David Field Exits Audacy CEO Role
Audacy, Inc. announces that David J. Field is stepping down as president and CEO of the company and is leaving his seat on the board of directors. Named interim president and CEO is current board member Kelli Turner. The board will conduct a search for a permanent CEO. Meanwhile, Field will serve as a special advisor to the CEO and the board. Audacy board chairman Michael Del Nin states, “David has left an
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.”
managed Cumulus’ Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana stations. Welling takes over for the retiring Chris Monk. Cumulus president of operations Bob Walker says, “We are thankful to Chris for the strong foundation he has built for our clusters in Flint and Saginaw and wish him all the best in his retirement. As we look to the future, we are excited to welcome Cody back to Cumulus to take our powerful brands to the next level. Cody is a passionate broadcaster who is dedicated to helping local businesses connect with our audiences and fully leverage the opportunities our traditional and digital assets provide.”
1,250 startups at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from February 23 – 26. Sessions at the event will feature iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group CEO Conal Byrne, as well as iHeartPodcasts talent including Malcolm Gladwell, Jay Shetty, David Eagleman, and Jonathan Strickland. Additionally, as part of the partnership, Web Summit Qatar will introduce the iHeart Podcast Creator Studio, featuring an on-site iHeartPodcasts Recording Studio and attendee lounge for live show taping on the showroom floor.
Whitepaper: The Extraordinary Cost of Dull,” the analysis notes that 1) Neutrality, the absence of emotion, is the most common reaction to ads; 2) Business-to-business ads are even duller with greater neutral “feeling nothing” responses; and 3) 
international nonprofit relief organization Foor for the Poor’s podcast, “Beyond the Plate.” Gallagher is feted for the philanthropic spirit and the millions of dollars raised by him and his listeners – inspired by his late wife, Denise. Salem Radio Network VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup states, “In addition to being one of America’s best talk show hosts, Mike Gallagher is literally second to none in tapping the generosity of his nationwide audience in fighting hunger and malnutrition by generating donations to nonprofits like Food for the Poor.” 
advertising and marketing solutions to their expansive customer base, which importantly exists in markets that do not compete with ours. Our expertise is coaching and training high-performing broadcast sales teams to leverage our proprietary programmatic advertising platform and data-driven insights to deliver exceptional results for their clients. By sharing our proven strategies and dynamic approach, we look forward to helping Steel City strengthen their digital capabilities, driving growth and measurable success for their clients.” Steel City Media vice president Michael Frischling comments, “We are excited to partner with Townsquare Ignite in both of our markets. Townsquare has the best digital solutions in the radio industry and a proven track record of delivering great results to clients.”
Don McLean recalls the newspaper headline on February 3, 1959: “Three Rock’n’roll Stars Killed in Plane Crash.” He says, “I cried,” telling AARP Magazine that, years later, “I had my tape machine on, and this song just came out of me: ‘A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile…’”
(distributed by Premiere Networks) which runs two hours per day, five days per week on stations across the nation, is one of the most innovative and well-received syndicated talk radio shows (as well as podcasts) to come down the pike in many years. It is described by Habeeb as follows: “There’s no debate or opinion. No 
politics. No news. Just stories that bring people together around common values, themes, and the founding principles and ideals of our nation. Stories that create a space for listeners to escape the news and noise of the day and be moved and informed. To listen and learn.” Habeeb’s talk show credentials are formidable. He co-founded Laura Ingraham’s national radio show in 2001, moved to Salem Media in 2008 as VP of content, and launched “Our American Stories” in 2016. He’s a University of Virginia Law School graduate, a Newsweek essayist, and lives in Oxford, Mississippi with his wife Valerie and daughter Reagan. He is currently ranked #11 on the TALKERS “Heavy Hundred” list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America. Harrison and Habeeb engage in an illuminating conversation about the importance of history and the power of storytelling. Don’t miss this! 
Saturdays, and spotlights the latest news and political headlines and stories, with a special focus on the Trump administration’s policies and agenda. Ferguson says, 
iHeartMedia announced today (1/17) that Joyce Wirthlin has been named market president for Salt Lake City, effective immediately. iHeartMedia Salt Lake City is home to six iconic stations featuring music, talk, and news formats on both broadcast and digital platforms. In her new role, Wirthlin will oversee all aspects of operations in Salt Lake City, including sales, promotions and programming. She will report to Nick Gnau, division president for iHeartMedia. “I am very excited to have Joyce leading this team in Salt Lake City. Since the day I started working with Joyce, I was impressed with her leadership, the culture she has built with her team and the deep knowledge of the market. I have no doubt that she will propel this team to the next level!” Gnau tells TALKERS. Wirthlin joined the company in 1998 as VP of Sales. Over the years, she advanced within the organization. Most recently she served as the SVP of sales, where she played a pivotal role shaping sales strategies, fostering team development and strengthening the company’s presence in the market. “I am deeply honored to be appointed market president of iHeartMedia Salt Lake City and grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this exceptional team,” said Wirthlin. “The people here are the core of our success. Together, we are eager to build upon our achievements and continue to shape the future of media in Salt Lake City.
The “Inauguration: 2025” special is available to radio stations for download upon request. Stations may contact: 
The extended deadline is February 6, 2025, while the regular deadline, with no additional fee, is January 30, 2025. The Gracie Awards, presented by AWMF, has recognized programming and individual excellence by women across all media for five decades. A full list of the categories, including new categories for 2025 can be found HERE. The Gracie Awards Gala will be May 20 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire hotel and the Gracie Awards Luncheon will be held on June 18 at Cipriani 42nd Street, New York. The 2025 Gracie Awards entry eligibility air dates are from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Entry details, including pricing and updated categories, can be viewed at 
Newsweek has added 660 AM The Answer (KSKY) in Dallas as an affiliate for its conservative syndicated program, “The Josh Hammer Show.” Hammer is Newsweek‘s senior editor-at-large. The one-hour weekly show, which began as a podcast, will air on the Salem station Saturdays at 7:00 pm.
Brian Lawlor, president, Scripps Sports, has been named the recipient of the Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) 2025 Golden Mic Award, to be presented at the annual black-tie fundraiser on Monday, March 10 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
The BFOA is the only charity devoted exclusively to helping broadcasters in need from illness or tragedy…..
Veteran broadcaster Michelle Jerson‘s weekly one-hour travel/parenting program “Passport Mommy” has been added to WPHT,Philadelphia on Saturdays at 12:00 noon. The informational and entertaining show is distributed by Radio America.Stations interested can contact Jennifer Dedes at Radio America: jdedes@radioameria.com…..iHeartMedia announced (1/13) the latest podcast programming for iHeart Women’s Sports. Eight new shows will launch on the network in early 2025 featuring renowned female athletes like Ashlyn Harris, Mel Reid, Lexie Brown and more. The new expanded lineup further emphasizes iHeartMedia’s stated commitment to bringing equitable media coverage to women’s sports…..TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison is available to do interviews on talk shows across the nation to discuss the latest music video release by Gunhill Road (the perennial pop music ensemble in which he is a member) – an anthemic tribute to talk radio – which has been gathering tens of thousands of views and downloads around the globe. Harrison talks about the state of talk radio in 2025 and its continuing importance as a vital communications/cultural venue. Harrison can be reached via email at info@talkers.com. To view the video, please click 
FOX News Media (FNM) will unveil a series of programming changes across FOX News Channel (FNC) and FOX Business Network (FBN), announced FNM CEO Suzanne Scott. Beginning on January 21, FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Will Cain will take over the 4 PM/ET weekday timeslot on FNC with “The Will Cain Show.” FOX News contributor Charlie Hurt will replace Cain as co-host of “FOX & Friends Weekend” beginning January 18. “The Fox Report” and “The Big Weekend Show” will both expand to two hours on Saturdays and Sundays also starting on January 18. Additionally, FBN’s Dagen McDowell will join “The Big Money Show” which will expand from 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm ET on weekdays beginning on January 27 while she also continues to co-host “The Bottom Line” (6:00 – 7:00 pm ET). In making the announcement, Scott said, “As the media landscape continues to evolve, we are always looking to innovate our programming lineup to meet the needs of our viewers, and we are confident the new lineup will best position FOX News Media for the future. Will Cain brings years of experience to the 4:00 pm hour as an accomplished broadcaster and a lawyer and we look forward to adding his insights to what will no doubt be another historic news cycle ahead this year.”
Cain added, “It has been an honor to wake up with America these past four years and I am thrilled to apply my background in news, law, entertainment and business to help our viewers better understand the headlines through thought-provoking content and analysis every weekday afternoon.”
David Chadwick, senior pastor of Moments of Hope Church and host of “The David Chadwick Show,” one of WBT’s longest-running local programs, reflects, “In 2020, amidst the Covid crisis, Bo Thompson, Pat McCrory and I were talking in the studio at WBT and asking, ‘What can we do to help those in need?’ I knew that Moments of Hope Church had a generous congregation, and I recognized the incredible reach of WBT’s 50,000-watt mic. That conversation sparked the idea of a matching gift from MOHC and WBT to ask its listeners to match the gift during the Christmas season. Since then, the partnership between MOHC, WBT, and all the WBT personalities has raised over $1 million to help feed children in the Charlotte area and, this past year, to help rebuild the lives of victims of hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. It has been an honor to use the gifts that God has given both organizations to help and serve others in need. It truly is more blessed to give than to receive.” 
WBT program director, Mike Schaefer, adds: “WBT’s commitment to ‘Lead Local’ goes beyond delivering news and information. For nearly 103 years, this station has been woven into the fabric of Charlotte, and helping those in need is at the core of our mission. Partnering with David and his congregation to serve the most vulnerable among us aligns perfectly with our mission.” Radio One Charlotte and Richmond RVP/GM, Marsha Landess echoed these sentiments: “We are proud to use the WBT platform to support the incredible work that David and his congregation have done. Since 2020, this partnership has demonstrated the power of community, especially in a crisis like Hurricane Helene. Raising over $1M for those in need is a testament to what we can achieve together. We are grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community we are so proud to be a part of.” The David Chadwick Show airs Sundays from 8:00 am – 9:00 am on WBT, further underscoring the potential productivity of local weekend programming.
As President-elect Donald J. Trump continues to raise the possibility of annexing or buying Greenland for strategic military purposes (yesterday’s number one talk topic), Salem Radio Network host Charlie Kirk (above, right) is accompanying the President-elect’s son Donald Trump, Jr. (above, left) on a fact-finding trip to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Kirk – whose Turning Point action organization mobilized to turn out conservative voters last November – is credited within Trump circles with helping move the needle for GOP victory in key battleground states including Arizona and Wisconsin.
iHeartMedia St. Louis and Indianapolis announced (1/7) a leadership transition as seasoned media veteran, John Beck, serving as market and area president for nearly four years, embarks on the next chapter of his career. “I want to sincerely thank all of my colleagues, St. Louis and Indy leaders, and iHeart corporate leadership for giving me a chance to make a difference in St. Louis and Indianapolis,” Beck tells TALKERS. “It has been an amazing four years full of accomplishments. I will truly miss working with my iHeart family. I will now have more time to devote to my own family, consulting business, legislative advocacy and the various charities civic organizations that mean so much to me.” John Karpinski, division president, iHeartMedia adds, “We are deeply grateful for John’s remarkable contributions to iHeartMedia. His leadership has boosted ratings, enhanced our culture and improved revenue in both St. Louis and Indianapolis. He has also been a fierce advocate for the entire radio industry, championing our cause in state capitals and Washington, D.C. We appreciate all he has done for us and his communities.” Following a distinguished broadcasting career with more than 40 years of radio industry experience, Beck will continue operating his media consulting service, John Beck Media Strategies. He will also remain a trustee of the National Association of Broadcasters Political Action Committee (NABPAC), Legislative Chair of the Missouri Broadcasters Association, along with other charitable and civic involvements. No replacement has been named for Beck as of press time.
FOX Sports Radio Features Live Broadcast from Orange Bowl. FOX Sports Radio’s “Two Pros and Cup of Joe” with (pictured above l-r) Brady Quinn, LaVar Arrington and Jonas Knox will broadcast live from Fort Lauderdale, beginning this morning (1/8), as part of the network’s coverage of the Orange Bowl featuring a matchup between Quinn’s alma mater Notre Dame and Arrington’s alma mater Penn State tomorrow (1/9). 
With a spot in the National Championship on the line for the Fighting Irish and Nittany Lions, “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe” will bring all the excitement before, during and after the game as the show broadcasts live from 6:00 am – 9:00 am ET at Le Meridien Dania Beach, the media hotel for the game, from January 8 – 10, 2025. “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe” featuring Quinn – former Notre Dame Quarterback who set 36 single-season and career records, and was a first-round draft pick; LaVar Arrington – College Football Hall of Famer, three-time Pro Bowl Linebacker and No. 2 overall draft pick; and sports radio veteran Jonas Knox is available nationwide on more than 380 stations, in addition to FOX Sports Radio’s channel on iHeartRadio and www.FOXSportsRadio.com.
iHeartMedia, the and the National Football League (NFL) today (1/8) announced an extension to the exclusive partnership that first launched the 
The long-running, liberty-based syndicated show “ArmedAmericanRadio” and its sister property “AARDailyDefense,” owned and hosted by one of the nation’s leading Second Amendment advocates, Mark Walters, continues to add affiliates. Walters kicks off 2025 on a roll with new affiliates: KLID-AM, Poplar Bluff, MO; WBNR, Beacon, NY; WKDP-AM Corbin/Lexington, KY; WKDP-FM, Corbin/Lexington KY; KOMY-AM, Santa Cruz, CA; WLNA-AM, Peekskill, NY; WAJZ-FM, Albany, NY; and WGHQ-AM, Poughkeepsie, NY. Walters, among his many civic activities, is on the Board of Directors of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Audacy has named (1/6) Ryan Cooley Senior Vice President and Market Manager of its Portland, OR market. In this role, Cooley will oversee the market’s portfolio of brands including 1080 The Fan (KFXX-AM), 92.3 KGON (KGON-FM), ESPN 910 (KMTT-AM), 94/7 Alternative Portland (KNRK-FM), Bella 105 (KRSK-FM), 99.5 The Wolf (KWJJ-FM), 97.1 Charlie (KYCH-FM), CHANNEL Q (KRSK-HD2) and 94/7 Too (KNRK-HD2). “Ryan’s leadership, extensive broadcast experience and love for the Portland community make him a valuable asset to the market,” said Doug Abernethy, regional president, Audacy. “We look forward to seeing him take on this new role and guide the Portland team to achieve even greater success.” “I’m honored to be named Audacy Portland’s next Senior Vice President and Market Manager. I started with this incredible group of stations 20 years ago and being entrusted with the opportunity to help this team reach its full potential is something I don’t take lightly,” said Cooley. “This team is truly special; these radio stations are iconic and the people here are the heart of everything we do. Together, we’re excited to build on this legacy and continue shaping the future of radio in Portland.” Cooley began his career at Audacy in 2005 as a sales associate and climbed the ranks leading teams in Portland, Boston and San Francisco. He helped launch 95.7 The Game in San Francisco (KGMZ-FM) and directed new business development and account growth for WEEI (WEEI-FM) in Boston. Additional roles include account executive, local sales manager, general sales manager and, most recently, director of sales.
Newsmax Raises $150 Million in Pre-IPO Plan.* Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy reports “We did it!” According to the ascending multi-platform news organization’s founder, “When we announced our plan to go public, we also announced our plan to raise $150 million in Preferred Shares before we became listed.” Ruddy tells TALKERS, “I am glad to report Newsmax hit the $150 million* mark over the Christmas-New Year’s holiday. In fact, we have raised $153 million*, having exceeded our target by $3 million. And we have thousands of investors who are still in the process of buying Preferred Shares!
So, Newsmax has decided to extend our offering to $175 million – an increase of $25 million above our target raise.” Ruddy concludes, “Newsmax expects to close on the remaining $22 million remaining very soon.” 
“Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about elevating radio technology and helping the industry understand the critical role of metadata, especially in the digital dashboard,” Jurison tells TALKERS. “Joining Quu is an incredible opportunity to build on that mission. I’m eager to contribute to this talented team’s efforts to strengthen radio stations’ relationships with their listeners and advertising clients.” “Alan’s innovative mindset and technical expertise make him an exceptional addition to Quu,” said Steve Newberry, CEO of Quu. “His vision aligns perfectly with our goals to help radio boost ratings and generate new revenue through visual solutions that engage and retain audiences.” Alan will be at CES in Las Vegas this week, where he looks forward to connecting with industry peers. Interested in meeting up? Contact Alan at 
Welcome to 2025… TALKERS 35th year! Everything seems to be moving faster and faster as we hurtle deeper into the 21st century and what is turning out to be a “brave new world” even for Gen-Z. Each year at this time, I am invariably asked by broadcasters, reporters, and friends, “What do you think we’ll be talking about in the new year ahead?” And each year I give the same answer: THE UNEXPECTED.
BIN: Black Information Network, the 24/7 comprehensive national audio news network specializing in what it describes as “objective, accurate and trusted continual news with a Black voice and perspective,” today (1/6) announced Terry Foxx has joined as VP, news and content effective immediately. In his new role, Foxx will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of BIN: Black Information Network’s newsroom and its team of journalists, with a focus on development of news content and original programming. “I am excited to have Terry join BIN: Black Information Network,” said Tony Coles, the network’s president. “In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, the role of news in shaping public discourse has never been more important. We’re confident his contributions will strengthen our position as a leader in delivering inclusive and impactful news and content to our audiences.” Prior to his new role with BIN, Foxx served as regional director of talk programming for iHeartMedia Austin/San Antonio. His career includes roles at KUT-FM, University of Texas, and major stations such as WPLJ-FM, New York; B96, Chicago; KKDA-FM, Dallas; and WZGC-FM, Atlanta.
“I am thrilled to contribute to the growth and success of BIN: Black Information Network,” Foxx tells TALKERS. “BIN is a vital platform for amplifying diverse voices and delivering trusted, relevant news to our communities. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact and further strengthen the connection between BIN and the audiences we serve.” BIN is distributed nationally through the iHeartRadio app, available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices, as well as on local AM/FM broadcast radio stations across America, including Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.
With nearly 30 years of experience in journalism, Lenzi has held roles as morning editor, managing editor, and most recently, news director and program director at KNWN/KOMO. He led coverage of major events such as the 2009 Lakewood Police shooting, the 2014 KOMO TV helicopter crash, and the 2020 police dispersal of the Seattle CHOP Zone. Bonneville Seattle SVP/ market manager Cathy Cangiano tells TALKERS she’s eager for Lenzi to come aboard. “Frank’s extensive experience and proven leadership in the industry make him the perfect fit for our team. His dedication to journalistic excellence and his ability to inspire and lead will keep our newsroom standards high. We look forward to the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas he will bring to KIRO.” 
Bryan Buckalew, KIRO program director, echoed those sentiments. “Frank has a deep commitment to keeping audiences informed and connected. I’m confident he’ll be a great addition to our team.” Lenzi comments, “KIRO has always been the gold standard for radio journalism not only in the Seattle market, but across the country. It is an honor to lead this fine team of veteran broadcasters.” Lenzi will replace outgoing news director Charlie Harger, who will take over as host of “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO in January.
with their insights into how audio marketing spending will evolve, how YouTube is impacting the podcasting industry, the growth of contextual targeting tools, and more for the coming year:
These tools will not only proactively guide brands on optimal content alignment but also streamline ad buying processes through automation and data-driven insights, reducing the need for extensive manual intervention. This approach will power precise content targeting and scale reach effectively, all while ensuring brand messages align seamlessly with the right contexts and audiences.
Digital audio marketing spend worldwide will increase 10% next year, in part due to key drivers including the rise of contextual targeting, allowing advertisers to immerse their message within relevant content, and utilizing the growing versatility of dynamic audio insertion to make scaling campaigns more efficient. Additionally, the rapid growth of influencer marketing on TikTok and X is cooling, with marketers increasing spend on podcasts where creators can cultivate more meaningful audience connections. This growth in audio spending will heighten the insistence for transparency as advertisers demand greater visibility into performance metrics and content alignment to ensure trust and accountability. This convergence will solidify audio’s position as a successful channel for integrated marketing strategies worldwide.
While podcasting will remain fundamentally audio-first, driven by convenience and flexibility, consumers now have more options for how they discover and consume content. YouTube is bringing in new, first-time podcast consumers with a different audience profile. In some cases, they are watching shorter length content or on additional devices other than mobile. Informed by insights about their audience, publishers and creators will be able to deliver an engaged experience across listening platforms and devices, and grow reach.
More specifically, the focus will be on enabling humans to automate tasks so they can focus on strategy. AI will be leveraged to drive more effective and efficient spending, including helping achieve yield for publishers and meaningful campaign outcomes for advertisers, as well as content analysis and audience insights. This tech shift will put a bigger emphasis on having robust data-backed insights on audiences, content, and campaign performance.
This approach will be particularly transformative for long-tail podcasters and creators with smaller followings, offering a sustainable revenue stream that can be both a growth and retention strategy. For creators with niche audiences, subscriptions provide a viable alternative to ads and ensure the lion’s share of the revenue goes directly to the creator. As platforms invest more in these tools, creators will be able to engage directly with their subscribers through integrated communication features and eliminate the need for third-party tools. This evolution promises to empower indie creators by streamlining their workflows and enhancing their ability to cultivate loyal audiences.
As advertisers prioritize accurate audience engagement, the shift toward contextual targeting is gaining significant traction. This trend is expected to drive more ad dollars into solutions that deliver measurable results. Innovative technology that amplifies the ability to connect with highly specific audiences at scale and helps meet advertisers’ evolving expectations will win. For publishers, this surge in demand for targeted ad placements unlocks exciting opportunities to expand inventory and enhance reach through strategic partnerships within digital audio networks.
