Monday Memo: Twitter Technique
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Tik-Tok is hot (largely among users too young to be heavy AM/FM listeners) and it’s in-the-news (about its possible ban). And, yes, Facebook remains T-Rex in the social media jungle. But people on Twitter seem to live there.
— Twitter is a useful right-now prompt, because Tweets stack-up, so there’s less value alerting Followers to what’s up much later today or tomorrow.
— Like any contact, there’s a quality/quantity trade-off. You will get a feel for how-much-is-too-much when you see your Followers number drop. So, think before you Tweet. You’ll never get un-Followed for something you didn’t Tweet.
— Best of all, like other social media, Twitter is…social. Conversations begin and spread. And any of your Followers can re-Tweet your message to all their Followers, and any of them could re-Tweet it too. Going-viral like that is powerful peer-to-peer endorsement, particularly if you’re a podcaster, because subscriptions are the ballgame.
REAL opportune: links and attachments.
— AM/FM transmitters are audio-only and only in real-time. But you can Tweet-out a photo or video or a link to online content. Research demonstrates that third-party content you share gets re-Tweeted more than content about yourself.
— Possibly the most-useful Tweets about your radio work are “snack-size” single-topic aircheck clips. Especially opportune: guest interview excerpts that enable listeners. “Car Coach Lauren Fix has three tips BEFORE your summer road trip.” Why expose that useful programming content only to those who happened to be listening live?
— Tweeting in that fashion not only conforms to listeners’ on-demand media preference, it puts your audio back in the pocket, where radio used to be.
Twitter does double-duty BEFORE your show.
— Note how SiriusXM/CNN host Michael Smerconish tees-up topics with quick videos and polls. People like being-asked. A real estate agent whose weekend show I coach uses Twitter “to ask an opinion on a light fixture, a paint color, an appliance.” She notes that “on HGTV’s website, they have a section called ‘Rate My Remodel.’ Regular folks send in pictures of a recent remodel that they did, and others comment. People love this stuff.” So, start a conversation that takes wings. When you read posted comments on-air, you sound accessible and popular.
— And Twitter’s characters-limit is a useful discipline. You’re pre-scripting your concise, inviting show open.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. He is the author “Multiply Your Podcast Subscribers, Without Buying Clicks,” available from Talkers books; and “Spot-On: Commercial Copy Points That Earned The Benjamins,” a FREE download; and the E-book and FREE on-air radio features “Inflation Hacks: Save Those Benjamins.” Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke
The Ramsey Network says Kamel, who went from negative net worth to millionaire and has successfully navigated the money minefield, will “tackle the tough topic of money with humor and wit.” Kamel comments, “There’s so much anxiety and frustration around money. I’m so pumped about this channel because we’re going to show people personal finance doesn’t need to be complicated, and we’re going to have a lot of fun doing it.” New episodes will be posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
contributor to the Red Apple Media station, will host a Sunday talk show, although a firm start date has not been announced. Red Apple CEO John Catsimatidis tells the Post, “She is one smart lady and she is one tough lady and you know how much I appreciate smart tough ladies.” DeRosa says her show will tackle “the major headlines driving national news and New York news. It will be a mix of insiders conversation but also I want it to have broader appeal to everyday New Yorkers.” 
related to crime, law enforcement, public safety, homelessness and the failures of many of our elected officials.” The program debuts this evening (5/8) at 7:00 pm ET. CRN Digital Talk Radio CEO Michael Horn says, “We are thrilled to have Sheriff Villanueva join our lineup of hosts on CRN Digital Talk Radio. His experience and expertise in law enforcement and in public service make him a valuable addition in the talk media universe and we look forward to providing a platform for him to connect with the audience.”
extended absence for a chronic throat condition that led to a cancer scare. Toucher, who co-hosts the morning show with Rich Shertenlieb, says in a video he posted to Twitter, “I feel my voice is getting stronger. I think that if I go to the doctor on Monday, he is going to give me permission to go back on the air. So, what turned out as a big, big cancer scare, where I was given assurances that it was cancer in my throat, might turn out to be that I needed not to talk for a very long time.” 
and 2022 guiding the charitable organization to more than quadruple the amount of financial aid it distributes to radio and TV professionals in acute need from $400,000 to nearly $2 million last year. “I am very proud to have known Jim for nearly 40 years as a colleague and a friend,” said Scott Herman, chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation. “Jim believed deeply in helping others and his passion and enthusiasm for life always lit up a room. He always saw the positive in every person and every situation.” Prior to his service to the industry as president of the BFoA, Thompson had been president and CEO of Group W Radio, the second largest radio company in the country during his leadership, and along with Mike Craven was co-owner of Liberty Broadcasting, a 19-station radio group concentrated on the East Coast. He began his broadcasting career as an account executive at KYW-TV, Philadelphia in 1971, where he rose to vice president and general manager. An innovator and visionary, Thompson created the Radio-Mercury Awards to encourage and reward excellence in radio creative. He served on the boards of the Radio Advertising Bureau and the Advertising Council, was vice chairman of the Pennsylvania State Broadcasters Association and a member of numerous committees, including the NAB Radio Futures Committee. A member of the U.S. Army, Thompson served in Vietnam. The presentation will be made by talk show host Harry Hurley of WPG, Atlantic City at TALKERS 2023 on Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island.
and “will be an exciting panel show led by Plante and will include Newsmax veteran Jenn Pellegrino along with three other regular panelists.” Newsmax says, “A seasoned television journalist and syndicated radio host, each weekday night Plante will join with ‘The Right Squad’ as his team features strong analysis with dynamic conversation and debates. ‘The Right Squad’ will talk about the major events that are impacting America — and no topic will be off-limits.” Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy adds, “Chris Plante is an award-winning journalist who delivers fact-based news and opinion while keeping the conversation fun and interesting.” Plante hosts a Westwood One-syndicated radio talk show based at Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM, Washington, DC.
of South Florida-based Lapcom Communications Corporation – a consultation and marketing firm that specializes in helping radio stations and program providers stay afloat financially and actually thrive in these uncertain times of digital media disruption. 
His career goes back more than four decades during which he has served in various management capacities at some of the nation’s biggest radio and television operations in addition to working with major names in talent. Harrison and Lapa engage in a productive chat about the existential challenges facing radio as well as some of the age-old techniques of sales and marketing that withstand the test of time. Lapa, who will be moderating the sales panel at the forthcoming TALKERS 2023 conference on June 2, states, “We have to get radio out of the emergency room and into recovery.” 
pop culture into the network. The Cumulus Podcast Network will distribute, market, and monetize the more than 300 Bleav shows. Cumulus EVP of marketing and Westwood One president Suzanne Grimes says, “Bleav has created a broad and deep well of programming for sports fans, with content from virtually every professional and major college team in America. Listeners and advertisers alike turn to Westwood One for the very best sports programming, so it’s a natural fit for us to partner with Bleav and offer our advertisers access to this extensive podcast portfolio.”
Watson, and Josh Miely. Priscilla Watson says, “What listeners will find compelling is the astounding level of control the railroad industry has over the economy, while local and state governments have no legal power to protect their citizens. As residents of the surrounding East Palestine area, living just 15 miles away, and as career content creators and multi-media journalists, we uncovered shocking evidence of industry-wide negligence and learned that derailments happen more often than one might think.”
of the conservative Radio Mambí network of Spanish-language news/talk stations from TelevisaUnivision aggravated some conservatives who petitioned the FCC to deny the license transfers. The petition was rejected. The Radio Mambí format goes back to Amancio Víctor Suárez’s launch of programming created by anti-communist Cuban exiles in the mid-1980s. The group of 18 radio stations will gradually be turned over to Latino Media Network throughout this year. Company co-founder Jess Morales Rocketto is quoted saying, “We’re not the first business owners with our own political leanings,” while adding that they are focused on commercial success and not “imposing a political agenda.” 
that impact so many people on a daily basis. In addition to featuring on-air and online content across the company’s 61 radio properties, the monthlong initiative will include outreach with local community experts and in-car dashboard messaging featuring QUU RDS technology. Beasley Media Group chief content officer Justin Chase says, “Beasley is proud to put a spotlight on the importance of mental health as part of our longstanding Community of Caring program. We want our listeners to know they are not alone; mental health issues are common and there’s no reason to be ashamed. The campaign will promote the skills and tools to help cope and professional support available for treatment.”
anchoring and reporting work, Bartlett has also hosted talk shows on the station, including the long-running “WOR Saturday Morning Show.” He comments, “I loved my job and have been fortunate to have been part of this great station for all these years. I could have gone on much longer, but the time had come, where I just needed more free time. Sadly, this is not a job you can do only six months a year. I have been blessed to have had a caring radio ownership, extremely talented co-workers and a very loyal audience.” Bartlett and his wife have relocated to South Carolina where he looks forward to having more time for golf, seeing his grandchildren, and supporting the New York Giants. WOR program director Tom Cuddy says, “It’s rare in this business to encounter as versatile a radio personality as Joe: anchor, news director, and talk show host…not to mention an all-around nice guy. He will be missed not just by our listeners but by our staff.”
which he’ll be responsible for the development and distribution of NewsNation’s audio content. He’ll also assist in news writing and NewsNation specials. Nexstar president of networks Sean Compton states, “As we recently celebrated the milestone becoming 24-hour news network weekdays, we are continually looking for ways to grow the NewsNation brand across our linear and digital platforms. I am thrilled that Lee Harris is going to be leading these efforts as we further expand the network’s reach with viewers and listeners across the country.” Harris comments, “It took an incredible opportunity to convince me to leave 1010 WINS after nearly 30 years. But Sean Compton and [president of news programming] Michael Corn showed me that at NewsNation I will be helping to fundamentally change the way news is covered and presented in this country and this is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” Meet Lee Harris at TALKERS 2023 on Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island. 
It’s the most effective tactic in marketing: Free samples. And the attorneys, financial advisors, real estate agents, veterinarians, and other ask-the-expert hosts who broker time for weekend call-in shows can drum up lots of new business…IF they execute well.
WINS. Harris, whose last day with WINS will be Friday (5/5), has been with the all-news outlet for almost 30 years, currently co-hosts the morning drive daypart with Susan Richard. He tells TALKERS magazine he’s taking on a management position with Nexstar Media Group’s cable news operation News Nation. 
stations and the local community and advocacy groups to grow and maintain positive relationships and provide community service throughout the Charlotte Metro.” Holloway has served with WLNK-FM for the past 22 years as co-host of “The Matt & Ramona Show” with partner Matt Harris. She comments, “I’ve been blessed to have lived my radio dreams. I’ve worked every format from country to gospel. I’ve been a news director and hosted a syndicated show with my brother from another mother, Matt Harris. It’s time to move into a new chapter, one that feeds my passion and gives me an opportunity to forge community partnerships that can make a positive contribution. I’ll still stop by the ‘MIX 107.9’ studios on Tuesdays and Thursdays to have fun with my friends on the MIX morning show, but my goal is to expand Radio One’s philanthropic endeavors across all six stations in the cluster.”
meals, shopping, and other entertainment needs, local shops, bodegas, restaurants, and more are still struggling. The launch of ‘New York is Back’ will encourage New Yorkers to shop with small businesses in and around the five boroughs to help rejuvenate the economy in the market.” In partnership with P.C. Richard & Son, Century Waste Services, Empire City Casino, Key Foods, New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud, NYC Department of Small Business Services, Premier Home Health Care Services, and MJ The Musical, “New York is Back” will include iHeartMedia New York on-air personalities voiced messages on Z100, 106.7 LITE FM, 103.5 KTU, Q104.3, Power 105.1, and 710 WOR as well as video content distributed on social media platforms.
previously was simulcast on 92.3 from March of 2012 through January of 2016 before the classic hits format “Big 92.3” was launched. Federated Media VP/GM Ben Saurer says, “In our most recent WOWO survey to our listeners, the desire for a stronger signal was the most mentioned adjustment suggested. We believe the addition of 92.3 FM will meet our listeners’ request while complimenting the legendary 1190 AM signal.”
and Brian Antonelli. iHeartMedia Boston director of operations, news, talk and sports Bill Flaherty says, “Everyone I talk to is now betting on sports. With the interest at a fever pitch, I can’t think of a better time to launch this show.” Kaufman adds, “There’s no greater platform than live sports talk radio and, since January, there’s no greater obsession in and around Massachusetts than sports betting. I’ve been fortunate to spend many years of my career working in both areas and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have them intersect now. Boston is ready for a nightly gambling show. I’m honored to host it and can’t wait to sweat bets with listeners, industry experts, and our incredible team starting May 1.”