News Briefs - Dec. 17, 2012 [Updated with More Items!]

New London's 'Kool 101' Flips to 'Roxy' Hall Communications Classic Hits "Kool 101" WKNL-FM, New London, Connecticut, flips to Hot AC "Roxy 100.9" in a surprise move. "Kool" went out with Donna Summer's "Last Dance" and "Roxy" debuted with fun.'s "Some Nights" in the midnight change of format and identity. Observers in the market say the flip was totally unexpected, citing that "Kool" had just recently debuted new jingles for the first time in a long time, while also changing their positioners and tweaking their music from Oldies to Classic Hits. But others note that the new format on WKNL-FM eliminates overlap with sister "Classic Hits 98.7" WNLC-FM.

Joe Gersh Named Clear Channel Atlanta GSM. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Atlanta announces that Joe Gersh is named General Sales Manager, effective January 14. Gersh, we're told, will work closely with VP of Sales Justin Schaflander "to manage the sales efforts" for Clear Channel's six station Atlanta cluster. Gersh, who has over 25 years of experience in the media sales industry, most recently was GSM for Clear Channel's Chicago "103.5 Kiss FM" WKSC-FM and "93.9 Lite FM" WLIT-FM. "Joe brings a wealth of sales and marketing expertise to our cluster. He is a seasoned veteran with vast experience in Atlanta and incredible success in the Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) format," says Atlanta Market President Matt Scarano. "I am thrilled to have Joe on our team. He is the perfect choice to lead the sales efforts for Atlanta's CHR duo." Prior to joining Clear Channel, Gersh was Director of Business Development for multimedia sales training and consulting company NRS Media, and SVP for U. S. Broadcast Group based in Atlanta. He tells us, "I am very excited to join the Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Atlanta team and help lead the sales efforts of Power 96.1 and Wild 105.7/96.7. "I look forward to working with the talented and proven sales team in Atlanta."

Gow Adds Bob Costas Shows to Yahoo! Sports Radio. Gow Broadcasting, which operates Yahoo! Sports Radio in partnership with Yahoo! Sports, is adding two new offerings featuring Bob Costas. The first is the original Costas "Coast-to-Coast" shows to be aired weekly, and the second is a daily one-minute vignette entitled "Stars and Stories" that will feature some of Costas' best interviews. Gow has licensed the programming from Olympia Networks, the original creator of the shows. Costas will be heard over a network of affiliate stations and on the company's website, starting January 28. "Bob is universally regarded as one of the top sports journalists," says Yahoo! Sports Radio CEO David Gow. "The Costas Coast-to-Coast shows offer timeless content delivered in Bob's inimitable style. We are thrilled to offer these very special programs to our growing number of affiliate radio stations." Steve Bunyard of Olympia Networks adds, "These shows are special. They represent some of Bob's best work and certainly some of the finest, most in-depth interviews with top sports figures in the history of sports radio. We are delighted to bring back this compelling content in partnership with Yahoo! Sports Radio. This brings together two leading and highly recognizable brands for radio."

Angie Handa Named Program Director of 'B95.1' Oxnard-Ventura. Angie Handa is named Program Director of Hot AC "B 95.1" KBBY-FM, .Oxnard-Ventura, California, replacing Bo Jaxon who recently exited to become PD and afternoon host at KIMN-FM, Denver. Past programming stops for Handa include Phoenix, Cleveland, Fresno, and Charleston, SC. "Angie is just what KBBY needs. She's a real pro with the knowledge, enthusiasm, work ethic, and winning track record to guide KBBY, B 95.1 to new levels of success," says Operations Manager Chris Cox. Says Handa, "I'm so grateful to Mike McVay, Chris Cox and Cumulus for the opportunity to work with the incredible team at KBBY. We have sky-high expectations and I have no doubt, together with the extraordinary people in Ventura/Oxnard that we will make great things happen."

SiriusXM Music Royalty Rate to Increase in 2013. The Copyright Royalty Board says the music royalty rate paid by satellite radio will increase from 8% of gross revenue to 9% in 2013. By 2017, that rate will be 11% of gross revenue. A CRB statement doesn't mention Internet pure-play radio services such as Pandora. Those rates are set until 2015. That means that despite the decision by the three-judge CRB Board, SiriusXM will remain in a better position than Pandora for total music costs.

Bott Radio Launches FM Expansion in Kansas City. Bott Radio Network announces an FM expansion in Kansas City with the addition of translator K209EC-FM at 101.5 FM, to rebroadcast Christian programming from KCCV-AM. BRN says that's especially significant to listeners in Independence, Raytown and Lees Summit where the AM 760 signal is limited at night. Says BRN President and CEO Rich Bott, "For more than 50 years, Bott Radio Network has served families with Quality Bible Teaching and Christian News and Information. We are excited about expanding our FM service in Kansas City to reach more people with the power of God's Word. This new FM signal at 101.5 FM will help more people grow in their faith and apply their faith in their daily lives."

Kelli DeShan Rejoins SRN. Kelli DeShan returns to Salem Radio Network as an Affiliate Relations representative, overseeing the Christian affiliate acquisition effort focusing on SRN News, The Janet Mefferd Show and Salem Music Network formats. DeShan worked for SRN Dallas from 2002-2006 before leaving to join Urban Choice Media as their Affiliate Relations Manager. For the past five years, DeShan has headed the affiliate sales effort at the IRN/USA Radio Network. Says SRN VP of Operations and Affiliate Relations Charles Mefferd, "As 2013 is about to dawn, it is great to have Kelli DeShan heading back home to SRN in the exciting days ahead."

A Recommendation for Someone Else's Newsletter? "My associate Jay Thomas told me not to do this," says Mark Harris. "Jay added, 'Are you crazy?' I nodded and said 'yes -- I'm crazy about Tom Taylor's newsletters and I haven't plugged Tom's new 'Now' newsletter since beginning our new 'Radio and Media News' at Blogspot." Harris, never known to hold back on his true feelings, offered this statement: "It is my hope to make my new blog and related newsletter the best available today. But, realistically, I know the best I can ever hope for is second best. No one -- and I mean no one -- will ever offer a better radio/media newsletter than Tom Taylor. When his former daily newsletter ended, I, for one, went through withdrawal. Yeah, I was addicted to his insight on meaningful news and information, remarkably presented in a conversational style. Now that he's back (with 'Tom Taylor Now') I can stop trying to break the addiction." Harris estimates that will save thousands of dollars on further therapy. He also insists that we (his imaginary staff) tell his readers to click this link -- Tom Taylor Now -- and subscribe to Tom's no cost "Radio's Daily Management Newsletter." (Maybe Mark needs more therapy after all?)