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 Views

Monday Memo: Time to Update Baseball Sponsors’ In-Game Spots?

By Holland Cooke
Consultant

img“Baseball is back!” was welcome in April (especially after a rough winter in many places). But it sounds embarrassingly old by now.

Does the advertiser have a new offer or other copy change? Even if not, you-being-in-touch sends a message… as does you not-being-in-touch.

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

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 8-12)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/8-12) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Iran War / Agreement or No Agreement?
  2. Trump in NYC / NBA Finals
  3. The Economy / Inflation / Gas Prices
  4. Primary Elections / Trump Face the Nation Interview
  5. Trump UFC Controversy
  6. Trump Great American State Fair Performers Controversy
  7. Trump Ballroom Project Controversy / Trump DC Reflecting Pool Controversy
  8. AI / Data Center Controversy
  9. Strong El Niño Formed / World Cup
  10. Epstein Files

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Marco Rubio
  3. Benjamin Netanyahu
  4. Todd Blanche
  5. Scott Bessent
  6. Mike Johnson
  7. JD Vance/Pete Hegseth
  8. Zohran Mamdani
  9. Kristen Welker
  10. Jay Clayton

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

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 Legal Group, 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@HarrisonLegalGroup.com or read more at https://harrisonlegalgroup.com.

Industry News

Hubbard’s SKOR North Receives Service to America Award

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Hubbard’s “Purple Daily” – a podcast produced by Hubbard | Media That Connects – was honored with the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation’s Service to America Award for Original Content Podcast. “Purple Daily” was recognized for their work raising funds for Annunciation Catholic School’s grief counseling and mental health program following a school shooting that killed two students in August of 2025.  Also in 2025, SKOR North (KSTP-AM/KSTP-HD2) and “Purple Daily” raised money for First Tee, Youth on Course and The Bond Between. Pictured above are SKOR North’s Dan Seeman, Phil Mackey, Declan Goff and Ross Brendel and United States Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Industry News

Richards and Steinem to Receive Inaugural Gracies Torch Awards

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation announces that Amy Richards and Gloria Steinem will receive the inaugural Gracies Torch Award during the 51st Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon on June 16 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Rebecca Jarvis, chief business, technology & economics correspondent for ABC News, imgcontributing anchor for “Good Morning America,” and creator and host of “The Dropout,” will serve as host of the event. AWMF president Becky Brooks comments, “Amy Richards and Gloria Steinem have spent decades creating opportunities for others, amplifying voices that deserve to be heard, and demonstrating the power of leadership rooted in generosity and shared purpose. Their impact embodies the spirit of the inaugural Gracies Torch Award. We are also honored to welcome Rebecca Jarvis as host of the 51st Gracie Awards Luncheon, where her distinguished career in journalism and commitment to excellence make her a fitting part of this celebration.”

Industry News

Salem Creators Agency Debuts to Represent Faith-Centric and Family-Focused Talent

Salem Creators Agency Debuts to Represent Faith-Centric and Family-Focused Talent

Salem Media reveals the launch of Salem Creators Agency, a new venture it says is focused on “helping faith-centric and family-friendly talent grow their careers across publishing, podcasting, live events, speaking engagements, music, film, and TV.” In conjunction with the launch, SCA signs Christian content creator, speaker, imgand media personality Jason Jackson Jr. as its first client. Salem Media CEO David Santrella states, “For years, we’ve worked alongside some of the most influential voices in media. Many of them are looking for more than platform monetization. They want a partner who not only understands their audience and shares their values but also has the experience to help them continue building their brands. Launching SCA is a natural next step for us.” SCA managing director Andrew Samalot adds, “As we’ve worked alongside creators over the last several years, we’ve seen firsthand that the most successful talent aren’t just building social media audiences – they’re building brands, businesses, and platforms that extend far beyond any single channel. Our role is to help them identify those opportunities, navigate them strategically, and surround them with representation they can trust as they continue growing their influence and impact.”

Industry News TALKERS 2026

TALKERS 2026 Provided Color with Insight Into the Modern Era of Talk Media

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Pictured above: The dynamic duo of Beth Troutman (l) and Bo Thompson (r), co-hosts of the highly successful WBT, Charlotte morning show, “Good Morning BT,” got rave reviews for their presentation “Behind the Scenes at a Major News/Talk Morning Show” at TALKERS 2026 on June 5 at Hofstra University.  In addition to their conference presentation, their four-hour show that morning emanated live from Hofstra’s state-of-the-art WRHU-FM studios. Michael Harrison describes the duo – ranked number 49 on the TALKERS Heavy Hundred – as “engaging, informative, and dazzling.”

Stay tuned to TALKERS for extensive text, photo, and video coverage of the Talk Media conference of the year in the coming days, weeks and months ahead. 

Industry News

Cumulus Simulcasting News/Talk KCMO on FM Signal in Topeka

Cumulus Media drops the country on KTOP-FM, Topeka and begins simulcasting Kansas City news/talk KCMO-AM/KCHZ-FM on the signal. KCMO Talk Radio program director/morning host and Cumulus news/talk VP Pete imgMundo says, “Bringing KCMO Talk Radio to the Topeka market is a natural fit. From the Governor’s Office to the Statehouse, much of the news driving our daily programming originates in the state capital. Now, we’re excited to welcome Topeka listeners into the conversation, connecting directly with the community and delivering the regional and local news coverage it deserves.” Cumulus also operates news/talk KMAJ-AM “The Big Talker” in the Topeka market.

Industry News

Glenn Beck’s The American Story Offered as Fourth of July Radio Special

Premiere Networks nationally syndicated talk star Glenn Beck is presenting a three-hour, Fourth of July radio special for talk radio stations titled, “The American Story.” Billed as a “cinematic-style journey through the chaos, imgcourage, and unlikely twists that built the United States,” the story “uncovers the human drama behind America’s earliest, most pivotal moments. Listeners will meet settlers fighting to survive, preachers sparking mass revival, revolutionaries defying an empire, and founders struggling to invent a functioning nation.” The special will air on more than 350 affiliates of “The Glenn Beck Weekend Program” during the holiday weekend. It’s also available to talk stations in non-competing markets as early as Friday, July 3, and may be aired multiple times throughout the holiday weekend. Hear a clip of the show here.

Industry News

Bryant Rises to SVP at AURN

Bryant Rises to SVP at AURN

American Urban Radio Networks promotes Isaiah Bryant to SVP of revenue & strategic partnerships. AURN CEO Chesley Maddox-Dorsey comments, “Isaiah has consistently demonstrated the vision, imgleadership, and business acumen that have helped drive our growth across audio, digital, podcasting, streaming, and emerging media platforms. As we continue expanding our portfolio and creating innovative opportunities for advertisers and strategic partners, Isaiah’s ability to execute forward-thinking solutions makes him the ideal leader for this role.”

Industry News

Legacy Sports Network Detroit to Launch

Detroit entrepreneur and media executive Drew Campanelli partners with NBA Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway Sr. and two-time NBA champion Lindsey Hunter to launch Legacy Sports Network, “a new athlete-driven sports and entertainment network built in imgDetroit and designed to change the media landscape.” The network will feature original sports programming, athlete-led podcasts, live events, entertainment content, music, comedy, and authentic conversations from some of the biggest personalities in sports and culture. Campanelli states, “We’re building a true Detroit-based sports and entertainment platform powered by championship experience, authentic voices, and real relationship. With Tim, Lindsey, Brandon [Dent]and the rest of our incredible team we’re creating something special that fans can genuinely connect with.”

Industry News

MIW to Present “AI in Radio Sales” Webinar

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio is presenting a free webinar on July 15 at 2:00 pm ET titled, “AI in Radio Sales: Work Smarter, Sell Morer.” MIW says, “Designed imgspecifically for radio sellers, managers, and broadcast professionals, this interactive session will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming sales workflows, prospecting, proposal creation, campaign analysis, and day-to-day operations. Attendees will leave with practical tools and actionable strategies they can implement immediately.” Find out more and register here.

Industry News

Doug Hamand to Retire at Month’s End

imgCumulus Media VP of programming operations Doug Hamand says that he is retiring at the end of June. Hamand served for more than two decades with iHeartMedia and its predecessors before joining Cumulus Media in the corporate programming role. He posts to Facebook, “I’ve had a ball. It’s hard to believe that when I started 48 years ago, this day would ever come — but here we are. I’m excited to share that I will be retiring at the end of June.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (June 1-5)

Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (6/1-5) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:

Stories

  1. Iran War / War Powers Resolution
  2. Primary Races
  3. Pelley Firing / Status of “60 Minutes”
  4. “Anti-Weaponization” Fund Nixed
  5. The Economy / Gas Prices
  6. Redistricting
  7. Delaney Hall Protests
  8. Ballroom Project
  9. 250th Celebration Performers Controversy / Kennedy Center Ruling
  10. Bolton to Plead Guilty

People

  1. Donald Trump
  2. Thomas Massie / Tom Barrett / Brian Fitzpatrick / Warren Davidson
  3. Scott Pelley / Bari Weiss / Nick Bilton
  4. Todd Blanche
  5. Scott Bessent
  6. Mike Johnson
  7. Joe Biden
  8. JD Vance
  9. David Venturella
  10. John Bolton

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

Industry News

MIW Opens Application Window for Programming Mentorship

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc announces the opening of applications for its 8th Annual Elevating Women in Programming Mentorship. MIW says, “Designed specifically for women working in radio programming, the year-long mentorship imgconnects one rising programming professional with some of the industry’s most accomplished content leaders. Through personalized mentorship, strategic networking opportunities, and career-focused guidance, the program is designed to help participants strengthen their leadership skills and accelerate their professional growth.” The mentorship is open to one female brand manager, content/program director, assistant program director, or music director from any U.S.-based radio format. Applications are open now and will be accepted through July 2, 2026. Find out more and apply here.