|
* Citadel News-Talk WLS-AM, Chicago, brings back Ron Magers to Roe Conn’s afternoon show.
Chicago media reporter Robert Feder reports that "Chicago’s No. 1 anchorman" returns Tuesday (Feb. 9) as a daily contributor during the 3pm hour of Conn’s show which he now co-hosts with Cisco Cotto. Magers is the principal news anchor for ABC-owned WLS-TV. “I could not be happier to bring you that [news],” Conn told his listeners Monday (Feb. 8).
Writes Feder, "The announcement of Magers’ return comes seven weeks after he was dropped in a budget cut at the station. For almost 12 years, Magers’ role as a commentator and raconteur often was the highlight of Conn’s show — and the best half-hour of conversation in all of Chicago radio. Bringing him back was among the top priorities of Michael Damsky when he was named President and General Manager of the station last month." Damsky said Monday, “It’s a piece of the show we felt the loss of immediately. This is the senior most credible newscaster in Chicago. We certainly would want him to be part of one of our premier shows. The first thing [Channel 7 General Manager] Emily Barr and Roe Conn advised me to do was to put Ron Magers back on. So it was the first thing I set out to do.” Magers, a 28-year veteran of Chicago television news, continues to anchor Channel 7’s top-rated newscasts at 5pm and 10pm weekdays. “I’m very happy to be back with Roe," says Magers. "It was always a very fun part of my day, and I’ve missed it. We set no agenda and just let events take us where they may, and sometimes it surprises both of us. I’m also looking forward to getting to know Cisco in his new role.”
* Salem Communications appoints new General Managers in Chicago and Seattle.
In Chicago, Jeff Reisman is promoted to GM; in Seattle, Andrew Adams joins Salem as GM. Reisman, replaces David Santrella, who is now President of Salem's radio division. The Chicago cluster includes WIND-AM and WYLL-AM. For the past five years Reisman was General Sales Manager of WIND. In November 2008, he was promoted to Director of Sales for the Chicago group. "Jeff has shown incredible leadership skills, mastering both the human dynamics and business acumen that provides for a successful environment," says SVP Allen Power. Salem's Seattle cluster includes KGNW-AM, KKMO-AM, KKOL-AM, KLFE-AM and KNTS-AM. Adams most recently was Mapleton Communications' Central Valley Region SVP. "Andrew has the perfect mix of skills and radio experience that we need in Seattle," says Salem Western Region VP Michael Reichert. "He will provide us professional leadership and exceptional sales superiority to our Seattle group of radio stations." Adams adds, "Salem Communications is an outstanding radio broadcasting company. I am delighted to be a part of the Salem family and am looking forward to taking the Salem group of radio stations in Seattle to their next level of success."
* Katz Media CEO Stu Olds reaffirms a "robust" growth in the radio ad revenue.
In a new email, Olds says Katz sees broad-based growth in all markets and regions. Radio, which finished January up 26%, is pacing 11% higher for February and +13% for March. Overall, the first quarter is pacing up 19%. Olds writes that while 2009 comparisons are favorable, the strength of this turnaround is driven by broad-based category support, tightening marketplaces pushing up pricing and radio’s rediscovered value in the marketing mix." Seven categories, which account for 87% of total National Spot Radio spending, are up in the first quarter — Retail, Finance, Entertainment, Auto, Telecom, Consumer Products, and Professional Services. "This broad-based category lift translates into strong pacing in every market segment and in every region of the country," says Olds. "In fact, all top-25 markets are pacing ahead of last year, with 78 of the top 100 ahead of last year’s first quarter." AllAccess.com has more...
* PricewaterhouseCoopers is forecasting a rebound in the 2010 media deal market.
PWC's "U.S. Entertainment & Media M&A Insights Report" is predicting a rebound in mergers and acquisitions in the E&M sector in 2010, following a 49% decline in deal value in 2009, to $77.4 billion. Some 714 deals were completed in 2009, a 29% decline from 1,000 deals in 2008. "Continuing signs of gradual economic recovery and an anticipated easing of credit markets point to a potential uptick in E&M deal activity," says PWC Transaction Services Entertainment & Media Leader Thomas Rooney. "While entertainment and media companies and investors are currently focusing on driving efficiencies by zeroing in on their core competencies, in 2010, we believe there will also be a renewed focus on new media opportunities as the industry's tolerance for risk rebounds and attention shifts towards higher growth." PWC says challenging credit markets brought deals' dollar value down last year to the lowest level since 2004 and volume to the lowest level since 2003. However, according to the Insights Report, "Responding to the shift toward new media, E&M companies are seeking opportunities to capture value online, with mobile and technology leading M&A activity. Given the level of success that certain technology giants have had in revolutionizing the distribution of media through convergence, we expect similar interest to continue well into 2010."
* HD Radio developer iBiquity Digital is offering lower license fees to radio stations for 2010.
iBiquity also says it's offering new payment options, including a monthly plan. The choices include payment in full with a signed contract, $10,500; invoice next business month, net 30, $11,000; or 12 automatic electronic payments, $1,042 a month for a total of $12,500. "HD Radio technology has enjoyed tremendous broadcaster support and seen breakthrough progress in receiver sales, automotive adoption and product expansion over the past year," says iBiquity CEO Bob Struble. "Based on this success and heightened broadcaster enthusiasm, we have created flexible, cost-effective licensing options to make upgrading easier. Radio is now the last entertainment medium to convert from analog to digital, and we want to do all we can to help broadcasters upgrade and deliver the highest quality listening experience to their listeners and generate incremental revenue from new digital offerings." iBiquity Director of U.S. Broadcast Sales Rick Greenhut says, "Thousands of radio stations large and small have upgraded to HD Radio Technology. In fact, approximately one new HD Radio station goes on the air every three days. Currently, there are over 2,000 stations broadcasting in digital. Because of that growing momentum, we want to encourage stations who have not yet upgraded to start reaping the benefits of digital broadcasting."
* WROW-AM, Albany, NY drops "News Talk 590" and for the moment is simulcasting sister "Magic 100.9" WKLI.
The simulcast is expected to last several months before "The Greatest Memories of All Time" format permanently moves to WROW. That's when a new format launches on WKLI — expected to be a new FM Talk format. The station isn't yet saying what the new format will be, but sources say it will provide a new home for local show "Daybreak with Steve & Jackie" — along with syndicated programming, including Glenn Beck and Dennis Miller. That's despite comments from General Manager Chuck Benfer. He says of the demise of the AM talker, "There's a lot of competition in the News-Talk format. Other stations are doing a good job with it, so we decided to move in another direction." That could be a smokescreen while plans are made for the new FM format. WROW morning co-host Steve Van Zandt, News Director Heidi Kelli, and news producer Tom Rigati exit with the end of "News Talk 590." Although Pamal Broadcasting's corporate Website is still listing "NewsTalk 590," www.wrow.com now redirects to www.albanymagic.com.
* Jay Towers — who exited WXYT, Detroit, last month — returns to Philadelphia radio.
Towers is back on the air in Philly, this time as midday host on Clear Channel Rhythmic AC "My106.1" WISX, starting today (Feb. 9). Towers is reunited with an old friend, fitness expert Donna Storm, for the highly-rated "12noon Workout." The two originally co-hosted the feature on sister CHR-Top40 "Q102" WIOQ nearly 11 years ago when Towers served as Music Director and midday host. Towers, who was co-host of morning-drive talk show "Motor City Mornings," exited CBS Radio’s WXYT in January, because he and the station couldn't reach terms on a new contract. At the time, it was reported he was re-joining CC for an unspecified position. Days later Clear Channel announced that Towers was appointed as a programming and talent consultant for morning shows across the company. Not clear is whether he will actually be in Philadelphia for his new show. A previous announcement said Towers would continue to be based in Detroit and keep his position as a weekend TV anchor for "Fox 2 News" at WJBK-TV in the Motor City.
* The FCC's offices are closed again today (Feb. 9), as is all of the federal government.
Washington DC is still digging out from this past weekend's massive snowstorm. And, if forecasts for another major snow event for today through tomorrow prove correct, the governnent shutdown is likely to continue for another day or two. However, the FCC's electronic filing system remains in operation. All non-emergency federal workers are off today, although telecommuters may be required to work and emergency employees are expected to report on time.
* FCC International Bureau Chief Mindel Delatorre writes about her experiences in Haiti.
In a post on the Commission's Website blog, she writes, "I have returned from Haiti and am back at FCC headquarters in Washington DC. As I explained previously, our mission to Hait was at the request of the Haitian telecommunications regulator, Conatel, and in coordination with USAID (which is leading the US Government efforts in Haiti). Though I have traveled all over the world, and have worked with communications regulators in small and developing countries like Haiti, I have never had quite the experience we had in Haiti. Our U.S. Communications Sector Assessment Team spent a week in Haiti (a few of the members were there longer). What we saw and what we learned was amazing. The extent of the destruction of the communications facilities was significant. Yet, the resilience and determination of both the Haitian government and private industry to get communications services back up and running was profound – this was despite overwhelming loss of family, friends and staff in addition to damaged buildings, roads and homes. And nonetheless, there was a marked “uptick” in the streets of Haiti from when we arrived until when we left." More from Reboot.FCC.gov...
* BizRadio Houston, back on the air at KTEK-AM, blames "an opposing group" for its recent problems.
In an open letter, dated February 8, 2010, posted on the BizRadio Website, BizRadio founder Dan Frishberg writes, "BizRadio Returns: What a story!" Addressed to "Dear Friend," he says, "I’m proud and happy to announce that BizRadio will be back on the air Monday at noon. The truth is, we should never have been off, but a clever legal maneuver by an opposing group got them a temporary order, and we were forced, against our will, to put them on instead of OUR content, on OUR radio station – but only for a couple of days. Once the court got a look at the facts, it cancelled the temporary restraining order, and the result is – WE ARE BACK!" Frishberg adds, "In the meantime, there will be rumors and other claims, especially from those who oppose our interests. Now that the court has ruled, their only tactic is a propaganda campaign, which people have already told us is underway. We will continue to live our lives and do the best we can, but we do want to make the effort to make sure the real facts get out to everyone interested in BizRadio, whether as investors or just supporters and fans. I just spent all day in court, in Houston, on Friday, Feb 5, defending the interests of BizRadio, its investors and its supporters. Briefly, I will summarize our position, which was supported by the court, so far." He goes on to outline "Our position, as we told it to the court." Says Frishberg, "An unauthorized but related party, Ron Crider, held himself out, falsely, to be the Chief Executive of BizRadio, and to be authorized to make deals and contracts for the sale of major assets. Our records show that he was not even an employee of our company, never received a paycheck from our company. Though a merger with his company was discussed and considered, it was never consummated." more...
* The SEC bars BizRadio co-owner Albert Kaleta from investment firms.
In what amounts to a formality, Kaleta, one of the founders of BizRadio, has been barred by the SEC from association with any investment adviser. The Houston Chronicle's Loren Steffy reports the administrative proceeding comes in response to the lawsuit the SEC filed in November and a consent decree signed by Kaleta. In last week's station licensing dispute, Kaleta was identified as president of at least some of the BizRadio-affiliated companies. Asia Vision's Rehan Siddiqi produced a receipt signed by Kaleta as BizRadio's president, though BizRadio CEO Daniel Frishberg said Kaleta never signed such a document. Frishberg said in November that Kaleta is no longer a partner in his investment firm, Daniel Frishberg Financial Services.
* Howard Stern's "Wack Pack" member Tom "Captain Janks" Cipriano pleads guilty to theft by deception.
Cipriano was charged in Pennsylvania with theft by deception and deceptive business practices for taking money for personal appearances and not showing up. Cipriano, a resident of North Wales, PA, was sentenced to eight years' probation and payment of $5,926 in restitution. If he pays the restitution before three years, he can petition to have the remainder of the probation terminated. Cipriano, as "Captain Janks," is known for his prank calls to television programs and news reporters for Stern's show. He blamed his actions on his addiction to prescription painkillers on Stern's Sirius XM show a year ago. Monday (Feb. 8), he told the court that he has been sober for exactly a year.
* Howard Stern tells his satellite radio listeners that he's considering becoming a judge on “American Idol.”
Stern said Monday (Feb. 8) he's giving consideration to leaving Sirius XM, and radio of any type, to replace Simon Cowell on the TV program. This was the first time that Stern confirmed a report that Fox is interested in hiring him as Cowell's replacement. On his Monday morning (Feb. 8) satellite show, Stern said, “There’s not a better job on the planet than judging that f**king karaoke contest.” He added, “It might be possible, we’ll see. They’d have to pay me a ton of dough because I already make a ton of dough.” Stern’s five-year, $500 million contract with Sirius XM expires at the end of this year. Responding to a television report speculating Fox would have to match his current annual salary, Stern replied: “A $100 million to judge a karaoke contest? Yeah, I would do that show for $100 million.” Stern said he would not do a radio show if he becomes the new "American Idol" judge. "If I do say so myself, I can't imagine anyone else but me replacing him," Stern said referring to Cowell. “I mean, I don't know. How else are they going to make that show work? Who knows how to broadcast and who knows how to be interesting? And who's not afraid to speak their mind?"
* Talk "Newsradio 1360" WTAQ-AM, Green Bay, adds a simulcast on its new FM sister at 97.5.
WTAQ-FM at 97.5 is now on the air. Midwest Communications purchased the former WTRW-FM, Two Rivers, for $1.7 million from Randy Michaels' Radioactive LLC, moved the license to Glenmore, WI, and relocated the antenna to the Green Bay market's main antenna farm near De Pere, WI. An announcement of the new FM sister on WTAQ's Website says, "If you're hearing us on 97.5 FM today, you're listening to a brand new radio station. The simulcast of WTAQ 1360 AM went on the air at 4:10 p.m. Friday afternoon. Midwest Communications VP of News Talk Programming Jerry Bader says one advantage the FM signal brings is its strong coverage day... and night." The new, 3,000-watt FM station "puts a strong signal over Green Bay and areas to the north, parts of the Fox Valley, and out to the lakeshore," says the station.
* Joshua Fleming exits as Program Director of CHR-Top40 "102 Now" KFRH, Las Vegas, after only six months.
Fleming joined KRCK from Cumulus Ventura-Oxnard where he was an account executive and weekend air talent at "B95.1" KBBY. Fleming previously was Station Manager and Director of Programming of Royce International's CHR-Top40 "Hot Hits 97-7" KRCK, Palm Springs, CA.
* Dial Global's TM Studios is set to begin distributing "Microjams" imaging for CHR radio stations.
Microjams are produced mini-songs that air in between songs, replacing traditional radio jingles. Microjams replicate the hottest songs on the station's playlist with original music tracks, featuring artist sound-alike voices, singing the station's imaging components — slogan, frequency and/or call letters. The service is available for both Mainstream and Rhythmic CHR formats. Dial Global says "Microjams" is the first imaging package designed for the PPM world, branding a station with a continuous music flow. "The Microjams custom package is super rich with content," says Dial Global Affiliate Sales EVP Chris Corcoran. "Each station gets 24 original jams and each jam breaks down to three full mixes, three instrumental mixes, and three acappella mixes. Plus, we add ten monthly Nano groove work parts. So, stations are getting the best custom produced music imaging package available anywhere." The "Microjams" concept was created by producer Dave Kampel.
* Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez launches a new radio program — "Suddenly, With Chavez."
The show, which airs on government-operated Venezuelan National Radio, has no set schedule, and might air anytime Chavez feels he has something to say. The Venezuelan President told listeners on his first show that future editions might air late at night or early in the morning — or at any moment inbetween. Chavez loves using the electronic media, according to Independent News, and often forces privately-owned radio and TV stations to air his speeches. Chávez inaugurated the folksy radio show Monday (Feb. 8) by declaring an “electricity emergency” in his oil-rich nation.
|
|
|
 
News items from, and of interest to, radio stations nationwide airing TPM component formats.
|
* Nassau Broadcasting's CHR-Top40 94.5PST (WPST), Trenton, NJ, ousts longtime morning host Tommy Jordan. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Michael Klein reports that the station says it wants to go in a new direction. Jordan had been with the Trenton station, which is heard in the Philadelphia maket, for more than 15 years. Klein writes, "Jordan did not return my call for comment, but Dave McKay, the station's assistant program director, said 'PST decided to focus the morning show around femme voice Chris Rollins. It has been repositioned as Chris & the Crew."
* KTU 103.5 The Beat of New York (WKTU), New York, midday host Diane Prior exits after nearly 14 years. Prior hosted middays on the Clear Channel station for over ten years after being promoted from late nights in 1999. Program Director Rob Miller says he is seeking a replacement. For the moment, overnight host Bartel is covering middays until Prior's replacement is found.
* The "Other AC" — All Christmas — brings “Holiday Book” presents for "Regular AC" stations. Stations that went with the seasonal songs in place of their usual Adult Contemporary music receive the presents now, with Arbitron's December 10 to January 6 PPM ratings results. In some cases, stations that aired only holiday music doubled their usual numbers, or did even better than that. For example, Philadelphia's top-rated station, B101 (WBEB) went from a 7.6 AQH share in November to a 16.7 during the Holiday PPM. Not as dramatic, but still impressive was the boost from Lite FM (WLTW), New York — up from 7.4 to 11.6 in the so-callled "Holiday Book." Chicago's Lite FM (WLIT) tripled its November share, 3.2-10.2. In Los Angeles, KOST-FM more than doubled its share, from 3.7 to 8.1. In San Francisco, KOIT-FM moved past market leader News-Talk KGO-AM, with the AQH share up from 4.3 to 8.1.
* With Jane Matenaer now co-hosting mornings on Milwaukee's B-93.3, afternoon host Cindy Huber is out. When "B-93.3" (WLDB) added Milwaukee morning veteran Matenaer to join CV (Carol Vonn) on its morning show, the word was that former co-host and Program Director Stan Atkinson would be doing some weekend shifts. But with Matenaer starting this week, WLDB axed afternoon driver Huber, another familiar Milwaukee radio voice. In Huber's place in the 3-7pm shift is Atkinson, who retains his PD duties. "I think program directors should be on the air," says General Manager Bill Hurwitz. "It keeps them in touch with the audience." Huber, says OnMilwaukee's Tim Cuprisin, was philosophical about the situation. "No regrets," she told him, via Facebook. "I loved the station, still love everyone there. And honestly, it's not a life changing call in the middle of the night. It's, at the end of the day, a job, and one I'm glad I had." However, Huber adds, "But honestly, I should have taken my mom's advice 25 years ago and gone into nursing!"
* Philadelphia radio veteran Elaine Soncini returns to the Philly airwaves. Soncini enjoyed 20-years on 950 The Station of the Stars (WPEN-AM) before she retired to Florida in 2000. Starting February 1 she will be morning co-host with Mike Bowe on AM 1340, The Greatest Music of All Time (WHAT-AM). Soncini, who does voiceover work with husband Larry Leaf, is not moving back to Philadelphia, but will be "piped in." She says she will make frequent visits to the Philly area for special events.
* As CBS Radio prepares to flip CHR-Top 40 B94 (WBZW), Pittsburgh, to Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM), February 15, CBS Radio says it will blend the B94 format with the Hot AC format of Star 100.7 (WZPT), effective immediately. The music mix of Star 100.7 will feature current hits from artists such as Lady Gaga, Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson and the Black Eyed Peas plus favorites from the 1990's and 2000s from artists such as Pink, the Dave Matthews Band, Beyonce, Coldplay and Justin Timberlake. Bubba, a longtime fixture on the B94 morning show, moves to the same slot on Star 100.7 along with current hosts J.R. Randall and Shelley Duffy. WBZW's Melanie Taylor will host midday's on Star, 9am-2pm, with current Star personality Scott Alexander hosting afternoons, 2-6pm. "It's a new decade and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a super pop music station for the audiences of both B94 and Star 100.7," says VP of Programming Keith Clark. "Pittsburghers have grown up with B94, but the pop music audience today shares its time between B94 and Star 100.7. If you like B94 and you like Star but flip back and forth, you will love this blended station." WBZW APD & Music Director and afternoon host Kobe exits. Also not part of the new team are WZPT APD & afternooner Johnny Hartwell and night host Flick.
[Is it our imagination ... or does the new "blended format" sound a lot like our own Total Popular Music format? And the wider audience spread, with combined demographic groups, closely resembles what TPM founder Mark Harris has consistently described as the benefit of his TPM format. Even "super pop music" has a very familiar ring to it! Coincidence?]
* Chris Miller exits as Program Director of Cleveland's Hot AC Mix 106.5 WMVX and Country WGAR-FM.
No replacement is immediately named. Prior to joining the Clear Channel Cleveland stations last March, Miller served as PD of Classic Hits 97.1 The River (WFOX), Atlanta. Before that he was PD at CBS Radio's KLTH-FM, Portland, until its flip to K-Hits 106.7.
* Chase Daniels joins Lincoln Financial Media CHR-Top40 Star 94 (WSTR), Atlanta, Monday (Jan. 25), for 4-8pm. Says Program Director J R Ammons, "Every once in a while, you are lucky enough to stumble across someone that you immediately know, if you play your cards right, you'll be able to take credit for their talent. For me, Chase is that guy. He is one of the most creative and downright funny people I've ever worked with and I can't wait for Atlanta to get to know him on their ride home." Daniels adds, "This is dream come true for me, Afternoons at the legendary Star 94, working with J.R. again and the amazing team we have in place...and all in my favorite city in the world...I could not be happier!"
* It's Puddin in the morning at Detroit's CHR-Top 40 98.7 Amp Radio (WVMV) starting today (Jan. 11).
The Puddin Playhouse relocates to the Motor City from Grand Rapids where Puddin was last served at Rhythmic CHR WSNX, Grand Rapids. Also, today (Jan. 11), Buck Head is the new afternoon-drive host, joining WVMV from morning host for co-owned B94 (WBZW), Pittsburgh. No replacement is yet named for his Pittsburgh morning show. Dom Theodore, VP of CHR Programming for CBS Radio and PD of 98.7 Amp Radio, says, "Buck is simply one of the best in the business. There are very few CHR personalities in his league. His outrageous and unpredictable style, combined with his online expertise, and previous track record of ratings success in Detroit made him the obvious choice for PM Drive, and I’m thrilled to team back up with him at 98.7 Amp Radio." Adds CBS Radio Detroit SVP & Market Manager Debbie Kenyon, "I am excited to bring Buck Head back to Detroit. He is a great addition to the team we have built here and I look forward to him entertaining our audience every weekday afternoon. Buck Head’s creativity will make him a favorite among the listeners and our clients."
* AC B93.3 (WLDB), Milwaukee, hires Jane Matenaer to co-host the morning show. Jane & CV in the Morning debuts Monday, January 25. Matenaer, a 30-year market radio veteran, most recently co-hosted the former Jane and Kidd Morning Mix on Hot AC WMYX. "It is going to be great to be back on the air," she says. "I've missed talking to the people of southeastern Wisconsin and their stories, opinions, and perspectives. I hope they will check out Jane & CV in the Morning on B93.3 starting January 25th." WLDB VP & GM Bill Hurwitz tells us, "I'm excited to have Jane join our team at B93.3. Jane & CV puts two seasoned, local professionals together in morning drive. While radio has become more and more syndicated, voicetracked and automated, B93.3 continues to be more local, more relevant and more familiar than any other Milwaukee radio station. With Jane and CV in mornings, B93.3 is bringing local talent to a whole new level." Program Director Stan Atkinson will exit the morning show, but will do weekend and fill-in airshifts.
* B101 (WBEB), Philadelphia, replaces syndicated Delilah with a music-intensive program hosted by Juan Varleta. He most recently hosted middays on the Philly AC giant. Jenn Ryan, who co-hosted mornings on the now defunct Now 97.5 is now hosting middays on WBEB. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Michael Klein says "B101 canned Delilah's syrupy nighttime show" because of "soft ratings."
|
 
|
|
 THE RADIO WEB WATCH
Social Net Tagged Agrees to Destroy Some User Email Addresses
* Social networking site Tagged.com agrees to destroy allegedly ill-begotten user email addresses. MediaPost reports that email addresses Tagged collected from users who allegedly were duped into sharing their contact lists will be destroyed, says the social networking site. The company also promised to provide all U.S. users with a "clear and conspicuous" means to cancel their accounts. Tagged made the concessions in order to settle a lawsuit about its former registration practices brought in federal district court in San Francisco by two California residents, says MediaPost. "What Tagged called consumer referrals was really consumer fraud, perpetrated by Tagged," they argued in a motion seeking approval of the settlement. "In the first stage, Tagged orchestrated its registration process to trick consumers into divulging the entire contents of their email address books. In the second stage, Tagged used those email address books to send deceptive invitations that appeared to be from acquaintances offering to share personal photographs."
Pandora Aims for Smaller Businesses Ad Dollars
* Pandora seeks to pull more business from local advertisers with a new sales team aimed at smaller businesses. Pandora's new small-to-media business ad sales team is based at Pandora's Oakland, headquarters under VP of Performance Ad Sales Brian Mikalis. The company is also partnering with AdReady, a do-it-yourself ad platform that helps smaller advertisers place display ads with publishers. "As we grow our user base, it makes sense to identify ways to scale our business and provide access for every size advertiser, from the biggest brands to the specialty and neighborhood shops who want to get their marketing messages out to their best prospects," says Pandora CRO John Trimble. "Now we are able to offer broader, multi-platform marketing solutions with deep targeting and campaign optimization to businesses that previously didn't have an affordable advertising solution." Mikalis adds, "We've been getting a lot of requests from small to mid-size businesses, and we had our premium direct sales teams fielding a lot of those calls. "We want our premium team focused on the largest Fortune 500 brands, but we didn't want to do nothing with those other requests." Mikalis says Pandora — the personalized Internet music provider — has been doubling its business year over year.
StreamTheWorld Launches New iPad Radio App
* StreamTheWorld launches a new iPad radio application which will be unveiled at the 2010 NAB Show in April. With early adopters eagerly lining up to order Apple’s new iPad as it ushers in a revolutionary genre of technology use, StreamTheWorld, a technology and services company serving online broadcasters, announces it will launch a new radio application tailor-made for the pioneering tablet computer. “StreamTheWorld will unveil its native iPad application at the 2010 NAB Show,” says Jean-Philippe Gauthier, Vice President, Product Management & Development. The world’s largest electronic media show will take place in Las Vegas April 10 to 15. In addition, all earlier iPhone and iPod Touch applications developed by StreamTheWorld, which have already been downloaded over a million times, will be available for the iPad, according to a news release. Combining the capabilities of a laptop and a smartphone, the iPad lets users read books and newspapers, surf websites, do email, listen to music, share photos, watch videos, and much more.
“The iPad is another smart, nimble, groundbreaking product from Apple,” says Gauthier, “and it will appeal in particular to heavy content users. In keeping with StreamTheWorld’s commitment to provide a topnotch user experience for our customers, we are pleased to have developed this application for the ‘dream device’ that has kept the radio industry in North America and Europe abuzz for months now.”
Wall Street Journal Radio Launches New Interactive, Multi-Media Widget
* A new WSJ Radio widget for affiliate station Websites displays continually updated content, including breaking audio business reports from the WSJ Radio Network, news and business news content from WSJ.com, video from the Journal worldwide and real-time market data from Dow Jones Indexes. "Great radio stations satisfy listeners' appetites for news and information online and on air," says WSJ Radio Executive Director Nancy Abramson. "Providing information across media platforms from America's number one business news brand is an important addition to that menu. The Wall Street Journal Radio Network is dedicated to creating innovative ways for our affiliates to disseminate business news and enhance interaction with their users."
Ando Media to Offer Free Streaming Audio Measurement
* Ando Media has developed new programming code that will allow any streaming audio site to accurately measure listening audience. A first of its kind, the "self-serve" code is easily installed on any site and will relay end-user information, not simply IP-level information on audience size. Ando's existing customers receive this metric through Ando's Web-based client portal. Says Ando CMO Patrick Reynolds, "For all the growth that Internet audio has experienced over the past several years, one outstanding question on everyone's mind is 'how many people are out there streaming in total?' We've been able to give real-time information to the IP-level, but there are undoubtedly multiple listeners on the average IP. This innovation also allows Ando to feasibly respond to the request from the advertising agency community for universal measurement. Before, there were hardware limitations, which we've now solved elegantly."
|
|
TPM Supports:
RadioHeardHere.com
RadioHeardHere is a comprehensive, multidimensional, multiyear initiative made possible by a partnership among the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) and HD Digital Radio Alliance. The initiative is designed to underscore the broadening versatility of radio content, the pioneering innovation of radio technology and the continuing relevance of the medium in Americans' lives.
|
|
IT'S TIME TO ADVERTISE AT TPM!
|
TotalPopularMusic.com makes no claims concerning the validity of the information posted on this page and will not be held liable for its use.
Any content on this page may be reproduced in any form without prior permission, with one exception: Neither the Associated Press (AP) nor any agent for the AP may reproduce any content found on this page, due to the AP's own policy. All others are free to "pick up" and republish any item(s). However, if affiliated with the Associated Press, you must state with the item that the AP may not re-use it. Also, we request—but do not require—of all media that a link back to this site as the source be included with any material that is used.
|
Anti Spam
|
Privacy Policy
Original Website Design by TPM Enterprises
© Copyright 2007-2010, Total Popular Music, All Rights Reserved.
A Service of Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
|
