Neil Johnson Joins WCLO-AM, Janesville, Wisconsin’s News Staff
Ben Thompson’s Big Radio announces that Janesville, Wisconsin news pro Neil Johnson is joining the company’s news staff at WCLO-AM/W224DE. Big Radio says, “After 14 years with the Janesville Gazette, Neil Johnson will be joining Big Radio and says local news media has a huge opportunity to turn the dial back to
normalcy and measured thought by telling people the truth on local issues. Johnson says the independent element of local news is crucial in being the voice of the people who live in the community.” In a release, Big Radio CEO Ben Thompson says, “Local news, information, and entertainment is what people look for from their local stations and Johnson will add to that aspect in a positive way.”
living in the state of Nevada. The native Iowan was beloved by WHO Radio listeners and colleagues. He was known nationally for his thought-provoking talk show and on-air debates, but also for sharing information about local severe weather and other urgent news relevant to his listeners. Mickelson was known for tackling serious topics but was equally appreciated by his devoted listeners for providing much joy and humor with his infectious laughter.” iHeartMedia Des Moines market president Joel McCrea adds, “Jan Mickelson was the best at his craft. He was always prepared and knew how to get you to listen to the radio. If you disagreed with him, he would take your call first because he wanted a spirited conversation. All of us at WHO miss Jan Mickelson.”
programs will be made available on FOX Nation in the coming months. OutKick founder Clay Travis says, “OutKick has seen rapid growth over the last two years and we are thrilled to begin streaming our authentic content with the loyal audience that FOX Nation has cultivated.”
and entrepreneurs. The company says Smiley will continue to serve as managing editor of his signature show with SmileyAudioMedia, Inc producing and syndicating the program. The program’s first affiliate station is Equity Media LLC’s talk WBOK, New Orleans. Smiley says, “We’re excited to bring our radio program to listeners across America. Our innovative programming with groundbreaking, exclusive interviews has filled a void for African American and progressive listeners in Southern California and soon in markets throughout the United States.” Smiley was honored with the “Gene Burns Memorial Award for Freedom of Speech” – a.k.a., the Freedom of Speech Award – from TALKERS magazine at this year’s TALKERS 2023 conference held on June 2 at Hofstra University.
No, this isn’t about college football or New Year’s Eve. Wait, maybe it is.
content, distribution and marketing its audio segment. Good Karma chief Craig Karmazin tells SBJ, “This is the culmination of what we’ve been working towards for the last 20-plus years. For us over the last 20 years, we’ve been focused on the medium and focused on the ESPN brand. Now for us to be able to run the sales operations of the entire network and the podcast business, it truly is like a culmination of everything we’ve been working towards in this partnership with them.” 
(7/28) and terminated his employment on Saturday. iHeartMedia issued the following statement: “After an internal review, Don Geronimo is no longer an employee of WBIG. We take matters of this nature very seriously and this behavior does not align with our core values.” McBride commented to ESPN, “When I heard the comments made about me on the radio show, I felt incredibly insulted and embarrassed. In my 17 years as a professional journalist, I have never been disrespected in such a blatant manner while trying to do my job. Their words were sexist and misogynistic. No woman should experience this in the workplace, and I appreciate the Commanders’ swift response in handling this matter.” For his part, Geronimo stated via social media, “At this time I will not be providing comment on the events of the last few days. I am consulting with my advisers as to my options moving forward, including an accurate reflection of the situation.” 
Fellow longtime, long-ago DJs: You know what I’m talking about. And it’s a life sentence, eh?
Cumulus president and CEO Mary Berner comments, “Despite continued challenges in the overall market, our second quarter revenue performed in-line with expectations while Adjusted EBITDA exceeded them. As in prior quarters, we generated strong revenue growth in our digital marketing services business, implemented meaningful cost reductions, and further improved our balance sheet by generating cash from operations and reducing our total and net debt to the lowest levels in more than a decade. Additionally, we executed a highly accretive and opportunistic tender offer, which resulted in the retirement of approximately 10% of our shares outstanding. Our proven track record of strong operational and financial execution in adverse conditions gives us unwavering confidence in our ability to optimize results in the current weak ad market and rebound strongly when the environment improves. In the meantime, we will continue to invest in our digital businesses, further enhance our operating leverage through additional cost reductions, and execute on our strategy to opportunistically deploy capital to maximize long-term shareholder value.”
multiple Tennessee Association of Broadcasters awards as well as a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Starnes Media Group CEO Dalton Glasscock says, “For Ben Deeter this is a job and passion, not a side hustle. Ben is the only local conservative morning show host in Memphis bringing you the news every day. Ben Deeter is giving you the news to keep your families safe, holding our leaders accountable, and bringing humor and good stories to match. KWAM, with Ben Deeter, leading the charge is the only place to go for news you can count on.”
42% if their parents have also listened to podcasts in the last month; 2) Eighty-seven percent of kid podcast listeners ages 6-12 say they have ever shared something they learned from a podcast with other people; 3) Kid podcast listeners participate in co-listening: Sixty-eight percent of parents of kid monthly podcast listeners ages 6-12 say their children listen with at least one parent, and 54% say their kids listen with siblings; 4) Parents use podcasts to foster family connections: Among parents of kid monthly podcast listeners ages 6-12, 72% say it is important for kids podcasts to be able to be enjoyed by the whole family and 71% say it is important for kids podcasts to give parents and their children topics to discuss together; and 5) Parents of kid monthly podcast listeners ages 6-12 say the top genres among their kids are: games (51%), music (43%), comedy (39%), short stories (39%). 
news with you first. I have made the tough decision to step down as co-host of The Drive on the Fan due to persistent scheduling conflicts. It has been an incredible journey with my radio crew, and this choice was not easy to make. Lately, my passion for outdoor pursuits has taken me on an exciting and unexpected journey, prompting me to continue chasing my dreams. I genuinely appreciate your understanding and support throughout this process!” The station paired Wolfe with McKee in October of last year.
Amazing fact: In ancient times, from 1962-1972, the highest-paid on-air talent in New York City was “an overnight guy.” He was paid salary plus sales response. I’m talking about Long John Nebel on WOR, WNBC, then WMCA. Long John’s live reads moved product because his audience was captive. One-to-one his listeners were attached to their radios in the truck cab, night watchman’s building lobby, parents pacing with their babies, students cramming. His background was not in radio; he was a skilled auctioneer. Obviously, the same listeners exist today – and are anxious for someone to talk to them. Check out this old clip of Nebel in action: 
Edward R. Murrow Award for her investigative reporting on Baltimore’s 911 system and has been the recipient of multiple Chesapeake AP Awards. She comments, “I am excited to be a full-time member of this legendary news station. I am looking forward to working alongside Shawn Anderson, with his years of experience, as we give listeners the most up-to-date and accurate information they need to make informed decisions as they go about their day.” WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler states, “From the day Anne started at WTOP, I have loved her passion for storytelling. Anne puts our listeners first and is always thinking about how she can help them understand what is going on in their worlds. Our listeners are in great hands with Shawn and Anne each afternoon.”
Amendment Foundation defamed him. No such accusation ever actually took place. In its Motion to Dismiss, Open AI argues several points, including that Georgia is not the proper jurisdiction, but it summarizes its argument that Walters’ claims don’t meet the burden of defamation when it says, “Even more fundamentally, Riehl’s use of ChatGPT did not cause a ‘publication’ of the outputs. OpenAI’s Terms of Use make clear that ChatGPT is a tool that assists the user in the writing or creation of draft content and that the user owns the content they generate with ChatGPT. Riehl agreed to abide by these Terms of Use, including the requirement that users ‘verify’ and ‘take ultimate responsibility for the content being published.’ As a matter of law, this creation of 
1999. Beasley says that in his new role, he will report directly to chief content officer Justin Chase and will work directly with the company’s production directors to help foster high quality creative production by leveraging the talented producers within the company and developing systems to reduce friction and redundant work. Chase comments, “Over the past 10 years, I’ve relied on Tom for many important corporate initiatives and special projects. No matter what he tackles, I’ve always been impressed with his professionalism, performance, and leadership. We look forward to leveraging Tom’s skills for the benefit of our overall company.”
“Real Talk Radio Network” on Missouri stations KRTK-FM, Hermann; KVMO-FM, Vandalia; and KTRE-FM, Steelville, is being sued by the feds under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act for peddling false information about the COVID pandemic in order to sell supplements and vitamins. The trial is set to begin on August 21 and as a result of the rulings, Nepute is not allowed to testify as a medical expert as the judge ruled he does not practice medicine and has no “experience treating infectious diseases, and more specifically, COVID-19.” The judge also ruled that Nepute’s program is a form of advertising and as such falls under the laws that regulate commercial speech. 
proposed tags when you make a search; 2) Contains Exactly Search – Search for multiple keywords in the same order (substring) by searching in quotes or clicking ‘Contains exactly: “your search”; 3) Autocomplete – See suggestions of possible terms to complete your search; 4) Autocorrect – View intended results even if you make a typo in your search; 5) Suggestions And Result Preview – See suggestions and categories based on your search results, allowing you to view which elements exist for each song; and 6) Download Files in 24bit 48kHz – You can now request access to download higher resolution audio. Benztown CEO Andreas Sannemann says, “The Benztown libraries have always been on the cutting edge of AI development in sync with music and practical application for imaging directors and audio content creators. We keep pushing the standards to create the best possible product for our clients.”
& activations. Recent Hofstra University graduate Kassandra Faber joins the company as associate director of affiliate sales. Recent Trinity College graduate Sydney Sperling joins as associate director of affiliate sales. Broadcast pro Jim Davison joins the company as project manager creative services subsidiary, Yamanair Creative. Four-year staffer Liane Sousa transitions from director of affiliate sales to account executive, advertising sales, and four-year employee Matt Wallach is promoted to accounting analyst.
predeceased by her brother Rick Buckley. She founded Dimes Media Corporation with her son Eric Dimes Fahnoe upon the closing of Buckley Broadcasting. Dimes Media, which operates radio stations in San Luis Obispo and King City California, says “Martha grew up in broadcasting beginning in the mailroom of WNEW as a teenager and her success in many capacities was ensured by her engaging personality and interest in her co-workers, clients and the community.” In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in her memory be made to the Broadcasters Foundation of America or The Living Desertin Palm Desert, CA.
world-famous architect and the mass murders that took place at his home; how bathing suits went from 30 pounds of wet wool to the thong; the original Olympics with athletes competing completely in the nude; and an iconic inventor who actually stole his masterpiece. Steele says, “My fascination with these kinds of stories is all about a fun peek behind the curtain of what we think we know about famous folks, events and lifestyles. When we discover these incredible backstories, it’s a blast worth repeating to friends! I look forward to helping listeners deepen their connection to the past, so we can understand how we got to the present, and how to better map out our future.”
format phases including a full color magazine and eventually a daily online operation geared to providing news, advice and opinions to professionals involved in programming, managing, marketing and operating an array of related platforms in what has come to be known as talk media. This includes most popular forms of spoken-word AM and FM radio, plus online programming, podcasting, cable television and satellite broadcasting. During this period, TALKERS has produced and presented 26 national conventions in New York and another three in Los Angeles. Add to that more than 35 regional, national and international forums about the field and countless radio rows including several at the White House in conjunction with both the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations. TALKERS remains and will continue to be a non-partisan proponent of the First Amendment with a great love and passion for talk media’s roots in the century old medium of radio.
When was the last time you went shopping for a quality living room rug? Not an oriental, because that is just too easy. We’re talking high quality living room rug that will blend in and stand the test of time… and the dog. Next to fighting with a credit card company, it’s the worst shopping experience ever.
THE Best Bit I’ve Heard This Month was by Gene Valicenti, morning host, WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM, Providence.
drive program alongside Kevin “KT” Turner and takes on “The Downbeat” as its name. Jeff Cavanaugh and Julie Dobbs move from the morning daypart to afternoons alongside Mike Rhyner for “The Speakeasy” program. The show times are altered by an hour with the morning program airing from 6:00 am to 10:00 am, the midday “Ben and Skin” show airing from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, followed by the afternoon show airing from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Zaccagnini tells the Dallas Morning News, “The catalyst for this change was to make a better fit for our same staff to further excel in a weekday lineup that best suits their professional and personal lifestyles.”
was known by millions of listeners of ‘The Bob & Tom Show’ for the indelible comedic characters he played on-air, including Donnie Baker, Kenny Tarmac, and Floyd the Trucker, as well as his spot-on celebrity impersonations. Ron was a much-loved colleague and friend, and we will miss him greatly. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. He made many, many people happy during his more than 20 years with ‘The Bob & Tom Show,’ and we will remember him with love and gratitude.”
Complete Newscast, Continuing Coverage, Features News, Newscaster of the Year (news anchor Haylee Gonzales), and Sports Play by Play. In addition, sports talk KNML and country KRST-FM were each recognized for excellence. KKOB news director John Summers states, “It’s the hard work and dedication to factual journalism that brings success. Each knows and understands just how important their work is in relaying details correctly and concepts honestly. The bottom line is simple. They love what they do. And it shows.”