journalists, syndicators, and a wide variety of visionaries. The annual talk media industry tradition was presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. Key discussions included “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World,” “The Case for AM Radio,” “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era,” “The State of Sports Talk Radio,” “The Brave New World of Technological and Generational Change,” “Programming News/Talk Radio,” “Perspectives on Hosting Television Talk,” “Philanthropy and Community Service,” “The Art of Story Telling,” “Talk Radio Programming Opportunities Beyond Politics,” “Meeting the Challenges of Being a Talk Talent,” “The Big Picture of Radio’s Role in a Rapidly Changing World,” and “The State of the First Amendment” among others. As the volumes of data generated by this gathering are sorted out, TALKERS will provide in-depth, detailed coverage of the conference in the days and weeks ahead including posting videos of its key segments.  See a selection of photos from TALKERS 2024 Radio and Beyond below.

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A group of top talk radio pros participated in the panel discussion “Programming News/Talk Radio.” Pictured (l-r): Doug Stephan, CEO/Founder, Stephan Multimedia; Phil Boyce, SVP, spoken word format, Salem Media Group / ops VP, New York region, WMCA / WNYM-AM 970 The Answer; Paul Vandenburgh, owner/host, WGDJ Talk 1300, Albany, NY; Scott Lakefield, APD, WOR, New York; Greg Stocker, brand manager, WPHT, Philadelphia; and Grace Blazer, VP, national NTS brand coordinator, director of news and AM programming, Florida region, iHeart Media Miami.  The panel was moderated by Mike McVay, president McVay Media Consulting (pictured below).

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TMN syndicated host Dr. Daliah Wachs performed the singing of the National Anthem.

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One of the main panel discussions at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond was “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era.” Pictured (l-r): Moderator Steve Lapa, president, Lapcom Communications Corp.; Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group; Josh Leng, Founder/CEO, Talk Media Network; John Caracciolo, president/CEO JVC Broadcasting; Ron Hartenbaum, managing member, Crossover Media; Kathy Carr, president, Howie Carr Radio Network; and Julie Talbott, president Premiere Networks.

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Pictured above is a segment of the crowd at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond giving a standing ovation during the event.

Industry News

REVERSE ROLES: Harry Hurley Interviews MH on Harrison Podcast About Artificial Intelligence

WPG, Atlantic City radio star Harry Hurley reverses roles with MH on this week’s installment of the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Actually, this week’s episode of the long-running podcast consists of provocative excerpts from Harrison’s recent guest appearance (6/4) on Hurley’s popular WPG morning show in which he was booked to discuss the technological and sociological implications of AI. This took place in conjunction with the release of the new Gunhill Road music video, “Artificial Intelligence (No Robots Were Injured in the Production of this Song).”  Harrison co-wrote and performs lead vocals on the song with the venerable band which had its world premiere on WPG that morning and kicked off Harrison’s “Obsolete Slobs” radio tour in support of the piece. The conversation is a no-holds-barred look at the implications – beneficial and destructive – of the remarkable new technology that is disrupting art, communications, and life here in the early decades of the 21st century and promises to have dramatic impact on the course of humanity going forward. Don’t miss this! Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Stories for Week of June 10 – 14

The presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the Hunter Biden guilty verdict, followed by former President Donald Trump’s legal battles at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Ongoing Coverage of TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running, and most important national event took place this past Friday (6/7) at Hofstra University on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond was an advance sellout. The power-packed, one-day agenda featured a roster of more than 60 speakers from all ends of the talk radio and related talk media industries including talent, station owners, CEOs, programmers, technical experts, journalists, syndicators, and a wide variety of visionaries. The annual talk media industry tradition was presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. Key discussions included “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World,” “The Case for AM Radio,” “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era,” “The State of Sports Talk Radio,” “The Brave New World of Technological and Generational Change,” “Programming News/Talk Radio,” “Perspectives on Hosting Television Talk,” “Philanthropy and Community Service,” “The Art of Story Telling,” “Talk Radio Programming Opportunities Beyond Politics,” “Meeting the Challenges of Being a Talk Talent,” “The Big Picture of Radio’s Role in a Rapidly Changing World,” and “The State of the First Amendment” among others. As the volumes of data generated by this gathering are sorted out, TALKERS will provide in-depth, detailed coverage of the conference in the days and weeks ahead including posting videos of its key segments.  See a selection of photos from TALKERS 2024 Radio and Beyond below.

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Pictured (l-r) are the industry visionaries who made the “Brave New World” panel one of the most illuminating highlights of TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – Matthew B. Harrison, Esq., VP/associate publisher, TALKERS / senior partner, Harrison Media Law; Steven Goldstein, CEO, Amplifi Media; Heather Cohen, president, The Weiss Agency; John T. Mullen, GM, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University; and Scot Bertram, GM, WRFH / Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM. Not pictured, moderator Harry Hurley, morning host, WPG, Atlantic City. The session explored radio’s generational divide, the impact of YouTube and social media; changing technology, the protection of intellectual property rights, artificial intelligence and more.

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Bill Brady, owner/host, KFNX, Phoenix “The Pulse of Arizona” delivered a compelling address appropriately titled, “The Case for AM Radio” that received a standing ovation.

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WPG, Atlantic City morning host Harry Hurley (r) presented Broadcasters Foundation of America chairman Scott Herman (l) with a donation of $8,000 from the famous Hurley in the Morning Charty Foundation.  Each year, beginning with a $1,000 donation in 2017, Hurley has presented a gift to the BFoA at the TALKERS conference increasing the sum by a thousand dollars each year. The total now stands at $36,000. Herman delivered an emotional address detailing the tremendous work the Broadcasters Foundation does each year in providing financial support and protection to radio and TV professionals who have fallen on hard times due to catastrophic health issues or natural disasters.  For more information about the Broadcasters Foundation of America please click here.  www.broadcastersfoundation.org

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Rob Finnerty, host of “Wake Up America” on Newsmax TV, delivered an insightful lunchtime address titled “In Front of the Camera” expressing the perspective of talk show hosts on the television side of talk media.  Newsmax sponsored the lunch at TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond.

Industry News

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

The aftermath of the Hunter Biden guilty verdict; the G7 meeting in Italy and the plan to loan Ukraine $50 billion; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the U.S. House votes to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt; Southern Baptist convention bans churches with women pastors; the Israel-Hamas war and the strikes against Northern Israel from Lebanon; Russian war games near Cuba; the Fed reports inflation is easing but expects just one rate cut this year; and NBA legend Jerry West dies at 86 were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Ongoing Coverage of TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running, and most important national event took place this past Friday (6/7) at Hofstra University on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond was an advance sellout. The power-packed, one-day agenda featured a roster of more than 60 speakers from all ends of the talk radio and related talk media industries including talent, station owners, CEOs, programmers, technical experts, journalists, syndicators, and a wide variety of visionaries. The annual talk media industry tradition was presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. Key discussions included “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World,” “The Case for AM Radio,” “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era,” “The State of Sports Talk Radio,” “The Brave New World of Technological and Generational Change,” “Programming News/Talk Radio,” “Perspectives on Hosting Television Talk,” “Philanthropy and Community Service,” “The Art of Story Telling,” “Talk Radio Programming Opportunities Beyond Politics,” “Meeting the Challenges of Being a Talk Talent,” “The Big Picture of Radio’s Role in a Rapidly Changing World,” and “The State of the First Amendment” among others. As the volumes of data generated by this gathering are sorted out, TALKERS will provide in-depth, detailed coverage of the conference in the days and weeks ahead including posting videos of its key segments.  See a selection of photos from TALKERS 2024 Radio and Beyond below.

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KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM, Seattle afternoon talk show host John Curley was the 2024 recipient of the TALKERS Humanitarian of the Year award (the Sharon L. Harrison Memorial Award for Community Service). He is pictured delivering his acceptance speech discussing the importance of using your platform for good causes.

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Michael Harrison (l) interviewed Fred Toucher (r), morning show co-host of WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub, Boston in a fireside chat titled, “The State of Sports Talk Radio.”  The discussion included comparisons between sports talk and news/talk radio, the benefit of sports talk hosts operating in on-air teams, the relationship sports talk hosts have with home teams and their ardent fans, dealing with harsh criticism on social media, the impact of gambling on sports talk radio, the challenges hosts are facing in covering women’s basketball and more.

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One of the many highlights of the conference was a blessedly civil “Great Debate” between WYD Media syndicated host Thom Hartmann (c) representing the left and Salem Radio Networks host Mike Gallagher (r) representing the right.  The session was moderated by Lee Harris (standing l), director of integrated operations, NewsNation/WGN Chicago.

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The panel session titled, “Behind the Mic,” delved into the issues and challenges faced today by talk radio talent. Participants included (l-r) Jeff Katz, WRVA, Richmond; Frank Morano, WABC, New York/Red Apple Media; Martha Zoller, WDUN, Athens, GA; Moderator Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo, Compass Media Networks; Dom Giordano, WPHT, Philadelphia; Howie Carr, Howie Carr Radio Network; and Chris Krok, WBAP, Dallas.

Industry Views

The Evolution of Radio Station Stickers in the 21st Century

By Andy Gladding, EdD, CBT

Chief Engineer
Salem Media of New York
WRHU Radio, Hofstra University

imThe best thing about attending media conferences like TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond, which occurred last week on June 7, is the opportunity to hear diverse viewpoints from industry experts. Gatherings like these also provide the opportunity for attendees like me to “chew” on some of the great ideas presented by the expert panelists and think about solutions to some of the challenges raised during the discussions.

One of the many contemporary issues facing radio brought up during TALKERS 2024 was the evolution and need for vinyl bumper stickers in today’s branding environment. Bumper stickers have been a central component of radio station marketing over several decades, as they provide a low-cost visual aid for stations to get their logo and frequency out to the public, using a “listener-driven” mobile platform. However, as cars increase in price, value, and longevity, station owners are questioning the willingness of car owners to plaster their high-cost investment with third-party advertising. Therefore, the value of continuing to create and distribute vinyl stickers for radio stations has been called into question.

While cars may no longer be an attractive moving billboard destination for station listeners, a whole new field of organic advertising space has emerged, especially on the surface of laptop computers, tablets, and other mobile devices. Many consumers use the uniform blank space of their laptops and cellphones as a place for vinyl stickers. The idea behind this concept is that vinyl stickers allow the device owner to personalize their equipment for identity branding and theft protection. It is much easier to identify a personal device at a place like a coffee shop or airplane security line if you’ve placed a personalized vinyl sticker on it. Many Millennials and Gen-Z’ers are more willing to use the back of their electronic devices as a showcase for vinyl sticker advertising, as it helps attract attention to the user while in a public setting and lets others know “what they are about” with just a quick glance. Electronic devices are on display everywhere and are often carried around with the user in backpacks. When presented with a vinyl sticker, the recipient is usually willing to place the sticker on the device, simply because trying to store it elsewhere will usually result in the destruction of the vinyl sticker.

With this in mind, radio station marketing folks may want to rethink the footprint and layout of their vinyl stickers, choosing to migrate the wider “car bumper” format to a smaller, more concise mini-billboard that could live, display, and survive more effectively on the back of an electronic device.

Solutions like these can only happen when the listener is presented with a challenge by top industry minds. This TALKERS 2024 attendee is grateful for the chance to help provide a solution to a practical problem, made possible by the collaborative environment fostered by an in-person gathering.

Andy Gladding is the chief engineer for Salem Media of New York and WRHU, Hofstra University. He can be emailed at biggladman@aol.com

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/11) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Hunter Biden is convicted on all three counts in his felony gun charge trial; the presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the European Union election results and migration; Russia’s military drills planned for Cuba; House Republicans to vote on contempt of congress charge against Attorney General Merrick Garland; the Israel-Hamas war and the proposed Gaza cease-fire; and the controversy over Justice Samuel Alito’s recorded comments on “godliness” were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Ongoing Coverage of TALKERS 2024 Radio and Beyond

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running, and most important national event took place this past Friday (6/7) at Hofstra University on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – like its colorful predecessors – was an advance sellout. The power-packed, one-day agenda featured a roster of more than 60 speakers from all ends of the talk radio and related talk media industries including talent, station owners, CEOs, programmers, technical experts, journalists, syndicators, and a wide variety of visionaries. The annual talk media industry tradition was presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. Key discussions included “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World,” “The Case for AM Radio,” “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era,” “The State of Sports Talk Radio,” “The Brave New World of Technological and Generational Change,” “Programming News/Talk Radio,” “Perspectives on Hosting Television Talk,” “Philanthropy and Community Service,” “The Art of Story Telling,” “Talk Radio Programming Opportunities Beyond Politics,” “Meeting the Challenges of Being a Talk Talent,” “The Big Picture of Radio’s Role in a Rapidly Changing World,” and “The State of the First Amendment” among others. As the volumes of data generated by this gathering are sorted out, TALKERS will provide in-depth, detailed coverage of the conference in the days and weeks ahead including posting videos of its key segments.  See a selection of photos from TALKERS 2024 Radio and Beyond below.

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Glenn Beck of Premiere Networks delivering TALKERS 2024 keynote address.  He spoke about the importance of developing storytelling skills as well as maintaining authenticity.  “Mean what you say and say what you mean.”

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Howie Carr (l) of the Howie Carr Radio Network being presented the TALKERS 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award celebrating his long career as a New England talk radio staple as well as his enormous accomplishments fighting crime and corruption as an investigative journalist. Mark Goldman of Goldman McCormick PR (r) made the presentation.

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WOLB, Baltimore veteran talk show host Larry Young paid tribute to the late SiriusXM Satellite Radio icon Joe Madison in a double ceremony honoring the memory of Joe and the outstanding career of his widow/executive producer Sharon “Sherry” Madison who was the 2024 recipient of the TALKERS Woman of the Year award.  Also speaking (but not pictured) at the presentation were Dave Gorab, VP/GM of talk programming at SiriusXM and last year’s recipient Martha Zoller of WDUN, Athens, GA who accepted on behalf of Mrs. Madison who was unable to attend.

We will post more photos from TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond tomorrow.

Industry News

Good Karma’s “101.7 The Truth” at White House Juneteenth Ceremony

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Good Karma Brands staff from WGKB-AM/W269DL, Milwaukee “101.7 The Truth” are pictured above at the Juneteenth Regional Reporters Summit as part of President Joe Biden’s Juneteenth Celebration at the White House yesterday (6/10). From left to right are: on-air host Tory Lowe, marketing consultant Danyale Hegwood, general manager Cherie Harris, and on-air host and director of content Kyle Wallace.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/10) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; the far right victories in the EU elections; the Justice Samuel Alito “godliness” controversy; the Nancy Pelosi video clips from January 6; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; and the Israel-Hamas war and the UN Security Council’s cease-fire resolution were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond Achieves Goals and Exceeds Expectations

WABC/Red Apple Media co-owners, John Catsimatidis (l) and his wife Margo Catsimatidis (r) are pictured with TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison (c) at “TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond.” This photo was taken immediately following the presentation of the 2024 Gene Burns Memorial First Amendment Award to John Catsimatidis and his acceptance address. The long-running annual honor is commonly referred to as the TALKERS Freedom of Speech Award. 

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running, and most important national event took place this past Friday (6/7) at Hofstra University on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – like its colorful predecessors – was an advance sellout. The power-packed, one-day agenda featured a roster of more than 60 speakers from all ends of the talk radio and related talk media industries including talent, station owners, CEOs, programmers, technical experts, journalists, syndicators, and a wide variety of visionaries. The annual talk media industry tradition was presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and Hofstra’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. Key discussions included “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World,” “The Case for AM Radio,” “Generating News/Talk Revenue in the Digital Era,” “The State of Sports Talk Radio,” “The Brave New World of Technological and Generational Change,” “Programming News/Talk Radio,” “Perspectives on Hosting Television Talk,” “Philanthropy and Community Service,” “The Art of Story Telling,” “Talk Radio Programming Opportunities Beyond Politics,” “Meeting the Challenges of Being a Talk Talent,” “The Big Picture of Radio’s Role in a Rapidly Changing World,” and “The State of the First Amendment” among others. As the volumes of data generated by this gathering are sorted out, TALKERS will provide in-depth, detailed coverage of the conference in the days and weeks ahead. Check out the official Program Guide here

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Behold the Radio Unicorn!

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imGot young local radio news talent? CONGRATULATIONS, for five reasons:

1. They’re young, which our 100-year-old medium NEEDS.
2. Streaming and satellite competitors don’t do local.
3. Radio is still #1 in-car. And in-home again, via smart speakers.
4. As listeners wonder “What NEXT?” news has their back.
5. Talent is acquired. Hire attitude, train skills.

Just DOING local news makes you special, especially if your AM/FM competitors don’t. Six tips for taking it to the next level, and making your station more habit forming:

— Make this hour’s newscast sound different than last hour’s. A particularly clever turn-of-phrase can come back to haunt you the second time a listener hears that version. The little voice in their head says, “I already heard that.”
— Lead with the latest. Avoid telling the story in chronological order. Is there some detail that can top this hour’s version? “A third shift of state troopers has joined the search for little Sarah Johnson…”
— Write as though you were telling the listener face-to-face. The police posted: “Anyone who has seen a car matching that description is asked to contact the police.” Rewrite to say, “If you see that car, call the police.”

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— Less is more. Long sentences can make it difficult for the listener to follow the story and understand the information. Emulate your network’s writing style. Write for the ear. Avoid using too many adjectives and adverbs.
— But don’t leave out verbs! “The woman’s husband arrested the wounded man taken to the hospital.” Huh?
— Highly recommended: “Writing Broadcast News Shorter, Sharper, Stronger” by Mervin Block (expensive on Amazon, FREE on Google Books).

Time Spent Listening is still the ballgame. Specifically, we want to add occasions of tune-in, which is easier than extending duration-per-occasion. Translation: There is very little we can do to keep someone in a parked car with the key on Accessories.

So be known for knowing. Benefit-laden imaging will earn you the information reputation that keeps listeners coming back again and again, “for a quick update.” And user-friendly copy points will be more effective than the boastful station-centric way many news promos sound.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of The Local Radio Advantage: Your 4-Week Tune-In Tune-Up and “Close Like Crazy: Local Direct Leads, Pitches & Specs That Earned the Benjamins” and “Confidential: Negotiation Checklist for Weekend Talk Radio.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Newsmax Announces Public Offering Plan

Newsmax Inc. announces that it will seek to become a public company later this year or in early 2025 with a listing on Nasdaq or the NYSE. It says, “In preparation for this contemplated initial public offering, Newsmaxim is launching a private placement offering seeking to raise up to $225 million.” Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy adds, “While achieving significant success, Newsmax has stayed true to our mission of providing Americans with honest and real news. Now more than ever, especially in this election year of 2024, America needs Newsmax and you can join with us as an investor.” The current private offering currently consists of shares of the Company’s Series B 7% Convertible Preferred Stock for a maximum Offering amount of up to $225 million.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The presidential race; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war; Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party scores victory in European Parliament elections; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the deadly heat dome affecting the Southwest U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry Views

Sabo Sez: Do Your Show

By Walter Sabo
CEO, Sabo Media Partners
A.K.A. Walter M Sterling
Host
WPHT, Philadelphia – daily
Talk Media Network – Sundays

imWhen recently starting nightly on WPHT, Philadelphia, I asked program director Greg Stocker if there was anything else management needed from me. Greg said, “Do your show.”

Since that luncheon meeting his words have sifted through my fevered brain and I realized that at this moment in time, his words were profound: Do your show. 

What he did not say:

Meet with sales.

Meet with HR.

Be sure to hit the live reads on time.

Don’t annoy (fill in the blank).

Get all the spots in.

Make sure the studio is clean when you’re done.

David Field listens so be careful.

Meet with sales.

I do my show and nothing else and I’m very happy.  The endless whine coming from our colleagues can be traced to ignoring the prime directive:  Do your show.

 Talk radio is magic, it’s free-form radio. Your music station brethren envy your freedom. They have to call for permission to change the order of pre-programmed songs! You don’t have to do anything which means you can do what you want… which means you can do something great.

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 sabowalter@gmail.com. His nightly show “Walter Sterling at Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, now in its 10th year of success.

Industry News

NAB Elects New Board Leaders

The National Association of Broadcasters announces the results of the 2024 NAB Executive Committee elections. Collin Jones, executive vice president, corporate strategy and development of Cumulusim Media and president, Westwood One, was elected radio board chair by the NAB radio board. Kevin Perry, president and CEO of Perry Publishing and Broadcasting Company, was elected radio board first vice chair, and Leonard Wheeler, president of Mel Wheeler, Inc., was elected radio board second vice chair. Chris Ornelas, executive vice president and general counsel of Beasley Media Group, was reelected to the radio board’s major group representative seat on the NAB board’s executive committee. Perry Sook continues the second year of his role as joint board chair. The position is elected every two years. The elections took place at the NAB Board of Directors meeting, held June 3-4.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of June 3 – 7

The presidential race was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was Joe Biden’s asylum policy change and the U.S. migrant crisis, followed by the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

TALKERS Conference is an Advance Sellout

The 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national event is set for Friday, June 7 at Hofstra University, just outside of New York City on Long Island. TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond – like its colorful predecessors – is an advance sellout.  The power-packed, one-day agenda is spectacular! Check out the official Program Guide hereTALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Because the entire agenda of this year’s event will take place on the state-of-the-art television soundstage at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and a special staging area for individual interviews will be set up on an adjacent TV soundstage, the opportunity to create an in-depth video time capsule of this remarkably transitional moment in talk media history will be unprecedented.” Harrison adds, “The number of heavyweight players from all ends of the business gathered in one place for one day on a television soundstage will be of tremendous historical significance. We will grab the opportunity to save everything we can for posterity. This conference will be more than just another industry ‘convention.’ It will be a ‘symposium’ reflecting and preserving a remarkably colorful and historic era in American media and culture. Broadcasters and students of communications all over the world for years to come will bear witness to this ‘happening.’” The storied talk media industry tradition will again be presented by TALKERS in association with the prestigious university’s multi-award-winning station WRHU Radio and the school’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. For last minute information, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (6/5) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The presidential race; the Israel-Hamas war; Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Hunter Biden felony gun charge trial; President Joe Biden’s asylum reversal; the 80th D-Day anniversary; the deadly heat dome affecting the Southwest U.S. were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Industry News

Jeff Angelo Named New Morning Host at WHO, Des Moines

At iHeartMedia’s news/talk WHO, Des Moines, Jeff Angelo moves from his most recent late morningim daypart to morning drive, taking over for Maxwell Schaeffer and Amy Sweet, who exited the station earlier this year. He posts a message to Facebook saying, in part, “Iowans are all about connecting with each other and WHO Radio has always been at the heart of that. We’ll have conversations about the most important topics of the day, and we’ll share a few laughs along the way.”

Industry News

Wayne Allyn Root Inspires and Co-Writes New Pro-Trump Song

Las Vegas-based TV and radio host Wayne Allyn Root tells TALKERS that his latest project is a song co-written by country music artist Natasha Owens and her songwriting partner Ian Eskelin. Root says, “I am honored to have inspired and co-written this song and video about President Donald J. Trumpim titled, ‘The Chosen One.’ This song was inspired by the media firestorm across the globe in July 2019 when I said on my Newsmax TV show Trump was ‘like the King of the Jews and the Chosen One.’” Root debuted the song on his Real America’s Voice TV show, “The Root Reaction” and on his Talk Media Network nationally syndicated radio show. Root adds, “In light of this unprecedented persecution, indictments and now unjust conviction of President Trump, this is the perfect song and video, at the perfect time, and the perfect place, to lift the spirits of President Trump and the MAGA world, and to show the world President Trump is on a mission from God to make America great again.” Listen to the song here.