Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

FOX News Channel chief political anchor and executive editor of “Special Report” Bret Baier will present an exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tonight (2/22) at 6:00 pm ET from Ukraine. FNC says, “Taking place less than a mile and a half from Russian positions, Baier will speak with the president about the two-year anniversary of the war, the debate in Congress on additional funding to Ukraine and the latest developments in the ongoing conflict. He will also travel with the president as he receives a military briefing, presents medals to some of his troops and visits wounded soldiers in the hospital.”

Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes tells TALKERS that the company’s IP attorney and friend David Perry has filed a petition with the state of Pennsylvania in connection to the high-profile case of Tyree Wallace, who has been in prison for the last 26 years due to his alleged connection to a murder and robbery. He notes that Perry has been interviewed by CBS, FOX, and ABC in Philadelphia and if your station is interested in speaking with him, contact Chachi directly at chachi@benztown.com.

Townsquare Media, Inc will release fourth quarter 2023 financial results before the market opens on Friday, March 15. The company will host a conference call to discuss certain fourth quarter 2023 financial results on March 15 at 8:00 am ET.

Videographer and radio history buff Art Vuolo, a.k.a. Radio’s Best Friend, chats about historical aspects of the radio biz with WLW, Cincinnati talk host Gary Jeff Walker. Listen to the segment here.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

The latest editions of Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes’ podcast “Chachi Loves Everybody” features two radio executives as Denes interviews Dennis Green, COO, Key Networks and Sun & Fun Media, and Jeff Warshaw, founder and CEO of Connoisseur Media. Listen to the podcasts here.

Edison Research announces that The Infinite Dial 2024 will be presented on March 28 live at Podcast Movement Evolutions in Los Angeles. A free streaming option will be available for those not attending the conference in person. Edison says, “The study provides important benchmark measures for usage and behavior around streaming audio, podcasting, radio, smart audio, social media, and more. The 2024 Infinite Dial will be presented by Edison Research VP Megan Lazovick.

Industry Views

Benztown CEO/Founder Andreas Sannemann is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

The CEO/founder of Benztown, one of the world’s most successful creators and suppliers of radio station jingles and imaging, Andreas Sannemann is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Sannemann is a leading international audio imaging specialist, composer and entrepreneur based at Benztown’s European headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. He joined forces with Dave “Chachi” Denes (who is a past guest on this podcast) and Oliver Klenk in 2008 to form the company.  Benztown’s American headquarters are located in Glendale, California. The international production giant provides imaging and other types of programming content and branding to radio stations in the United States, Germany, England, Australia, New Zealand, and more servicing over 2,300 affiliates on six continents. Audio imaging for the 21st Century and beyond – that’s Sannemann’s mission! Michael Harrison says, “I’ve been talking with broadcast industry leaders around the globe, as we lead up to the United Nations ‘World Radio Day 2024’ on February 13, to acquire a greater comprehension of the massive scope of this medium beyond the US. Sannemann and I discuss the state of radio around the world from his knowledgeable perspective in Germany.  I’ve always had a special place in my heart for jingles and imaging. The audio jingle has gone through many incarnations over the years, but our modern world has not grown so sophisticated as to relegate them to being a relic of the past. Catchy, ear-wormy jingles are still a major part of product branding, and this continues to be a rich and valued tradition in the radio business where personalities, shows and especially stations regularly present a harmonic group of people singing names and call letters. Jingles and imaging are a key part of the radio ‘esthetic.’ Radio-lovers and audiophiles will find this conversation illuminating.” Harrison is serving as executive advisor to UNESCO for “World Radio Day 2024.” Listen to the podcast in its entirety here

Industry News

Affiliate Sales Pro Tim McDonald Retires

Imaging and voiceover firm Benztown announces that longtime affiliate sales pro Tim McDonald is retiring from the radio business after a successful 40-year career. McDonald joined Benztown in 2019 as a member of its affiliate sales team. Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes says, “I’ve learned immensely from Tim. He’s contributed greatly to our success and I’m thankful to have worked with him over the last five years. We thank him for sharing his talents with us and wish him every success in his next chapter.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

FOX News Channel correspondent Benjamin Hall traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine this past weekend for the first time since the attack that left him catastrophically injured in March of 2022. The trip, organized by Fox Corporation executive chairman and CEO Lachlan Murdoch, included a sit-down interview with Volodymyr Zelenskyy that will air on “Special Report with Bret Baier” November 21. Amid enduring more than 30 surgeries over the last 20 months, Hall chronicled his journey in Saved: A War Reporter’s Mission to Make it Home which was published in March 2023 and became a New York Times bestseller.

Cox Media Group Atlanta’s radio stations partnered with the Atlanta Community Food Bank to collect 14,478 pounds of food between November 11-18. The effort by news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM and its three music-formatted sister stations, generated 16,965 meals for food-insecure individuals in Georgia. CMG Atlanta VP and market manager Jaleigh Long says, “This year was a record-breaking year for pounds of food collected that will make a positive impact on our community. We’re thankful for the partnership with Atlanta Community Food Bank and grateful to be able to help struggling families during this time of ‘thanks’ and ‘giving.’”

Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes has dropped new episodes of his “Chachi Loves Everybody” podcast and one is an interview with newly elevated president of The Weiss Agency, Heather Cohen.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Benztown announces that the StudioTexter texting service and contesting and communications platform created exclusively for radio stations has signed 28 new affiliates in Q3 and Q4, bringing the total number of station affiliates to 100. Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes says, “More than 50% of American consumers respond to a text within two minutes, checking their messages around 11 times a day. StudioTexter is a powerful tool, enabling more efficient and authentic engagement with your audience like never before.”

Salem Media Group, Inc announces that it plans to report its third quarter 2023 financial results after the market closes on November 13, 2023. The company plans to host a teleconference to discuss its results that day at 5:00 pm ET.

Premiere Networks and media executive and consultant Buzz Knight announced a partnership to bring Knight’s podcast “Takin’ A Walk: Music History on Foot” to the iHeartPodcast Network, effective immediately. The show features “insightful conversations with interesting people who discuss their love of music. In each episode, Knight takes listeners on a journey through music history with guests who share stories and insights about musicians, bands and the music they create.”

Industry News

LABF to Present Webinar Series

The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation is presenting a webinar series titled “LABF Radio & Podcast Power Session.” The series was created by Benztown president and LABF board member Dave “Chachi” Denes with support from the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) and theim University of Maryland. Industry experts presenting in the three-part series include: programming with consultant Mike McVay; promotion and marketing insight with Benztown marketing director Susan Aksu-Magarian; and behind the scenes of owning a station with Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan, among others. Denes says, “I was honored to lead the ‘LABF Radio & Podcasting Power Session,’ and I want to thank the incredible talent and executives that participated for their contributions and presentations as well as technical producers, Robby Gessel and Trevor Adams. We have high hopes that this session will prove valuable to students and ignite their enthusiasm for the radio and podcasting mediums that hold a special place in our hearts.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes’ latest episodes of his “Chachi Loves Everybody” podcast feature Workhouse Media CEO Paul Anderson and former Greater Media chairman and CEO Peter Smyth. You can hear the podcasts here.

Hope Media Group announces that Mike McCall is named chief of donor engagement for the firm. He most recently served in a similar position with Educational Media Foundation. Hope Media Group says, “Mike has been blessed with a 30-year journey of building successful donor relationships and leading large teams of development officers.”

Industry News

Radio’s Pinfield and Holiday Talk on “Sound, Sobriety and Success”

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Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks announces that KROQ, Los Angeles personality Megan Holiday joins rock journalist Matt Pinfield on the latest episode of the “Sound, Sobriety & Success” podcast. In the new episode, Holiday discusses her journey from her hometown of Rancho Cucamonga, California to becoming a personality at KROQ. She also shares the stories along the way of her recovery from addiction to drugs. Pictured above are (from l-r): Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks’ Darren Silva, Holiday, Pinfield, and Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks’ Dave “Chachi” Denes.

Industry News

Benztown Launches Role Callers Service

Benztown announces the launch of Role Callers, “an exciting and innovative new on-air enhancement service for radio stations that need to shake up their sound.” Benztown says, “Role Callers provides stations with paid phone actors that offer high-engagement content perfect for drive time or anytime. Role Callers delivers highest qualityim voice acting services for cash or barter, directed by Benztown producers in collaboration with station program directors and producers, and totally customized to their needs… The actors call in to radio stations, asking questions, playing along with comedy bits, sharing local information, talking up contests and promotions, and more – all according to the specific needs of each station.” Benztown president Dave “Chachi” Denes says, “We live in a digitally overloaded world, and human interaction and connectivity have become increasingly crucial. Role Callers serves as an invaluable tool, effectively sparking live listener engagement on some of the nation’s most prominent morning shows.”

Industry News

Michael Harrison Guests on “Chachi Loves Everybody” Podcast

Benztown, a global leader in radio imaging, voiceover, programming, podcasting and jingles, announces the release today (4/13) of two new episodes of “Chachi Loves Everybody,” an original podcast produced by Benztown and featuring Benztown president and audio brand builder Dave “Chachi” Denes. The first new episode features Chachi’s recent chat from Benztown’s Los Angeles studios with Michael Harrison, founder and publisher, TALKERS.  In the second new episode, Chachi talks to Wayne Johnson, founder and owner of Rockaway Records in Los Angeles.

“Chachi Loves Everybody” takes listeners with Denes – better known as “Chachi” – as he sits down for candid conversations with radio’s legends, master brand builders, up-and-comers, and innovators in the burgeoning audio space, revealing the true stories behind their successes and their insights into building iconic brands through audio. According to Harrison, “Chachi is one of the most effective media platform interviewers I’ve ever encountered. He pulled stuff out of me that I’ve never said publicly. Radio freaks are going to love this podcast.”

Today’s Benztown press release states: Before founding TALKERS, radio innovator and thought-leader Michael Harrison worked at legendary radio stations from coast-to-coast, including WNEW-FM in New York, KMET in Los Angeles, KRPI in San Diego, WTIC in Hartford, CT, and WCBS-FM in New York. He also founded the AOR format, hosted several syndicated shows, and was the first managing editor for Radio & Records. Harrison has been a columnist for Billboard, a radio station owner, and member of the band Gunhill Road.

Harrison shares with Chachi and his listeners:

— How he started his career by creating one of the first progressive rock radio stations on Long Island with his colleague Richard Neer

— What it was like to work in NYC radio for three different formats at once – and teach at NYU at the same time

— About his move to San Diego and his instrumental role in the creation of the AOR format

— Stories behind the syndicated shows he hosted and what it was like working with Norm Pattiz in the early days of Westwood One

— How he published his own radio/music charts in his Goodphone publication and being bought out by Billboard

— Moving to talk radio and founding TALKERS magazine, TALKERS.com and the TALKERS Convention

— Joining the band Gunhill Road and releasing music with them

— What the radio industry must do to stay relevant

— And more!

Listen to the new podcast episodes here.