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Tuesday, June 4, 2013
THE MOST TRUSTED NEWS IN RADIO
AOL deal expands reach for Townsquare’s fast-growing digital platform. In a rare move for a radio company, Townsquare
Media is opening its wallet not to buy a radio station, but rather a group of websites. The company is buying three genrethemed music news sites from AOL. The transaction will add millions of unique visitors to its sprawling digital platform that’s
increasingly moving beyond radio. It’s a sort of digital homecoming for The Boot, The
BoomBox and NoiseCreep, which cover country, hip-hop and heavy metal, respectively;
and ComicsAlliance, which tracks the comic book industry. All four were launched
under Townsquare EVP/chief digital officer Bill Wilson in 2008 and 2009 when he was
president of AOL Media. “They fit in with our existing portfolio” of one dozen national web
properties, Wilson says. All have a “compelling editorial voice with a very socially active audience,” are influential in their
coverage areas and have large audience followings, he says. The sites reach a combined 3.5 million people in the U.S.,
according to comScore. Though they overlap content-wise with some existing assets — Townsquare already has national
sites devoted to country and hip-hop — the company will operate them as separate brands. AOL began winding down its
money-losing music division one month ago. Wilson says when it became clear AOL was making a change, Townsquare
inquired about buying the sites. Some AOL Music and ComicsAlliance employees are coming over to Townsquare with the
properties. Terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed. The deal doesn’t include AOL Radio’s 200 online radio channels
which continue to stream on Slacker Radio, branded as “AOL Radio, Powered By Slacker.”
Radio and events give Townsquare a multi-platform advantage over AOL. In the two and a half years since it launched
its first national website, Townsquare Media Group has built one of the largest music portfolios on the web and grown its
online audience to 52 million monthly unique visitors in the U.S. Rather than making digital an add-on, it serves as one of
three legs in the diversified company’s media and entertainment tripod, along with 243 local radio stations and 350 live events.
The addition of four new digital assets from AOL hikes Townsquare’s national websites to 16. It also operates hundreds of
local radio station and community sites. Properties like PopCrush, Taste of Country, Loudwire and Ultimate Classic Rock
cross-pollinate and cross-promote with the company’s radio and events divisions. For example, Taste Of Country has a
nightly show that runs on Townsquare country stations and spawned a winter tour and other live events. The stations air
music news bits that tie the website and radio show together. Townsquare is talking about creating tours for Pop Crush and
LoudWire. It continues to build out its digital portfolio. Last December it launched TheDrop.fm, a hip hop and R&B site. “In a
few short years we’ve become a compelling destination for audiences and an important consideration for advertisers,” EVP/
chief digital officer Bill Wilson says. It’s a model similar to what Salem has used in the Christian community. With hundreds
of radio stations and live events, Townsquare is positioned to grow the four web properties it’s acquiring from AOL in a way
that a pureplay digital company could not. “The benefit we have is we’re a multi-platform company, so we’ll use all of our
touch points — events, radio and digital — specific to each brand and need,” Wilson says.
Triad’s David Benjamin aims for ownership hat-trick. One month after David Benjamin closed on the sale of his Triad
Broadcasting to L&L Broadcasting, the radio veteran says he’s likely not done with ownership.
Benjamin and a handful of his partners are looking at creating a new company to potentially
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take advantage of the large number of stations that are currently on the market. “We don’t
>> DeCastro makes
have a gun to our head in terms of timing, but we’re diligently beginning the process of looking
at various opportunities,” Benjamin says, adding he’s not formally announcing the launch of
first move at WGN
a new venture just yet. It wouldn’t be the first time he sold his company and started over.
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NEWS
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Benjamin co-founded Community Pacific Broadcasting in 1974, then sold the 11-station group to Capstar in January 1997
for $35 million. He started over in July 1999 when Triad was launched. “I think it’s still a good time to re-enter the business,”
Benjamin says. “The reality is there are a lot of stations over the course of the next several years that are going to have to find
new homes for one reason or another.” Unlike Triad, which had three private equity firms (Norwest Equity Partners, Bank of
America Capital Investors and Shamrock Capital Advisors) as partners, Benjamin sees his next venture as more of a “familyrun” entity with just a handful of longtime associates as partners. Based in Monterey, CA, Benjamin says he’d prefer to put
together a company focusing on the West Coast but the deals will determine where he lands. “I’ve always followed the rule
that the economic characteristics of the acquisition are more important than where it’s located,” he says.
No FM? No problem for Windows phone owners. The final pieces of a three-year deal with Sprint to get FM onto 30 million
phones are coming into place. The hope is once the initial period is over, Sprint will keep FM on handsets without the initial
$15 million a year in payments. An analysis of how Windows phone users have responded to the loss of FM could play into
that. When FM disappeared with the release of the Windows 8 phone last fall, internet chat rooms were filled with unhappy
customers. Microsoft said it would eventually return. That’s now happening with Nokia’s Lumia handsets, but it looks like
Windows phone users didn’t wait around. The web research firm Soluto found that a lot of customers instead turned to the
iHeartRadio application. It looked at the most engaging apps by Windows device users, ranked by the average number of
uses per week. The Clear Channel app was the highest-ranked media app, coming in at No. 10 with an average of 1.68 uses
per week. That’s actually better than Microsoft’s own Zune Music app, which scored 0.7 uses per week. Soluto chief product
officer Roee Adler says it’s important to note that engagement and popularity are two different things — so regardless of how
many Windows phones iHeartRadio is on, it’s very engaging where it’s installed. The rest of the top 15 is mostly filled with email,
gaming, and social network apps. Soluto based its findings on 10,848 Windows 8 machines comparing 9,634 different apps.
Clear Channel inks another label royalty deal. Fearless Records, home to rock artists such as the Plain White T’s and Eve
6, has become the latest record label to sign a revenue sharing agreement with Clear Channel.
Specific terms weren’t released, but similar to other deals Fearless artists will receive royalties
for both their on-air and online spins. “These market-based partnerships with record labels are
part of Clear Channel’s efforts to help build a sustainable business model for internet radio,” CEO
Bob Pittman says. The broadcaster earlier inked similar arrangements with seven other labels.
Entercom and Beasley Broadcast Group have also begun striking direct royalty deals with the
record companies. In announcing the agreement, Fearless president Bob Becker says something most label executives have
been unwilling to utter in recent years as the radio royalty fight has heated up. “Fearless has helped numerous musicians
build their careers,” Becker says, adding, “But without radio play, none of it would have been possible.” He says radio remains
where fans go to discover new music, whether it’s broadcast or digital. The National Association of Broadcasters has pointed
to the deals getting worked out in the private sector as why Congress doesn’t need to step into the performance royalty issue.
Supporters of reworking online royalties, such as Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), seem to agree. His bill looking at streaming
rates is unlikely to touch the hot-button issue out of concerns it would squash his legislation’s chances of passing.
Apple begins marketing ‘iRadio’ to Madison Avenue. The long rumored launch of Apple’s streaming radio service appears
close at hand — a developer conference next week is the expected venue for its formal announcement. But Apple isn’t waiting
until going live with the service to begin pitching it to advertisers. The tech giant is already approaching marketers to spend
money on what the media has nicknamed iRadio. Bloomberg quotes a source as saying Omnicom Group buyers have
already been approached. The streaming radio ads will be bundled with other iAd properties to help sell the new service.
Despite the forthcoming announcement, iRadio isn’t expected to be available until later this year when Apple releases a new
mobile operating system. Reports of a nearing launch date for iRadio was a punch to Pandora’s stock price on Monday. It
fell 11% to close at $15.22. That’s the company’s biggest one-day in nearly six months.
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Tuesday, June 4, 2013
IAB sees no sign of slowdown in digital ad growth. It would be big news if internet advertising revenue didn’t set another
high water mark, but that’s not the case. The Internet Advertising Bureau says first quarter digital ad revenue grew 15.6% to
a record $8.3 billion. PricewaterhouseCoopers partner David Silverman, whose firm compiles the data for the IAB, says the
results are consistent with the continuing shift of attention to digital advertising. “Marketers recognize that digital has become
the go-to medium for all sorts of activities on all sorts of screens, at home, at the office and on-the-run,” IAB president Randall
Rothenberg adds. The Radio Advertising Bureau reported the industry’s digital revenue grew at a slightly more modest pace
in first quarter, advancing 9% compared to a year ago.
De Castro’s first move at WGN: find a new PD. Jimmy de Castro’s first day on the job as general manager of Tribune
news-talk “Radio 720” WGN, Chicago was the last for director of programming and news Bill White. He was dismissed after
more than two years at the Tribune station, which is undergoing a management makeover. White had been recruited after
spending a decade at Greater Media’s news-talk WBT-FM & AM, Charlotte (99.3, 1110). He was brought in to settle ruffled
feathers caused when previous PD Kevin Metheny dropped several longtime WGN hosts. “Sometimes managers have to
make difficult decisions on behalf of a few to build a brighter future for many,” de Castro said in a memo to employees at WGN.
Chicago media reporter Robert Feder says CBS Radio’s sports “670 The Score” WSCR program director Mitch Rosen is a
leading candidate to fill the vacancy. Rosen has a history with de Castro and Larry Wert at “The Loop” WLUP-FM. Wert is
now Tribune’s president of local broadcasting.
In wake of Newtown shootings, NAB spearheads mental health PSA campaign. The National Association of Broadcasters
next month will roll out a high-profile radio and television public service campaign targeting mental health issues. It’s in
part in response to last December’s Newtown, CT school shootings. “This effort grew out of not just my heart but the very
goodwill of America’s broadcasters,” NAB president Gordon Smith told a White House event
yesterday. The PSAs will be released in late July and Smith says the message will be one
that’s been crafted with the help of the Department of Health and Human Services. The idea
took root earlier this year when Smith was among those invited by Vice President Joe Biden
to a meeting to discuss a response to the shootings. Smith suggested a path steering clear
of both the First and Second Amendments. “The common thread running through so much
of the violence in our country is mental health,” he told yesterday’s East Room gathering.
Mental health issues have been a cause close to Smith’s heart for years after his 21-year
old son took his own life in 2003. Smith wrote a book titled “Remembering Garrett” about
the incident and mental health care. While he was still in the Senate he introduced and
Gordon Smith
pushed through legislation in 2004 that funded suicide-prevention and awareness programs at
colleges. Smith has said he still gets letters from parents today thanking him for his effort. As for broadcasters’ commitment
to running the PSAs, he said the focus will be on making sure people who need help know that it’s available. “It’s about the
brain but it’s also about the heart,” Smith said.
No stubble in Dollar Shave Club’s radio campaign. Dollar Shave Club’s cheeky web video ad was a viral sensation
capitalizing on CEO Michael Dubin’s wry sense of humor. But as scores of advertisers have proven through the years, humor
and radio are a match as good as, well, shaving cream and razors. So Dubin is using radio as part of Dollar Shave’s Father’s
Day ad blitz. Adweek reports Dubin wrote and recorded the radio commercial himself. The :30-second spot features him
having a conversation with a fictional father. Besides promoting Dollar Shave’s bargain-priced razor blades, it also plugs
the company’s e-cards. The company credits local radio with growing its customer base to 200,000 with six- to eight-fold
increases in markets like Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Buffalo after they took to the airwaves. “Four weeks on, three weeks
off has been great for us in terms of radio,” Dubin tells the ad trade pub. Dollar Shave also runs display ads on Facebook.
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Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Geraldo Rivera ends Senate speculation. Cumulus Media Networks talk personality Geraldo Rivera says the death yesterday
of Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) means a wrap on his run for U.S. Senate. “I think this effectively ends my speculation
that I would run for Senate,” Rivera told listeners of his radio show. Rivera opened the door to the idea in February although
he says now he was only “toying” with the idea. There is still the long-shot possibility that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
could pick Rivera to fill out Lautenberg’s term. But the talk host says it’s a “long shot.” Had he made a run it would have meant
Rivera could conceivably have continued doing his syndicated show, although flagship WABC, New York (770) most likely
would have pulled him off the air since its signal covers New Jersey. Rivera isn’t the first conservative media personality to
consider running for office in New Jersey. Former radio talker and Fox anchor Lou Dobbs considered a Senate bid in 2010.
Stations keep collecting for Oklahoma tornado relief. A new round of tornados hitting the Oklahoma City area over
the weekend only further illustrated the need for help. Radio groups have been collecting cash and relief supplies for the
Moore, OK victims and that process continues. Beasley says rhythmic CHR “Power 96” WPOW-FM, Miami worked with local
McDonald’s to collect 80,000 pounds of nonperishables, filling two truckloads worth of stuff for Moore residents. Afternoon
drive host Africa and her crew of volunteers then hit the road for the 27-hour trip to Oklahoma City. Along the way, their
motorcade included an escort provided by the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Club made up of 300 retired
police officers across nine states.
Inside Radio News Ticker…After altercation, Boyles exits KHOW…Two weeks after a local TV crew saw Denver talk show
host Peter Boyles get into a heated exchange with his show’s producer — including signs the altercation turned physical –
the host has exited KHOW. PD Dan Mandis confirmed the exit to the Denver Post. Several fill-in hosts have been lined up
while a permanent morning show is hired…Home Depot ramps up ad volume…Using shorter length spots, Home Depot
became the first radio advertiser this year to air more than 80,000 ads in a single week. Media Monitors reports it was 81,246
to be precise as the home improvement retailer ramps up spending for summertime home fix-it season. The rest of the top
five biggest-volume radio advertisers last week were Geico, AT&T Wireless, McDonald’s and AutoZone…Radio One keeps
buying itself…Radio One’s board of directors has voted to repurchase up to $2 million of company stock. That’s on top of
$3.5 million in buybacks approved earlier this year. The company in a regulatory filing says it has so far bought $2.3 million
worth. If executives pull the trigger on the remaining buybacks they’d reduce the number of outstanding Radio One shares
by 2.81%…Frosty goes all-talk…Clear Channel hot AC “Star 101.3” KIOI, San Francisco morning host Frosty Stillwell is
moving to sister “Talk 910” KKSF. He’ll continue co-hosting the KIOI morning show with Sandy Stec until his replacement is
named. The two have been paired for the past year. “I am thrilled to get back to what I’ve done for the past two decades,”
Stillwell says. “While I loved being part of the music and personality show — there was just no way I could pass up this
enticing opportunity right down the hall to get back to my true passion.” Stillwell previously worked at Clear Channel’s KFI,
Los Angeles (640) and was part of the personality-driven “Frosty, Heidi and Frank Show” that aired on Clear Channel’s hot
AC KYSR. Market manager Don Parker calls Stillwell part of the “new generation” of talk radio…People Moves…There’s a
new general manager in Raleigh-Durham. Read People Moves HERE.
Inside Radio Deal Digest —
Minneapolis — There was a time when a station manager buying a station was common. Not so today. But progressive talk
KTNF (950) general sales manager Chad Larson is making such a move, striking a $1.5 million deal to buy the station from
Janet Robert. He’ll become general manager as part of the deal. KTNF is a standalone station in the Twin Cities market.
Robert and former Rep. Bill Luther (D-MN) bought the station from CBS Radio in 2004.
Albuquerque — Clear Channel has closed its $170,000 deal to buy Albuquerque-licensed translator K251AU (98.1) from
Maria Candelaria. The signal simulcasts country “Big I-107.9” KBQI.
Alabama — On the Alabama-Georgia state line Megaphone Radio files a $5,000 deal to buy a construction permit for a
Piedmont-licensed Class C3 station at 89.5 FM from Grace Community Church of Amarillo.
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MEDIABASE
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Tuesday, June 4, 2013
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CLASSIFIEDS
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
ANCHOR AND PERSONALITY TO HELP COMMAND PM DRIVE
National news anchor wanted for marquee position on KSL NewsRadio in Salt Lake City!
This national news “correspondent” will write, produce, and anchor national news from 3-7 PM. They’ll
collaborate with a team of 30 full-time on-air employees to voice the top national story twice an hour
plus anchor a complete hourly roundup of the top national stories. KSL airs nine hours of hardcore news
programming every day so you’ll support afternoon drive generally and pickup other duties as assigned.
Some travel on big stories may be required but most writing and anchoring will happen in house.
So why are we also asking for a “personality” in our anchor? First, because all anchors need a great
personality, right? Second, because we want to groom the person we hire into a regular substitute host
for afternoon drive. You’ll be our national news correspondent most days and regularly fill-in as co-host
of Utah’s Afternoon News. Here’s what the candidate needs to succeed:
•
•
•
•
Write and produce at a blistering pace
Anchor newscasts that crackle with excitement
Perform in a creative, upbeat contemporary style
Execute precisely during high-pressure breaking news
During the afternoon, you’ll work side-by-side with two hosts, two live street reporters, two traffic
reporters, a meteorologist, an executive producer, an assistant producer, and a managing producer.
That’s not to mention the TV and newspaper reporters and producers all collaborating resources in a
buzzing, converged newsroom. As a result, Utah’s Afternoon News is consistently rated one of the top
2 or 3 news programs in the country. Music personalities with news credibility are absolutely welcomed.
Women and minorities are also highly encouraged to apply. KSL is an equal opportunity employer.
Bonneville International is a fantastic place to work and put down roots. So, if you have feel you have
all the skills, please review our ad at KSL.com and complete a corporate application.
Send that application along with two minutes of your most
engaging anchoring and reporting to:
Kevin LaRue, Program Director, KSL NewsRadio
102.7 FM/1160 AM, 55 North 300 West,
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
qual
VICE PRESIDENT, RADIOTHON
MARKET MANAGER
At Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals we help miracles happen
every day. How? We develop international partnerships and fundraising
programs for 170 children’s hospitals across North America. These
programs raise the critical funds these hospitals need to provide stateof-the-art medical care for sick and injured children. As a member of
our Radiothon team, you’ll play a significant role making these miracles
happen. And, together, we will save kids’ lives.
The right candidate will be a selfstarter with the courage to make
decisions and the tenacity to be a
success. Newly acquired stations
in Rapid City have created
an opportunity for a market
manager to join the company’s
senior team.
Equity potential
available for high performers.
Prior market manager experience
not a prerequisite. We are looking
for someone with the right
attitude and passion. Leadership
experience and team building
a must. Letter and resume to:
[email protected] EOE
The Vice President, Radiothon will manage and lead the Radiothon
Team which will develop programs that enhance relationships with
participating stations, generate additional revenue for Radiothons,
and provide underwriting and awareness for Children’s Miracle
Network Hospitals. Develop and implement plans to transition/
expand our radio fundraising to other media distribution systems.
Find a full list of job duties in our ad at www.insideradio.com.
Candidates should be able to
demonstrate their passion for our
mission to raise funds and awareness
for local children’s hospitals. EOE.
Learn more or apply HERE
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