VoodooVision Consumer Study Findings Revealed
NuVoodoo Media Services announces that it is releasing the results of its VoodooVision nationwide consumer study in a series of free webinars this month. The study of more than 5,300 respondents between the ages of 14 and 54 is intended to “guide marketers through the myriad options available in the digital media and audio entertainment space.” NuVooDoo says, “The VoodooVision consumer study findings reveal that despite the steady increase of Internet-connected infotainment systems in vehicles, broadcast radio continues to hold its
own. It remains competitive with podcasts and DSPs (Digital Streaming Providers, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and others) when consumers are in vehicles or public transit during the early morning and late afternoon commutes, and on weekends.” Respondents were asked to select a top preference from a list of audio entertainment choices and their top choices were (for morning commuters), broadcast FM/AM radio with 19% of the sample, followed closely by podcasts, with streaming coming in at third. The study indicates the competition is closer during the late afternoon commute, where podcasts and streaming barely eclipse radio as the top choice among commuters at 15% vs. 14% of the sample, respectively. And radio remains competitive as an audio entertainment favorite among listeners on the go during the weekend, sharing the top spot with DSP’s and eking ahead of podcasts. You can register now for one of the two remaining webinars here.
positions in audio, and involves personalized conversations with a vast network of high-level radio executives and experts to help advance a career within the radio/audio industry. Dowdy is a regional content director who works with nine Townsquare Media markets in the Southeastern United States. During her career she’s also been a morning show co-host, award-winning news reporter, brand manager, promotions director, and midday host. MIW board president Ruth Presslaff says, “This year we had more applicants and more high-quality applicants than ever before. Meg’s dedication to her future, to the business and to paying her success forward was very impressive. We can’t wait to start working with her.”
top-ranked program, including production, affiliate sales, marketing and staff management.” Premiere Networks EVP of affiliate sales Peter Tripi says, “Eric is a key member of ‘The Sean Hannity Show’ team, and his leadership and collaboration with our affiliate partners have been instrumental in the program’s continued growth and success. I couldn’t be happier to recognize his efforts with this well-deserved 
promotion.” Prior to joining Premiere when the company began syndicating “The Sean Hannity Show” in 2009, Stanger served as director of talk programming at ABC Radio Networks. He’s also previously served as APD at KABC, Los Angeles as well as at WABC, New York, and at Westwood One as executive producer of “The Tom Leykis Show.” Stanger first joined forces with Hannity during his time at WGST Atlanta, where he served as producer of “The Sean Hannity Show.” Stanger comments, “I want to thank Peter Tripi, Julie Talbott, Sean Hannity, and our amazing studio team. It’s an honor and inspiration to work with this group of radio professionals every day – they are the best of the best!”
since the first special dividend was paid in 2012. The board also adopts a new variable dividend policy for the allocation of cash flows aligned with the company’s goals of maintaining a strong balance sheet, increasing cash returns to shareholders, and continuing to grow the company through strategic acquisitions. Under the new policy, in addition to any quarterly and special dividends paid, the company will declare an additional dividend in the second quarter of each year of 70% of the preceding year’s annual Free 
Cash Flow, as reported in the company’s fourth quarter earnings release, net of acquisitions, special and quarterly dividends, debt paydowns and debt issuance costs, and stock buybacks. Saga president and CEO Christopher Forgy states, “We are very pleased that our strong capital position and operating performance allowed us to declare another regular quarterly cash dividend and a special cash dividend. We are excited to continue our commitment to provide a meaningful cash return to our shareholders through the declarations of these dividends. In addition, we have made tremendous progress during what has been a period of transition for our board of directors and executive management team. Our sustained financial strength has put us in a position to meet operational goals and to support efforts to return value to our shareholders. The cash dividends announced today, along with the new variable dividend policy, express the confidence of our board of directors and executive management team in Saga’s future.”
Television Bureau of Advertising; Rush Limbaugh, radio host and political commentator, deceased, award accepted by his widow Kathryn Limbaugh; Debra O’Connell, president, networks, The Walt Disney Company; Deborah Parenti, president/publisher, Radio Ink/RBR+TVBR; and Heidi Raphael, chief communications officer, Beasley Media Group. The Broadcasters Foundation will also present the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award during the Breakfast. That honoree will be announced shortly. The Broadcasters Foundation Breakfast is complimentary to all in broadcasting. Registration is required, call 212-373-8250 or email 
Go? Lessons from a Common-Sense Billionaire (Matt Holt, 2023), in which he reveals how his instincts and common sense propelled him to massive business success. In the book, Catsimatidis shares his dynamic story, from his beginnings in the grocery business to entering the political arena, including a New York City mayoral campaign. He says, “The American dream doesn’t come with an instruction manual – or even a sign to let you know when you’ve arrived at the finish line. I’m far from finished. Buying WABC and launching Red Apple Media and the Red Apple Audio Networks has been a dream come true. I wrote How Far Do You Want to Go? to help others with an entrepreneurial spirit achieve success.”
informative discussions aimed at aspiring podcasters in the Black community. The festival will be hosted by Charlamagne Tha God and “Carefully Reckless” host and comedian Jess Hilarious. Charlamagne Tha God says, “In 2023, Black creators are at the forefront of a movement reverberating across today’s cultural landscape, and we’re excited to bring this to life for the community at The Black Effect Podcast Festival in Atlanta this spring. With this festival we want to inspire and uplift new and aspiring podcasters while also showcasing the incredible voices on The Black Effect Podcast Network.”
#2 (77,602 AAS), and Audacy at #3 (58,527 AAS). Other commercial broadcasters making the top 30 include Cumulus Streaming Network at #4 (40,999 AAS), Beasley Broadcasting Corporate at #6 (18,862 AAS), Hubbard Broadcasting at #8 (14,792 AAS), Urban One at #11 (9,601 AAS), and Salem Communications at #12 (8,244 AAS). 
Growing up in a small town, “word of mouth” was the most powerful form of advertising. It could make – or break – a business. Malcolm Gladwell’s important Tipping Point book explained that movements, pandemics, and other things that “catch on” do so because of the influence of “connectors” – people who are asked for their opinion. Today, the media world likes to call them “influencers.”
Local news sponsorship is an opportunity to “fish for whales,” institutional advertisers who can associate with something special. And, well-done, local news sure is special, because:
How might we better serve you in the future? How would you rate our service?
January 2023 PPM Data – Information for the January 2023 survey period has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
was given a second chance when his old friend WWE Hall of Fame legend “Diamond” Dallas Page challenged him to compete again in the field he worked so hard to enter for years… by getting back in the “squared circle” at age 50. Doctor Asa re-trained this past year with Dusty Rhodes’ son, Cody Rhodes, who is set to go against Roman Reigns for the undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania in Hollywood, California on April 1 and 2. In signing with Impact Wrestling, one of the top three wrestling promotions in America, Doctor Asa has taken on the role as head of medical and sports performance for the company. His new title? “Doctor Asa, Ringside Physician.” TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison, an avid fan of wrestling, boxing and MMA, says, “Don’t be surprised if the doctor in scrubs sitting at ringside doesn’t wind up in the midst of the action should things get out of hand.”
on stories from the Globe’s newsroom, offering a deeper dive of major news, politics, business, and entertainment stories and how they impact New Englanders.” Boston Globe Media CEO Linda Henry adds, “We are continuously improving the ways that we deliver vital news and information to our community and are excited to build a television show that will bring the Globe’s award-winning journalism to a broader 
audience. ‘Boston Globe Today’ reflects our commitment to serve our community, invest in local journalism, and for Boston Globe Media to be an innovative news leader.” The program will be hosted by national media personality Segun Oduolowu and will air from a new, state-of-the-art broadcast studio in The Boston Globe’s downtown newsroom. It will focus on news Monday through Thursday and devote Friday to sports. On Friday, Globe sports columnist Christopher Gasper will anchor. Oduolowu comments, “I’m thrilled to join the ‘Boston Globe Today’ team, working on this exciting collaboration between the Globe and NESN. I look forward to diving into the stories affecting this historic city and New England at large, drawing on the considerable talents of the Globe newsroom.”
AM, Corpus Christi; KLOO-AM/FM, Corvallis, Oregon; WWNR-AM/FM, Beckley, West Virginia; WIZM-AM/FM, La Crosse, Wisconsin; KSYL-AM/FM, Alexandria, Louisiana; KCLV-AM, Clovis, New Mexico; KNUA-AM/FM, Salina, Kansas; KOFI-AM/FM, Kalispell, Montana; WZNU-AM/FM, St. George, Utah; WGEZ-AM/FM, Beloit, Wisconsin. The “Good Day” show is part of the USA Radio network and is built as a morning show that can be time-shifted for use in all dayparts.
advertising, she co-founded and co-owned Daynet Radio Broadcasting in the early 1990s with the late Barry Farber and Alan Colmes. Daynet was one of the early independent networks established in the modern era of talk radio that had a significant influence on the business models of many syndication firms that followed it. Its initial talent roster included Farber, Colmes, Dr. Joy Browne and several other high-profile figures. Greenwald was also a theater producer on and off-Broadway, and owned theaters in New York and London. She was a member of the Lotos Club, Harmonie Club and the Friar’s Club, where she co-founded the “Gift of Laughter” philanthropy for wounded warriors. She was predeceased by her former husband James L. Greenwald, chairman emeritus of Katz Media Group. A memorial service is being planned. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ASPCA.
full year of 2021. For the full year of 2022, Cumulus’ broadcast radio revenue was basically flat (-0.1%) at $709.6 million and its digital revenue was $142.3 million, an increase of 12.2%. Breaking down the broadcast radio segment, spot revenue was $479.8 million – up 4.9% over 2021 – but network revenue was off 9% for the year at $229.7 million. Cumulus president and CEO Mary G. Berner says, “Despite considerable economic turbulence, we delivered fourth quarter financial performance in the upper half of our guidance range, continuing a multi-year period of significant accomplishments. Operating through a series of difficult macroeconomic environments, including the pandemic, we successfully executed a strategic plan under which we developed and drove new areas of growth, right sized the balance sheet, improved the company’s operating leverage and returned capital to shareholders. As a result, we have delivered consistent revenue growth, built several digital businesses to a $150+ million revenue run-rate, reduced our net leverage to its lowest level in more than a decade, and boosted our liquidity to give ourselves optionality regarding capital allocation.” Looking ahead to 2023, we continue to face substantial economic headwinds. However, our battle-tested skill in performing during challenging times, as well as our very strong financial position, gives us substantial confidence in our ability to not only weather this depressed ad environment but take full advantage of opportunities that may arise over the coming quarters.”
eliminating filled positions, we are talking about our colleagues – people whose skills, spirit and talents help make NPR what it is today. This will be a major loss.” The story goes on to state, “On an annual budget of roughly $300 million, Lansing says, revenues are likely to fall short by close to $30 million, although that gap could reach $32 million.” Folkenflik notes, “The layoffs are in keeping with an increasingly grim landscape for media companies over recent months. Vox Media cut jobs by 7%; Gannett and Spotify by 6%. The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, eliminated its Sunday magazine and a handful of other jobs. After becoming part of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN cut hundreds of jobs and killed off its brand-new streaming service, CNN+.” 
of our programs.” The officer roles are: Annie Howell, chair, chief communications officer, Hallmark Media; Katina Arnold, incoming/vice chair, vice president, communications, ESPN; Heather Cohen, immediate past chair, EVP, The Weiss Agency; Brenda Hetrick, treasurer, president, Matrix Solutions; and Monica Bloom, treasurer-elect, VP of marketing for First Look Media. New directors serving on the board are: Cori Abraham, SVP, Entertainment Unscripted Development, Crime and Documentary Development, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming; Jayne Bussman-Wise, creator acquisition & growth, Amazon AMP; and Chesley Maddox-Dorsey, CEO, American Urban Radio Networks. The following leaders will continue serving on the AWM Foundation Board of Directors: Tim Clarke, SVP, digital audio content, Audacy; Vicki Lins, president and CEO, CTAM; Mike McVay, president, McVay Media; Deborah Parenti, publisher, Radio Ink, RBR, and TVBR; Josie Thomas, former EVP, chief diversity and inclusion officer, CBS (Retired); and Christine Travaglini, president, Katz Radio Group.
recognize social impact work across the globe. A noted civil rights attorney, Martin is also president and CEO of Special Needs Network, Inc, a nonprofit organization that responds to the crisis of autism and other developmental disabilities in underserved communities. She says, “Giving birth should be safe and joyous for everyone, but Black women are more than three times likely to die from childbirth than white women. We are thrilled to have our episode on ‘Black Maternal Health’ win Silver in competition of the 2nd Annual Anthem Awards. ‘The Special Report’ production team has spent countless hours producing powerful programming that spotlights social injustice in America to encourage social and systemic change. Every day at the Special Needs Network in Los Angeles, we live the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. This award recognizes our work.”
Herman says, “We’re delighted to have such prestigious presenters at this year’s Golden Mike Award dinner. We’re looking forward to Rosanna and Jeff’s contributions to our program and thank them for lending us their time and talent, as broadcasters come together to honor Jack and Dick.” BFoA president Tim McCarthy adds, “The Golden Mike Award gala is one of our biggest fundraisers. We’ve seen an incredible uptick in requests for aid, and we thank everyone who has bought a table or ticket. The funds allow the Foundation to continue providing aid to hard-working individuals in our industry who have fallen on very challenging times due to illness or disaster.” For more information or to reserve a seat or table at the Golden Mike Award gala and fundraiser, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or 
January 2023 PPM Data – Information for the January 2023 ratings period has been released for New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; San Francisco; Dallas; Houston; Atlanta; Philadelphia; Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario; San Jose; and Middlesex-Somerset-Union.
Catsimatidis on his nationally syndicated Sunday morning program, “The Cats Roundtable.” Catsimatidis says, “I’ve known Rita Cosby for many years and have always deeply admired her incredible journalistic skills. She knows how to ask the right questions so that we can find and reveal the truth on every story. She’s a tremendous broadcaster and I’m delighted she is joining me.” Cosby comments, “I’m beyond thrilled to be working with iconic John Catsimatidis, one of the most accomplished and dynamic business leaders in America. This fast-paced show will look at all sides of the stories that have great impact on New Yorkers, our country, and the world. It’s a journalist’s dream to join John and his great team.”