|
|
Indiana RadioWatch
Serving Hoosier Broadcasters Since 1998
20 March 2021
|
Good Afternoon,
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.
Northeast
Nexstar CBS affiliate/WANE-TV (Channel 15, Fort Wayne) welcomes two new people: Josh Ayen and Nathan Gidley. Mr. Ayen (reporter) earned a Bachelor’s in Marketing and Advertising from Xavier University, and a Master’s in Journalism from IUPUI. Mr. Gidley (weekend evening meteorologist) will soon finish his undergraduate coursework at Ball State University.
Where Are They Now? Former WFFT-TV anchor Kristin Mazur joins WOIO-TV in Cleveland, Ohio as a reporter.
Northcentral
Federated Media's Country/WBYT (100.7fm, Elkhart) GSM Kathy Uebler adds the GSM responsibilities for Talking Stick Communications' Rock/WRBR (103.9fm, South Bend). That's because Emily Wideman moves from being WRBR's GSM to Federated Digital Sales as a Digital consultant.
Hoosier AM/FM Kokomo morning host Ben Rutz exited on Friday for an opportunity outside of radio. Mr. Rutz joined 'Z92.5' four and a half years ago. Succeeding him will be Quinn Alexander. Later this month, Mr. Alexander will finish his work at Townsquare in San Angelo, Texas, where he's Assistant OM and does afternoons at KGKL.
When he arrives in Indiana, Mr. Alexander will do mornings at WZWZ ('Kokomo's Z92.5') and middays for sister Country/WCJC (99.3fm, Van Buren) ('Your Country 99.3')
Weigel Broadcasting's ABC affiliate/WBND (Channel 57, South Bend) welcomes Mayra Franco as a reporter. Last year, Ms. Franco graduated from California State University, Fresno.
Northwest
Retired Crawfordsville broadcaster Dick Munro died Wednesday. He was 85. Mr. Munro did on-air work, programmed, and was GM of both WCVL (1550am, Crawfordsville) and WIMC (103.9fm). He retired in January 2001 (IRW 01/27/01) Before moving to Indiana, Munro worked for Pennsylvania and West Virginia radio and TV stations. Here's the complete obituary.
Central
Indianapolis and former Lafayette broadcaster Jill Ditmire died. She was 56. Ms. Ditmire worked in Lafayette TV (WLFI-TV), was a reporter in Logansport (WSAL), and worked all over Indianapolis, including what was then WAJC (104.5), WTTV-TV, WRTV-TV, WTHR-TV, WISH-TV, Network Indiana, and most recently was the "All Things Considered" local news anchor, and hosted ALL IN, a daily talk show heard on many of Indiana's public radio stations. ALL IN originates from the studios of Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media's NPR affiliate/WFYI-FM (90.1fm, Indianapolis). Ms. Ditmore also appeared in many capacities on WFYI-TV (Channel 20, Indianapolis).
She taught 'Newswriting 101' at Butler University, owned a wine shop and café, and hosted/produced segments for the Indy Visitors Channel Network; those segments appear on Indianapolis hotel room televisions. Here's the complete obituary.
Emmis/Indianapolis GSM and Network Indiana GM James Conner becomes VP/Sales for the Emmis/Indianapolis cluster. Mr. Conner succeeds Taja Graham who became GM in January. Mr. Conner will also remain Network Indiana GM. Here are the stations that comprise the cluster:
N-T/WIBC (93.1fm, Indianapolis)
Sports/WFNI (1070am, Indianapolis), W228CX (93.5fm, Indianapolis), and W298BB (107.5fm, Indianapolis)
Country/WLHK (97.1fm, Shelbyville)
AC/WYXB (105.7fm, Indianapolis)
Network Indiana
After just over two years, Nexstar's CBS affiliate WTTV-TV (Channel 4, Bloomington) and FOX affiliate/WXIN-TV (Channel 59, Indianapolis) evening reporter Kelly Reinke will exit and move to Denver, Colorado. There, she will be a reporter for KUSA ('9News').
iHeartMedia/Indianapolis names Kristy Beebee as their new GM, succeeding Brett Beshore who exits. Mr. Beshore joined the cluster in early 2018 (IRW 01/18/18) Ms. Beebe last worked for iHeart as Sales SVP for their Kentucky/Indiana metro. Here are the stations that comprise the Indianapolis cluster:
Classic Rock/WFBQ (94.7fm, Indianapolis)
Alternative/WOLT (103.3fm, Indianapolis)
FOX Sports/WNDE (1260am, Indianapolis)
Urban/WZRL (98.3fm, Plainfield)
Bloomberg Business/W248AW (97.5fm, Indianapolis) (Owned by Educational Media Foundation, and operated by iHeart).
Scripps' ABC affiliate/WRTV (Channel 6, Indianapolis) government and political reporter Matt McKinney exits. Mr. McKinney arrived in 2015 at 'RTV6' and moved his way up from digital content producer to this reporting role in December 2018.
Westcentral
You might recognize Joe Tait for his decades of work with the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers. Last week, he died at age 83. Early in his broadcasting career, Tait broadcast IU football. Next, he did pre-games for the NBA Indiana Pacers. Finally, he served as station manager and morning host at what was then WBOW (1230am, Terre Haute).
Southeast
On Friday March 12, Wagon Wheel Broadcasting's Country/WSCH (99.3fm, Aurora) morning host Eric 'Bubba Bo' Boulanger retired after over 15 years with 'Eagle Country 99.3' and 40 years in broadcasting. Mr. Boulanger previously worked at several Cincinnati radio stations and hosted multiple shifts on the national America’s Truckin’ Network.
Employment Opportunities
----------
Majic 95.1, Fort Wayne is searching for a Morning Show Sidekick with a feisty, energetic, fun, likable personality who’s not afraid to be vulnerable on-air to compliment the morning show host. This person must be comfortable with regular show critiques, loves editing, is hungry to win, and is willing to build and maintain relationships with listeners, advertisers, and promotional partners; serve as the liaison representing the station as a member of the morning show. If you want to have fun and be paid for doing it, apply now.
Send package to majicmornings@waji.com
Sarkes Tarzian is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
----------
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.
----------
Federated Media South Bend - Account Executive - New Business Development
This is an outside Sales position that will focus on building new business partnerships for the radio stations. It requires creativity and marketing savvy to discover and satisfy the needs of potential new clients with Integrating Marketing campaigns that include radio, content marketing, digital and event marketing. If you have been described as a self-starter, confident, driven, persistent, competitive, always closing, organized, problem solver, than you may love this opportunity!
Some requirements:
• College degree or 2 years sales experience, marketing preferred
• Can clearly communicate ideas through verbal and written presentations
• Operates by the Core Values of Integrity, Passion, and Innovation
Some benefits:
• Inbound Marketing Program to provide Qualified Leads
• CRM that helps you to work Smarter and Faster
• A comprehensive Sales Play Book to help you move the process along
• Healthcare (Health, Dental, Vision) and 401k
• A culture that’s driven by purpose. Creating big events. Helping local businesses. Raising money and giving back to non-profits.
I’m interested!! https://olc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/interview/did/d5f0e063-d00f-445e-824f-7178e18877e3/type/OSTI
• Take our online assessment here: https://goo.gl/v9gT3b
• Send resume & cover letter to: smichel@federatedmedia.com
Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
----------
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.
----------
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.
----------
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
Indiana RadioWatch is (c) 2021, Blaine E. Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch may not be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any way, shape, or form without the permission of the copyright holder (Thompson, above)
Indiana RadioWatch subscriptions are free. To subscribe, send an e-mail to irw@well.com and we'll add you. After publication, we archive Indiana RadioWatch on the Indiana Radio Archive at Indianaradio.net. Please e-mail us your news stories and employment opportunities.
=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
|
|
|
|
|
