Cumulus Names Collin Jones to Lead Westwood One
Cumulus Media announces that Collin Jones adds the role of president of Westwood One to his responsibilities, effective January 1, 2024. Jones, who also holds the title, EVP of corporate strategy & development for Cumulus Media, takes over for Suzanne Grimes who has decided to “embark on the next chapter of her career after eight years.” Jones has served with Cumulus Media since 2011 and is responsible for leading the company’s strategy, corporate development (including major partnerships
and M&A), and investor relations efforts. Jones has led the Cumulus through several strategic transactions and growth initiatives including the acquisition of Westwood One in 2013. Additionally, he oversees IncentRev, the company’s e-commerce and daily deal platform. Cumulus CEO Mary Berner comments, “With his deep understanding of both Cumulus Media and Westwood One, Collin is uniquely qualified for this role and is well-prepared to harness the full power of our platform to help Westwood One grow. Collin has consistently demonstrated his savvy business acumen, effective management style, and collaborative spirit, and I have full confidence that he has the skills and the vision to build upon Suzanne’s considerable accomplishments.” Berner adds, “I would like to thank Suzanne for her invaluable contributions and her pivotal role in our success. Under her leadership, we launched the top-rated Cumulus Podcast Network, built the multi-platform Westwood One News/Talk franchise, and established the industry-leading Audio Active Group. Throughout her time with Cumulus, she has been a remarkable leader, colleague, and mentor to many, and we are certain she will accomplish great things wherever she chooses to share her talents next.”
of injured military members and veterans who are undergoing treatment. Group homes at Bethesda, Walter Reed, the VA, Dover AFB, and at military and VA medical centers around the world offer a comfortable place for loved ones to live while remaining close to their injured family members. Fisher House Foundation chairman and CEO Ken Fisher says, “For an incredible 21 years, WMAL and its audience have given to military and veteran families through Fisher House Foundation. We are overwhelmed and grateful for the dedication and incredible generosity in support of our nation’s heroes and their loved ones.” WMAL PD and Cumulus Media VP of news/talk Bill Hess comments, “Year after year, our listeners step up with support for injured veterans and their families. As the Fisher House Foundation approaches its 100th house worldwide, it’s rewarding to know our listeners play such a large role in the organization’s ability to serve the families of our wounded servicemen and women.”
company operates news/talk WHLD-AM, Buffalo; sports talk WRIE-AM, Erie; and sports talk WSKO-AM, Syracuse as well as 11 music-formatted stations. Cumulus Media president of operations Bob Walker states, “We are pleased to expand Beth’s responsibilities over these three key markets for Cumulus. Her deep experience and effectiveness as a leader make her a natural choice for this enhanced role.” 
The fourth of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s November PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey period covered October 12 through November 8. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee, iHeartMedia news/talk WISN adds a full share for a 10.7 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) finish that keeps it ranked #1, while Good Karma Brands news/talk WTMJ loses 1.9 shares for a 7.7 share but remains ranked #2. In Nashville, Cumulus Media news/talk WWTN-FM is flat with a 5.7 share and remains ranked #5, while iHeartMedia news/talk WLAC-AM inches up one-tenth and remains ranked #19. In West Palm Beach, Hubbard Broadcasting news/talk WFTL adds four-tenths for a 2.7 share and stays locked in the #9 rank, while iHeartMedia talk WZZR-FM adds two-tenths for a 2.0 share and climbs to the #11 rank, and iHeartMedia’s news/talk WJNO is flat with a 1.2 share but falls back to the #15 rank. 
2) Audio is powerful. Podcast consumers spend a significant amount of time on YouTube listening to podcasts without watching the video; 3) Since 2019, YouTube and 
McCaffrey has been co-host of the “Murph and Mac” show with Brian Murphy, who appears to still be employed with the station. The dismissal of Santangelo spells the end of the evening call-in show that’s been part of the station for the past 51 years. Station program director Adam Copeland– who also co-hosts the afternoon show with Tom Tolbert – said on the program, “It’s been a really difficult day. I love this building, I love this station, I love working with you, Tom, and I’ve listened to you for years. I love a lot of people. I love the guys we let go of today. I’m looking forward to the future, but I really think we need to tip our cap and applaud the work that those guys have done.” 
been spent at WFNC – with a special broadcast of “Good Morning Fayetteville” called, “Goldy’s Last Hurrah.” He tells Bill Kirby Jr. at CityViewNC, “Since I announced my retirement a few weeks ago, the outpouring of love and the good wishes from not only my listeners here in Fayetteville, but my listeners in Washington D.C., has been overwhelming. It has been a privilege and a joy to live out my dream for these last 45 years, and to have a second chapter like the one I’ve had here in Fayetteville exceeded my wildest dreams.” 
be able to review podcasts to ensure they meet their brand’s safety and suitability standards. Brands are also able to monitor their ad-buys during and after the campaigns to ensure their standards are being upheld. Westwood One SVP, sales and digital partnerships David Cohn comments, “We are proud to provide Barometer’s transparency and accountability to the marketplace. Brand marketers now represent 61% of U.S. podcast revenue. Advertisers deserve a brand-suitability solution that is designed for the unique attributes of podcast content rather than the legacy systems that were designed for display and online video.”
AM/FM radio listeners are 39% more likely to pay $301+ to have their taxes prepared and show greater familiarity, interest, consideration, and usage of tax category brands; 2) AM/FM radio ads drive site traffic for tax preparation brands: In the LeadsRx attribution study of a tax preparation service’s multi-wave campaign, AM/FM radio generated between a 43% to 47% increase in website traffic; 3) Branding early and often in tax preparation service ads drives more site traffic: LeadsRx found the top three creative executions that drove site traffic for a tax preparation service had the marketer’s brand name within the first five seconds of the ad; and 4) compared to other radio formats, a 2023 tax prep campaign on news/talk and sports stations realized a higher percentage share of interactions than the percentage share of their Nielsen ad impressions. 
her Eugene, Oregon management role and becomes regional vice president. Cumulus operates news/talk outlet KKOH-AM, Reno; news/talk KUGN-AM & sports talk KUJZ-FM in Eugene, plus six music brands. Cumulus president, operations Bob Walker says, “We are thrilled to expand Tricia’s responsibilities and welcome her back to Reno. Her experience and relationships in the market are unmatched.” 
1:00 pm (instead of its usual 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm air time). The program is hosted by travel expert Colleen Kelly, who is cost, creator, and executive producer of the popular Emmy-nominated PBS series, “Family Travel With Colleen Kelly,” and is a digital contributor to National Geographic. WLS program director Stephanie Tichenor says, “Chicago loves to travel. Colleen has been giving our WLS-AM audience travel tips and tricks for over 100 episodes. We are so excited to celebrate this milestone with her as she continues to share her experiences from all over the world.” The series is also co-hosted and produced by Megan Kudla, as well as technically produced and edited by Lane Thoelcke.
promotions department at KNBR and was later hired at KNBR as a part-time board operator. In 2017, Copeland was promoted to full-time producer of “KNBR Tonight,” was then named host of “The Leadoff Spot,” and served as producer/board operator of the “
team of award-winning journalists brings a fresh perspective to mornings while delivering a perfect mix of news, sports, and entertainment.” Also, station traffic and weather anchor Renee Vitale becomes co-host of “First Thing with Mike Parsons” from 5:00 am to 6:00 am. The station is pairing Detroit Lions great Lomas Brown with WJR’s Sean Baligian for the 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm “Sportswrap with Lomas Brown and Sean Baligian” program. Cumulus Media regional VP and market manager Steve Finateri comments, “‘JR Morning with Guy, Lloyd and Jamie’ plus ‘SportsWrap with Lomas Brown and Sean Baligian’ as bookends to our current big-name local daily shows on WJR has given ‘The Great Voice of The Great Lakes’ more prime time firepower than at any time in the past 20 years!”
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s October PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey period was September 14 through October 11. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM rises one-tenth to finish with a 4.0 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and remains ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP dropped six-tenths to an 8.1 share and stays locked in the #2 rank. In Detroit, Audacy’s all-news WWJ adds six-tenths for a 4.6 share finish and rises to the #9 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR rises half a share for a 2.3 share that lifts it to the #16 rank. 
advertising. In 2016 and 2017, direct response represented the vast majority of podcast advertising. From 2018 to 2021, the proportion of podcast ad spend was equally split between brand and direct response.” The post says there are four major implications of the shift to podcast brand advertising: 1) Targeting will become much broader: Wide campaign reach will become the priority with a goal of “being known before you’re needed”; 2) Creative will shift to become more entertaining and emotion based: The objective will be to stir passions and create positive feelings and associations with ads that people find interesting and enjoyable; 3) Brand safety and suitability measurement will become more crucial: Firms like Barometer will become powerful resources to help marketers find the right context for their campaigns with nuanced data; and 4) Measurement will focus on how well campaigns build memories to ensure brands are “easy to mind and easy to find”: Key performance indicators are brand awareness, brand consideration, and brand preference. 
to 8:00 am show will be simulcast on the company’s KTOK-AM, Oklahoma City and KAKC-AM, Tulsa. iHeartMedia Nashville market president Dan Endom says, “We are thrilled to welcome Michael, a true broadcasting legend, to iHeartMedia Nashville. Michael’s extensive knowledge of the airwaves coupled with his innate ability to connect with audiences will elevate our programming to new heights.” DelGiorno served with Cumulus Media’s crosstown WWTN-FM, Nashville from 2007 through March of this year. He also previously hosted shows on KFAQ and KRMG in Tulsa.
a net loss of $19.8 million. Cumulus reports in segments, and for the Q3 period total broadcast radio revenue was $146 million, down 17.4% from a year ago. Spot revenue was down 15.2% while network revenue declined 22.8% from Q3 of 2022. Cumulus’ digital segment reports revenue of $37.2 million, an increase of 6.6%, year-over-year. Cumulus CEO Mary G. Berner states, “Third quarter revenue and Adjusted EBITDA finished in line with expectations with results reflecting the continued dichotomy between local 
and national business lines. Despite the challenging environment, we maximized performance by 
2018, Nielsen’s Total Audience Report reveals the 18-49 weekly reach of live and time-shifted TV has dropped -26%. Over the same period, TV’s daily time spent is down -59%; 2) cord-cutting is a major driver of TV’s audience collapse: The MRI Simmons January 2023 “How Americans Watch TV” report reveals 51% have cut the cord; 3) While a huge number of Americans have abandoned traditional TV for streaming, AM/FM radio remains the dominant audio platform: According to Edison Research’s Q2 2023 “Share of Ear,” AM/FM radio has a massive 69% share of U.S. ad-supported audio. AM/FM radio audience shares are over 17 times larger than ad-supported Pandora and ad-supported Spotify. 
Donna Baker states, “Today Cumulus Kansas City completes the market transformation of our dominant cluster. With recent moves for Kansas City’s hip hop and R&B – now ‘Power 105.1,’ ‘107.3 The Vibe All The Hits,’ and now adding 95.7 FM to the simulcast of 710 AM and 103.7 FM for a tri-cast of ‘KCMO Talk,’ we have the right formats on the right signals reaching the entire Kansas City community. Congratulations to program director Pete Mundo and our leadership team for their tireless work on this important step forward.” Mundo adds, “KCMO has a rich history. As we often say, ‘If it’s IN KCMO, it’s ON KCMO.’ These legacy call letters have been synonymous with shows that engage the audience in conversations about local and national issues that impact their everyday lives. The addition of 95.7 FM provides a crystal-clear audio experience for our rapidly growing fan base and I’m excited to even better serve talk radio listeners across the Kansas City region.”
were 33% more likely to say the brand “partners with all my favorite stores,” 81% more likely to indicate the e-commerce retailer “is a brand I trust,” 140% more likely to associate the brand for offering “the best sales and coupons”; 2) among those exposed versus those not exposed, brand equity measures surged, showing 54% growth in familiarity, 31% lift in average brand images, 37% greater consideration, 102% increase in purchase intent, and 55% growth in customer forecast; and 3) concluded that best practices to power direct-to-consumer marketing effectiveness calls for allocating 74% of marketing budgets to creating future demand (brand building) and 26% to converting existing demand (sales activation), targeting broadly to expand the customer base, employing emotional advertising to build direct-to-consumer brands and drive sales and profit, being known before you are needed, and buying lots of ads in all days and dayparts. 
The fourth and final round of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s September 2023 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen’s September 2023 sweep covered August 17 – September 13. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Milwaukee,