TALKERS to Serve as Presenting Sponsor of IBSNYC 2025 Conference and Co-locate Innovative “GENERATIONS 2025” at March Event
TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison has announced (1/22) the launch of a new and innovative industry conference – “GENERATIONS 2025” – that will be co-located at the forthcoming Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) national convention – IBSNYC 2025 – set for Friday and Saturday March 7-8 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. The four-hour TALKERS event will take place between 12:30 pm and 4:30
pm on Saturday, March 8 in the heart of the iconic IBS gathering. It will feature an array of six sessions with 16+ luminary industry speakers (to be named shortly) including a keynote address, fireside chat, and four panel discussions that will tackle such topics as “Launching and Managing a Career in a Changing Media Industry,” “Old School, New School, Next School: Learning from Each Other,” “Radio’s Place in a Digital World,” “Finding and Delivering Truth in an Age of Misinformation,” and much more. TALKERS will also serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the entire IBSNYC 2025 event.
In making the announcement Harrison states, “If this great institution of radio is to survive, let alone thrive in the brave new world ahead, it must meet the challenge of connecting with young broadcasters and listeners… and it needs to do it without hesitation. 2025 will be a pivotal year for radio of all formats – especially our bailiwick of talk radio and talk media – on air and online. There is no radio arena featuring such a massive concentration of young broadcasters and listeners alike as that found in the nation’s college radio community.” Harrison adds, “TALKERS is proud to also serve as the IBS convention’s official 2025 Presenting Sponsor as a show of support and recognition of the organization’s great work and importance. We will live up to the theme of this debut event: ‘Old School, New School, Next School: Learning from Each Other.’ That will be a major take away – as well as the suggestion that the time has come for all broadcasters to begin thinking like entrepreneurs!”
The TALKERS “GENERATIONS 2025” segment of the larger IBS conference will be open to all IBSNYC 2025 registrants who will receive the benefits of its notably reasonable rates to attend the conference and reserve rooms at the hotel. But it is important to move quickly on this while the discounts are still available. For up-to-date information, please click HERE.
For further information about “GENERATIONS 2025” including sponsorship opportunities, please call 413-565-5413 or email info@talkers.com.
A series of new studies from Advertiser Perceptions reveals national marketers are increasingly confident in the economy, will advertise more, and anticipate new product launches at record levels. Each month, Advertiser Perceptions, a leader in providing research-based strategic market intelligence for the advertising and ad tech industries, surveys 300 executives involved in media brand selection decisions who will spend a minimum of 1 million dollars in ad spend over the next 12 months. This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog outlines the key findings, examining the outlook national marketers have on the economy:
As the excitement builds for Super Bowl LIX, Audacy has positioned itself to be the “go-to audio home” for football fans nationwide. With flagship stations 96.5 The Fan (KFNZ-FM) in Kansas City and Sports Radio 94WIP (WIP-FM) in Philadelphia, the company is set to provide fans with in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and live play-by-play coverage of the big game on February 9. Additionally, six Audacy sports stations and Audacy’s newly launched BetMGM Network will broadcast live from the radio row, to provide listeners the latest updates, expert insights, and exclusive interviews throughout Super Bowl week. And with Westwood One’s national broadcast on 20 Audacy sports stations, the plan is for fans across the country not to miss a moment. Audacy tells TALKERS, “Whether on the air or on the free Audacy app, listeners can tune in for every snap, every score, and every story leading up to and following Super Bowl LIX.” Please click 
local show was set to be a celebration of the station’s 34th anniversary – marking the day that Zwerling took ownership of the 10k flame thrower at 1080 AM and launched its news/talk format back on February 1, 1991. Zwerling was taking calls from listeners offering congratulations and sharing memories of the station over the years. One of KSCO’s regular callers, “Dave,” took a different course and went off on a political tirade that triggered an emotionally charged negative response from Zwerling resulting in one of the most dramatic live “meltdowns” captured on-air in recent memory. Zwerling’s co-host Amy Hoa had to calm Zwerling down telling him that his blood pressure was rising to a dangerous level. The listener, who was obviously a regular caller to the station was forever banned from appearing on the station again. Warning, the clip contains salty language that might be offensive to some. 
from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. In 2022, the Lutzes moved to the 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm slot to better accommodate their schedules. Bob Lutz is the founder and executive director of the League 42 baseball league that serves inner city and low-income youths, and Jeff Lutz is a full-time digital producer at KWCH-TV, Wichita. In late 2024, KFH notified the duo that it wanted to move the syndicated Jim Rome show into their time slot and move them to the 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm slot. The two tried to produce the show earlier in the day to air at 5:00 but Bob Lutz tells the Eagle that not speaking live with callers took the fun out of the show. 
The final opportunity to submit entries for the milestone 
Bonneville Phoenix announced 1/30 that longtime employee Erin Maloney has been named program director at Arizona Sports 98.7 (KMVP-FM) and ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM). “From starting as an intern in 2012 and growing into leadership roles throughout her career, no one is more passionate about our sports brands than Erin,” said Bonneville Phoenix SVP/MM Ryan Hatch. “She is so well respected by everyone in the market, and we are very excited for her to take this next step.” “I’m truly honored to step into the role of program director of Arizona Sports,” said Maloney.
“Working alongside the best in the business is not just a privilege, it’s a dream come true. I look forward to leading an exceptional team of talented individuals who consistently set the standard for excellence in the industry and taking Arizona Sports to new heights.” Maloney most recently served as APD and will replace programming veteran Brian Long who recently returned to Southern California to be with his family and program iHeart’s KFI AM 640, as well as KLAC-AM and KEIB-AM. Arizona Sports is the flagship station for the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona State University football and basketball.
SmileyAudioMedia, Inc. announced today (1/31) that its flagship Los Angeles-based radio station, KBLA Talk 1580, will launch year two of its Climate Justice work. This $2 million, 12-month campaign will link and combat the relationship between climate change and poor health outcomes for African Americans, other people of color, and the poor. The campaign was recently named a national semifinalist for the American Climate Leadership Awards 2025 by ecoAmerica. Climate inequities have taken a toll with multiple health triggers in the Black community, such as extreme heat and poor air quality, made worse by the recent wildfires.
Harrison as “one of the most dynamic and effective radio managers in America” – has served as president of WABC Radio, Red Apple Media Group, and the Red Apple Audio Network since the iconic AM station was acquired and expanded five years ago by New York-based billionaire businessman / talk show host / philanthropist John Catsimatidis. Since then, the station and its associated media group have shown explosive growth that has grabbed the attention and respect of the national broadcasting industry. Prior to joining Red Apple, Lopez had already achieved notable recognition for his leadership as VP/MM of Cumulus New York and before that as GSM of CBS Radio New York. The Fireside Chat will be one of the highlights of the innovative four-hour TALKERS event on Saturday, March 8 that will be co-located with the national Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) conference March 7-8 at the Sheraton New York Times Square hotel. More speakers will be announced next week. For more information about the event including discount conference registration and room registrations, please see the story immediately below.
of 2025 beginning February 1 through March 31. Radio HoF co-chairman Dennis Green says, “We look forward to hearing from people across the country to advance names of outstanding broadcasters worthy of Hall of Fame recognition. 2025 marks the 37th year of bestowing the honor of Radio Hall of Fame induction on those who left an indelible mark and had a lasting impact on the radio industry.” The 2025 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held in Chicago on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
It says, “BIA will share radio ad forecasts to offer a clearer picture of what’s in store this year and which verticals are ready to spend in 2025. The advertising landscape keeps shifting, and we’re here to make sense of it all.” 
indelible mark on the industry, growing Audacy from a few small radio stations into a scaled multi-platform audio content and entertainment powerhouse. He has built a great company with leading positions across the country’s largest markets and an outstanding portfolio of exclusive, premium audio content. Under David’s dedicated leadership, Audacy has been positioned for longterm success, and we look forward to working with Kelli and the entire team as the company begins its next exciting chapter.” In a statement, Field says, “Since I joined Audacy, then Entercom, we have grown from $10 million in revenues with ten niche radio stations into a $1.2 billion, multi-platform audio leader with one of the country’s two scaled radio broadcast groups, one of the largest podcast networks and the unrivaled top position in sports audio. Audacy recently completed a very successful 2024, delivering industry-leading EBITDA growth of more than 70% through the third quarter and significant revenue share gains across our radio and digital businesses. With the company in a strong competitive and financial position, now is the optimal time to pass the baton to new leadership. I am deeply proud of our extraordinary team and everything we have accomplished for our listeners, customers, partners, and communities. The company is in great hands, and I look forward to seeing the next chapter of Audacy’s success.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital media, creators often walk a fine line between inspiration and infringement. The 2015 case of “Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc.” offers a cautionary tale for anyone producing reaction videos or commentary-based content: fair use is not a free pass, and transformation is key.
Spadea – morning drive host at WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” – and his employer Townsquare Media created an illegal “shadow campaign.” The complaint says Townsquare used radio, social media and public events to promote Spadea’s campaign thereby providing him with “hundreds of thousands of dollars” worth of advertising. Ciattarelli is asking the Commission to deny Spadea’s campaign access to matching public funds and to fine Townsquare for the campaign violations. Spadea’s campaign says the complaint is baseless and that it has complied with election law throughout his campaign. 
African Americans across U.S. history and society. Red Apple Audio Networks air personalities Dominic Carter and James Golden, a.k.a Bo Snerdley anchor the stories about notable black figures from activists and civil rights pioneers to entertainers, politicians, scientists, and athletes who broke through racial barriers including: Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King Jr,Malcom X, Rosa Parks, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Portier, Muddy Waters, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson,Kobe Bryant, Clifton Wharton, and more. The RAAN Black History Month Vignettes are available to radio stations for download upon request by contacting the network