Good Morning,

From the Reading Pile: Stay A Lot More Than Six Feet From The NFL’s Trademarks!  2021 Update on Super Bowl Advertising and Promotions.

From the Reading Pile: 'Copyright troll' Richard Liebowitz suspended from Manhattan federal court.

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, VIRTUAL NEWS 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 VIRTUAL NEWS CENTER™ can help you.  

Hoosier Ag Today makes a few executive moves.  First off, President and Founder Gary Truitt becomes Chairman, focusing on strategic planning and farm show planning.  Andrew Eubank becomes President and will manage day-to-day operations for both Hoosier Ag Today and Michigan Ag Today.  Second, Eric Pfeiffer becomes VP/News and Indiana News Director, while Ashley Davenport becomes Michigan News Director.

Northeast

This morning, Gray Television announced they will purchase Quincy Media's TV stations for $925 million cash.  In Indiana, Quincy owns WPTA-TV (Channel 21, Fort Wayne) which has ABC, NBC, and MyNetwork TV affiliations, CW affiliate/WISE-TV (Channel 33, Fort Wayne) with six additional subchannels, and South Bend's WSJV-TV (Channel 28, Elkhart) with seven different subchannels.  Gray will need to divest TV stations in six television markets: Tucson, Arizona, Madison, Wisconsin, Paducah, Kentucky, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, La Crosse/Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Wausau/Stevens Point, Wisconsin.  Quincy and Gray expect to close this deal later this year.

Where Are They Now?  Former WPTA-TV weekday evening co-anchor Angela Brown moves within Sinclair Broadcasting, now as a national correspondent for their new morning show 'The National Desk'.

Northcentral

Beginning today Federated Media's WAOR-FM (102.7fm, Ligonier) rolls out a new on-air lineup, under new PD Dave O'Connor ('Irish Dave'):

Mornings: Tommy Bickham ('Tommy B') from 6:00am until 9:00am.
Middays: Brooklyne Beatty ('Working w/Brooklyne') from 9:00am until Noon.
The Froggy Flashback at Noon.
Afternoons: Dave O'Connor ('The Irish Dave Show') from 2:00pm until 6:00pm.

Of note, Tommy B. also does some on-air work for WXLC in Waukegan, Illinois.

Central

Emmis Communications will promote VP/Sales Taja Graham to Indianapolis GM/Market President on March 1, succeeding Bob Richards.  Emmis owns N-T/WIBC (93.1fm, Indianapolis), Sports/WFNI (1070am, Indianapolis) and 2 FM translators, Country/WLHK (97.1fm, Shelbyville), AC/WYXB (105.7fm, Indianapolis), and Network Indiana.  Ms. Graham joined Emmis 22 years ago.

Today, Urban One's CHR/WNOW-FM (100.9fm, Speedway) moves former APD/afternoon host Elliot King back to Afternoons.  From our last IRW: the syndicated Tino Cochino Radio will move afternoons to mornings.

Where Are They Now?  Former WXIN-TV News Director Gavin Maliska joins as News Director for Quincy Media's WEEK-TV/WHOI-TV in Peoria, Illinois.

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.

January 31: In 1954, Major Edwin Howard Armstrong died.  Age 63.  In 1974, Channel 34 in South Bend signed on as WNIT-TV ('Northern Indiana Television'), and remains so today.  In 2001, Crawfordsville's WCVL/WIMC GM Dick Munro retired as GM.  In 2006, WYNG (94.9fm, Mount Carmel, Illinois) changed formats from Sports to Adult Contemporary at 6:00PM.  In 2010, Joseph P. ('Joe') Sweeney died.  Age 85.  Mr. Sweeney started stations in Kokomo, Rochester (WROI), and Columbia City (WFDT), among others.

February 1: In 1948, 1230am in Tell City signs on as WTCJ, and remains so today.  In 1984, Channel 59 in Indianapolis signs on as WPDS (for owners Ron Palmero, Chris Duffy and Melvin Simon).  Today, it's WXIN-TV.  In 1992, former WNTS (1590am, Beech Grove) Chief Engineer Warren Fooks died.  Age 69.  In 2004, northwest Indiana broadcaster Paul Wierman (WJOB, WLCL, WWCA, WZVN) died.  Age 65.

February 2: In 2001, former Federated Media then-WQHK(AM)/WMEE-FM GM Robert Elliott died.

February 3: In 2006, former WLBC(AM) (1340am, Muncie) PD Lee Allerton died.  Age 86.  In 2015, 98.3fm in Culver signs on as WYMR, and remains so today.

February 4: In 2000, Jim Leep died.  Age 59.  Mr. Leep lead (GM) what was then Religious/WGTC (102.3fm, New Carlisle).  In 2005, two different radio stations flipped formats on opposite ends of the state.  First up, WLRX (95.7fm, Nappanee) flips format from Hot AC ('Magic') to Rhythmic CHR ('Power').  Second, WLFW (95.3fm, Chandler) flips format from Oldies ('Oldies 93.5') to Country ('The Wolf').

February 5: In 1965, 97.3fm in Fort Wayne signs on as WKJG-FM.  Today, it's WMEE.  In 1998, IRW began.

February 6: In 2006, WUBU (106.3fm, South Bend) flipped format from Smooth Jazz to Urban AC.

Employment Opportunities

Sound Management is looking for a Program Director and On-Air Personality for two of its three stations located in South Bend, Indiana (The home of the University of Notre Dame). Detail oriented candidates need to be able to develop and execute over-the-air and digital promotions, train and motivate team of experienced broadcast professionals, produce imaging, manage CHR music and work well within a tight knit family-owned business.

If you think you have what it takes, please send your resume to arthur@artisticradio.com.  Sound Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Midwest Communications, Inc. is searching for a creative individual for our Evansville based radio stations, WIKY, WSTO, WABX and WLYD-FM Radio. This individual will write scripts, work with the sales and air staff to create ads that help maximize sales, produce high quality commercials/demos and also work with clients.

Must be proficient in writing radio copy, understand digital production and network/internet interface, be able to work well under pressure, be organized and meet deadlines. Must be able to perform independently and in a team environment.

Proven problem solving and time management skills are required as well as strong oral and written communication skills. This person must be able to learn and work with various software programs. Responsibilities may include on-air shift and voice-tracking as determined by the Operations Manager.

We offer a competitive salary and a full benefits package.

If this sounds like you, send your cover letter, resume and three examples of work written and produced by you to VP/Market Manager Tim Huelsing at tim.huelsing@mwcradio.com or mail to Tim's attention at Midwest Communications, Inc., 1162 Mt. Auburn Road, Evansville, IN 47720.

Midwest Communications, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer by choice.

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Are you direct and convincing when you know it's right for the client? Do you naturally earn trust with the people you meet? Do you always live up to your commitments, even if it requires going the extra mile? Do you consistently out produce others with whom you work? 

Federated Media is looking for bright, resourceful, highly motivated and committed individuals who will generate business by creating customized marketing solutions through Radio and Digital campaigns. This position requires the ability to set appointments, find key marketing challenges, and present solutions that get results to all types of local businesses. 

To qualify, candidates must exhibit strong interpersonal skills, problem solving ability, attention to detail, creative thinking skills and credibility.  Candidate must also be computer literate and have excellent prospecting and organization abilities.

Federated Media provides extensive marketing and sales training through The Radio Advertising Bureau and The Center for Sales Strategy.  Digital Training and Digital Services are provided through Federated Digital Solutions.

REQUIREMENTS:
  
*Marketing degree or a minimum of 3 years selling experience 
*Dependable transportation, valid driver's license and proof of insurance required.  
*Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Power Point. 
*Ability to learn various software systems quickly.  
*Knowledge of Digital Marketing preferred. 

Send resume & cover letter to: greatjobs@federatedmedia.com or to the General Sales Manager listed below.  Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Tim Skibbe, GSM, WTRC-FM, WAOR-FM, WTRC(AM) tskibbe@federatedmedia.com
Emily Wideman, GSM, WRBR-FM ewideman@federatedmedia.com
Kathy Uebler, GSM, WBYT-FM kuebler@federatedmedia.com
Stephanie Michel, GSM, WUBU-FM smichel@federatedmedia.com

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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, Rock 96-1 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.

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