Spann-Cooper Testifies on Behalf of AM Radio Bill; Shapiro Argues Against
During testimony on Tuesday (4/30) before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce titled, “Preserving Americans’ Access to AM Radio,” Midway Broadcasting Corporation chairwoman and CEO Melody Spann-Cooper testified on behalf of the
National Association of Broadcasters. She said, “AM Radio is important to communities across the country not only because it is a cultural, news and sports oasis that educates the public, but also because it is a resilient lifeline during public safety emergencies. To put it as simply as I can, the foremost reason that Congress should care about AM radio is that it is a lifesaver. No other communications medium has the reach or resiliency of AM radio. A single station can be heard as far as 700 miles away. The signal cuts through buildings and mountains. In remote areas where no cell signal or FM station can be found, AM 
is there. When the power goes out, radio stations can still be found on battery or crank radios, or in your car.” She argued that cell phone notifications alone in emergency situations are unreliable as power outages can affect cell service. Read her full statement here. Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shapiro testified against the AM radio legislation saying, “The power to determine what entertainment technologies belong in their cars should rest with American consumers, not with radio broadcasters.” He added, “On principle, we do not ask the U.S. or any other government to fund our industry, to mandate our products, or require consumers to spend extra money to buy them. We believe that marketplace competition, not dictates from the federal government, should determine which technologies thrive and grow. Absent a compelling reason for government to interfere in the marketplace, we believe that the appropriate government role is to let consumers decide what products and services they want.” Read Shapiro’s full statement here.
posted on X: “Some personal news to share. After 26 yrs at WBZ Radio, I’ve been let go due to corporate budget cuts. Quite the shock, but I’m taking some time for me, & spending lots of qt w/my pets. They love having me home & honestly, I don’t miss the hellish Boston commute…. I’m taking time to decide what I want to do next, but in meantime, I want to thank all the ppl I’ve interviewed over the years, esp the everyday folks who welcomed me into their homes as if I were family. Thank you for trusting me w/your stories. It’s been an absolute honor!”
To be an expert in marketing requires expertise in how memory works. Early in my consultant practice, I studied and read every book I could find on the processes of memory. The best book is Effective Frequency: The Relationship Between Frequency and Advertising Effectiveness. Put simply, how many times does a consumer have to hear a message before it has impact? The book, a collection of studies, is the foundation for every qualitative study in the field today.
Effect Podcast Network’s top talent for a day of live podcast recordings from the network’s most popular shows including: “Carefully Reckless with Jess Hilarious,” “WHOREible Decisions,” “Black Tech, Green Money” and “Deeply Well with Devi Brown,” featuring special guests John Hope Bryant and Dr. Joy Harden-Bradford. The festival also featured special live recordings of hit shows “Pour Minds,” “The Baller Alert Show” and guests Wallo267 and Gillie Da King. Additionally, the event included the panel discussions “Podcasting 102: Money and Marketing” and “Content Authenticity x Brand Partnerships.”
York market president Chris Oliviero says, “Boomer has become a true cornerstone in the long, storied history of WFAN. He was already the highest-rated morning show in the FAN record books, and now, with this new extension, he will add longest-running to his accolades. And most excitedly, we are certain the best is still yet to come as Boomer begins this new chapter in his career by making a longterm commitment to the FAN, along with a creative vision for elevating the brand together to new heights.” Esiason comments, “For the last 17 years, it has been an honor to be the voice that New York sports fans wake up to. I could not be more excited to continue delivering four hours of entertaining conversation at the most vibrant and storied sports radio station in the country, working alongside the morning crew. I would like to thank Audacy, Chris Oliviero, and, most importantly, our passionate listeners for the opportunity to continue on this incredible ride.”
It’s complicated, this whole Federal Trade Commission ruling potentially banning the non-compete. Considering where you stand on the non-compete concept, it’s really all about evaluating the five “C” profile of your media business.
over for Greg Olsen alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt. Francesa is quoted saying that Brady obviously has a deep knowledge of the game but he believes Brady will struggle. “I don’t think his personality is such. I don’t think he’s going to be great at it. I really don’t. I think there’s a unique quality that you have to bring that allows you as an analyst to see the game, see the game quickly, plus bring personality into it. It’s a tricky job for the analyst in football because you’re going to spend a lot of time over replay. You’re going to spend a lot of time breaking down what happens on replay. And you also have to be very personable and glib in how you do it. I don’t see him there.” 
KDKA-TV personality who became afternoon drive host at news/talk KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh in December of 2020. Colin Dunlap appears to be set to continue hosting the afternoon drive show solo. Audacy has stated that these staff cuts will amount to “less than 2%” of the company’s workforce.
through her leadership and accomplishments in the industry, champions and creates opportunities for other women in radio to further their careers. MIW board president Ruth Presslaff comments, “Corinne’s remarkable career firmly establishes her as a Trailblazer. In addition to all she’s accomplished, her selfless devotion to mentoring women and men, and absolute delight in helping them achieve their goals, is the essence of who she is. She is truly a mentor of mentors. We are thrilled to recognize her with our highest award.” Baldassano says, “I am honored to accept this year’s Trailblazer Award from MIW. As I built my career, it was natural for me to offer guidance to others who also wanted to take a similar path. And it’s turned out to be one of the most important and satisfying things I’ve ever done. I’m proud of those I have mentored, and I’m humbled to be recognized by an organization committed to fostering the growth of broadcasting’s next generation of women. I’m happy to see my work and theirs come full circle. Thank you!” 
Commerce vowed to sue the FTC to block the proposal, calling it ‘an unlawful power grab’ in a statement shortly after the vote. The chamber, as well as the two dissenting [FTC] commissioners, has argued that the FTC doesn’t have the authority to address this issue and that it should be left to the states.” The Times piece notes that the rule becomes law 120 days after being published in the Federal Register – meaning sometime in late August – but that legal challenges could block or delay the change. In the radio industry, most on-air talent, programmers, and sales staff who work under written contracts have a noncompete clause that prevents them from working “across the street” usually for six months. If this new policy stands, it will be a monumental change for radio companies. 
Soros, would become the largest shareholder in New Audacy and that Soros would “control these radio stations to advance their particular brand of activism.” Further, MRC objects saying that the FCC has an obligation to complete a full and thorough review and that the Commission is being asked to approve the change in ownership without this review, specifically 
regarding the foreign ownership issue which the MRC says would not be handled as required by Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act of 1935 if the Soros Group gets what it wants. It’s asking the FCC “to waive that process and put it off until sometime down the road – indicating that those foreign stakeholders will be given ‘special warrants’ in the meantime. The Soros group says that putting off the required foreign ownership review will enable the FCC to expedite its approval of the Soros applications and thus allow them to more quickly realize their ownership interests in and take over the hundreds of local radio stations across the country.” The MRC argues that the Communications Act of 1935 “does not contain a special Soros shortcut.” 
available across iHeartMedia’s broadcast, digital and podcast platforms and everywhere podcasts are heard. Talent to be heard on the platform include sports media personality Sarah Spain and WNBA legend & three-time Olympic gold medalist, Sheryl Swoopes, with more talent to be announced in the coming weeks. Deep Blue is led by agency veteran Laura Correnti as founder and CEO and WNBA legend Sue Bird as chief strategy officer. iHeartMedia chief marketing officer Gayle Troberman states, “Women’s sports are on fire and so is audio. The timing is perfect to deliver on the massive fan excitement today and most importantly use the power of iHeart’s massive audience reach to ensure women’s sports gets the attention it deserves.
approach. Audacy SVP of sports monetization Lee Davis states, “We’re thrilled to bring together our unrivaled sports portfolio under Audacy Sports. Consolidating our cross-platform sellable assets under one name creates a compelling opportunity for brands to connect with listeners at scale – through our digital and broadcast network platforms or locally, through our owned sports stations – wherever and whenever they tune into Audacy content.” Audacy Sports is powered by the company’s 40 owned-and-operated all-sports stations and affiliates, 160 sports streaming channels on the Audacy app, a sports podcast network featuring over 600 titles and live events, 150 professional and collegiate teams – including play-by-play broadcasts, the Infinity Sports Network (formerly CBS Sports Radio) and BetQL Network.
McKone is named the new headline anchor and co-host on the station’s “Zolak & Bertrand” midday program. McKone takes over for Rob “Hardy” Poole, who moved to mornings with Fred Toucher on the station in January 2024. McKone has been a part-time on-air personality at the station since 2013. In addition to co-hosting and providing headlines on all weekday and weekend shows across the station, he has served as studio host for the Celtics and Bruins radio broadcasts.
traded below the $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement for 30 consecutive days and it was being given 180 days to regain compliance. This move gives Beasley another 180 days to come into compliance by having its stock price trade at the $1.00 threshold or above for 10 consecutive days. The company announces that it has notified Nasdaq that it intends to cure its deficiency in satisfying the minimum bid price requirement by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. It would require the approval of current shareholders to do so. A reverse stock split reduces the number of shares in a company, thereby increasing the value of the existing shares.
Time to thank the lawyers in the Donald Trump trial for once again proving beyond any doubt the power of talk radio.