Industry News

Rare Interview with David Clayton-Thomas About BS&T Found in TALKERS Archives – Broadcasters Invited to Use at Will

The Grammy Award-winning Canadian singer and songwriter whose powerhouse voice propelled Blood, Sweat & Tears to the summit of popular music, died peacefully last evening at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. He was 84.

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TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison was friends with Clayton-Thomas and the group back in the early 1970s while he was the morning host at pioneering album rocker WNEW-FM, New York.  However, by the mid-seventies, Harrison lost touch with Clayton-Thomas and the group.  Move the clock ahead to March of 2020 and David Clayton-Thomas was promoting a new solo album – the latest of many that enjoyed hit status in his native Canada – and Harrison had the opportunity to catch up with his old friend in an interview conducted during the height of the COVID pandemic. Clayton-Thomas was quarantining in Toronto, and Harrison was doing the same in Massachusetts. TALKERS has isolated a segment of the archival interview with the rock legend in which Clayton-Thomas recounts the history of how he joined the band.  Interested broadcasters wishing to use any or all of this clip are free to do so.  Please click here. (Photo credit: Marie Byers)

Industry News

Fabian to Lead Cumulus Boise

Cumulus Media appoints Mike Fabian vice president / market manager for its Boise operations that includes news/talk KBOI-imgAM/FM and sports talk KTIK-FM “953FM The Ticket,” plus three music brands. Fabian most recently served with Townsquare Media in Arizona. Fabian states, “I am honored to join the Boise team and look forward to becoming part of both the organization and this remarkable community. Throughout my career, I have always believed that great teams and strong relationships are the foundation of success. I am excited to work alongside this talented group, serve the Boise community, and help build on the strong tradition these stations have established.”

Industry News TALKERS 2026

TALKERS 2026 Video: Special Presentation – “Behind the Scenes at a Major News/Talk Morning Show” – Spotlight on WBT’s Bo Thompson & Beth Troutman

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TALKERS continues to post a treasure trove of videos recorded at the TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter conference recently held at Hofstra University (6/5). More than 65 speakers participated in the day’s events. Today’s entry is an informative and uplifting presentation titled, “Behind the Scenes at a Major News/Talk Morning Show.” The featured speakers are the wake-up duo of the highly successful “Good Morning BT” show at the legendary WBT, Charlotte – Bo Thompson & Beth Troutman. The engaging “BT” pair provide candid insights into the mechanics and chemistry that go into the creation of a modern era news/talk morning show and the very nature of the two-host paradigm. Don’t miss this! Stay tuned to TALKERS for daily postings of sessions from the 28th installment of the longest running and most important annual talk media industry gathering. To view this dynamic discussion in its entirety, please click here.

Industry News

It’s Official: Walter Sterling Named Host of The Other Side of Midnight

Red Apple Audio Networks and WABC Radio make it official that Walter Sterling is the new, permanent host of the nationally syndicated program, “The Other Side of Midnight,” that airs live Monday through Friday from 1:00 am to 5:00 am ET. In addition to its flagship WABC, New York, the program is also heard on such imgsignals as WGN, Chicago; KMOX, St. Louis and 18 other affiliate stations. Sterling says, “There is something magical about overnight radio. It’s the one part of the day when listeners let down their guard and have real conversations. They share their stories, their questions, their experiences, and together we explore the fascinating, funny, mysterious, and sometimes unbelievable side of life. To be heard on legendary stations like WABC, WGN, and KMOX is both a professional milestone and a personal honor. I’m excited to spend the nights with listeners across America and build a community where every voice matters and every story is worth telling.”

Industry News

WCCO Helps Raise More Than $82k for Blood Cancer Patients

Audacy’s news/talk 830 WCCO in Minneapolis raised more than $82,000 during its fourth annual “Cure Blood Cancer Radio Auction,” benefitting NMDP – a global nonprofit dedicated to imghelping patients with blood cancers or disorders find matching blood stem cell donors. WCCO brand manager Brad Lane comments, “The auction experiences created excitement. Our fans created impact. In an era of infinite content and fractured attention, this event wasn’t just a fundraiser. It was a reminder that radio still matters. It still creates community, inspires generosity, and has the power to turn listeners into neighbors united behind a common cause. We’re honored to help bring people together in support of NMDP’s mission.”

Industry News

Dennis Malloy Returns to New Jersey 101.5 Middays; Eric Johnson Back in Management Seat

Less than a year ago, Dennis Malloy (right) retired from Townsquare Media’s WKXW, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” where he had co-hosted the midday show with Judi Franco (left) for almost 30 years. imgNow, the station announces that Malloy is returning to the station on July 13 to resume his role as co-host of the “Dennis & Judi Show.” This change doesn’t put Franco’s current co-host Eric Johnson out on the street. The former, longtime “New Jersey 101.5” program director is returning to management as operations manager and program director. He will serve as a fill-in talk host on the station and will spin records duringimg the station’s weekend music programs. Johnson says, “So here is where we are. Dennis and Judi are back together on July 13. I am moving into a role that lets me put 48 years of experience to work shaping what New Jersey radio sounds like across three markets. And I will still be here, writing about this state I have loved my whole life, and showing up on the air when you need a familiar voice.”

Industry News

Will West Moves from On-Air to Digital Sales at Cumulus Knoxville

Knoxville sports talk host Will West announces that he is giving up his on-air position as co-host of the “Tyler and Will” show (with Tyler Ivens) on Cumulus Media’s WNML “The Sports Animal” and imgwill take on the role of digital sales manager for Cumulus Knoxville. He says he will continue to be heard on air as part of the Tennessee football postgame show. He told his listeners, “I want the next chapter in my life to be where I’m no longer the main character, but that I’m able to help other people to be the best version of the main character themselves.” He added, “I’m tired. This is a grind. This [new management position] opens up more time that I can spend with my wife. This opens up a situation where I can step in and grow other people.” See the Knox News story here.

Industry News

Caroline Beasley Inducted into Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame

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Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley was inducted into the Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame during a ceremony that took place during the Florida Association of Broadcasters Annual Conference on Thursday, June 18 at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Pictured above at the event are (from l-r): Dr. Robert Beasley, Brian Beasley, Caroline Beasley, Bruce Beasley and Brad Beasley.

Industry News TALKERS 2026

TALKERS 2026 Video: Panel Discussion – “The Big Picture”

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TALKERS continues to post videos of sessions recorded at the TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter conference recently held at Hofstra University (6/5). More than 65 speakers participated in the day’s events. Today’s entry is a high-powered panel discussion titled, “The Big Picture.” Moderated by TALKERS founder Michael Harrison, the panelists include (in alphabetical order): Steve Jones, president, CEO, and chairman, Skyview Networks; Frank Morano, member, New York City Council / former host, WABC, New York; Chris Oliviero, chief business officer, Audacy; Tavis Smiley, owner / host, KBLA, Los Angeles; and Rich Valdés, host, “This is America with Rich Valdés.”  The fast-paced conversation focuses on the question “What is ‘radio’ and what does it need to do to survive and thrive in the digital era?” It explores changing technology, sociology, revenue generation, entrepreneurism, algorithms, programming options, race relations, the generational divide, and more. Not to be missed! Stay tuned to TALKERS for daily postings of sessions from the 28th installment of the longest running and most important annual talk media industry gathering. To view this dynamic discussion in its entirety, please click here.

Industry Views

Monday Memo: Improving Results from Endorsement Spots

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

imgThe stations I work with make big money with live endorsement spots delivered by familiar local on-air personalities. Remember them? With most AM/FM broadcast hours now robotic or non-local, your relationship with the listener is precious and can be leveraged… carefully.

Quality vs. Quantity

The more products or services you endorse, the less special each pitch will be. You’re asking the listener’s trust each time, so asking too often can sound insincere. So back-to-back “I’m [name] for [account]” is verboten, and that can happen when spots you voice air outside your show.

“Tell me a story”

When the late, great Don Hewitt – the father of “60 Minutes” – spoke at a NAB convention years ago, he told us that he was often asked, “Why is this the most successful TV news show of all time?” And he said, “I can tell you in four words: ‘Tell me a story,’” which every piece does.

Describe your personal experience with the advertiser’s product or service in before-and-after fashion – problem was, problem solved – in a relatable way.

OOPS. Are you saying, “I haven’t sold you yet?”

Often, these are long-standing advertiser relationships.  Two cautions:

If you’ve been touting an advertiser for a while, DON’T say so. “For years, I’ve been telling you about [name of business].” Translation: “…and I haven’t sold you yet, have I?” Instead, keep the pitch fresh.

And keep it customer-centric; rather than talking about a store. In one spot I heard, for a sewing supply retailer, the well-intentioned host sounded awestruck as he recited the store’s inventory (“over fifteen hundred bolts of fabric!”). That’s the store’s problem. Instead, solve the listener’s problem: “Imagine the money you could save if you made all your kids’ back-to-school clothes this year?  [advertiser] will give you free sewing lessons!”

Avoid saying…

  • “MY GOOD FRIENDS AT [name of business],” which sounds phony.
  • “All-new:”Say “new,” if it IS new, AND if newness is a listener benefit (and say why).
  • “…AND MUCH MORE,” which means nothing. Weed-out stuff like this, and you’ll give copy more time to breathe.
  • “Needs,” as in: “FOR ALL YOUR [product category] NEEDS” (the ultimate “BLAH, BLAH, BLAH”).

More?

My video “Make Money with Endorsement Spots:” https://youtu.be/fReiC8WLTac

Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn

Industry News

Gelman and Clarke Join BFoA Board of Directors

The Broadcasters Foundation of America elects two media executives to its board of directors as Michael Gelman, executive producer of “Live with Kelly & Mark,” and Tim Clarke, most recently with Audacy as SVP and head of digital audio content join imgthe organization. BFoA chair Scott Herman says, “We are honored to welcome Michael and Tim to the Broadcasters Foundation board of directors. Both are highly accomplished leaders whose careers reflect excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to our industry. Their insights, relationships, and strategic vision will be invaluable as we continue to grow awareness of the Foundation’s mission and ensure that broadcasters across the country know that help is available when they need it most.”

Industry News

iHeartMedia Announces AudioGraph to Deliver Attribution to Broadcast Radio

iHeartMedia unveils AudioGraph – a suite of advertising capabilities that the company says will, for the first time, “bring digital-like targeting, identity-based planning and measurement, and outcome-based attribution to broadcast radio at scale.” These capabilities are powered by Triton Digital, the global technology and services leader. iHeartMedia says, “The vast majority of audio imgconsumption (64%) comes from broadcast radio, yet up until today, it has lacked the targeting and measurement infrastructure available in digital. iHeartMedia’s broadcast radio stations reach more than 278 million consumers every month, and now with AudioGraph, for the first time, advertisers can plan, target, measure, and attribute that audience using privacy-safe, ID-informed insights with digital-like precision.”

Powered by Triton Digital, AudioGraph makes it possible by connecting a privacy-safe identity spine, enriched audience attributes built from TransUnion data, and proprietary ID-level listening models that enable planning and measurement at the listener level while activating campaigns at broadcast scale. Proof of concept shows that broadcast radio campaigns planned and measured using privacy-safe AudioGraph IDs can deliver a KPI outcome 75% higher than traditional demo-based plans.

iHeartMedia chief business officer Lisa Coffey comments, “Audio has always delivered unmatched scale and human-to-human connection, but measurement and precision have lagged behind digital. With nine out of 10 Americans listening to broadcast radio every month, it’s extremely important that buyers can access this scale and impact with the precision and efficiency of digital media. With AudioGraph, we’ve closed that gap. Marketers can now use audio as an addressable and measurable performance channel at a national scale; with the same accountability they expect from every other part of their media plan.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 15-19)

Here are the most-talked-about stories of the past week (6/15-19) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. U.S.-Iran Agreement
  2. Gas Prices / Financial Markets Activity
  3. Primary Races / Georgia Shelves Redistricting
  4. DNI Hearing Cancelled / Voter ID Law
  5. JD Vance Book-Appearance on “The View”
  6. Newsoms Investigation
  7. AI Concerns / Data Centers Pushback
  8. SpaceX IPO / Musk First Trillionaire
  9. Ukraine Strikes Moscow
  10. Obama Library Opening

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. JD Vance
  3. Marco Rubio
  4. Benjamin Netanyahu
  5. Rick Jackson / Burt Jones / Mike Collins
  6. Mike Johnson
  7. Jay Clayton
  8. Gavin & Siebel Newsom
  9. Elon Musk
  10. Barack & Michelle Obama

To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.

Industry News

KBLA, Los Angeles Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

KBLA, Los Angeles “Talk 1580” is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The station was founded by media entrepreneur and broadcaster Tavis Smiley whose vision was “to create a station that serves as a reliable community resource, to provide information people can use to improve their lives and strengthen their families, and to engage more deeply in civic and cultural issues from a decidedly imgprogressive perspective.” KBLA contributor Dr. Cornel West says, “Tavis Smiley’s programming fills a content vacuum across the United States and is needed more now than ever. Under Tavis’ bold leadership, KBLA and its program hosts have helped to influence, educate, and engage previously marginalized people across this country. I’m excited for what the future holds.” Smiley says, “Five years ago, on Juneteenth, we launched KBLA Talk 1580, with the goal of providing news and information to a part of Los Angeles that had been ignored or pushed to the side for decades. We’re now syndicated in almost 50 markets across the United States with more growth on the horizon. The best is truly yet to come.”

Uncategorized

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories (6/17)

The most discussed stories yesterday (6/17) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:

U.S.-Iran Agreement
Gas Prices / Fed Keeps Rates Steady
Primary Races / Georgia Redistricting Shelved
Obama Library Opening
Ukraine Strikes Moscow

Industry News

AWMF Presents 51st Annual Gracie Awards in NYC

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The AWM Foundation presented the 51st Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City yesterday (6/16). Foundation president Becky Brooks comments, “A Gracie Award can affirm a voice, elevate a career and open a door. For our student winners especially, it can be a moment that says, ‘You belong here.’ Through the Gracies, we are not only celebrating excellence – we are helping create the opportunities that strengthen the future of women in media.” Pictured above (from l-r) are Gloria Steinem, Amy Richards, and Better Business Bureau global CEO Rebekah Dopp after Dopp presented the two with the inaugural Gracies Torch Award.  to Amy Richards and Gloria Steinem. “The most important measure of leadership is not what we accomplish for ourselves, but what we make possible for others,” Dopp said. “Amy and Gloria have spent decades showing us that leadership is a torch to carry together.”

Industry News

Market Manager Tim Wenger to Exit Audacy Buffalo

Audacy Buffalo market manager Tim Wenger announces he’s leaving the company at the end of this month after his position is being eliminated per Audacy’s new organizational strategy. The imgBuffalo Broadcasters Association reports that the company offered Wenger a different position within the company but he’s electing to pursue new opportunities.  Wenger has spent much of his career in Buffalo, beginning in the newsroom at WBEN-AM in 1986. He rose through the programming ranks and eventually into management in his current market manager role. Wenger’s wife, Susan Rose, serves with WBEN-AM as morning news anchor and reporter and she will remain in her position.

Industry News

Salem’s Power to Retire

Salem Media president of broadcast media Allen Power announces he is retiring from the company on September 30. He’ll continue to be involved with Salem as a senior advisor. Power joined Salem in 2000 as the company’s first general manager in Atlanta. He later served as regional vice president, senior vice president, and was named president of broadcast media in 2023. imgSalem Media CEO David Santrella states, “Allen and I have worked together for nearly 25 years in a variety of roles at Salem. His leadership, his ability to inspire those around him, and his incredible understanding of our business will be missed. Beyond his business accomplishments, he has led with integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to serving others. While we will miss his daily leadership, we are grateful that he will continue serving Salem as a senior advisor.” Power looks back at his career saying, “Fifty years ago today, on June 15, 1976, I started my first job in broadcasting. I have spent more than half of my career at Salem and it has been such a blessing to devote my efforts to spreading the message of the gospel through broadcasting. I am grateful to the Atsinger and Epperson families, Joe Davis, Dave Santrella and my many wonderful Salem colleagues and ministry partners. After five decades of hard work, the next chapter will be about investing my time and gifts in faith, family, and worthwhile organizations. After a sabbatical, I will decide where and how to do that.” Salem says it will announce additional leadership appointments and succession plans in the coming weeks.

Industry News

Sports Talk Pioneer Eddie Andelman Dies at 89

Legendary Boston sports talk personality Eddie Andelman has died at 89. Andelman is often described as one of the pioneers of imgsports talk radio. Andelman, along with Jim McCarthy and Mark Witkin, launched “The Sports Huddle” on WBZ-AM, Boston in 1969. The show would move to Boston signals WEEI, WHDH and back to WEEI in 1991 and those who keep track of this sort of stuff say he broadcast more than 13,000 shows. Broadcast historians often refer to the program as one that “came to define the genre.” Andelman retired from radio at the end of 2010.

Industry News

A King and Five Queens

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Pictured above is the “king” of morning drive in Boise – Kevin Miller of Townsquare Media’s news/talk KIDO Talk Radio – flanked by Idaho’s Rodeo Queens as he broadcasts live from the Buckaroo Breakfast.

Industry News

Knicks’ Championship Run Boosts WFAN Ratings

According to a piece in Deadline, the New York Knicks’ NBA championship run has bumped up the 25-54 ratings for Audacy’s WFAN, New York by almost 9%. The piece adds that the station’s cume during the run has been nearly 1 million per week. Audacy chief business officer Chris Oliviero was interviewed for the piece imgand he comments on company’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and the rededication to sports programming, “Relieving that financial pressure has been liberating. We’ve got everybody swimming in the same direction. Linear broadcast, streaming digital and on-demand podcasts… they don’t compete with each other. They all sing together, like a maestro with a band.” The Fan produced an NFL Draft watch party on YouTube featuring the station’s hosts and with the success of that decided to do halftime and postgame shows on YouTube during the Knicks’ Finals series. Audacy says those livestreams are part of the reason it brings in one-third of its revenue from digital sources. See the Deadline piece here.

Industry News TALKERS 2026

TALKERS 2026 Tackles Radio’s Modern Era Challenges

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Pictured above:  The “Gaining Traction in a Noisy Digital World” panel at TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter. Appearing l-r: Moderator Mike McVay, president McVay Media Consulting; Sherry Goldman, founder, Goldman Communications Group; Heather Cohen, president, The Weiss Agency; Rob Carson, host, Newsmax Radio; Ryan McCormick, co-founder, Goldman McCormick PR; and Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo, host, “The Joe Pags Show,” Compass Media Networks.

The 28th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important national gathering – TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter – took place at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on the Long Island, NY campus of Hofstra University last Friday (6/5). It was produced in conjunction with Hofstra’s multi-Marconi Award winning campus radio station, WRHU-FM. The vibrant, sold-out gathering presented 65 speakers and 338 registered attendees engaged in the sharing of perspectives, advice, and ideas within the fertile environment of dynamic collegial networking.

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Pictured above: “The State of Sports Talk Radio” one-on-one session featuring (l-r) facilitator, Harry Hurley, morning host, WPG, Atlantic City, NJ; and special guest, Ryan Hurley, brand manager, WFAN, New York, NY. NOTE: The Hurleys are not related.

The main themes of the 14-hour conference included an intense focus on the future of radio and talk media in the multi-platform digital world of the second quarter of the 21st century.  These included exploration of such existential questions as how to gain profile traction in a noisy world; how to regain the public’s trust in the media; how to meet the challenge of generating revenue in a fractured and challenging economy; what entrepreneurial opportunities exist for individuals and independent companies in this new environment; how to expand programming options; how to recruit new talent; how to attract younger demos; how to deal with the enormous unforgiving power of algorithms in scoring the game; how to effectively control and exploit AI; how to make a living in this business; and so much more.

Speakers and attendees included a cross-section of talk media professionals from the worlds of talent, management, ownership, syndication, journalism, engineering, politics, sports, the law, academia, and music – even pro-wrestling!

Beginning next week, TALKERS will provide in-depth photo, video, and story coverage of the historic event.  Stand by!

Industry News TALKERS 2026

TALKERS 2026 Generates Treasure Trove of Content and Takeaways

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Pictured above:  The “Programming News/Talk” panel at TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter.  Appearing l-r: Greg Stocker, brand manager, WPHT, Philadelphia, PA; Ralph Renzi, CEO, Newsmax Radio;  Lisa Polizzi, brand manager, WBEN, Buffalo, NY;  Michael Czarnecki, program director, WFEA, Manchester, NH;  Allan Lamberti, program director, WICC, Bridgeport, CT; and Phil Boyce, senior VP, Salem Radio Network / Salem News Channel / Salem Podcast Network. imgPictured at left: Moderator, Jeff Katz, host, WRVA, Richmond, VA.

The 28th annual edition of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important national gathering – TALKERS 2026: Radio’s Next Chapter – took place at the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on the Long Island, NY campus of Hofstra University this past Friday (6/5). It was produced in conjunction with Hofstra’s multi-Marconi Award winning campus radio station, WRHU-FM. The vibrant, sold-out gathering presented 65 speakers and 338 registered attendees engaged in the sharing of perspectives, advice, and ideas within the fertile environment of dynamic collegial networking.

The main themes of the conference included an intense focus on the future of radio and talk media in the multi-platform digital world of the second quarter of the 21st century.  These included exploration of such existential questions as how to gain profile traction in a noisy world; how to regain the public’s trust in the media; how to meet the challenge of generating revenue in a fractured and challenging economy; what entrepreneurial opportunities exist for individuals and independent companies in this new environment; how to expand programming options; how to recruit new talent; how to attract younger demos; how to deal with the enormous unforgiving power of algorithms in scoring the game; how to effectively control and exploit AI; how to make a living in this business; and so much more.

Speakers and attendees included a cross-section of talk media professionals from the worlds of talent, management, ownership, syndication, journalism, engineering, politics, sports, the law, academia, and music – even pro-wrestling!

Beginning next week, TALKERS will provide in-depth photo, video, and story coverage of the historic event.  Stand by! 

Industry News

Martha Zoller to Step Away from Daily Radio Show on WDUN; Will Continue as Local Political Correspondent

Longtime Georgia talk radio personality Martha Zoller announces that she is stepping away from her daily program on Jacobs Media’s WDUN-AM/FM, Gainesville but will remain with the station as a senior political analyst for WDUN and AccessNorthGa.com. Zoller says, “This has been one of the great privileges of my professional life. WDUN has allowed me to talk with imggovernors, senators, local leaders, neighbors, and listeners who care deeply about their communities. I’ve had a front-row seat to history, politics, and the people who shape North Georgia. I am grateful for every conversation, every caller, and every experience I’ve had on WDUN.” While Zoller is stepping away from the daily program, WDUN listeners will continue to hear her on the station through the Martha Zoller Minute, as well as in her ongoing role as a local political correspondent for WDUN. The station says it will keep the time slot local, with more details to be announced in the coming days about how local voices, local issues, and local conversations will continue to be featured. Jacobs Media Corporation chairman and CEO Jay Jacobs states, “Martha has been a valued colleague, trusted voice, and dear friend to so many of us at WDUN. For decades, she has brought integrity, intelligence, and passion to every conversation, helping listeners better understand the issues that shape our community, our state, and our nation. We are deeply grateful for her service and thrilled that her voice will remain part of the Jacobs Media family through her continued work as our senior political analyst.”

Industry Views

The Advertiser Gave It To Me. Isn’t That Enough?

Harrison's imagination of reality

By Matthew B. Harrison
TALKERS, VP/Associate Publisher
Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner
Goodphone Communications, Executive Producer

imgA local advertiser sends over a ready-made commercial. The music is catchy. The script is polished. The production value is surprisingly good for a company that spends most of its day installing garage doors.

The salesperson approves it. Traffic schedules it. The spot airs.

A few months later, somebody else’s lawyer hears it too.

Many media professionals assume that when an advertiser supplies content, the advertiser has already secured whatever permissions are necessary to use it. Sometimes that’s true. Sometimes it isn’t.

If a commercial contains copyrighted music, photographs, video, artwork, or other protected material, the fact that it came from a client does not automatically end the discussion. The advertiser may have obtained the rights. The advertiser may have assumed someone else obtained the rights. The advertiser may never have asked.

Artificial intelligence is creating new versions of the same problem.

Recently, I was asked about a commercial generated almost entirely through AI. The advertiser used one platform to create the script and another to generate the voice. Everything sounded original. No famous song. No movie clip. No obvious red flags.

Yet one question remained:

How do you know the advertiser had the right to use it?

That question can lead in several directions. Did the AI platform permit commercial use? Was the voice modeled after a real person? Does it sound enough like a celebrity to create endorsement concerns? Can the advertiser demonstrate where the content came from and what rights accompany it?

Fortunately, the solution is usually simple. Ask the advertiser.

Most legitimate advertisers are happy to explain how the content was created and what rights they possess. The conversation often takes only a few minutes.

Broadcasters, podcasters, streamers, and digital creators all face the same reality. Before a commercial airs, someone should know where the content came from and whether the necessary rights exist.

The technology may change. The question remains remarkably durable: How do you know you had the right to use this?

Matthew B. Harrison is a media and intellectual property attorney who advises radio hosts, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights. Reach him at Matthew@HarrisonMediaLaw.com or read more at https://harrisonlegalgroup.com.