A pair of newly released brand-lift studies by Katz Media Group offers fresh evidence that radio successfully drives customers to financial institutions. Katz says both unnamed commercial banks ran what it describes as “robust” radio campaigns nationwide last fall. Katz says brand consideration increased an average of 20% among those who heard the ads. Read moreBanks’ Smart Money Is On Radio Ads, According To Two Brand Lift Studies.
National Association of Broadcasters President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt is still advancing the preservation of AM radio in the automotive dashboard in an interview with The Hill. LeGeyt, who has led the NAB for two and a half years, said the trade association’s mandate is “to ensure that consumers are going to have access to a vibrant local broadcast” — which makes the potential elimination of AM radio in vehicles a key issue for the organization. Read moreLeGeyt: NAB’s Public Advocacy Is ‘Nonpartisan And Trusted.’
After being ejected from a game in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, New York Mets pitcher Jorge López had few defenders on sports talk radio by Thursday morning. But one of his critics, WFAN host Boomer Esiason, soon walked back his remarks. Read moreA Mets Pitcher’s Meltdown, A Radio Host’s Criticism, And An Apology.
“It is never about passion. It’s about curiosity,” said Bob Pittman, the CEO of iHeartMedia, about a career that has taken him from MTV to Six Flags and AOL, and now the world’s largest radio and podcast company. On LinkedIn’s career-focused This Is Working podcast, Pittman described a career path that began with a small-town Mississippi radio station as more of a “random walk” than a planned journey. “I’m exaggerating a bit, but I don’t believe in plans,” Pittman said. Read moreiHeart’s Bob Pittman Says He (Mostly) Doesn’t Believe In Planning.
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) has named Casey Jones President/CEO of the organization, effective June 24. Jones, who is currently the Director of Community Affairs at WOOD-TV Grand Rapids, succeeds Sam Klemet, who left the MAB on April 30 to join the Detroit Auto Dealers Association as Co-Executive Director. Rachel Krause and Jennifer Clark have been serving as Co-Interim Directors. Read moreCasey Jones To Engineer MAB As New President/CEO.
Genuine Austin Radio transitions two stations to an online-only presentation this weekend as Norsan Media takes over operations of country KOKE and sports KTAE in the Texas capital. Norsan is already operating Genuine Austin Radio’s KTXX as regional Mexican “La Raza” as it waits for official approval of its purchase of the trio. Read moreNorsan Media Takes Over Operations Of Austin’s KOKE/KTAE.
Spotify will offer refunds to buyers of its soon-to-be discontinued Car Thing after announcing this week the devices will no longer function as of Dec. 9. Specifics have not been released, but an update on the company’s support page says users can contact customer support to “discuss their options.” The offer comes as Spotify has been slapped with a class-action lawsuit by owners of Car Thing seeking refunds. Read moreFacing Legal Action, Spotify Offers Refunds To Car Thing Users.
“Rock 107” WEZX Scranton-Wilkes Barre, PA is now simulcast on WLGD… Edison Research, SiriusXM, and GroupM will present the Sports Audio Report on Thursday, June 13… KTKO Beeville, TX repositions from “Kicker 106” to red dirt-Texas country “Texas Knock Out 105.7.” … Former Cumulus Media Albuquerque OM of Music Brands Kris Abrams forms strategic partnership with WP Media’s Radio Content Pro. Read moreNews Bites: WEZX/WLGD, Sports Audio Report, ‘Texas Knock Out 105.7,’ Kris Abrams.
It was an impressive April book for Capitol Broadcasting’s “99.9 The Fan” WCMC-FM Raleigh-Durham, NC, the focus of this week’s Inside Radio “By The Numbers.” Nielsen’s March-April trends showed average quarter-hour persons 25-54 up 50%, moving the station up from 13th to seventh, with The Fan’s P1 listeners clearly more engaged. “The Fan is centered around the connection we provide between our listeners and their teams,” Brand Manager/Program Director Paul Ihander says. Read moreWith More Local Content, Raleigh-Durham’s ‘99.9 The Fan’ Sees AQH Growth.
Artificial intelligence is still in its early stages, but longer-term AI is sure to play a larger role in what listeners hear on their favorite podcasts. That has led WaitWhat, the media company behind Masters of Scale podcast, to draft what it is calling a Podcast Listener’s Bill of Rights. It offers a set of guidelines for ethical podcast and audio consumption in the age of AI. “We are committed to transparency, but those standards are hardly codified in our industry,” CEO Jeff Berman said. Read moreWaitWhat Proposes Podcasters Sign Pledge Committing To Disclose When AI Is Used.
Former Tyler Media Group country “93.3 Jake FM” KJKE Oklahoma City MD, morning co-host and afternoon personality Carly Rae returns to the station to host “Jake’s Background Beats” on Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm. “Can’t wait to reconnect and share some good songs, stories, and laughs!” she posted on Facebook. Read moreCarly Rae
iHeartMedia Cleveland promotes Cindy Hunter to Senior VP of Sales and Lauren O’Brien to VP of Digital. A 30-year Northeast Ohio radio and marketing veteran, Hunter previously served as VP of Sales and will continue as iHeartMedia’s political sales lead for Ohio. O’Brien has been with iHeartMedia Cleveland since April 2019, and the Director of Agency & Digital Partnerships since 2022. Read moreCindy Hunter
Afternoon co-host Bill Doyle exits Townsquare Media talk “New Jersey 101.5” WKXW Trenton, NJ. Doyle has been partnered with Jeff Deminski since 1994. The duo was in their second stint at the radio station and also hosted afternoons and mornings in Detroit. Deminski remains with the station. Read moreBill Doyle
Tony Luna joins Hope Media Group’s Spanish language network Vida Unida as Network Program Director, a newly created position. Luna most recently served as PD of Audacy Spanish AC “Mega 101” KLOL Houston, exiting in April amongst company-wide cuts. He previously programmed SBS’ “Mega 97.9” WSKQ and “Amor 93.1” WPAT in New York. Read moreTony Luna
Becky Sullivan is joining the National Desk at NPR as a sports correspondent. Sullivan has worked at NPR for 12 years. She started as an Arts Desk intern, worked the weekend shows, and spent many years as a producer on All Things Considered. Most recently, she has been a digital reporter on the Newshub. Sullivan will start her new role at the network on June 3. Read moreBecky Sullivan
