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Seven consumer studies commissioned by the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® over an eight-year period find audio listeners are a rich source of in-market financial consumers and drive significant top and bottom funnel impact. The key findings from the studies are outlined on this week’s blog.

Key takeaways:

• Compared to TV viewers, audio listeners are far more likely own investment assets, to be in the market for financial services, and be interested in the category.
• Despite massive TV spending by financial service marketers, TV viewers exhibit low brand equity for financial service brands and weak interest in the category due to the older skew of TV audiences.
• MRI-Simmons: Heavy podcast and AM/FM radio listeners are the ideal audiences for financial brands as they are more likely to be premium clients willing to pay for financial services.
• Case study #1: MESH Experience: Among consumers with $500K+ of investable assets, heavy AM/FM radio listeners are three times more likely than heavy TV viewers to be in the market for a new or additional financial services company.
• Case study #2: AM/FM radio drives strong growth in top funnel measures such as awareness, favorability, and consideration.
• Case study #3: A MARU/Matchbox study of consumers with $1M+ of investable assets found over a six-month period, an AM/FM radio campaign generated double-digit lifts in most measures of brand equity.
• Case study #4: Heavy AM/FM radio listeners are more likely to be active investors and more engaged with the financial category versus heavy TV viewers.
• Case study #5: Heavy AM/FM radio listeners are +44% more likely to be financial ‘thrivers,’ those who like taking investing risks and agree that investing is important.
• Case study #6: Compared to TV viewers, audio listeners are much more likely to have investments across a broad array of assets classes and more likely to invest in major financial brands.
• Case study #7: Harris Poll Brand Tracker: A Westwood One NFL AM/FM radio campaign generates significant brand equity impact far stronger than among TV viewers.

Check out today’s blog post.

View a 15-minute video of the key findings here.

Build a Business You Love (Ramsey Press, 2025) by Ramsey Solutions CEO and bestselling author Dave Ramsey is now available for preorder. The book will be released on April 15, 2025.  In Build a Business You Love, Ramsey shares his 30-plus years of experience building a business from a one-man operation to a $250 million-a-year business with more than 1,000 employees and a nationally known brand. The book draws on Ramsey’s hard-earned lessons, equipping readers at every stage of business to grow themselves, lead their teams and scale their businesses.  “There are a lot of theories out there about how to run a business,” Ramsey tells TALKERS. “But you don’t need more theories. You need to hear from someone who’s lived it and made it work – someone who’s messed up a lot and gotten back up after being knocked down. This book will guide entrepreneurs and small business owners through the real steps they need to grow their business, no matter what stage they’re in.” Dave Ramsey is currently ranked #2 on the TALKERS 2024 “Heavy Hundred.” In Build a Business You Love, he breaks down five key Stages of Business, from being stuck in the daily grind to ready to make your mark in the business world:

1. Treadmill Operator:Everything in the business relies on you.

2. Pathfinder:You have a team, but it’s hard to get them on the same page.

3. Trailblazer:Your business is ready to scale, so it’s time to find some leaders.

4. Peak Performer:Your business is thriving, but don’t become complacent.

5. Legacy Builder:You’re creating a lasting impact and building a business that lasts for generations.

 

On Friday, Feb. 21, WURD Radio will present “Race, Manhood and Power: Commemorating 60 Years Since the Ascension of Malcolm X to Ancestorhood” in partnership with the Community College of Philadelphia from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at CCP’s Winnet Student Life Building Lobby.  This live broadcast will be a special edition of “Groundings” with WURD host Brother Shomari. The event and conversation will reflect on the lessons of Malcolm X’s legacy and examine how succeeding generations have – or have not – put them into action. The broadcast is part of a week of programming at CCP led by Brother Shomari that addresses what the station describes as the “urgent challenges” facing Philadelphia’s Black communities today.

“This convening will serve as a re-catalyzation of our previous mobilization efforts, focused on African Diasporic community building in and around the Philadelphia region, and the important leadership linkages that must be facilitated between our culture, communities and campuses to advance Black life and wellbeing,” Brother Shomari said. “A particular lens of this convening is on the purpose, roles, responsibilities and preparation of Black youth and young adults for this cause.”

According to the station, this gathering is a sequel to WURD Radio’s historic 2015 event, “The Invitation,” which explored the impact of racial shifts in Philadelphia and the critical need for stronger Black leadership. “Race, Manhood and Power” will continue that discussion, focusing on intergenerational strategies for building Black community power.

 

HANNITY TO AIR TRUMP MUSK INTERVIEW TONIGHT:  Continuing his longtime role as one of the nation’s talk media hosts most-closely-connected to Donald Trump, Sean Hannity’s recently recorded sit-down interview with both President Trump and DOGE head Elon Musk will air on the FOX News Channel’s “Hannity” program this evening (2/18) at 9:00 pm ET. Hannity is also syndicated daily on Premiere Networks and currently holds the number one spot on the TALKERS 2024 “Heavy Hundred.”  To see a preview clip of tonight’s interview, please click here.     …..FIVE TO BE INDUCTED: The Nebraska Broadcasters Association will induct Dennis & Kathi Brown, Dale Johnson, Mike McKnight and Dave Wingert into the NBA Hall of Fame on August 12th in La Vista during the NBA Annual Convention. Established in 1972, the NBA Hall of Fame will grow to 123 members with these pending inductees…..IBA AND RVA TO HOST LIVE VIDEO STREAMING WEBINAR: The Radio Vendor Alliance (RVA) is producing another “Lunch and Learn” workshop in partnership with the Independent Broadcasters Association (IBA). The workshops are free online sessions and feature industry experts with practical solutions to radio’s most pressing problems.  “Is Video the New Audio?” is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, at 1:00 pm ET. The 45-minute session will include a Q&A and will be available for replay to all registrants. Registration is free (link: https://www.coolradiostreaming.com/) and IBA membership is not required.

 

According to a story by reporter Louis Krause in yesterday’s (2/11) Minnesota Star Tribune longtime KDWB-FM Twin Cities radio host Dave Ryan was suspended from appearing on his talk show Monday morning, three days after a segment aired during which Ryan and co-hosts snorted powder food ingredients as part of a Super Bowl trivia game. He returned to the show yesterday following a one-day suspension. The segment on Friday’s episode of “The Dave Ryan Show” was titled “Super Blow,” according to three listeners who spoke with the Star Tribune and others who discussed it on the Reddit online forum. To read the full Star Tribune story, click here.

RADIO HITS DIGITAL MILESTONE. The radio industry has reached a significant milestone in its digital transformation, hitting $2.1 billion in digital revenue in 2024, according to the latest annual digital benchmarking report from RAB and Borrell Associates Inc. The 13th annual report highlights the increasing role of digital advertising in stabilizing the industry’s financial outlook, with digital revenue now accounting for nearly 25% of the average radio station’s total income…..SPEAKING OF YOUTUBE.Shelly Palmer reports: Shortly after it launched, YouTube changed the way we consumed video. It grew powerful in tandem with the evolution of smartphones as it redefined our video viewing experiences. Now, YouTube has transcended its original form factors to officially become a television-first platform. CEO Neal Mohan revealed that viewers now watch more than one billion hours of content on their TVs every day, surpassing mobile viewing. For the past two years, YouTube has been the most-watched streaming service in the U.S., according to Nielsen. The shift toward TV screens is no accident. YouTube has redesigned its TV app to function more like a traditional streaming service…..SUPER BOWL AUDIENCE HITS HISTORIC HIGH. An estimated 127.7 million viewers tuned in for Super Bowl LIX (2/9) according to Nielsen, making it the largest audience for a Super Bowl and for a single-network telecast in TV history. Super Bowl LIX aired on FOX, FOX Deportes and Telemundo and streamed on Tubi from approximately 6:42 PM ET to 10:16 PM ET.  This flies in the face of all other pop culture media trends which follow a pattern of fractionalization…..AAR CONTINUES TO GROW. The syndicated “Armed American Radio” live stream hosted by successful broadcaster-Second Amendment defender Mark Walters is now available Monday through Friday 4:00-5:00 pm ET and Sundays 8:00-11:00 pm ET on You Tube at Armed American Radio, on Rumble at Armed American Radio, on Facebook Live at Facebook.com/armedamericanradio, on X (Twitter) @aarmark and www.armedamericanradio.com. Now streaming the live video feed on multiple platforms for viewers, the show’s podcast just crossed 20 million downloads last week.

iHeartMedia St. Louis announced today (2/11)that media veteran Libby Nolan has been named market president, effective immediately.  Nolan will oversee all aspects of sales and programming for the St. Louis cluster, driving business strategy and revenue growth. A highly respected veteran with 30 years in the radio industry, Nolan’s expertise spans programming, sales, marketing and executive leadership, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the evolving radio landscape. She will report to John Karpinski, division president for iHeartMedia. “Libby’s exceptional leadership, extensive industry knowledge and passion for innovation have driven tremendous local growth across both our radio and digital offerings. With experience spanning nearly every role in a radio station, she is uniquely positioned to lead from a place of deep understanding and drive continued success,” said Karpinski.

Nolan spent the last four years as SVP of sales with iHeartMedia St. Louis. Her career began as a morning show producer at KSD in St. Louis. She later joined 105.7 KPNT as promotions manager and served as an AE with CBS in St. Louis. Nolan’s resume also includes roles as marketing director of KWMU, sales manager for KTLK at Emmis Communications, GM of Zimmer Radio Group in Springfield, MO, and market president of Townsquare Media’s stations in Quincy, IL/Hannibal, MO.

Nolan tells TALKERS, “I’m honored to lead iHeartMedia St. Louis and work with such a passionate and talented team. Being entrusted with the opportunity to lead these iconic stations to its full potential is a gift. People are the heart of everything we do, and together, we will build on this legacy and continue shaping the future of radio in St. Louis.”

 

 

iHeartMedia Seattle’s Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM, announced (2/10) the debut of the new “MJ in the Midday” show, effective immediately. “MJ in the Midday” will broadcast weekdays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.  MJ in the Midday’s host Marc James, started his sports talk radio career in Miami and Fort Lauderdale in 2004. His career highlights include afternoon drive host for an ESPN radio affiliate in Tampa, FL, WFNZ afternoon drive radio host in Charlotte, NC and morning host on 92.9 “The Game” in Atlanta, GA. His radio career led him to a TV studio anchor position for New England Sports Network (NESN) in Boston, MA, where he also hosted shows on WEEI radio station. Since 2020, James has worked for Sports Talk Florida covering sporting events in the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida. He also hosted a college football podcast on the BLEAV Network.  “Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM is literally my dream job,” James tells TALKERS. “I am honored and eternally grateful to become part of this legacy station and its extremely bright future in Seattle.” “Marc James joining our family is big for us,” said Rich Moore, VP of programming for iHeartMedia Seattle. “We’re extremely excited to be bringing in a new passionate voice to the Seattle market. Marc’s experience and love for our market will win our listeners over for years to come.”  “We’re excited to welcome Marc James to the iconic call letters of KJR,” said Mark Glynn, area president for iHeartMedia Washington. “Marc’s infectious energy plus his dynamic and engaging personality will bring an exciting new spark to Seattle sports talk.”

 

Comrex has released Hotline, a new Gagl offering available for clients located in the United States. Gagl Standard (available since 2023) is an audio subscription service that works in conjunction with Comrex IP audio codecs such as ACCESS or BRIC-Link. It allows up to five remote contributors to connect at the same time using consumer-grade equipment such as laptops and smartphones. They just plug in a headset, click a link, and are connected. Mix-minus is handled internally by Gagl.  Since guests or reporters are using equipment they are already familiar with, Gagl is accessible to everyone. Even if no conferencing is desired, Gagl provides a simple way to bridge the audio from computer and smartphone browsers to Comrex codecs, avoiding the need for a hardware codec in the field.

Gagl Standard is available worldwide for $35 per month or $350 per year.

Gagl + Hotline takes that one step further. In addition to all Gagl Standard features, one guest or contributor can also connect by dialing a 10-digit phone number provided with each Gagl + Hotline subscription. Four additional participants can “Gagl”-in using the standard browser link.  If the Hotline caller uses an AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon cell phone, these calls will sound dramatically improved, with much higher fidelity than a normal phone call. The caller’s HD Voice audio will be presented within the Gagl interface for use on-air. Alternatively, Gagl can be configured to pass Hotline calls directly to your codec for unattended operation.

Gagl + Hotline is available in the United States only for $50 per month or $500 per year.

Providing flexibility for guests who can’t come into the studio was a driving force behind Gagl’s creation following the COVID pandemic. Gagl + Hotline creates even more options for anyone to connect to the studio – whether it be a VIP, a non-technical guest, a reporter with breaking news, or the unexpected drop-in – and have them sound so good that you’d never know they were calling from a cell phone. Gagl + Hotline is simple for contributors to use, and studios get to use a Comrex hardware codec they may already have to stream that high-quality audio with familiar pro-grade audio outputs that integrate into their studio console.  In addition, Comrex has released Gagl Solo, a stripped-down version of Gagl Standard for a single participant to connect to the studio. No paid subscription is required to use Gagl Solo.

For more information on Gagl or other Comrex products, please visit the Comrex website at www.comrex.com or contact Comrex at 1-978-784-1776 or email info@comrex.com.

Just hours after the series of devastating wildfires broke out in Los Angeles, iHeart LA and the Dream Center – a resource center focused on providing support to those affected by homelessness, hunger and crisis – launched a national and local media campaign that asked local listeners to contribute essential items and cash to support those affected by the fires, many of whom had lost everything.  What followed was an outpouring of love and support that exceeded any expectation, and which – thanks to the generosity of friends, neighbors and communities – has become one of the largest grassroots giving efforts in iHeart’s history.

Since the fundraising and donation effort launched on Tuesday, Jan 7:

• Over 8,000 people have volunteered;
• More than 80,000 individuals have received essential supplies like food, water, diapers, clothing and more onsite;
• Over 19,000 cars have gone through the Dream Center supply line;
• The initiative has raised over $15 million in cash and in-kind donations, with contributions still being accepted.

The results are testament to the power of local communities, which historically come together to support one another during times of disaster and crisis.

“The strength, generosity and resiliency of our LA communities is truly powerful — and the way our broadcast radio listeners have come together to support one another is incredibly humbling,” said Paul Corvino, division president for iHeart LA.  “While iHeart and the Dream Center were instrumental in connecting those in need with those eager to help, it was the community itself that has been incredibly inspirational, and which has been vital in keeping these efforts alive and ensuring that support is still available to those who need it the most, when they need it.”

“The outpouring of love and generosity we have witnessed in response to this crisis has been nothing short of extraordinary. In times of disaster, it is the strength of our community that shines the brightest, and we are humbled to see so many individuals stepping up to help their neighbors in need,” said Matthew Barnett, founder of Dream Center. “Thanks to our partnership with iHeartMedia Los Angeles and the unwavering support of our volunteers, donors, and community members, we have been able to provide essential aid to thousands who have lost so much. This effort is a testament to the power of compassion and unity, and we remain committed to serving those in need for as long as it takes.”

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

Too often, I hear questions as long as (or longer than) replies.

Take a lesson from the late, great King of Talk. I remember Larry asking…

• Bob Hope: “Who do YOU think is funny?
• David Duke: “Don’t you ever get tired of hating?”
• Frankie Valli: “Whose songs are on YOUR iPod?”

Short “Why…” questions, about things the listener might be wondering, are useful. “Why is ____ SO expensive?”

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

In honor of Black History Month, WURD Radio presents “Phenomenal Black Philly Writers: Creating Our Essential Reading List to Survive 2025,” an evening of critical literary discussion and cultural exploration. This timely and urgent event will take place this evening from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Learning and Engagement Center at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

WURD Radio (900 AM and 96.1 FM) is the only Black-owned and operated talk radio station in Pennsylvania. Having celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023, over the past two decades WURD has evolved into a multi-media, multi-platform communications company that reaches deeply into the Black community through radio, video, events, digital and social media. It is considered the go-to media channel to engage, interact and connect with Philadelphia’s Black community. Tune in to WURD Radio on 900 AM and 96.1 FM.

According to the station, this event is in response to a time of extreme anti-intellectualism, the attempted erasure of Black history and identity, and the persistent denial of systemic racial inequality. By focusing on the art of writing as a political act, this event seeks to highlight the critical role of Black writers in shaping discourse on resilience and, most important, truth. The event will be enhanced by the curation of an essential reading list comprised of titles – fiction and nonfiction, poetry and prose — that will be shared with the audience and posted on wurdradio.com.

The evening will begin with a conversation between WURD Radio president and CEO Sara M. Lomax, Jeannine A. Cook of Harriet’s Bookshop, and Sonia Sanchez, a legendary poet, writer and leader in the Black Arts Movement. Following this discussion, WURD Radio host Solomon Jones will moderate a panel featuring Philadelphia writers Lorene Cary, Nancy Gilliam, Tre Johnson and Ursula Rucker, exploring the importance of Black writers politically, historically and spiritually, reaffirming the necessity of their work in today’s climate.  Additionally, event attendees will have the opportunity to experience the ongoing Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibit, “The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure,” which powerfully complements the evening’s themes of representation and cultural storytelling.

iHeartMedia announced today (2/6) that longtime executive Bobbie Loesch has been named market president for Pittsburgh, effective immediately.  The company is home to six iconic stations with a powerful cross-platform presence delivering a diverse range of music, talk, and news formats. As market president, Loesch will oversee all aspects of operations in Pittsburgh, including sales, promotions and programming. She will report to D.J. Hodge, division president for iHeartMedia.  Hodge tells TALKERS, “Bobbie has been an instrumental and driving force behind the success of our Pittsburgh cluster for over 20 years, and her leadership and vision make her the perfect fit to lead the team into the future.”  Loesch joined iHeartMedia Pittsburgh in April 2004 as an account executive. She was promoted to VP of sales in 2012, and most recently served as a SVP of sales for seven years. She began her career as an AE for Townsquare Media from 1998-2004 and is a graduate of Liberty University.  “I am genuinely honored to be appointed to this role and deeply appreciate the trust placed in me to lead this exceptionally talented team. My colleagues, our partners and our audiences are the cornerstone of our success,” said Loesch. “I am excited to build on our achievements and further elevate our dominance in the market, and I’m eager to continue to help brands harness the unmatched reach, scale and efficiency that only iHeart can deliver.”

Edison Research announces the Top 50 Podcasts in the U.S. based on reach for Q4 2024 among weekly podcast listeners age 13+. The list ranks podcasts based on total audience reach from Edison Podcast Metrics. Interviews were conducted continuously throughout the quarter in English and Spanish. Rankings are based on listening over the full period. All respondents reported listening to podcasts in the last week.

Since Q3 2024, the top four podcasts – “The Joe Rogan Experience,” “Crime Junkie,” “The Daily,” and “Call Her Daddy” – have maintained their rankings in that order.

1. The Joe Rogan Experience
2. Crime Junkie
3. The Daily
4. Call Her Daddy
5. This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von (+3 spots)
6. Dateline NBC (+1)
7. SmartLess (-2)
8. Stuff You Should Know (-2)
9. Morbid (+3)
10. Pod Save America (+9)

Top of the charts: “Pod Save America,” hosted by former Obama staffers, makes its debut in the Top 10, no doubt riding the wave of the political news cycle.

After a mid-September launch, “Talk Tuah with Hailey Welch“ quickly skyrocketed in popularity, debuting at #11. The last episode dropped in mid-December, one day before Welch’s $HAWK crypto debacle and subsequent lawsuit.

In the Top 50 for the first time: The November election likely contributed to several podcasts making their debut in the Top 50 this quarter. “Shawn Ryan Show” appears for the first time at #37, continuing its rise as an interview podcast featuring military veterans, intelligence operatives, and political figures. “The Charlie Kirk Show” breaks in at #49, leveraging Kirk’s influence as the founder of Turning Point USA.

“Candace,” Candace Owens’ independent show, debuts at #45, marking a strong entry following her controversial departure from The Daily Wire in March 2024. Owens launched “Candace” in June 2024 and its rapid rise makes clear her loyal audience followed her to her new venture.

Continued rise of conservative talk: In addition to the conservative talk podcasts making their Top 50 debuts this quarter, several established conservative voices moved higher in the rankings. “The Ben Shapiro Show” climbs from #22 to #14 and “The Megyn Kelly Show” sees a boost from #50 to #27. Meanwhile, “The Matt Walsh Show,” which was last in the Top 50 in Q3 2023, reentered the Top 50 at #45.

The podcast show ranker is derived from data collected continuously during the fourth quarter of 2024, interviewing 5,163 weekly podcast consumers age 13 and older in the U.S. Participants indicate which podcasts they listened to in the past week along with a variety of demographic, psychographic, and purchase-behavior information. This ranker measures reach as a percentage of the weekly podcast listening audience.   For full details, please click here. Edison Podcast Metrics

FOX News Channel’s Sean Hannity is scheduled to present the first television interview with the newly sworn in Attorney General Pam Bondi this evening (2/6) “Hannity” (9:00 pm – 10:00 pm ET). Bondi will discuss her first actions as Attorney General and other news of the day. Hannity, ranked number one on the TALKERS Heavy Hundred, continues to be one of the most well-connected talk show hosts in America.  The 2025 edition of the “Heavy Hundred” is due to be published shortly.  Stay tuned…..Super Bowl LIX will be the 52nd time Westwood One will broadcast America’s biggest sporting event.  Kevin Harlan will handle play-by-play duties for the Super Bowl for the 15th straight year, with Super Bowl XXXIV MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner returning for the seventh consecutive year as lead analyst. Gene Steratore re-joins the radio broadcast booth as rules analyst for this year’s Super Bowl, and, for the sixth time, Laura Okmin will patrol the sidelines.  Scott Graham and three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty will host Westwood One’s pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage live from Caesars Superdome, with former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker also contributing to the pregame coverage. For the first time ever, Westwood One will broadcast the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show featuring Grammy-Award winning artist Kendrick Lamar….. Audacy Minneapolis’ 830 WCCO raised over $427,000 for Second Harvest Heartland during the station’s 16th annual “End Hunger Together” radiothon. The event took place February 4, where 830 WCCO broadcast the radiothon live from Second Harvest Heartland from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm CT…..The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced that the 2025 Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award will be presented to Katz Media Group and accepted by Mark Gray, its Chief Executive Officer and a longtime BFOA board member, during the BFOA Golden Mic Gala and Fundraiser in New York City on Monday, March 10. The Spirit Award is bestowed upon an individual or company that exhibits the spirit of dedication and relentless drive to the Broadcasters Foundation charitable mission of helping broadcasters in acute need exemplified by its former longtime chairman, Phil Lombardo.

 

The lineup of industry speakers set to speak at the forthcoming GENERATIONS 2025 conference being presented by TALKERS at the forthcoming Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) convention – IBSNYC 2025 – continues to grow.

A stellar line-up of speakers have already signed up to speak at this groundbreaking industry event including (in alphabetical order): Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group; Chris Berry, VP News/Talk/Sports, iHeartMedia; Scot Bertram, General Manager, WRFH, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI / Lecturer In Journalism; Mike Gallagher, talk show host, Salem Radio Network; Dom Giordano, talk show host, WPHT, Philadelphia; Lee Harris, Director of Integrated Operations, NewsNation / WGN, Chicago; Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS; Matthew B. Harrison, Esq., VP/Associate Publisher, TALKERS; Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner; Harry Hurley, morning talk show host, WPG, Atlantic City; Jeff Katz, talk show host, WRVA, Richmond, VA; Chad Lopez, President, WABC, New York, Red Apple Media Group; John T. Mullen, general manager, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY; Walter Sabo (a.k.a. Walter M Sterling), consultant / talk show host / WPHT, Philadelphia / Talk Media Network; Rich Valdés, talk show host, Westwood One; and Lisa Wexler, talk show host, WICC, Bridgeport; with several more to be announced in the next few days. See agenda and accompanying stories below.

Sheraton Times Square New York Hotel
New York East Room
Saturday March 8, 2025
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

AGENDA

12:30 – 1:00 pm Keynote Address “Welcome to the Brave New World”

Speakers:
Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Matthew B. Harrison, Esq., VP/Associate Publisher, TALKERS; Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner

1:10 – 1:40 pm Fireside Chat “Setting the Stage”

Facilitator: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Special Guest: Chad Lopez, President, WABC, New York, Red Apple Media Group

1:50 – 2:20 pm Discussion: “Launching and Managing a Career in Talk Radio / Talk Media”

Moderator: Dom Giordano, talk show host, WPHT, Philadelphia
Speaker: John T. Mullen, general manager, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Speaker: Paul Vandenburgh, owner / talk show host, WGDJ Talk 1300 AM & 98.7 FM, Albany, NY
Speaker: TBA

2:30 – 3:00 pm Discussion: “Old School/New School/Next School – Learning from Each Other”

Moderator:  Harry Hurley, morning talk show host, WPG, Atlantic City
Speaker:  Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group
Speaker: Scot Bertram, General Manager, WRFH, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI / Lecturer In Journalism
Speaker: Walter Sabo (a.k.a. Walter M Sterling), consultant / talk show host / WPHT, Philadelphia / Talk Media Network

3:10 – 3:40 pm Discussion: “Radio’s Place in a Diverse, Digital World”

Moderator: TBA
Speaker: Mike Gallagher, talk show host, Salem Radio Network
Speaker: Rich Valdés, talk show host, Westwood One
Speaker: TBA

3:50 – 4:20 pm Discussion: “Finding Truth in an Age of Misinformation”

Moderator: Lee Harris, Director of Integrated Operations, NewsNation / WGN, Chicago
Speaker:  Chris Berry, VP News/Talk/Sports, iHeartMedia
Speaker: Jeff Katz, talk show host, WRVA, Richmond, VA
Speaker: Lisa Wexler, talk show host, WICC, Bridgeport

4:20 – 4:30 pm Wrap Up:  Group Chat

For more information, please see story below.

 

Louisville Public Media (LPM) has announced (2/4) that it is launching a new talk show, “On Track” – a new three-day-a-week, 30-minute interview-based show, on February 10. “On Track” will air Monday-Wednesday at 6:00 pm on WFPL, Louisville between “All Things Considered” and “Marketplace,” two of NPR’s flagship national news programs during core listening hours. It will also be available as an on-demand podcast. The interview-driven show is set to dive into the issues shaping Louisville and Southern Indiana. LPM sources tell TALKERS, “In an effort to amplify and deepen the conversation around the biggest topics in our community, the show will connect with public officials, community leaders and everyday people about the challenges and triumphs happening in Louisville and Southern Indiana. It will work to keep the civic conversation ‘on track.’  Its host, veteran broadcast journalist Ayisha Jafer will explore topics with people from across our diverse community that challenge the traditional sound of public media. Scheduled topics include: the state of downtown Louisville, the loneliness epidemic, business development and its impact on neighborhoods, finding love in Louisville, how the pronunciation of Louisville came to be and more.”  With the addition of “On Track” to WFPL’s on-air schedule, some programs will shift. “Marketplace” will now air Monday-Friday at 6:30 pm. “Today Explained” will move to Thursday and Friday at 6:00 pm.

 

Tom Kraeutler, the well-known author, home improvement expert, and longtime “Money Pit” radio show host passed away Sunday (2/2), after complications from surgery.  Kraeutler was an accomplished craftsman, educator, and former chair of New Jersey’s first regulatory authority for licensing home inspectors. His weekly radio show is heard on 462 stations; and he assembled a deep trove of information at MoneyPit.com and the most-listened-to podcast on its topic. He appeared on Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, The History Channel, HGTV and DIY Network; and contributed to or was interviewed by House Beautiful, Smart Money, Reader’s Digest and hundreds of websites and newspapers across the USA. With Leslie Segrete, he authored My Home My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure; and in 2024 Wiley published his helpful Home Maintenance for Dummies. 20+ year radio co-host Segrete recalls “When my kids were born, Tom was there in the hospital. When my husband died, he held my hand and got me back to work. He was way more than just a friend and coworker. He was family.”  He is survived by his wife Susan, and children Thomas, Sara, and Trevor. As Tom’s production company, Squeaky Door Productions, explores succession options, the weekly radio show will continue, cohosted by Leslie Segrete.

 

A series of new studies from Advertiser Perceptions reveals national marketers are increasingly confident in the economy, will advertise more, and anticipate new product launches at record levels. Each month, Advertiser Perceptions, a leader in providing research-based strategic market intelligence for the advertising and ad tech industries, surveys 300 executives involved in media brand selection decisions who will spend a minimum of 1 million dollars in ad spend over the next 12 months. This week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog outlines the key findings, examining the outlook national marketers have on the economy:

• Nearly half of marketers say the economy will grow in the coming year, a record high

• There has been a reduction in perceived negative impact of macroeconomic conditions

• The recession that never came; Marketers shake off the dire predictions of 2022 and 2023

• Increasingly, brands and media agencies report the U.S. GDP will impact ad budgets

• 37% of buy-side 2025 ad budgets will be bigger; 53% will stay the course

• Advertiser optimism was higher as of December 2024 than it had been a year earlier

• 2025 new product launches will hit all time high

• All forms of audio see increased ad spending intentions

• Prophet survey of advertisers reveals top-performing marketers consider brand building as a crucial driver of short-term impact

Check out this week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog post here.

To view an 11-minute video of the key findings, click here.