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Indiana RadioWatch
Serving Hoosier Broadcasters Since 1998
13 March 2022
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Good Morning:
Let's start this issue with an advertorial:
The pandemic has created many changes and disruptions. We have been told that SAFE AT HOME is one of the best ways to ensure social distancing, even as the state tries to reopen. Yet with fewer people in their cars, radio listening has INCREASED in many markets.
Between on-air ratings and online streaming metrics, the proof is undeniable: people are yearning for local information, delivered by people they know, like and trust. Another lesson from safe distancing: whether radio or TV, consumers empathize with anchors, reporters and entertainers working from locations other than their studios.
That is where VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ can help. Current economic interruptions make it difficult for local stations to provide the kind of quality information and talent that consumers and advertisers' demand. And now, your biggest competition is most likely their cell phone!
Why does my station even need local news?
Research shows that the not-so-secret ingredient to radio success is content that is 'local, local, local'. However, economic pressures have forced many stations to rely on only a national news network, eliminate a news presence all together ceding local information to other technologies. Whether you have a Music Station focusing primarily on drive-time updates, or a News/Talk format demanding round-the-clock updates, relevant local information is a critical key to keeping your audience. Markets with electronic ratings measurement have found that their news and information segments are among the highest-rated minutes of the hour. This, in turn, adds value to news sponsorships.
Why should I outsource my station's news?
For too many radio operations, recent events have made it more challenging to justify the cost of even one full-time news staffer. But when you share the cost with other stations, everybody has better quality at far less expense. Each VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ anchor has years of industry experience and your anchor (or anchors if you like) will be exclusive to your stations. Plus, they sound like they are part of your staff.
How can you know what's going on in my market?
Of course, VIRTUALNEWS CENTER™ can do the normal beat calls and web site checks. We also get on relevant email and fax distribution lists for your station. In a Corona world, we've seen that technology makes it simple for virtually every staffer to work from outside the building. In many situations, traffic and billing is handled somewhere else, and now you can have a larger sounding newsroom and not worry about all the issues that go along with a local hire.
Want to learn more?
Go to virtualnewscenter.com or call CEO Joel Dearing at 877-470-6397 to learn how VIRTUALNEWS CENTER™ can help you.
Here's the latest!
Northeast
Brooklyn Beatty announced on Facebook that she will join the Federated Media’s CHR/WMEE (97.3fm, Fort Wayne) morning show, co-hosting with John Davies. Ms. Beatty works for Federated sister stations N-T/WTRC-FM (95.3fm, Niles, Michigan) on their morning show ('Michiana's Morning News') and hosts 9am until Noon on WAOR-FM (102.7fm, Ligonier). Before moving to Michiana, she worked for sister N-T/WOWO in Fort Wayne.
Northcentral
Former Weigel Broadcasting EVP/Local Media Bob Ramsey died Tuesday March 8. Mr. Ramsey also worked for the former Tribune Company when it owned WGN-TV in Chicago. Among the stops in his career were TV in Terre Haute (presumably at either WTHI-TV or WTWO-TV), and as Operations and Programming Manager for Evansville's WEVV-TV in the mid-1980s. Chicago media reporter Robert Feder first reported Mr. Ramsey's death.
Northwest
UPDATED: Mike Reed and Bill Christian complete a $36.9 million deal to sell several of their television stations, their Lafayette radio stations, a centralized NewsHub, and Nulogic, a digital marketing advertising agency to Coastal Television Broadcasting Group. Coastal Television Broadcasting Group owns and/or operates several television stations in Alaska, Mississippi, and Wyoming.
In Indiana, this deal includes FOX and NBC affiliates/WPBI-LD (Channel 16, Lafayette), and ABC, MyNetwork, and MeTV affiliates/WPBY-LD (Channel 35, Lafayette), along with radio stations CHR/WAZY (96.5fm, Lafayette), Adult Hits/WBPE (95.3fm, Brookston), Country/WYCM (95.7fm, Attica), Talk/WSHY (1410am, Lafayette) and two FM translators.
Kalil & Co., Inc. was the exclusive broker on the deal.
Kaspar Broadcasting's Classic Hits/WILO (1570am, Frankfort), also heard on translator W245CO (96.9fm, Frankfort) adds another translator, to extend their coverage to the south and east. W274CI is on 102.7fm, licensed to Lebanon. The 99-watt translator is on a tower on the southeast side of Lebanon.
Purdue University and Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media sign an Asset Purchase Agreement to transfer control of the Purdue University radio stations to MIPM:
• News-Talk/WBAA(AM) and W290CM (920am, West Lafayette; 105.9fm, Lafayette),
• Classical/WBAA-FM (101.3fm; West Lafayette) and Jazz on their HD-2.
Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media operates both NPR affiliate/WFYI-FM (90.1fm, Indianapolis), and PBS affiliate WFYI-TV (Channel 20, Indianapolis).
Several media outlets report the Asset Purchase Agreement contains these highlights:
• No cash will change hands between Purdue University and Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media for WBAA(AM), WBAA-FM, and their FM translator.
• The WBAA call letters, formats, and local news will remain.
• Purdue will pay Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media $250,000 per year for the first two years to offset various initial operating expenses.
• Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media will provide Purdue with $700,000 of underwriting credits over ten years.
• Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media will provide at least $300,000 worth of paid student internships at the WFYI stations and the WBAA stations.
• Four WBAA employees will become full time employees of WFYI/Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media
• Purdue University will continue owning and maintaining the physical structures, including the WBAA radio studios and transmitter sites. Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media will pay a nominal annual license fee.
Central
Circle City Broadcasting's CW affiliate/WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis) and MyNetworkTV affiliate/WNDY-TV (Channel 23, Marion) continues their partnership with minor league baseball team the Indianapolis Indians. WISH-TV and WNDY-TV will air a total of 35 home games.
Where Are They Now? Former Emmis Communications promotions director George Economos earns a promotion from Moody Radio/Chicago Director of Strategic Marketing (Radio) to Director of Affiliate Relations. At Emmis, Mr. Economos was Promotions Director for what was then 'Radio Now 93.1' WNOU in the mid-2000s.
Radio Spotlight
Name: Russ Dodge
Russ co-hosts Indiana Nocturne, an eclectic weekly classic rock host originating on WITT 91.9 Indianapolis. Indiana Nocturne also airs on WSND FM Notre Dame, WELT-FM Fort Wayne, WYRZ FM Brownsburg, WMKI Terre Haute, Circle City Rock Radio, Mix 105 Indy, and Radio Free Naptown. Also, Russ is on the Board of Directors for WITT FM.
Broadcasting Career:
General/Regional Sales Manage Hoosier AM/FM LLC-7 Indiana Stations-Kokomo/Marion Jul 2013 – Oct 2014.
General Manager WEDJ-FM WSYW-AM-Radio Latina/La Que Buena Indianapolis Apr 2006 – Jul 2009.
General Manager WXLW-AM ESPN 950 Indianapolis Jan 2005 – Apr 2006.
Regional and National Sales Manager Artistic Media Partners-14 Indiana stations South Bend, Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Lafayette Jul 2000 – Jan 2005.
Sales Manager KJJY-FM/KRKQ-FM/KBGG-AM Des Moines 1999 – 2000.
Sales Manager Network Indiana 1995 – 1999.
Sales Manager WXTZ-FM Indianapolis 1994 – 1995.
Sales Manager WTLC-FM/WTUX-AM Indianapolis 1977 – 1994.
Sales/Announcer WRBR-FM/WJVA-AM South Bend - 1973 – 1977.
Who were your early DJ or radio station influences? (Perhaps what lead you to "catch the radio bug."?) I grew up in NJ so 77 WABC was the station that hooked me on radio. Dan Ingram (the thinking person’s DJ) was so good at every level including his outstanding delivery of live commercials.
How do you prepare for Indiana Nocturne shows? My co-host John Rabold and I determine a theme for the show, then we narrow down the music that we will include.
What has online listening meant to your show? Tremendously increased our reach.
On your show, who has been the most memorable guest? Probably our guest hosts – we've had a few over the 6 years of the show. Abdul Hakim Shabazz, Mindy Winkler, Matt Soucy, Crista Carlino, Ken Owen, and the legendary Mistress Vicki are just a few.
What has been your biggest radio career accomplishment? That I made a successful career out of my love for radio.
What has been your most memorable moment on the air? My first night on the air on commercial radio March 31,1973 WRBR-FM South Bend. I said to myself, this isn’t a dream, it is real.
What is/are the best thing(s) about noncommercial radio? Our ability to provide programming that commercial radio won’t. We know there is an audience hungry for that.
What makes you unique on the air? In addition to a strong background with a lot of musical genres, I am a good storyteller (thanks to my Dad and to Jean Shepherd)
What's the best advice you'd give to those wanting to get into radio? Learn everything you can about all facets of radio. I still consider myself a student of radio.
What book have you read that has taught you? Besides the Bible, I have read many broadcast books over the years. One that sticks out is Rick Sklar’s Rocking America which chronicles Musicradio 77 WABC NY. I learned how it all happened as I was too young to understand the behind the scenes work that made it successful in the 60s and was new to the radio business as the station peaked in the 70s.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
Sign-on dates seem to be a prickly matter, subject to great debate, and mostly impossible to confirm. If there is something we need to add to the calendar, please let us know. Please also e-mail us if you have updated information.
March 13: In 1989, 107.7fm in Monticello signed on as WMRS-FM and remains so today. In 2005, WGLD (104.5fm, Indianapolis) flipped formats from Oldies ('Gold 104.5') to the Hot AC/Classic Hits 'Jack-FM' hybrid mix at 6:00pm.
March 14: In 1974, WLYV (1450am, Fort Wayne) flipped formats from Top 40 to Country, with new owners. Until 1980, Jack Nicklaus owned the station under the corporate name 'Golden Bear Broadcasting'. Also, on this date in 1974, WPTH(FM) (95.1fm, Fort Wayne) flipped formats from Peters Productions' 'Music Just for the Two of Us' to TM's 'Stereo Rock'. After experimental FM in the 1940s, WPTH was Fort Wayne's first FM station. In 2007, Backyard Broadcasting (Anderson/Muncie) News Director Tom Hammond died. Age 40. In 2011, former WMEE (97.3fm, Fort Wayne) morning man Steve Kerrigan died. Age 52.
March 15: In 1954, Channel 52 in Elkhart signs on as WSJV ('St. Joseph river Valley'). In 1958, WSJV moved to Channel 28 and remains there today.
March 16: In 1956, 1270am in Elkhart signs on as WCMR for owner Clarence Moore. After changing call letters to WFRN in 1993, the WCMR call letters returned in 2008. In 2001, WEDJ (107.1fm, Danville) changed formats from Alternative ('Rock 107') to Regional Mexican ('La Ley').
March 17: In 1957, 95.5fm, then licensed to Indianapolis signs on as WFMS ('Williams FM Service,' for owner Martin Risser Williams), and remains so today (albeit now licensed to Fishers).
March 19: In 1997, 94.1fm in Roanoke flipped formats to Modern AC, as 'Star 94.1' and changed call letters from WGL-FM to WYSR.
Employment Opportunities
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Federated Media, a family-owned radio group in Northern Indiana, is looking for an entry level Broadcast Engineer for the Fort Wayne radio market. We are looking for someone that is proficient in maintaining computer hardware and software in a Microsoft network environment. That same person needs to be able to handle some basic electronic troubleshooting to fix other radio broadcast problems. The radio industry today is all computer driven but we still have radio personalities that we need to communicate and work with daily. The ideal candidate not only can ‘speak geek’ they must work well with others. The Fort Wayne market consists of a large studio facility and 7 transmitter sites with 12 towers. Because it is a large operation, all candidates must be highly motivated, responsible, able to work unsupervised, and pay attention to detail. Candidates must also have dependable transportation, valid driver’s license, and proof of auto insurance.
If you think you are qualified, please fill out an application or send us your resume to:
Federated Media
2915 Maples Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
Attn: Market Chief Engineer
Email resumes to: mdavid@federatedmedia.com
Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Legendary Midwest News/Talk station, WOWO 1190 AM& 107-5 FM is searching for its next great News Director.
Preferred candidates should have a strong understanding of local news reporting, a background in news programming and experience as a news anchor; the capability of great news writing, presentation, and on-air execution; an ability to work well with others and lead a news team with ethics and integrity, while holding others accountable as we strive to bring local news issues, current events, and politics to WOWO Land. Digital integration is a must!
WOWO is a top-rated station in Fort Wayne with a storied heritage as one of America’s last bastions of independent ownership. You will have all the tools you need to achieve anticipated growth.
The candidate we chose will be joining the Fort Wayne Morning News Team as News Anchor from 5am-9am, so you will need the ability to work those hours. We welcome all applicants, regardless of experience but WOWO is a Legacy Radio station, previous Marconi Winner and 2021 Winner of The IBA Spectrum Award for Station Of The Year, so our standards are high.
If you feel you have the talent and can prove it to us, we want to hear from you. Confidentiality assured. E-mail resume and all relevant materials to ragz@federatedmedia.com
Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Radio Forecast Network, a nationwide network that provides weather forecasts for stations in the United States, Canada and the British Virgin Islands is currently looking for announcers to read forecasts and sponsor information. Most lists are between 11 and 18 stations and will fit your availability. You will need a computer, microphone, and audio editing software. Working for RFN, you earn trade dollars to buy the things you need personally, or for business purposes if you own a business. Choose from the member lists and marketplace ads found in the trade exchanges we deal with. This list of businesses (some of which may be in your area) who are members, are paid in trade exchange dollars through organized barter exchanges. It's a great way to stay connected with the radio industry, and to earn some extra money in your free time. For more information, click this link.
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Kensington Digital Media is seeking an experienced professional to join our team as a News and Content Director.
Our stations include 107.3 WRSW, Willie 103.5, NewsNow Warsaw 1480-AM & 99.7 FM (all in Indiana), and Hippie Radio 94.5 and 100.7 WHIN 1010 AM (in Tennessee); in addition to a highly visited news website. The position is based in Warsaw, IN.
Duties include gathering and preparing daily news, anchoring live newscasts on air, producing locally based public affairs programming and other news related vignettes throughout the day. Applicants should also be interested in attending local news worthy events. A strong understanding of social media and online presence is also requested.
Equal Opportunity Employer. Send resume, writing samples and audio mp3 of newscasts/news reporting (if available) to Operations Manager Kris Lake at klake@kensington.media.
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If you enjoy making someone’s day and spreading positive vibes first thing in the morning, this position has your name on it! Hot AC Z92.5 in Kokomo, IN has an immediate opening for a morning show co-host and Director of Digital Content for the cluster. You’ll become part of 'Z-Breakfast' on one of the top stations in the market. Each morning you’ll be responsible for producing compelling and engaging content for both on-air and online platforms. You’ll share positivity with our listeners each day and just have fun! We take our mission of 'Turn Up The Feel Good' very seriously. Life’s too short not to laugh and just feel awesome! In addition to being part of a dynamic morning duo, you’ll also take lead on our digital platforms for all three stations in the cluster, which includes an Active Rock and Sports station. Skills? Time behind the microphone preferably as part of an on-air team, production, creative writing, website maintenance, creating social media content (beyond just posting or reposting), blogging, podcasting, and working with graphics. We’re looking for someone to lead us into the future. If this gets you excited, please email MP3 samples (no cloud links please) of on-air work along with any podcasting or production audio. Included in your package should be a cover letter and samples of social media engagement that you’ve custom generated. Send material to our Operations Manager, Stevie Riggs: stevie@rock985.com. Hoosier AM/FM is an EOE.
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WITZ FM, WQKZ FM and WITZ AM 990 & 99.1 FM RadioJuan in Jasper, Indiana has an opening for a full-time account executive. You will be taking over an established client list. Sales and marketing will be the main focus of this position but if you have other related broadcast experience, it would be helpful. Copy writing and production skills are important. You must be a motivated self-starter and understand the importance of building and maintaining client relationships. Social media and website sales will also be part of this position. We will train the right person. Our stations are members of the Indiana Broadcasters Association with full access to Local Broadcast Sales P1 Training. If you’re looking for a great opportunity with an award winning radio station that’s been a major part of the local community since 1948 then send your resume to Gene Kuntz, P.O. Box 167, Jasper, IN 47546 or email gkuntz@witzamfm.com. Jasper On The Air is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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WNAP, The Buzzard, seeks the right person or people for our stations as we develop Underwriting Sales. Our format is a fun Oldies presentation with sarcasm and tongue in cheek delivery. Our stations include: 56-year-old 990 WNAP Muncie and translator 101.5 W268BJ; WNAP-FM 88.1 Morristown, Indiana; 91.7 W219DO Edinburgh, Indiana, and WNPP Cole Indiana.
This is an outside position. Cities to be served include Muncie, Indianapolis, Greenfield, Shelbyville, Rushville, Anderson, Noblesville, and many others. If you have a history in customer service and want to help us grow, contact Martin Hensley at hensleym31@aol.com. New Beginnings Movement, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Are you a salesperson with a positive attitude who hates to lose? Our Kokomo and Marion radio groups both have immediate openings for our next multi-media sales superstars! We're looking for team players who are a whiz with technology, and previous sales experience, a knack for developing new business and creativity are all a plus. If a competitive salary plus commission, benefits, and extras get your attention, contact us today! Hoosier AM/FM, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. Please send resume to Joel Pyle at jpyle@star1069fm.com.
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Locally owned and operated WGCL (98.7 and AM 1370) and Rock 96-1 The Quarry are looking for both full-time and part-time account executives to help develop commercial, non-traditional, and digital revenue. Successful candidates:
• Have had success in selling their particular industry
• Possess a solid work ethic and are self-motivated
• Understand what it takes to develop and nurture mutually beneficial business relationships
In this non-corporate, Bloomington-based position, you'll help local businesses grow through the power of advertising on WGCL, Rock96-1 The Quarry, and WTTS (92.3). You'll also have the opportunity to sell a vast array of digital products through our new ST Digital arm. Whether you're looking for a full-time career or a part-time opportunity, we will craft and customize the right scenario for the right candidate.
Send an introductory email along with your resume to: dmyers@wgclradio.com. Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
Indiana RadioWatch is (c) 2022, Blaine E. Thompson
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=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
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