News Briefs - Nov. 20, 2012

Jingle Balls, Jingle Balls ... Clear Channel CHR-Top40 stations nationwide are set to celebrate the holiday season with their Jingle Ball concerts, starting with "Channel 955" WKQI-FM, Detroit, this Saturday (Nov. 24). Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, we're told, "has leveraged the Jingle Ball name in to a brand coast-to-coast," with holiday concerts scheduled up to December 16 with "Kiss 106.1" KBKS-FM, Seattle. This year Washington DC "Hot 99.5" and Atlanta "Power 96.1" are welcoming their first Jingle Balls. CCME President of National Programming Platforms Tom Poleman tells us, "From its origination at Z100 in New York, Jingle Ball has now spread across the country and become the biggest holiday music event in several of our markets. The shows are synonymous with what is hot in pop music for the year, featuring superstar, chart-topping performers and becoming one of the most sought after tickets. Jingle Ball is a holiday tradition that we love to share with our stations' loyal fans nationwide and this year we are thrilled to expand the Jingle Ball brand to the Washington DC and Atlanta markets for their first-ever concerts."

Tennessee Talk Host Off the Air After Facebook Comments. "NewsTalk 101.5" WNWS-FM, Jackson, Tennessee, "It's Your Turn" (8-11am) host Bill Way is off the air "for a few days" after posting derogatory comments that some call "racist" about President Obama on Facebook. Way has apologized for posting that Obama is "a pimp walking prez married to cheetah's daughter." But WNWS-FM General Manager Larry Wood says, "Considering the gravity of the situation, for now, by mutual agreement, Bill is taking a few days off." Is there a chance that Way won't return? Wood says the station doesn't condone the comments, and while the station appreciates "his public apology," they are sill considering Way's future at WNWS-FM. His show remains listed on the station's website "Programs" listing, but clicking on the link for the show is producing a "fatal error" message. Is that a hint that the station and Way may part ways?

Budget Cuts at Alpha Portland Claim Veteran KINK-FM Night Host. TPMedia News has learned of budget-related personnel cuts at Alpha Broadcasting Portland, Oregon, with nine employees out, including Triple-A KINK-FM night host Inessa Anderson, a 12 year station veteran. Anderson, who also hosted "Homegrown Music Spotlight," has confirmed she was let go. Alpha Broadcasting has not released the names of those whose positions were eliminated.

Greenville's 'Rock 105.5' Promotes Tina Smash to PD. "Rock 105.5 - Carolina's Pure Rock" WXQR-FM, Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville, NC, appoints afternoon host Tina Smash as its new Program Director. She fills the post vacated last month by Wes Styles, who is now programming Townsquare Media's Active Rock WQBK-FM, Albany, NY. Smash, who will continue to host afternoons, joined the NextMedia Active Rock station in 2007. Says Operations Manager Chris Mann, "We're excited to give Tina the opportunity to take legendary Rock 105.5 to the next level. Her experience and enthusiasm will be a huge asset to the NextMedia team." Smash previously was Program Director and midday host at "Rock 104.5" WRQR-FM, Wilmington, NC.

Broadcast Architecture Execs Exit. Three executives with Los Angeles-based syndication firm Broadcast Architecture have exited. Thoe leaving BA are SVP Stuart Saunders, VP of Research Tim Schiavelli and VP of Hispanic Services Harold Austin. Broadcast Architecture was acquired from Clear Channel by BA President Allen Kepler in 2009, and Saunders and Austin went with him. Schiavelli was promoted to VP of Research a year later.

Andrew Wehrung Joins Slacker. Andrew Wehrung joins Slacker Radio as an Audio Content Specialist. Most recently, he worked for concert promoter Ledge Entertainment in New York. Previously, Wehrung worked for Binational Broadcasting's Alternative X1FM.com in San Diego as Music Director.