Industry News

Thom Hartmann is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

WYD Media syndicated multi-platform talk show host, Thom Hartmann is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” For the past couple of decades, the commercial sector of news/talk radio has been dominated by conservative hosts (while public radio has been the bastion of liberal ideology). Of course, this is not a hard and fast rule – there have been a number of notable exceptions. Thom Hartmann is one of the leading examples of a progressive talk radio host operating successfully within the commercial arena. Year after year, going back well over a decade-and-a-half, TALKERS has ranked this political thought leader among the top 10 in its annual list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts In America – the Heavy Hundred. Hartmann is also the prolific author of more than 35 books on politics, the environment and social issues. He puts out a daily multi-distribution point program heard on commercial broadcast radio, non-commercial public radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, streaming services, mobile app, cable radio and subscription and ad-supported podcasts. The show is also seen on Free Speech TV, and YouTube. Harrison and Hartmann discuss a variety of modern media-related issues and phenomena including the host’s liberal perspective on the current blockbuster Donald Trump indictment drama. Not to be missed. Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.

Industry News

Wayne Allyn Root Publishes New Book

Las Vegas-based, nationally syndicated talk radio host Wayne Allyn Root has published his latest book titled, The Great Patriot BUY-cott Book. Root says, “Our nation is headed for a ‘National Divorce.’ That phrase was my original idea for over two years now on my national radio and TV shows. Then Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene picked it up and ran with my idea.” Root says the idea is to build a “parallel conservative patriot economy” consisting of conservative-owned businesses and his book lays out the plan. Root adds, “My co-author Nicky Billou (an Iranian immigrant) and our team of researchers spent over a year researching and identifying the 123 most patriotic companies in America to buy from and to invest your savings and retirement accounts in (some are publicly traded).”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (3/21) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The potential indictment of former President Donald Trump in the Stormy Daniels hush money matter and Trump’s call to his base to protest; the sniping between former President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis; the U.S. economy, the Fed’s interest rate hikes, and the aftermath of the failure of Silicon Valley Bank; Xi Jinping’s trip to Russia to meet with Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit with Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine; the latest climate change report issued Monday concluding the planet is on pace for severe damage as a result of rising temperatures; the legal battle between Dominion Voting Systems and FOX News in the former’s $1.6 billion suit against the media outlet; and high winds and rain hit Southern California as the 12th atmospheric river hits the region were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (3/20) Top News Talk Media Stories

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s investigation into former President Donald Trump’s alleged hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels and his likely indictment; the latest climate change report issued Monday concludes the planet is on pace for severe damage as a result of rising temperatures; China’s Xi Jinping visits Vladimir Putin for the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; the aftermath of the Silicon Valley Bank failure and concerns about global banking troubles; Wyoming outlaws the abortion pill; the 20th anniversary of the Iraq War; and Miami Beach struggles with crowds and violence during Spring Break were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

KBLA Talk 1580 Founder Tavis Smiley to Be Honored

Prolific author and veteran talk media purveyor of current events with a focus on African American perspectives, Tavis Smiley, has been selected by the TALKERS editorial board to be the 2023 recipient of the highly prestigious Gene Burns Memorial Award for Freedom of Speech. The award is presented each year to a talk media practitioner whose work sets an example for the exercise and preservation of the First Amendment. Smiley, who has hosted shows on a diverse array of platforms such as BET, CNN, ABC, PBS, KABC Radio, and KGFJ Radio among others, joins such former recipient of the award as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’ Reilly, Mark Levin, Michael Savage, Glenn Beck, Bob Grant, Thom Hartmann, Alan Colmes, Joe Madison, Karen Hunter, Al Franken, Brian Lamb, Norm Pattiz, Ian Freeman and others dating back to the origins of TALKERS in the late 1980s. Some 21 months ago, Smiley’s media company acquired an AM radio station in Los Angeles, the former hip hop legend KDAY, and transformed it into a new station and format – KBLA Talk 1580 – where he’s assembled an outstanding on-air staff, including himself, with the passionate mission of, as he puts it, “unapologetically serving people of color and who are politically progressive.” In making the announcement of this year’s recipient, TALKERS founder Michael Harrison states, “This is our longest-running and most-important award. Mr. Smiley has risen to the enormous talk radio challenge of providing underserved African Americans and progressives with a major commercial platform in the nation’s second largest market with a worldwide reach. In today’s political environment and struggling AM radio industry, it doesn’t get any more ‘First Amendment’ than that.” Tavis Smiley will be presented the award at the forthcoming TALKERS 2023 convention on Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island where he will be one of 60 talk media luminaries scheduled to speak.  For more information about TALKERS 2023, see the story below. 

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Who? When?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care? YES.

— Myth: Call letters are less important in PPM markets than in diary markets, where that diary is a memory test.

— Fact: Call letters and timechecks are MORE important in metered markets, because there aren’t enough meters. Every…single…one…matters a LOT. And awareness drives use.

Sure, listeners wear watches, and tote smartphones, and there’s a clock in the dashboard. We’re not timechecking because they don’t know.

— Timechecks help make the station habit-forming. They teach listeners what-we-do-when.

— Timechecks imply that busy people (the ones advertisers want as customers) will be on-time if they listen. “WINS News Time…” on New York’s iconic All-News station sets a tempo.

— And timechecks are local information. Syndicated hosts forced to say “[minutes] before the hour” remind us that they’re somewhere else.

Graphics - Logo

In its 1960s Top 40 heyday, WABC’s promos boasted that more people listened every week “than any other station in North America!” And shortly before his untimely death, retired PD Rick Sklar told me the simple secret of his success.

— He compared the Arbitron ratings diary to “that little blue book you got in school when there was a quiz. There are two questions on the quiz: What did you listen to? And when did you listen?”

— Back then, most stations used turntables, but WABC already played music on carts. And right there, at the end of the song, there was a WABC jingle, and an ear-splitting “DING!” because timechecks were “WABC Chime-Time.”

— So “we gave them the answers to the quiz,” by DJ-proofing the station. Even if the jock was going song-to-song, he had to jump-in and timecheck.

And you are…?

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author of the E-book and FREE on-air radio features “Inflation Hacks: Save Those Benjamins;” and “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 Views

Pending Business: The News Cycle

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

Photography - BroadcastingIt is an unpredictable thing, this news cycle that drives the headlines.

One day we’re talking about the shortcomings in the American banking system, the next day we’re talking about the ramifications of criminally indicting a past president of the United States. Will somebody please grab a copy of the Constitution? We may need a panel of experts to talk us through what this all means to those of us paying crazy prices for eggs.

The news cycle is spinning faster these days and your news/talk programming should prove to be the go-to source to take a short break from March Madness and slow the news cycle down. Please do not be sidetracked about selling through the negativity that may accompany many of these story lines. As a seller or sales manager, your singular objective is to connect the value of an engaged audience to match your advertiser’s goals, moving the sales process to a natural, positive conclusion. In plain English, stay focused on the goal and close your deals. Let’s review some basics.

— Complex issues are nothing new. Your tenured talk radio hosts have built their careers by helping loyal listeners gain a better understanding of the headlines driving the news cycle.

— Loyalty is the key. Like it or not, criminally indicting a former president of the United States has never happened before. It is complicated to say the least and your audience will trust your on-air talents to present the facts, opinions, and discussion. What does it all mean to me? The audience has been here before and chances are your on-air talent has delivered the clarity and focus they needed when it counted the most.

— Community check-in. Talk radio is the #1 source for your audience to get a better feel for how the community is reacting. That electronic, now digital water cooler is in overdrive. What is everyone thinking?

— The unfolding drama. Let’s face it, we all have an opinion and we all enjoy speculating on what’s next. Talk radio is the perfect forum where your audience will weigh in every day.

When your talk show hosts are front and center, doing what they do best in a meaningful and entertaining way, your advertisers experience the benefits of what only your great talk radio hosts can deliver.

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

Greg Chance Named SVP/Programming for iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia announces that Greg Chance is named SVP of programming for Des Moines, St. Louis, Indianapolis and the North Dakota Area, effective immediately. This group of markets includes more than 20 stations. Chance returns to the radio business and iHeartMedia after having most recently served as vice president for Diamond Oil.  Chance says, “I am profoundly humbled that iHeart would allow me this opportunity. I look forward to reuniting with my past colleagues and meeting new colleagues in the immediate future. This gives me a sense of peace and I’m extremely flattered and grateful. I look forward to diving back into all of these brands and vetting all the new ones. To say that I am excited to return, would be an understatement.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

The aftermath of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the state of the global banking system; Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s case against former President Donald Trump in the Stormy Daniels matter and Trump’s suggestion his supporters “take to the streets” in protest; Wyoming outlaws the abortion pill; the GOP race for the nomination in ’24; Vladimir Putin visits Mariupol, Ukraine as the Russian invasion continues; China’s Xi Jinping travels to Moscow to visit Putin for the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; and the first rounds of the NCAA basketball tournaments were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of March 13-17

The failure of Silicon Valley Bank, the issue of banking regulations, and concerns about bank security came together as the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the state of the U.S. economy and the related policies of the Federal Reserve, followed by the U.S. drone downed by Russia over the Black Sea and the related Russia-Ukraine war 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 magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry Views

According to Research…

By Walter Sabo
Consultant, Sabo Media
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Radio Host, Sterling on Sunday

Oh, excuse me, hold on. Here it is! The hourly report from quasi research companies or real research companies like Nielsen declaring that radio is just fine, thank you! Massive surveys (choose one) reveal that radio works! Radio appeals to younger demos! Radio moves product! Radio has more listeners in AM drive than the “Tonight Show” has viewers! A landslide of data proves that after 100 years of success, radio is a viable medium.

Crazy stuff.

As both a radio executive and host, I don’t need to know that radio works. I see the sales results from your show and from “Sterling On Sunday.” No advertiser gives us money for the heck of it. The checks clear; there’s your proof. The research that is desperately needed would support innovative, disruptive programming. Radio will grow its place in American media by surprising listeners with new formats, new forms of presentation and things that are… new.

Radio exists today because of innovations like Top 40! Urban! Progressive Rock! AOR! Modern Country! FM Talk! and The Seven-Second Delay!

Today, however, there is nothing harder than selling a radio executive a new idea. Any new idea. It is hard for a very good reason. Radio stations are major investments and failure is expensive. In 1977, the most expensive radio stations in history sold for $11 million. (WMAL/WRQX-FM, Washington DC.) In absolute dollars, experimentation was a minor financial risk. Risk would be manageable if owners had sophisticated research tools to test new ideas.

State-of-the-art new product research is required to take radio safely onto the golden path to innovation. How’s your research and development budget? Oh.

Each television network invests about $100 million a year in developing and testing new shows. Those networks deploy stunning techniques to find and test new ideas. There will be new formats and techniques when the collective “we” is finally convinced that radio is a success. Then our research investments can be focused on cutting-edge product research tools that can guarantee a successful pilot season and future.

Walter Sabo, consultant, can be contacted at Sabo Media: walter@sabomedia.com. Direct phone: 646-678-1110.  Check out www.waltersterlingshow.com. Meet Walter Sabo at TALKERS 2023 on June 2 at Hofstra University.

Industry News

The Late Jim Bohannon to Be Honored at TALKERS 2023

A decade after receiving the TALKERS Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 installment of the trade journal’s national convention, the late Westwood One syndicated talk radio star Jim Bohannon will again be honored at the annual gathering. The award will be renamed The Jim Bohannon Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement. TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey states, “On behalf of our editorial board, I am pleased to announce that this prestigious award is being named after one of its most beloved and accomplished recipients. Jim’s 60-year career in radio as a DJ, news reporter and then as one of the all-time great talk show hosts was impeccable. He stood tall as a giant among us displaying journalistic integrity, on-the-job dependability, remarkable longevity, stunning talent, and unconditional goodwill to his fellow broadcasters as a mentor and a colleague.” Bohannon passed away on November 12, 2022 after a brave battle with esophageal cancer performing on air as best he could to almost the very end. The award will be presented at the forthcoming TALKERS 2023 on Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University along with The Gene Burns Memorial Award for Freedom of Speech, The Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Woman (Woman of the Year), and The Sharon L. Harrison Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service (Humanitarian of the Year).  The recipients of all four awards will be named within the next few weeks. 

Industry News

ESPN LA Hosts Pickleball Madness Tournament

Good Karma Brands and its Los Angeles sports talk station KSPN-AM “ESPN Los Angeles” are hosting the inaugural Pickleball Madness Tournament on Saturday, March 18 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Agape Pickleball Center. Fans will be able to interact and watch their favorite ESPN LA 710 AM personalities compete as well as have the opportunity to win prizes and giveaways, play pop-a-shot, attend pickleball demos and lessons, hang out in the beer garden, enjoy a live DJ and entertainment, watch college basketball, and more. GKB vice president Sam Pines comments, “We are excited to introduce a new event to the ESPN Los Angeles community and team up with our partners to execute at the highest level. The Pickleball Madness Tournament is a perfect opportunity for ESPN LA fans to connect with our content team and engage in one of the most popular sports in the country. We are looking forward to the event coming to life on March 18.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (3/15) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The aftermath of the Silicon Valley Bank and the efforts to assure Americans about the security if the banking system; the U.S. economy. Fed policy, and concerns about a recession; Russia’s downing of a U.S. drone over the Black Sea and the Russian invasion of Ukraine; the U.S. pushes China to force TikTok sale; Texas Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk hears arguments over the FDA’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone; the ’24 race for the GOP nomination; the 5,000 mile-wide seaweed blob headed to the shores of Florida were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

iHeartMedia Presents 5th Annual iHeartPodcast Awards

Last night (3/14), the 5th annual iHeartPodcast Awards were presented virtually as the ceremony was hosted by actor and comedian Brian Baumgartner. The iHeartMedia-produced awards “brought together the most influential names in podcasting to honor the most entertaining and innovative podcasts of 2022, celebrating the incredible talent and wide variety of leaders across the podcasting industry.” The event was exclusively video streamed on iHeartRadio’s YouTube channel and Facebook page and broadcast across iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app. The winners included: “Las Culturistas” honored with the Podcast of the Year Award presented by Autonomy; FOX Sports Radio personality Colin Cowherd presented the Best Sports Podcast of the Year Award to “The Draymond Green Show”; Angela Yee presented the Audible Audio Pioneer Icon Award to technology journalist and podcaster Kara Swisher;  The New York Times won Best News Podcast for “The Daily”; and “NPR Politics Podcast” was named the Best Politics Podcast.  See all the winners here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (3/14) Top News/Talk Media Stories

A U.S. military drone is knocked out of the sky by a Russian fighter jet over the Black Sea; the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and concerns about regulation and the banking industry; inflation, the state of the U.S. economy, and Fed policy; today’s scheduled arguments in a Texas court over access to the abortion pill; President Joe Biden issues executive order strengthening gun purchase background checks; the Republicans vying for the 2024 GOP nomination for president; Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine; Facebook parent Meta announces layoffs of another 10,000 employees; and the atmospheric river that deluged California and left hundreds of thousands without power & the Nor’easter that dumped snow on the Northeast were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

“92.9 The Game” in Atlanta Unveils New Morning Show

Audacy sports talk outlet WZGC-FM, Atlanta “92.9 The Game” announces the launch of its new “morning sports and lifestyle show” called “The Morning Shift on 92.9 The Game” that stars (pictured from l-r) Tiffany Blackmon, Mike Johnson and Beau Morgan and airs from 6:00 am to 9:00 am. The trio takes over for current morning host John Fricke, who will continue with the station in a new role to be announced at a later date. “92.9 The Game” brand manager Mike Conti says, “Tiffany, Mike and Beau are going to offer a unique combination of perspectives on sports, culture, current events and day-to-day life that our listeners will find to be informative, entertaining and funny. They’ve quickly developed a chemistry that I think will lead to a fast-paced, fun, high-energy show each morning.” Blackmon also serves as a sideline reporter on ESPN’s coverage of college football and the XFL. Johnson played for the Atlanta Falcons for five years and has been working in TV and radio in Birmingham and Atlanta. He’ll also be a part of the Atlanta Falcons Radio Network’s pre- and post-game shows. Morgan is a 15-year veteran of sports radio in Atlanta, most recently as the executive producer of the station’s afternoon drive show, “Dukes and Bell,” and the Atlanta Falcons Radio Network. Along with the new morning show, the station will also launch a new early morning show called, “The Hometown Take,” hosted by morning show producer Dylan Mathews that airs from 5:00 am to 6:00 am.

Industry News

Elizabeth Westfield to Host Radio Health Journal

The public affairs program “Radio Health Journal” has a new host as voice talent Elizabeth Westfield takes over for the retiring Reed Pence. He leaves his role as host of the show after more than three decades. Westfield most recently served with Champaign, Illinois radio company Illini Radio Group voicing commercials and hosting on-air shows. “Radio Health Journal” was launched in 1992 and is distributed by American Urban Radio Networks to more than 630 affiliate stations. AURN says, “The addition of Westfield rings in a new era for the show in that it’s now largely female-led, produced and voiced. With March being Women’s History Month, it’s important to honor the contributions of the countless women across history who’ve fought tirelessly for equal rights and opportunities.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (3/13) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The failure of Silicon Valley Bank, concerns about other banks and the controversy over bank regulation; the government’s inflation report and whether the Fed will hike interest rates or stand pat; U.S.-Mexico border troubles and Texas’ move to create its own border police force; President Joe Biden approves a new oil drilling project in Northern Alaska; the GOP contenders for the ‘24 GOP nomination; Russia’s aggressive assault on eastern Ukraine; China warns U.S. over nuclear sub deal with Australia; former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen set to testify before Manhattan grandy jury investigating the Stormy Daniels hush money allegations; and the atmospheric river dumping more rain on Northern California and the Nor’easter piling snow on the Northeast were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Pending Business: What’s a Sale?

By Steve Lapa
Lapcom Communications Corp
President

Let’s take a lesson from arguably the greatest college basketball coach of all time: John Wooden.

The coach wanted every UCLA player on the same page, so he took time in meetings to explain the proper way to put on those old school basketball socks. You know, the ones that came up to mid-calf, usually double stripped at the top. There was a clear method to Wooden’s genius. Taking meeting time to show budding superstars like Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Bill Walton something so fundamental achieved several goals.

 — Fundamentals count. There is nothing more basic than how to properly put on your socks and mastering the basics wins.

— Short cut the basics and you will suffer. Having worn those socks through thousands of school yard games myself, rush the process and painful blisters follow.

— Every player starts every practice, every game the same way.

Every year I would conduct one sales meeting asking my team to answer the question, “Can you define a sale?” I know, that’s way too basic for sellers earning six figures. It’s an embarrassing waste of time for the tenured sellers who had proven themselves in the field every day. Was I wasting the time of those newer team members who were looking forward to the highest commission rate in the market?

Try it. Chances are you will get so many different answers your sales team will seem like a Cirque du Soleil act.

There IS a simple, legal definition of a sale. It all starts with an “exchange.” Once you dissect the definition and focus on the dynamics of the “exchange” you will understand how and why a sale is a process that needs constant care.

Most sellers and managers move right past that critical dynamic. You know the one that requires confidence from both the buyer and the seller. That one dynamic, the exchange between confident buyer and seller goes back to 1626 when it was rumored Peter Minuit bought Manhattan Island for 60 guilders or $24.

There is something to be said for getting all sellers on the same page by starting with the basics.

John Wooden’s record 11 national championships still stands. I figured if it worked for the greatest college basketball coach of all time, it could work for me. Emphasizing the basics should work for you too!

Enjoy the Madness this March.

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

TJ Dula Named SVP of Sales for iHeartMedia Raleigh

iHeartMedia names TJ Dula SVP of sales for the Raleigh operations, effective immediately. Dula joins the market from the Disney ABC Television Group, where she most recently served as the digital sales director. iHeartMedia Raleigh president Michael Burger says, “We are ecstatic to have TJ join our team in Raleigh. She is an impactful, results-driven leader who has fostered confidence, gained respect and accumulated wins throughout her career. She has vast media experience, and she is as incredible personally as she is professional. We are grateful to bring her onto our team. She will work closely the team and our clients to achieve some incredible feats.”

Industry News

The Weekend’s Top News/Talk Media Stories

The fallout from the failure of Silicon Valley Bank; the attempts by large groups of people to enter the U.S. by overwhelming border guards in El Paso and other border crossing locations; the 2024 presidential race; former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen set to testify before Manhattan grand jury investigating the Stormy Daniels hush money allegations; Russia’s ongoing assault on the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut; the atmospheric river event destined for Northern California that will bring more rain and potential flooding to the region; and Sunday evening’s Academy Awards show were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Monitor: Talk Radio Rises as a New Battleground for Latino Voters

A piece in the Christian Science Monitor by Simon Montlake takes a deep dive into the battle for Hispanic listeners – and voters – on the nation’s radio waves. The recent sale of Univision’s “Radio Mambi” (WAQI-AM, Miami) to George Soros-backed Latino Media Network and that company’s acquisition of other AM signals in Florida, New York, Illinois, Arizona, California, Texas, and Nevada created a stir and cries of “left-wing censorship” from conservatives. The rhetoric surrounding these deals is part and parcel of the politicized nature of media in the modern world. In the piece, Montlake observes, “The $60 million takeover – and the reactions it has sparked – is another flashpoint in the national battle to win over Latino voters, a fast-growing demographic that has long leaned Democratic but has lately grown more receptive to Republicans. So far, most Spanish-language radio in the U.S. has been focused on music and entertainment, not news or commentary. Which in the eyes of many makes it an untapped and lucrative means of political persuasion.” Read the Monitor story here.

Industry News

iHeartPodcast Network to Present Influencer Summit

The iHeartPodcast Network announces what it is calling “an industry-first Influencer Summit where some of the most successful podcast creators will open the mic and teach marketers the art of podcast advertising” on Wednesday, April 26, at the iHeartMedia executive offices in New York City. The company says, “The hands-on educational event will feature diverse podcast authorities such as the wildly popular media personality and founder of The Black Effect Podcast Network, Charlamagne tha God; the woman behind the successful ‘Stuff You Missed in History Class’ podcast, Holly Frey; and esteemed journalist, author and co-founder of Pushkin Industries, Malcolm Gladwell, joined with today’s biggest marketers to explain why podcasting is growing rapidly and how brands need to adapt, invest and create audio advertising that resonates with podcast fans.” iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne says, “Podcasters are the most creative, fastest-growing, diverse wave of influencers to hit content and marketing in years – just as influencer marketing more generally was becoming a key new way to reach audiences. This event came together because our podcast creators are deeply invested in the brands and advertising that become part of their shows, that they asked us to give them a chance to sit down with marketers at scale and talk about what makes host-read creative work. What really differentiates podcasting and our iHeartPodcast Network from other mediums is that creators and fans expect the advertising to be endemic to the shows, often voiced by the hosts and authentic to the listening experience. This is a chance to roll up our sleeves and co-create, collaborate and showcase the simplicity, speed and creative potential of podcasting.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of March 6 – 10

The relations between the U.S., China, and Russia as China threatens the U.S. for trying to “encircle and contain” it while the U.S. watches China cozy up to Vladimir Putin and refuse to condemn Russia’s aggression in Ukraine was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the use of security video from the U.S. Capitol by FOX News personality Tucker Carlson to downplay the events of January 6, followed by the state of the U.S. economy and the Fed’s warning that interest rates will continue to be pushed up at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media this week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.