Industry News

Retired WLW, Cincinnati Icon Jim Scott Announces ALS Diagnosis

In a recent Facebook post retired, longtime WLW, Cincinnati morning host Jim Scott announces that he was diagnosed with ALS a year and a half ago. Scott, who retired in 2015 and is now 80, used the announcement to promote the annual ALS Walk in Cincinnati taking place September 15 in which he’ll participate. He says in the post, “I have had a wonderful life, am still having a wonderful life, and I don’t have any intention of checking out soon. My walking abilities have changed considerably. I now use a cane. I named my cane ‘Abel’ and trusty Abel makes it possible for me to walk without falling, though I’ve done that a few times.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

ABC Audio’s Labor Day weekend special programs include, “What’s Next? Life & Tech,” hosted by ABC News technology reporter Mike Dobuski who explores the role of artificial intelligence and the future of technology and the internet. The program also includes ABC News Radio correspondent Jim Ryan reporting on space travel developments and speaking with astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi and Eric Ingram, the founder and CEO of SCOUT, a U.S.-based company developing orbital products and services.

American Forces Network is moving the talk content it currently airs on radio as AFN PowerTalk to its digital platform AFN Go.

Westwood One is broadcasting the 2023 Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic live from Canton, Ohio, on Sunday (9/3) featuring the Virginia Union University Panthers vs the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers. The team of Troy Clardy, Anthony Herron, and AJ Ross will handle the game broadcast and Scott Graham will host the pregame and halftime coverage live from Westwood One’s studios.

Consulting and research firm Paragon promotes Michelle Conrad to marketing director in which she’ll oversee its marketing and communication efforts. The company also adds Jasper Logan as community engagement consultant.

Industry News

Rick Cummings Retires from Full-Time Post at Emmis Corporation

Related to the story above, 43-year Emmis Corporation programming executive Rick Cummings announces that he’ll retire from full-time employment with the company as of Friday (9/1). He will remain a consultant with Emmis. Cummings was Emmis Broadcasting’s first program director at flagship station WENS-FM, Indianapolisim in 1981. He eventually rose to become president of the radio division in 2002, overseeing more than 20 radio stations. In 2008, he became president of programming for Emmis’ domestic radio group. Cummings comments, “Save my immediate family, nothing has given me more joy in life than working for Jeff (Smulyan) and Emmis. This company has afforded me extraordinary professional and personal opportunities, here and abroad, that no kid from rural Indiana could ever have imagined. I am eternally grateful for this and the future as Emmis allows me to continue in a consulting role. As I told Jeff, ‘I’ll work for you until they carry one of us out!’”

Industry Views

Pending Business: Head Start

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imIt’s time to start planning your holiday strategy.

Wait, what? You have not finished Q3 and here I am pushing Q4?

The fourth quarter is easily the most time consuming, thought provoking, overwhelming mish-mash time of the year for every Baby Boomer and Millennial walking the planet. Especially those of us who earn our keep marketing. The transition window from Q3 to Q4 is the perfect time to lock down your plan and that window is about to open.

Let us review priority planning:

If you sell at the national level, your upfronts are in play and gradually moving to the won-lost report as you juggle and balance your daily avails.

If you sell at the local level here are five thought starters, so start thinking:

— Second Opinions. As we review everything from our insurance, financial, legal and medical needs, everyone can use another set of eyes on the prize. Plans change, laws change, life happens. Suggest messaging that works. Start prospecting now.

— Gift Giving. Last year over $200 billion was spent on the holiday season. Will your audience spend more this year than they did last year? Considering online research is a part of daily life, when do the purchase decisions really begin?

— Politics. You don’t need this column to remind you nearly 13 million watched the debate on August 24. Voters are interested in how this tumultuous political scene will ultimately play out. Politics is big business, and nobody covers it better than talk radio. We are in this window through 2024, get focused on where you need to be.

— Holiday Travel. Just this past week, our family get together was impacted by airline delays, rescheduling, and traffic. Travelers will plan earlier and smarter. You may or may not have contacts at the airlines but consider all the businesses that thrive based on travel and tourism.

— Weather. Is there a market that is immune? From hurricanes and wildfires to snowstorms and floods, weather is a factor that can impact your business flow in both a positive and negative way. As we say here in Florida, Be Prepared!

I am guessing you have thought about everything you’ve just read. I never assume the gap from thinking to doing happens. You know what they say about assuming…

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 Views

Emotional Is Local

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

imMentioning a local street name won’t do it. Constant local references is not LOCAL LIVE, it’s a GOOGLE MAP!

For years, as VP/GM of the ABC Radio Networks, I explained to affiliates that, yes, our six network services were in fact local programming – local to a demographic.  The networks reached specific demographics and therefore were local to the heart and soul of a specific listener. (Yes, this usually worked!)

Today, true local programming hits an emotional moment in the day of the listener.  For example, by far the most topic response from listeners on “Sterling on Sunday” is to stories about my sister-in-law. The premise of these stories is that your sister-in-law controls your marriage. I share the horrors of life with my sister-in-law. The email, phone and Facebook response from listeners is stunning.

The greatest response to any host is when a listener is compelled to say “YES!” within the solitude of their car. That emotional response comes when a host shares their personal feelings, life events and experiences. It rarely comes from an interesting observation about today’s editorial page. Let me suggest that it NEVER comes from an interesting observation about today’s editorial page.

Bonding emotions are the result of a host’s personal, intimate revelations

Sharing personal, intimate emotions are pre-emptive. While other hosts may duplicate endless, dreary, old age attracting rants against Democrats, no two hosts have the same emotional life-events.

Mother-in-law, kid, marriage, sex, personal impact stories are singular, unique and MEMORABLE. Listeners return to hosts who tell personal, emotional stories. They want to hear what happens next, they remember the last host revelation and anticipate the next. Many radio stars share their personal stories every single day like Howard Stern and Elvis Duran.

Shared emotional appeal transcends demographics and geography. Emotions are universal and the foundation of a unique hit show.

Walter Sabo is Walter Sterling. Host of the hit Talk Media Network syndicated show “Sterling on Sunday. LIVE 10PM-1AM EST. Heard live 10:00 pm – 1:00 am live on affiliates KMOX, WPHT, KDKA, KMBZ-FM; and dozens more. Contact Walter at Walter@sabomedia.com, 646.678.1110. www.waltersterlingshow.com

Industry News

Scott Stanford Named Morning Anchor at WINS, New York

New York City news pro Scott Stanford is named morning drive co-anchor at Audacy’s all-news WINS-AM/FM, alongside Susan Richard. WINS brand manager Ivan Lee says, “As we continue to reshape mornings on WINS, we’re delighted to welcome Scott Stanford into the mix. His impressive resume and wealth of experienceim in this market will undoubtedly enhance our commitment to delivering top-notch news coverage and engaging content to our listeners every morning.” Stanford, who is currently co-hosting “The Suki & Scott Show” on Gannett’s USA Today Network, begins his new role on September 5. He comments, “Like most life-long New Yorkers, my Dad was always listening to 1010 WINS in the car when I was a kid. As an adult, WINS has been my go-to station for news, traffic and weather. As a New York broadcaster, it’s an honor to now be one of the morning voices on this legendary station.” Stanford served as PIX11 morning show co-host from 2013 to 2019. He’s also served as sports anchor at NBC4-NY, UPN9-NY, WCBS 880, CBS Sports HQ and Boxing30 on YES.

Industry News

Michael Harrison Discusses AI as Used to Create Stunning Images on New Gunhill Road Video

The historic rock band Gunhill Road, of which TALKERS founder Michael Harrison is a member, has just released a new advance track from its forthcoming fifth album. The song, “I Got a Line in New York City,” is a genre-bending combination of jazz, rock, and blues with a Broadway flair. Harrison serves as lead vocalist on the song which he co-wrote with his bandmates Steve Goldrich, Paul Reisch and Brian Koonin. Further energized by its provocative music video, “I Got a Line in New York City” is slightly abstract and even mystical – while, simultaneously, heart-tugging and down-to-earth. The engaging narrative puts an ultra-modern-but-somewhat-retro twist on the classic story of a young person (Brando Young) whose lifelong dream of making it on the stage is dashed by the cold, harsh reality of the big time. HERE’S THE HOOK: The visual images that bring stunning dimension to the video were created by human artists – under the direction of the video’s producer, TALKERS associate publisher Matthew B. Harrison – tapping into the assistance of leading-edge generative AI on every panel. Michael Harrison states, “The experience of employing the assistance of ‘generative artificial intelligence’ to render these images of an ‘alternate universe’ version of the Big Apple, sprinkled with bizarre characters and weird technology, has been one of the most exciting, challenging, and educational experiences of my media career. I’m thrilled to be able to go out there now and talk about life-changing AI with this knowledge under my belt.” Harrison is embarking on a mini-media tour to discuss the AI aspect of the video and the sociological implications of this game changer.  To arrange a phone interview with Michael Harrison please call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413 or email info@talkers.com.  To view the video, please click here: www.igotaline.com

Industry News

Georgia Expert and Heavy Hundred Host Martha Zoller Available as Guest to Share Ground Level Insight to Trump Indictment

TALKERS magazine’s recipient of the 2023 Woman of the Year award, Martha Zoller, is making herself available to her talk radio colleagues to serve as a “go to” on-air resource to illuminate the historic indictment of former President Donald Trump and 18 of his associates on the charge of election tampering in the state of Georgia. Zoller is heard daily on the North Georgia radio powerhouse WDUN-AM/FM based in Gainesville. She is a former Republican candidate for Congress in Georgia’s 9th district and made it to a runoff. After graduatingim in 1979 from the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism from the prestigious Grady School of Journalism, she worked in the corporate world and met a payroll. She is a wife, mother and a grandmother. She’s stayed at home and juggled children and working priorities. She says there is no glass ceiling and women can have it all, just not at the same time. A life-long learner, she completed her MA in Political Science in 2021 at the University of Georgia’s School of Politics and International Affairs. Her thesis was on women’s electoral success in the GOP. During her formidable broadcasting career in the Peach State, she has pivoted between holding positions on key talk stations and performing stints in politics and the public sector. These include being state director of field offices for Governor Brian Kemp. She’s also worked for Senator David Perdue in senior staff positions. In addition to her daily duties at WDUN, Zoller serves on the Georgia State Board of Education. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison says, “Martha Zoller is a perfect ‘go-to’ guest to discuss the Georgia Trump indictment. She’s an independent Republican and moderate conservative without an ax to grind. I have always found her to be an extremely credible source for political discussion of the hot issues – now with the Trump Georgia story boiling on the front burner, she is a talk show treasure for her industry colleagues.” To arrange an interview or set up a connection with Martha Zoller, contact Victoria Jones at DC Radio Company at 917-865-3991 or victoria@dcradiocompany.com.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Entitled? Or Enabling?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imThose are the two consultant buzzwords that hosts I coach are hearing in their sleep. And a couple more “E” words: Empathy and Empower.

“The Greatest Generation” led the way

My dad spent 3+ years half a world away during World War II and when he and the rest of “our boys” came marching home, the world we grew up in was set in motion. After all the sacrifices those years asked, life was good again, better than ever for my parents, children of the Great Depression.

Our grandfatherly president – a war hero general – built us an Interstate Highway System, and Dinah Shore sang, “See the USA in a Chevrolet.” The G.I. Bill helped vets through college, and low-interest mortgages fueled a housing boom. Life was good in the leafy cul de sac, where 78.3 million people my age were born. 65-some million of us are still around, wearing progressive lenses and comfortable shoes, insured by Medicare and collecting Social Security.

im

Now, it’s our turn

Like that two-front war we survived in the 1940s, we are again doubly challenged.

  • COVID knocked the world off-balance. Those now indignantly second-guessing a better-safe-than-sorry shutdown don’t seem to recall freezer trucks as makeshift morgues. We chuckle as Zoom tells workers to come back to the office, but labor unions are flexing their muscle in this full employment economy. That’ll happen when a virus subtracts a million Americans WHILE Boomers retire, and others reassess and subsist on the gig economy. The New Normal isn’t.
  • Anger as the new joy. And it’s not all Trump’s fault. He didn’t invent grievance and resentment. He just made it popular; and soreheads one-up each other in social media that seems like consequence-free venting, until the next gun nut opens fire.

Listeners are wondering “What NEXT???”

Eggs are down, gas is up again (since last month, though down almost 20% in a year). Tornadoes, floods, scorching heat, baseball-size hail, devastating wildfires… all of which raise prices. We shoot down China’s spy balloon, and their (and Russia’s) war ships loiter off Alaska. Trump! Hunter! 2024! After all the fuss about vaccines, polio resurfaces in New York and leprosy (!) cases are rising in Florida. No wonder Barbie is breaking box office records.

Is the appeal of solutions not obvious? More useful than argument? While everyone is coping, are we offering noise? Or news-you-can-use?

I’m cautioning any talker willing to listen… to listen. “Enabling” dialogue is the-opposite-of “entitled” monologue. Empower listeners, by letting them weigh-in. Empower them with access to guests whose advice they value. Three-way talk like that enables them (and enables them to quote you).

Your empathy is a gift.

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Spot-On: Commercial Copy Points That Earned The Benjamins,” a FREE download; and “Multiply Your Podcast Subscribers, Without Buying Clicks,” available from Talkers books. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Industry News

PodcastOne and Comedian Brendan Schaub Strike Distribution Deal

PodcastOne announces it obtains the exclusive network distribution and advertising sales rights to comedian Brendan Schaub’s network of podcasts including “The Schaub Show,” “The Fighter and The Kid,” and “Theim Golden Hour.” Schaub’s signature podcast, “The Fighter and The Kid,” is a weekly show hosted by the comedian and former professional UFC fighter and co-hosted by actor and comedian, Bryan Callen. “The Schaub Show,” explores the intersection of combat sports and life in and outside the sport. “The Golden Hour” is a weekly look at all of the most relevant cultural and social topics driving conversations in America. Schaub is joined on each show by a rotating collection of top-tier comedians who stop by to share their thoughts on everything from top trending news and engaging fan submitted videos.

Industry News

NHPR Names Leah Todd Lin VP Audience Strategy

New Hampshire Public Radio announces that Leah Todd Lin joins the public media firm as vice president for audience strategy. In this role, she will manage and lead efforts across the organization to reach and build newim audiences and deepen NHPR’s relationship with existing users. She will supervise NHPR’s digital team, programming team, and marketing efforts. Lin comments, “I’m thrilled to join this ambitious team to lead audience strategy at NHPR. I deeply believe in the mission of public media and am passionate about journalism as a means to inform communities, spark civic engagement and enrich our quality of life.” She most recently served with Solutions Journalism Network in which she worked with newsrooms across the US managing editorial and audience engagement initiatives as collaborations manager.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Audacy announces the debut of “Glitter and Might,” a four-part Audacy original documentary podcast series exploring the life and legacy of Hollywood legend Lew Wasserman. Hosting the podcast is film historian and best-selling author Shawn Levy, who looks at the career of a power broker uniquely positioned at the intersection of show business and politics and dissects how his impact continues to be felt today.

Positive Life Radio says its listeners once again stepped up to feed hungry people across the Northwest with the Hands and Heart: Christmas in July Food Drive. The 24th annual event saw listeners and volunteers collect more than 12,000 pounds of food and cash donations for local food banks at several locations from Portland, Oregon, to Lewiston, Idaho. Positive Life Radio is a non-profit Christian radio network is based in Walla Walla, Washington.

Industry News

SiriusXM’s Joe Madison to Be Honored by the ASALH

Talk host Joe Madison – heard daily in morning drive on SiriusXM’s Urban View channel – is being honored withim the Council Award of Special Recognition from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History(ASALH). ASALH was founded in 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson to document the contributions of African Americans to American history. The award will be presented at the 108th Annual Conference in Jacksonville on September 23.

Industry News

NAB Sides with Canadian Broadcasters in Meta News Blocking

The National Association of Broadcasters, in response to Meta blocking news on Facebook and Instagram for Canadian users after the passage of Canada’s Online News Act, joins the Canadian Association of Broadcasters in decrying the move. NAB president Curtis LeGeyt and CAB president Kevin Desjardins say in a joint statement, “As national associations representing broadcasters in the U.S. and Canada, the Nationalim Association of Broadcasters and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters strongly urge lawmakers to support legislation that enables news providers to negotiate with dominant digital platforms for fair terms and conditions when our content appears on their platforms. Meta – a nearly trillion-dollar company – repeatedly chooses to restrict news content for its users to avoid compensating news producers for the value it gains on their vital journalism. These retaliatory tactics demonstrate Meta’s monopolistic dominance over the advertising marketplace and its ability to dictate how radio and TV broadcasters, newspapers and others can reach audiences online. Rather than working to ensure its users have access to trusted news and information, Meta is holding news content on its platform hostage. Policymakers should not reward Meta’s coercive behavior. At a time when misinformation, disinformation and AI-generated content proliferate online, the future of democracy relies on the accessibility of fact-based, trustworthy journalism.”

Industry News

iHeartPodcasts Unveils Podcast Series About Key Iran-Contra Figure

iHeartPodcasts is debuting a nine-part podcast series titled, “Journalista,” the true story of Courtney “Cookie” Hood, a former model and the ex-wife of a Colombian drug cartel kingpin, who was hired to manage the CBS field office in Nicaragua during the civil war in the 1980s. “What starts as another big party for her, ends up beingim the history making adventure of a lifetime, blowing the lid off the Iran-Contra scandal and almost taking down the Reagan presidency.”  Former New York Times bureau chief Stephen Kinzer states, “During the 1980s and 1990s, Cookie Hood was the single driving force behind the most successful television coverage of Central America that appeared across the United States. ‘Journalista’ is a series of stories over four decades in the making and will entrance each listener to the realities of what really happened during that time.”

Industry News

Dr. Asa Andrew To Present at the 2023 Pro Football Hall Of Fame

Talk media personality Dr. Asa Andrew will be presenting this year at the annual 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fameim weekend on behalf of the NFL Alumni Health. A special panel has been put together that will be led and moderated by Doctor Asa on the topics of mental health, performance, imlongevity, and living a healthier lifestyle. In partnership with Hall of Fame legend Ray Lewis, Doctor Asa will be leading some powerful fireside chats with some of the all-time NFL greats, including Emmitt Smith, Terrell Owens, Warren Sapp, and more. Doctor Asa says, “It’s an honor to be invited to speak at such a prestigious event. Being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is the league’s highest honor. It means that these champions used their natural talent, overcame tremendous adversity, and found a way to win in every area of life.” Hall of Fame weekend takes place August 4-6 in Canton, Ohio. 

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Do You Still Have the Dream?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imFellow longtime, long-ago DJs: You know what I’m talking about. And it’s a life sentence, eh?

Like The Manchurian Candidate…or Jason Bourne…we share a recurring nightmare. But in our case, the dread is fear of dead air.

You’re on-air, alone in the building, late at night, as studio equipment starts failing, one device at a time. Then the phone.

Computers? I was of the vinyl and tape era, but if you jocked later on, that early Scott Studios screen locks-up. As does the other computer. So, you can’t just…read things.

im

 

The only thing that works is the microphone. And as you vamp, desperately…the reverb seems to be getting deeper…

It could be worse. You’re not on TV.

As one of our colleagues recommended here a couple weeks ago: “Prep like the phone is broken.”

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of “Spot-On: Commercial Copy Points That Earned The Benjamins,” a FREE download; and the E-book and FREE on-air radio features “Inflation Hacks: Save Those Benjamins;” and Multiply Your Podcast Subscribers, Without Buying Clicks,” available from Talkers books. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke

Industry News

Premiere and Patty Steele Launch New Podcast

Premiere Networks and award-winning broadcast radio star Patty Steele announce the launch of “The Backstory with Patty Steele” podcast. The program features Steele as she “enlightens and entertains listeners with a journey through pivotal moments in history and pop culture.” Some of the stories include a look at theim world-famous architect and the mass murders that took place at his home; how bathing suits went from 30 pounds of wet wool to the thong; the original Olympics with athletes competing completely in the nude; and an iconic inventor who actually stole his masterpiece. Steele says, “My fascination with these kinds of stories is all about a fun peek behind the curtain of what we think we know about famous folks, events and lifestyles. When we discover these incredible backstories, it’s a blast worth repeating to friends! I look forward to helping listeners deepen their connection to the past, so we can understand how we got to the present, and how to better map out our future.”

Industry Views

Pending Business: Pulling the Rug Out from Under

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

imWhen was the last time you went shopping for a quality living room rug? Not an oriental, because that is just too easy. We’re talking high quality living room rug that will blend in and stand the test of time… and the dog. Next to fighting with a credit card company, it’s the worst shopping experience ever.

Try this at home when you have nothing better to do. Chances are you want to find the rug of your dreams, so you check out the major department stores. Up the escalator, walk through home furnishings and an employee may or may not be available. Most likely not, so you head to an adjacent department, and someone sends someone who barely knows the product and selection.

This scenario is repeated at most major department stores today, so off we go to our favorite furniture store where rugs are an accessory, like belts in the men’s store. No go here. Time to head over to the carpet, tile, and rug store.

Employees here are a bit more available and knowledgeable, but the quality and selection are just not quite right. Time for the expensive specialty store where expertise and service are #1 and so is price. $10,000 for that!

Time for the online experience to take over with countless purchase options, reviews, and confusing virtual reality options. This is getting painful. The attempted purchase is frozen in frustration. What does this have to do with what we do? Live and learn.

— Are you always available for your advertisers? When business is soft you lob in a mandatory attempt and move on. When business is through the roof, are you quick to return a call or open a new door?

— Do you simply walk through the same motions, or reflect the energy and enthusiasm of an exciting program lineup? Think of the rug seller, flipping through those rugs. Boring!

— Do you earn the price or just blame the boss? Since day one, some sellers find it easier to blame the boss instead of earning the value proposition.

— Are your advertisers frozen in frustration? Feel free to use the phrase that pays. Defrost that frozen decision maker before your competitor does.

A great program director once told me, the best on-air talents observe life with a pad and pen. Their notes come to life when the mic goes on. The same is true for great sellers and managers. Every purchase experience can improve your next call.

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

On-Air Schedule Tweaks at “97.1 The Freak” in Dallas

According to a report in the Dallas Morning News, new program director Dominic “Zakk” Zaccagnini has put into effect some changes to the program lineup at iHeartMedia‘s sports/hot talk KEGL-FM, Dallas “91.7 The Freak,” effective today (7/24). Personalities Danny Balis and Mike Sirois move from the afternoon drive show to the morningim drive program alongside Kevin “KT” Turner and takes on “The Downbeat” as its name. Jeff Cavanaugh and Julie Dobbs move from the morning daypart to afternoons alongside Mike Rhyner for “The Speakeasy” program. The show times are altered by an hour with the morning program airing from 6:00 am to 10:00 am, the midday “Ben and Skin” show airing from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, followed by the afternoon show airing from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Zaccagnini tells the Dallas Morning News, “The catalyst for this change was to make a better fit for our same staff to further excel in a weekday lineup that best suits their professional and personal lifestyles.” Read the full story here.

Industry News

Cumulus Media Promotes Ann Thomas to Program Director for WJR, Detroit

Cumulus Media announces that it is promoting Ann Thomas to program director for heritage news/talk outlet WJR, Detroit. The company says that Thomas becomes the first female program director in the station’s 101-year history. She rises from her previous role as assistant program director and executive producer. Thomas started at WJR as an intern in 1982 and was then hired full-time as producer of a WJR program called, “The Other Side of the News.” She went on to become a WJR news reporter and anchor, winning several Associated Press, United Press International, and Detroit Press Club awards for Breaking News and Auto Negotiations. In 1999, Thomas was named executive producer of the “Paul W. Smith Show.” Thomas also produced the WJR-MSU tailgate shows for 15 years from 2006-2021. She has hosted WJR programs including “The Healthy Woman Show,” “Opportunity Detroit,” “The WJR Gardening Show,” and “Women Who Lead,” which she launched 11 years ago to highlight Michigan women from all walks of life doing great things in the community. Cumulus Media RVP and market manager Steve Finateri says, “Ann Thomas is the heart and soul of WJR and has been deserving of this move for a very long time. Her fingerprints are already all over this heritage, award-winning radio station, but we are all excited to see what the future holds with Ann in the driver’s seat!” At the same time, Cumulus promotes Mike Wheeler from WJR PD to operations manager for Cumulus Detroit/Ann Arbor. In the newly created position, Wheeler will manage operations for the company’s four Detroit stations and four Ann Arbor stations.

Industry News

Salem Media Group Unveils “Retire Repurposed” Podcast

Salem Media Group announces the launch of the podcast show “Retire Repurposed” on Salemim-owned SeniorResource.com. Salems says, “‘Retire Repurposed’ challenges the notion that imretirement is simply an end to one’s working life. Instead, it’s an opportunity to repurpose one’s skills, passions, and experiences in a way that can impact the world in a meaningful way.” The program is hosted by Ben Taatjes and Jerrid Sebesta, who add, “The two most dangerous years of a person’s life are the year they were born and the year they retire. That’s why ‘Retire Repurposed’ aims to provide practical advice and inspiration to help listeners navigate this important life transition.”

Industry News

Tim Wenger Leading Audacy’s Buffalo Stations

Audacy promotes Tim Wenger to SVP and market manager of its Buffalo market. In this role, Wenger will oversee the market’s portfolio of stations that includes news/talk WBEN-AM, sports talkers WGR-AM and WWKB-AM, plus three music brands. Wenger is taking over for Tim Holly who recently announced his retirement. Wenger worked his way up to this role from the programming side of the business. He launched his radio career as a news reporter and anchor at WBEN in 1986. He subsequently rose to news director, program director and brand manager/operations director for the spoken-word stations. Wenger is a recent inductee into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Audacy regional president Mark Hannon states, “Tim has been a leading presence in our building for nearly 40 years, and it seems only fitting that he now takes over the reins of the market. He has intimate knowledge of our local brands, and I can think of no one better to pick up the mantle from Tim Holly and lead us into the future.” Wenger comments, “As a lifelong Buffalonian, it’s surreal to be assuming the leadership role for Audacy Buffalo’s group of stations. The unique content and personalities on the brands, combined with strong client and sports play-by-play partnerships, positions Audacy for growth and success in Buffalo.”

Industry News

“The Ramsey Show” Moves to Live Airing on Florida’s “The Shepherd”

MARC Media Group announces that it is adding “The Ramsey Show” to its religious talk format “The Shepherd” that airs on WIWA-AM, Orlando; WTMN-AM/W242CS, Gainesville; and WRZN-AM/W278CI, Ocala/The Villages in Florida. MARC says, “For live ‘tough love’ personal finance advice, America has long tuned to Dave Ramsey,im who is considered the top personal finance guru in the country. But here in Central Florida, loyal listeners had to wait for rebroadcasts of the program late into the night. That changed this week when ‘The Ramsey Show’ began airing live weekday afternoons on ‘The Shepherd’ radio stations.” MARC chief revenue officer Scott Miller comments, “We couldn’t wait to bring ‘The Ramsey Show’ live to our Florida listeners. This is not just talk radio, it’s life changing. What more important message could we bring to our growing base of listeners than live financial peace based on The Greatest Book of All?”

Industry Views

Speaking the Conversation of the Listener

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

In the strum and dirge of daily radio life, it is easy to forget the mad skills required to do what we do. Consider the TV sitcom. 22 minutes of content, 22 times a year. The cast ad libs – nothing! Between eight and 11 writers scribe every word. Hair, makeup… handled by others! A donut run? No, there’s the crafts services table that will make you, the star, whatever you want any time you want it. Hot? A production assistant sprays mint scented water on you.

How’s your day? You or your on-air talent create a three- or four- or perhaps even five-hour show out of thin – or should I say rarefied – air! Writers? You mean that kid who has to go to class at 11? Production? Sure, as soon as the spots for the weekend are cut. Food? Ya got quarters?

You are a miracle of creativity, ambition and sheer talent. Reward? The company wants to cut your live read fees and could you help out in sales? As a point of reference, when Dr. Ruth Westheimer killed in the ratings at WYNY, we gave her a Seville.

GOOD NEWS. You can fix this. Talk radio is the last frontier of free form radio. Fact is you can do whatever you want.

Most talk shows and stations peaked about six years ago. The audience is not growing, it’s not attracted to talk radio’s offerings of endless political theory. So, stop.

What works? Take a look at the ratings of KMBZ-FM Kansas City; KFGO, Fargo; KFBK, Sacramento; WABC, New York’s Frank Morano; WTAM, Cleveland’s Bill Wills; WLW, Cincinnati; KFI, Los Angeles; KDKA, Pittsburgh’s midday. (I will now be flooded with other examples but listen to those stations.) Hosting a network radio show, “Sterling On Sunday,” I have learned what those audio outlets exemplify works!

Talk about your day. Talk about what two best friends would discuss over a quick lunch. The topics that generate ratings are not always the “hot talk radio topics.” The list that works reads like this, try it:

— Trouble with the in-laws.

— Is “Storage Wars” fake?

— Tip at the drive-thru?

— Cell phone for a 10-year-old?

— Married? Is texting cheating?

— How can I do less and earn more?

— Yes, it was a controlled demolition.

— Taylor Swift bi? Harry Styles bi?

— Are you kidding? Women ARE in charge!

— Turn on the AC, shut the damn window.

The power of the mirror. When the radio speaks the conversation of the listener, the ratings go up. Guaranteed.

Walter Sabo was the youngest executive vice president in the history of NBC. The youngest VP in the history of ABC. He was a consultant to RKO General longer than Bill Drake. Walter was the in-house consultant to Sirius for eight years. He has never written a resume. Contact him at walter@sabomedia.com. or mobile 646-678-1110. Hear Walter Sterling at www.waltersterlingshow.com.