Cumulus To Launch “NashFM” Brand On 5 Stations

Cumulus Media has announced plans to extend its  “NashFM” to at least five more stations. The branding effort moves the brand beyond the original NashFM station, WNSH in NYC.

The affected stations will be using NashFM logos, websites, and on-air promotions using “NASH FM” and “Powered by NASH” language.

Station now branding as “NashFM” are:

• WKAK K-Country 104.5 Augusta, GA
• WLXX 92.9 FM Lexington, KY
• WPKR Omro, WPCK Denmark/Green Bay 99.5 & 104.9 The Wolf
• KHKI 97.3 FM Des Moines
• KQFC 97.9 FM Boise

Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey said, “Following our debut of the NASH-FM brand earlier this year, we’re excited about expanding NASH to more radio stations as well as bringing NASH content to other forms of media, including video and magazines. Our listeners and advertisers will continue to benefit from the variety of on-air and off-air Country lifestyle content opportunities associated with the NASH brand.”

Tweets by @NashFM947NY

Indy Radio: Entercom Re-Launches 107-9 The Mix

Entercom Indianapolis announces WNTR was re-launched to become Hot AC 1079 The Mix.   “Mix will be artist driven and more current than before,” said WZPL Operations Director, J.R. Ammons.

“Mix’s new Hot AC format will play more music than competitors in the market and deliver more of what women want, the best of 2000’s and today.”

LISTEN-LINE:  Click Here.

“We are thrilled to bring this amazing mix of contemporary music to Indianapolis.  Due to the tremendous success of Entercom’s Top-40 station, WZPL, there is a hole in the market for a station like 1079 The Mix,” said Jennifer Skjodt, Entercom Indianapolis VP and General Manager.

“We are building on the strength of nearly 300,000 weekly WNTR listeners to create a better mix.  Today’s launch is the perfect opportunity and timing for 1079 The Mix.”

Mobile Listening Cap Fuels Pandora Growth

Pandora has had a busy first quarter. In March, the social radio company saw its long-time CEO Joe Kennedy abruptly step down, leaving the board to scramble to find a replacement. On the bright side, Kennedy’s exit, while likely a result of stress, followed relatively good times for Pandora. And. According to telecrunch.com,  it’s continued to push forward since.

Pandora launched an ad-free version for Windows 8 in March, surpassed 200 million users (with over 140 million accessing Pandora via mobile) in April, then launched a “Premieres” station for U.S. users and deepened its Facebook integration with a new Timeline App.

Thursday, Pandora’s first quarter earnings reflected this flurry of activity, as the company saw GAAP total revenue increase 97 percent year-over-year to $83.9 million (with non-GAAP mobile revenue of $86.7 million), which outpaced mobile listener hour growth at 47 percent year over year. Meanwhile, total revenue came in at $125.5 million, representing 55 percent year-over-year growth and non-GAAP total revenue of $128.5 million. Pandora had a net loss of $28.5 million, or 16 cents per share, compared with a loss of $20.2 million, or 12 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

What’s more, share of total U.S. Radio listening for Pandora grew to 7.33 percent in April — an increase from 5.86 percent in the same period last year.

Of his company’s performance, Kennedy said: 

"Mobile listening hours and mobile ad revenue reached record highs, with growth in mobile ad revenue exceeding growth in mobile listening hours. During the quarter, we successfully implemented a mobile listening limit, enabling us to manage our content acquisition costs with minimal impact on listenership or revenue growth. Pandora’s subscriber base surpassed 2.5 million, adding more net new subscribers in the quarter than in all of fiscal 2013, giving Pandora the largest US streaming subscriber base of any music service."

Read More Now.

Tweets by @pandora_radio

Sports Radio Listeners Are Super Fans

They make more money, they’re better educated, and they buy more expensive houses and cars. These are but a few of the traits of sports play-by-play listeners that make them more attractive and valuable to advertisers. Listeners’ passion, combined with forefront sound, justifies a premium rate.

Going beyond the conceptual, Research Director, Inc., in cooperation with GfK MRI, has just completed an extensive study on the play-by-play radio listener that quantifies the benefits of reaching these listeners.

Among the study’s highlights:

• Sports Radio listeners are 40% more likely to have a household income of $150,000 or more compared to the general population.
• Sports Radio listeners are 88% more likely to have any investments totaling $250,000 or more compared to the general population.
• Based on the eight sports examined, Pro Baseball listeners skew older, while Pro Basketball and Pro Football listeners skew younger.
• Compared to the other sports examined, Pro Baseball listeners perform the best in many socioeconomic categories such as college educated, household income, and decision maker for a new car.
• Play-by-play audiences deliver great bang for your buck.  This study will help sellers differentiate their listeners from the average consumer.

Join us for a presentation of highlights, where we’ll talk about how this study can enhance sales of play-play sports on the radio. Research Director, Inc.’s webinar will be conducted on June 5 at 2pm (EDT).  To reserve a spot, Click Here.

DC Radio: Tommy McFly Gives Commencement Address

Commencement speaker Tommy McFly, WIAD Fresh 94.7 FM radio personality in Washington, DC and Luzerne County Community College alumnus, addressed the Class of 2013 at the college’s 45th annual commencement Thursday, saying, “Today’s the day you decide how much you want to be involved.”

 “Whether you’re the next Einstein or the next Snookie, that’s awesome,” McFly said during an energetic speech at the Mohegan Sun Arena, a talk which he peppered with frequent shout-outs to his former teachers.

According to golackwanna.com, after graduating from the Nanticoke, PA-based college in 2006, McFly became the co-host of “The Doc Show” on area radio station Froggy 101. Shortly thereafter, McFly went on to become an executive producer of a D.C.-based radio show. Two years later, he was promoted to evening host. In 2010 he was hired by CBS as an on-air personality on the AC 94.7 FreshFM. As the host of the “Tommy Show,”

Tommy McFly

For the past two years, McFly served as the official emcee of the White House Easter egg roll and also as the host of the National Tree Lighting preshow.

“You have a million choices ahead of you, and you can do whatever you want,” said McFly. “Never lose your fire or passion. See how far you can push yourself. You’re gonna hit curveballs along the way, but that’s part of the fun.”

In his student address, 30-year-old Brian Zywicki urged his 875 fellow graduates not to be afraid to take risks.

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Denver Radio: Peter Boyles Off KHOW Air Friday

Peter Boyles

Peter Boyles, a well-known and sometimes-controversial radio host in Denver for Talk KHOW 630 AM, will be off the air Friday after a heated physical exchange with one of his producers, multiple sources connected to the station confirm to 9NEWS in Denver.

Employees observed red marks on producer Greg Hollenback's neck within the minutes of the argument, which happened during Thursday morning's broadcast of the Peter Boyles Show.

The sources wished to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.

"Everyone here is disappointed and devastated," one employee told 9NEWS.

Reached for comment Thursday morning, Boyles told 9NEWS only that he "had a very heated exchange" with Hollenback.

Boyles and Hollenback have worked together for about two decades.

A source inside KHOW tells 9NEWS the incident has been elevated to the corporate level. KHOW management declined to comment, saying the incident is a "personnel matter."

Although he will be off the air Friday, managers would not say whether Boyles was suspended.

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Report: Mary J. Blige Has Tax Woes

Mary J. Blige

Grammy winner Mary J. Blige is being chased for taxes again. Like mixing plaids and stripes, celebrities and taxes often seem to be in discord. Stars may make a lot of money, but they have big expenses and a complex lifestyle. And they often rely on managers and advisers to handle details most people handle themselves. Their handlers may not keep them fully informed.

According to Forbes, Mary J. Blige has been chased by New Jersey tax authorities for $901,769.65 in back taxes, and now is in scotch with the IRS. According to TMZ, the IRS has recorded a tax lien claiming Ms. Blige failed to pay all her income taxes for the years 2009 ($574,907.30), 2010 ($2,203,743.53) and 2011 ($647,604.60). If that’s all correct, the total is over $3.4 million. Of course, the IRS wants to protect its position viz. other creditors.

RS liens are powerful medicine. An IRS tax lien covers all your property, even if acquired after the lien is filed. The courts use it to establish priority in bankruptcy proceedings and real estate sales.

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St. Louis Radio: Larry Connors Visits Morning Shows

Larry Conners

Longtime St. Louis TV Anchor Larry Conners was dismissed from KMOV-Channel 4 Wednesday after being pulled off the air last week.

The situation arose May 13 with a post from Conners on his Facebook page. In the posting, Conners said he faced pressure from the IRS after an interview with President Barack Obama. This after allegations surfaced that the IRS targeted conservative groups.

While it was reported last week that while Conners' Facebook post made it seem that he was targeted after the 2012 interview, the Conners resident's issues with the IRS began long before that.

Records show that a federal tax lien has been placed on Conners’ property in Clayton, according to the Post story. That lien claims that Conners and his wife, Janet L. Conners, owe more than $85,000 in “small business/self employed” taxes.

Conners took to the radio Wednesday and Thursday, appearing on KMOX 1120 AM  and KYKY-FM-Y98.

Listen To Y98 Interview, Click Here.

Tweets by @LarryConnersUSA

Houston Radio: CBS Radio Staff Stages ‘Field Day’

How does the office of CBS Radio Houston begin its Memorial Day weekend? The answer is to take part in several sets of physical challenges that combine fun, fierceness and fast-paced athletics!

The CBS Radio Houston family held its first annual “Field Day” on Thursday and braved the heat and humidity to go against other co-workers in a “team take all” pursuit combining teamwork, spirit, sportsmanship and most of all fun with others.

Ravishing radio talents, super star sales executives, divine digital content individuals, infinitely intelligent information technology experts, poised voice and production pros, energized engineers, productive promotion professionals and other astounding radio and broadcasting giants all let their inner athlete emerge in a literal  “blood, sweat and tears” battle to be the best, compete and win!

VIEW PHOTOS: Click Here.

According to the CBS Houston website, professionals exchanged their skirts, shirts, ties, microphones, laptops and pens for team t-shirts, shorts, helping hands and focused mindsets for such activities as: “The Chicken Relay”, “Jump Rope Contest”, “Hula Hoop It Out”, “Bouncing Balls On The Paddle”, “The Egg Toss”, “Build The Best Balloon Character”  and other games that required their skill, agility, strength, creativity, tenacity and willingness to have fun.

Senior Vice President and Market Manager of CBS Radio Houston Sarah Frazier called Thursday’s event one that was indeed joyous to attend, see and feel: “it’s amazing to me to have such professionals in the office bring their enthusiasm, and love for competition to the forefront on a field,” Frazier said.

“This first annual ‘Field Day’ was a fun and memorable one that encompassed team spirit and to the the cross-departmental camaraderie is not only fun to watch but inspirational and amazing,” Frazier added.

Morgan Freeman Nods Off During TV Interview

Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine were promoting their new film Now You See Me on Seattle's Q13 Fox News when Morgan started dozing off mid-interview.

A video of the interview has been making the rounds on the internet which shows the 75-year-old actor appearing to nod off while Caine is answering a question.

The brief nap occurred while Michael was discussing how magic tricks are performed on stage and Freeman opened his eyes just in time to catch the end of the response. The chat ended with anchor Bill Wixey asking Morgan for narrating advice for his daughter who was just cast as the narrator in a school play.

Some Men Up in Arms Over Samsung Commercial

Charges of sexism usually come from women, but this time some men are brandishing it, complaining about a new Samsung ad that's gone viral for the company's new Evolution Kit, which transforms any Samsung TV into a smart TV.

The commercial that debuted on YouTube last week shows a woman walking into the living room to find her slovenly husband sprawled on the couch watching TV, burping, grunting and chewing with his mouth open as he watches a cartoon.

The wife plugs the Evolution Kit into the back of the TV, and fantasizes about having a similar kit for her husband, imagining him transformed into a Stepford Husband sort-of guy who's baking, taking care of the baby, painting the kitchen, serving her champagne and more, before she's brought back to the reality of her real husband farting on the couch.

A lot of men have taken to social media to complain, including in the comments section of the ad's YouTube posting, with one writing that he was, quote, "tired of the double standard and depicting men as idiots in advertising."

But in a column Wednesday (May 22nd), Adweek's David Gianatasio said Samsung would only be helped by the controversy over what he called "questionable material," writing, "The clip is nearing 10 million YouTube views in just a week, and generating gobs of attention for the product, so I'd hardly call it a total stinker."

Actor Ashton Kutcher Disses Twitter

Ashton Kutcher

Twitter used to be cool, but the media has royally screwed it up, angel investor Ashton Kutcher told the CTIA Wireless conference Thursday.

"Twitter's experience has changed for me, pretty drastically. It used to be sort of a personalized experience for me, a really personal experience that I could share," the actor said at the Las Vegas trade show. "For lack of better verb, I think the media kind of [you can figure out that verb] it up."

"I think media companies came in and just pounced on it and I think that the signal-to- noise ratio kind of stinks—people selling [expletive] that I don't want," he said. "Companies and people just pitching crap."

According to CNBC.com, Kutcher said that when he first got on Twitter, it felt like the democratization of media, but now it just feels like traditional media.

But the media aren't totally to blame for the noise on Twitter. The company itself has introduced features that have set it back, he said.

"I think retweeting hurt Twitter the most," Kutcher said. "It created a ton of noise in the system that took away from some of the value."

Kutcher prefers to read the information that is available on Twitter via other platforms, like Flipboard, a site that curates your news based on your preferences and social networking accounts, including Twitter. Kutcher is an investor in Flipboard.

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Chicago Radio: Trib Appoints Jimmy deCastro As WGN GM

Veteran Chicago radio executive Jimmy de Castro has been named president and general manager of WGN-AM 720, Tribune Co. announced Thursday.

The move puts one of Chicago's most charismatic and successful broadcast managers in charge of the legacy radio station, with plans to re-energize, refocus and build ratings and revenue at WGN.

"There's been a lot of change in it over recent years, and a lot of controversy around it, given the personalities that have come and gone," said Larry Wert, Tribune Co.'s president of local broadcasting. "We're just really looking forward to some smart, go-forward stability. I don't think we could have picked anyone better than Jim de Castro."

Jimmy de Castro

The 60-year-old De Castro, who ran the seminal WLUP-FM 97.9 -- and its roster of larger-than-life air personalities -- during its heyday in the 1980s, rode a wave of industry consolidation over a 20-year radio management career until he helmed the largest chain in the nation.

More than a decade removed from his last radio job, de Castro will begin his new role on June 3, reporting to Wert, his former WLUP protege, who became Tribune Co.'s head of local broadcasting in February. Chicago-based Tribune Co. owns eight daily newspapers including the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, 23 television stations, WGN America and its legacy radio station, which has been on the air since the 1920s. 

While still one of the top-billing and top-rated stations in Chicago, WGN has endured its share of challenges recently amid personnel changes and revenue declines, culminating in the departure of longtime general manager Tom Langmyer last October.  Jeff Hill, the station's director of sales, has been serving as interim general manager.

WGN, which is ranked 4th in the most recent Arbitron ratings for Chicago with a 4.8 share, took a big hit in revenue last year, dropping by more than $5 million to $30.2 million, according to BIA/Kelsey. De Castro hopes to improve on both ratings and revenue for WGN.

de Castro came to Chicago in 1981 to take over WLUP-FM 97.9 and eventually parlayed that into a job running one of the nation's biggest radio giants.

Read More Now.

Jax Radio: Cox Launches Urban Gold WHJX

This morning Cox Media Group Jacksonville heats up the airwaves with the new Hot WHJX 106.5 “Duval's Adult R&B”.  Clarence Natto will join the station as its new Program Director.

The first of its kind in the Jacksonville market, Hot 106.5 will entertain listeners with an Urban Gold format featuring core artists like:  Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers, The O'Jays and Stevie Wonder.

LISTEN-LINE: Click Here.

The station launched just after midnight this morning

“This is a great opportunity to serve the Jacksonville community in an area that has been underserved with radio options for a number of years,” said CMG Jacksonville VP and Market Manager Bill Hendrich. 

Clarence Natto

“Our in-depth market research indicates a great need for classic R&B, and we expect this new format to be an unbelievable success with listeners, as well as a unique platform for our valued advertisers.”

Natto joins the station from CMG Atlanta where he was Director of Promotions for KISS 104.1 FM WALR. 

“Great talent resides in the stations owned by Cox Media Group and we have been able to tap into that talent bank once again with Clarence,” added Hendrich. 

“I had the pleasure of working with Clarence in Orlando when he was at Star 94.5 and have watched him grow his career over the past few years in Atlanta.  I really look forward to having Clarence on our team here in Jacksonville.”

WHJX 60dBU Coverage Area

Until recently, 106.5 FM was simulcasting N/T WOVK.  However, earlier, this month CMG moved the simulcast to 104.5 FM which boasts a much large signal coverage area.