To Deploy Instant Traffic, Weather Updates to Dashboards Through HD Radio
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment's Total Traffic Network and Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. announce a three-year agreement that will integrate real-time traffic and The Weather Channel information into the dashboards of select 2013 calendar year Toyota and Lexus models. These new Toyota models will feature the first consumer facing real-time delivery of information and graphics inside a vehicle via an HD Radio signal. Toyota and Lexus audio systems launched on selected 2014 models will feature an integrated in-dash display of Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network (TTN) services. These features will include Doppler radar and real-time weather forecasts from The Weather Channel and TTN's traffic updates, and will be available subscription free and do not require any data plans while in range of more than 350 HD Radio stations, providing Toyota drivers with up-to-the-minute traffic and weather updates. Toyota also plans to expand the service coverage beyond the HD boundaries for those vehicles equipped with Entune by providing these same services through a customer’s cell phone.
"Innovation is an essential part of what we do including leveraging our national distribution platform in new ways," says CCME President of National Media Groups Kevin Dorsey. "This new agreement with Toyota highlights our ability to leverage our distribution, programming and technology platforms to bring consumers what they want, where they want it and without annoying subscriptions. Our digital expertise helps to provide one-of-a-kind solutions for our partners and we are looking forward to joining forces with Toyota to further enhance the driving experience." Jon Bucci, VP of Connected Vehicle Technologies, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, adds, "We are excited about this value oriented solution for providing important services to our customers. The strengthening of our partnership with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment provides even more in-vehicle experiences by bringing real-time information to our customers."
iHeartRadio Unveils 'Perfect For' Feature Based On Listener Moods And Activities
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment launches new features for the iHeartRadio digital radio platform that "will change how users interact with the service." Starting today (Jan. 7), iHeartRadio will offer listeners a new "Perfect For" feature, which will allow users to choose from thousands of curated stations based on a range of moods and activities. The iHeartRadio platform also unveils a new alarm clock feature which will give users the ability to utilize the service as an alarm clock or to set reminders. In addition to the digital platform's 1500 live stations and user-created custom stations, listeners can now select the new "Perfect For" feature to browse through a menu of moods and activities perfect for a particular day and time. For example, early morning users might see stations that are perfect for waking up, running, driving, getting ready for work or even "keeping the previous night going." Once a user makes a selection, they are presented with several applicable genres or themes, each of which contains four station suggestions. "This new feature makes it even easier for listeners to find the perfect soundtrack for every moment in their day, setting the mood and helping them discover great new music," says CCME President of.Digital Brian Lakamp. "The 'Perfect For' feature is our latest addition to enhance iHeartRadio's already incredible offerings."
GM and Chrysler Connect with iHeartRadio
CCME's iHeartRadio is expanding across the automotive industry with integrations into Chrysler Group and General Motors vehicles. Beginning this year, iHeartRadio will be available in-dash on select Chrysler Group vehicles equipped with Uconnect Access Via Mobile, the company's suite of sensible connectivity features. Once a user connects their compatible Apple or Android smartphone with the Chrysler Uconnect Access App, drivers can control and personalize their iHeartRadio listening experience directly through the dashboard touch screen, "allowing easy access for in-vehicle enjoyment" of iHeartRadio. "Our integrations with Chrysler Group and GM vehicles along with the availability of the new iHeartAuto app make it easier for users to access their favorite iHeartRadio stations no matter where they travel," says Lakamp. "iHeartAuto is an exciting application that enables new partnerships and more importantly, simplifies access to iHeartRadio in a way that is designed to minimize driver distraction while giving our listeners easy access to their favorite stations through a consistent and seamless experience." iHeartRadio will also expand their auto integrations to select 2014 GM infotainment systems-more details to be released tomorrow.
Ford Picks jacAPPS for Ford Sync Integration
The Ford Motor Company announces that Michigan-based jacAPPS will be the recommended mobile app development house for their new Ford Developer Program. The company has been chosen to provide development and technical support to third party developers wanting to create voice-activated smartphone apps for Ford SYNC AppLink. The announcement was made Monday (Jan. 7) at the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas. Using SYNC voice commands, along with steering wheel and radio buttons, drivers can listen to a live audio stream or their favorite podcasts from within the mobile app. jacAPPS says this is a significant breakthrough for the radio industry that will allow AM/FM stations to have parity on the vehicle's digital screen. "Because of our experience in the radio space, combined with our shared history as Detroit-based companies, a natural partnership quickly developed," says jacAPPS VP and General Manager Paul Jacobs about the deal with Ford. "From there, identifying a radio partner for our announcement was an easy call. Greater Media, who has iconic radio stations here in Detroit – WRIF, WCSX, and WMGC – as well as great radio brands in Philadelphia, Boston, Charlotte, and New Jersey – was the obvious choice." Says President Fred Jacobs, "This is a major breakthrough for the radio industry. Radio and cars are like peanut butter and jelly – always connected. We will now be able to take mobile applications and provide code to allow them to be fully integrated with SYNC AppLink, gain important real estate on the cars' screen, voice command functionality and more." Greater Media radio stations that are live in the iTunes App Store and Google Play market with SYNC AppLink functionality include Detroit's WRIF, WCSX, WMGC; Boston's WROR, WBOS, WMJX, WKLB, and 96.9 FM; New Jersey's WDHA and WRAT; Philadelphia's WMMR, WMGK, WBEN, and "The Fanatic" WPEN-FM; and, Charlotte's WBT-AM-FM and WLNK. "We are thrilled that our radio stations will be easy to find, conveniently-connected and seamlessly voice-controlled in Ford SYNC AppLink equipped cars," says Greater Media Chairman and CEO Peter Smyth. "We anticipate being an integral part of the connected car and offering added functionality to our heritage brands."
Pandora Partners with Chrysler
Chrysler Group has joined the roster of automotive brands to integrate Internet "radio" streaming music service Pandora into its vehicles. There are now more than 85 car models that include Pandora, with more scheduled to become available throughout 2013, says the company. Pandora tells us that it's now available on more than 1,000 integrations, including automobiles, automotive aftermarket devices and other consumer electronics. Says Pandora Chairman and CEO Joe Kennedy, "Our partners are instrumental in helping us bring the future of radio to millions of passionate listeners. With more than 1,000 integrations, Pandora has reached a level of ubiquity that allows music fans to tune-in to personalized radio anytime, anywhere." Pandora also has released its new audience metrics for December 2012. The company says that listener hours for December reached 1.39 billion, an increase of 54 percent from 906 million during the same period last year. Active listeners are reported to have been at 67.1 million at the end of December 2012, an increase of 41 percent from 47.6 million during the same prior year period.
Tom Cuddy Named WOR-AM New York Program Director
Clear Channel names Tom Cuddy as the new Program Director for News Talk WOR-AM, New York. He's the former PD of Hot AC WPLJ-FM, New York, who also had a close association with WPLJ's sister News Talk WABC-AM, with which WOR-AM directly competes. Says Cuddy, "I'm beyond excited to be joining a News Talk station that enjoys legendary status in New York. We have amazing plans to grow WOR and make it the hottest spot on the AM dial. WOR has one of the best signals on the east coast." Cuddy joins former Cumulus Media New York Market Manager Steve Borneman who is the new Station Manager at WOR-AM. Both WPLJ-FM and WABC-AM are Cumulus stations.
Bill Cimino Named Radio Mercury Awards Chief Judge
The Radio Mercury Awards announces that Bill Cimino, Chief Creative Officer at Y & R Midwest, will be the Chief Judge for the 22nd annual awards competition. The 2013 Call for Entry is also open, and entries are being accepted for "exceptionally creative spots and campaigns" from advertising agencies, radio stations, production companies, colleges, universities and advertisers. This year there are increased award prizes in some of the most popular categories, and an additional Radio Campaign award has been added. Cimino, we're told, "was a part of the creative team behind one of the most awarded campaigns in advertising history, the ever popular and acclaimed Bud Light beer 'Real Men of Genius' campaign, while at DDB Chicago. His current client list at Y & R Midwest spans the communications spectrum." Says Cimino, "It is truly a great honor to be selected as Chief Judge. The Radio Mercury Awards celebrates one of the most difficult mediums to work in. It requires you to have a really great idea. And when you execute it flawlessly, something really magical happens. You get to engage people in the most powerful way. With all the new platforms out there, the Radio Mercury Awards reminds a new generation of creatives just how incredible the medium of radio is. The awards continue to fuel their passion to take the medium to higher heights than ever before." RAB President and CEO and Chair of the Radio Creative Fund Erica Farber tells us, "We're so honored to have Bill Cimino as this year's Chief Judge for the Radio Mercury Awards. Besides the fact that he helped create one of the most beloved and recognizable radio campaigns, he has a love and respect for our medium and a drive to help move the medium forward with out of the box creative concepts." Ten prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Agency Production, Radio Station Produced, Student, PSA, Spanish Language, Radio Campaign, Radio Innovation, and Integrated Campaign categories, along with $50,000 Best of Show. The deadline for this year's call for entry is Monday, March 4. This year's awards ceremony will take place in early June in New York City. For more information regarding rules, guidelines, entry fees, and entry deadlines, visit www.RadioMercuryAwards.com
Network Radio Research Council Chooses Len Klatt as Chair
The Network Radio Research Council (NRRC) has selected Len Klatt as Chair, and Barry Feldman as Vice Chair. Klatt is the VP of Research at American Urban Radio Networks; Feldman is the SVP/Director of Research at Premiere Networks. The NRRC was created in 2001 to promote national radio audience measurement research. Its current member roster includes AURN, Cumulus Media Networks, Crystal Media Networks, Dial Global, Premiere Networks and USRN. We're told the selection of the new Chair and Vice Chair were made at NRRC's December 2012 meeting. That capped a year in which the Council hosted multiple forums with Arbitron to discuss ways to improve the measurement and reporting of national radio audiences, with a focus on the role of PPM technology. "We remain committed to the NRRC as it continues to provide the research compass for network radio services, as well as collaboration across companies," says Arbitron Director of National Radio Services Bruce Supovitz. "This reinforces a key value Arbitron and network radio has embraced - to seek a unified voice that will result in better services, products and more visibility for the value network radio provides to audiences and advertisers." Media Rating Council Executive Director/CEO George Ivie has been an invited observer to all NRRC meetings. "The NRRC has been an important ally to the Media Rating Council in seeking improvements in the measurement of network radio," says Ivie. "We congratulate them on their new leadership, including their new chair Len Klatt, and for their ongoing efforts in working with Arbitron, Act 1, and others." In 2013, the NRRC plans to continue its dialogues with national radio research suppliers such as Arbitron and MRI, as well as delve further into improving measurements for new and evolving audio platforms, such as streaming and other digital content. The NRRC says it will also work closely with the recently-formed Network Radio Compliance Council to strengthen and enhance the accountability efforts.
News Briefs
Cumulus Media names Jolana Smith as its new Director of Programming for News Talk WFAS-AM and AC WFAS-FM, Westchester County, NY. Smith will also host middays on the FM. She arrives from "Star 99.9" WEZN-FM, Bridgeport, Connecticut, where she most recently was morning co-host and midday solo host, and
Assistant Program Director of the three-station Cox Media Group cluster that also includes WPLR-FM and WFOX-FM. Cumulus SVP of Corporate Programming Mike McVay tells us, "Jolana brings a lot of fresh ideas to our AC and News/Talk platforms. We're thrilled to have her join us." And says Smith, "What an amazing opportunity to be part of the Cumulus' programming ranks and to be working with SVP of Programming Mike McVay and Stratus VP/AC Format Captain Emily Boldon. Somebody pinch me!"
"94.9 Mix fm" KMXZ-FM, Tucson, Program Director and morning personality Bobby Rich names Leslie Lois as the new Program Director for the Journal Broadcast Group AC station. Rich hired Lois in 2000 from one of the company's Milwaukee stations to be the "Mix" Music Director and began mentoring her for advancement to PD.
"Leslie's career path at Journal and dedication to the success of Tucson's highly-rated 'Mix fm' makes her the perfect person to succeed Bobby in the role of Program Director," says Operations Manager Shaun Holly. "After more than 12 years as Assistant Program Director and Music Director, performing many of the daily programming duties, I'm proud to name Leslie as the new program director of Mix fm," adds Rich. "Leslie is a passionate contributor and enthusiastic cheerleader for this station and the company." Rich will continue with the "Bobby Rich Morning Mix" and as Director of the Journal Broadcast Group Community Partner program in Tucson.
Update January 7: The changes coming on February 1 have now been revealed. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Christian Talk WCVX-AM, which has been at 1050, will move to 1160, making room for an Urban Gospel format on 1050 using the call letters WGRI-AM. Jon Yinger, President of Christian Broadcasting System, said 1160 would go off the air after the Notre Dame football broadcast Monday night (Jan. 7), as scheduled.
He adds that when 1050 becomes WGRI-AM, it will be "urban gospel music and teaching."
We
originally reported last week that “Real Talk 1160″ WQRT-AM, Cincinnati, fired its local staff January 2, announced plans to go silent the following week, and said the station will return to the air February 1 with a new format. Cincinnati.com reported that when WQRT-AM returns to the air, it will begin a new format that might be announced before the station goes silent. Jon Yinger, owner of the Michigan-based Christian Broadcast System, which owns and operates the station, told Cincinnati.com's John Klesewetter in an email, "We’ve decided to change directions with WQRT. Clearly, this was not the success that we thought it would be. Having given it a really good run, we’ve decided to pull the plug. The live programs are gone as of today. We are fulfilling our obligations through 1/7/12 (Notre Dame). I’ll let you know as soon as we have everything lined up for the format change."
Several months after moving across the hall from "AM 760 - Colorado's Progressive Talk" KKZN-AM, afternoon co-host David Sirota is out at "Talk Radio 630" KHOW-AM, Denver, and exits the cluster. He had segued from
sister KKZN-AM, Denver (licensed to Thornton, Colorado), where he hosted a 7-10am show. On "Talk Radio 630" he was teamed with Michael Brown who continues solo in the 3-7pm slot. Sirota tells listeners on Facebook, "For those contacting me today about my job situation: Yes, I'm in the process of looking for more work and your ideas/leads are always welcome. I should also add that in terms of my next step, I've got a lot of irons in the fire already (stay tuned). Additionally, my Salon, newspaper column and magazine reporting work continues unfazed. Onward!"
We previously reported his announcement that he was going to air weekends on the station, but now San Francisco "415 Media" Blogger Rich Lieberman begins a 1-4pm weekday shift on KOMY-AM, Santa Cruz, California. After only 12 shows in off-peak hours, owner Michael Zwerling offered Lieberman the daily show. "Actually it only took one or two shows to make it clear to me that Rich should not be bottled up at night on the weekends, but it's difficult to get anything meaningful done during the holiday period." Zwerling, who operates two radio stations, including KOMY-AM sister NewsTalk KSCO-AM, says he sees Lieberman as a budding superstar in the growing-like-wildfire new media industry. "Rich has been blogging about media, sports, and entertainment for more than a decade and has built an amazing audience, including many famous people who crave mentions and acknowledgement by this new media sensation. This reminds me of how people would die to be mentioned in Herb Caen's column in the San Francisco Chronicle for nearly half a century."
The new Urban AC "96.9 BZJ" WBZJ-FM, Raleigh, adds three Premiere Networks programs, including Steve Harvey for mornings. The Curtis Media station also adds the syndicated "Sweat Hotel" evening show hosted by Keith Sweat and the weekly "Keep Hope Alive" with Jesse Jackson. Says Curtis Media President and COO Phil Zachary, "We would never attempt an Urban format of any kind without time-tested, iconic personalities. Steve Harvey, Keith Sweat and the Rev. Jesse Jackson will be the bigger-than-life pillars of the ‘New 96.9.’ They make us instantly credible to a very discerning audience right from day one.”
Sirius XM Radio has announced selection procedures to lease one "Qualified Entity" channel to be broadcast via satellite and carried online as part of its voluntary commitment. The move stems from the merger of Sirius and XM in 2008 and expanded broadcast capacity. The FCC has made this set-aside available only to lessees that are not directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by Sirius XM or an affiliate of Sirius XM. Lessees also must not share any common officers, directors or employees with Sirius XM or any affiliate of SiriusXM and not have had any existing relationships with SiriusXM for the supply of programming during the two years prior to October 19, 2010. To make its selection for the set-aside, Sirius XM is seeking: Programming representing diverse viewpoints and/or diverse entertainment content; Improved service to historically underserved audiences; original content of a type not otherwise available to Sirius XM subscribers; and, Access to new sources of content and new entrants to mass media. Applications, which are due by February 21, should demonstrate that the proposer has the financial, operational, and technical ability to perform its obligations under the lease. SiriusXM will select a programmer that, in its judgment, will be able to meet its obligations and deliver its proposed mix or type of programming for the duration of the lease term.
Bobby Valentine will join the NBC Sports Radio lineup as a Major League Baseball contributor, starting this month,
according to an announcement from the NBC Sports Group and Dial Global. Valentine, a former Major League Baseball player and manager, was most recently with the Boston Red Sox. He also is former analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. Valentine will "call in weekly to affiliated stations and NBC Sports Radio talk hosts with his thoughts and observations on baseball," says the announcement, which adds that he will become a part-time co-host of a soon-to-be-announced weekday talk show that will debut in April, as the network expands its programming lineup. Says Valentine, "I can't wait to get started on NBC Sports Radio. I'm looking forward to talking to our affiliates and network shows, and to being a major contributor to the network. I always state my honest opinion and I can't wait to share it with NBC Sports Radio listeners." NBC Sports Radio launched its new, full weekend lineup of programming this past Saturday and Sunday.
The new CBS Sports Radio network has unveiled its new weekend lineup. The new sports network, which launched on more than 100 affiliate stations last week, features personalities from the radio network, as well as CBS Radio and Cumulus stations across the country. All shows are broadcast live from either CBS Sports Radio's New York City studio in Tribeca or the contributing station. "We've put together a tremendous lineup of experienced hosts from some of the most well-regarded sports stations," says CBS Sports Radio Director of Programming Eric Spitz. "Weekends are where the action is in the sports world and CBS Sports Radio will provide our listeners with cutting edge analysis, high profile interviews and late breaking news." Saturdays feature: 2-6am, Amy Lawrence (joins CBS Sports Radio from ESPN Radio), also with the same shift Sundays; 6-10am, Marc Malusis (WFAN-AM/FM New York); 10am-2pm, Brandon Tierney (CBS Sports Radio); 2-6pm, Gregg Giannotti (KDKA-FM Pittsburgh); 6-10pm, Jody McDonald (WIP-FM Philadelphia and WFAN); and 10pm-2am, Adam The Bull (WKRK-FM Cleveland), also hostng the same shift on Sundays. The rest of the Sunday schedule: 6-10am, John Kincade (WCNN-AM Atlanta); 10am-2pm, Vinny Cerrato/Rob Long (WJZ-FM Baltimore); 2-6pm, Jody McDonald/Kris Jenkins (former NFL player, and sports analyst); and 6-10pm, Josh Innes and Ted Johnson (KILT-AM Houston). Cumulus Media Networks serves as the exclusive syndicator and sales partner for CBS Sports Radio.
Passings
WMC-FM, Memphis, legend Donald Meyers has died at 84, surrounded by family and listening to his favorite jazz music. He started as an on-air host in Cincinnati, but was best known for going on to manage WMC-FM. Meyers is survived by his wife of 37 years, Patricia, as well as five children and nine grandchildren ... Contemporary Christian WGTS-FM, Washington DC General Manager John Konrad has died at the age of 43, after a battle with pneumonia. The station says he'd been in the hospital with a case of bi-lateral pneumonia. He was responding to treatment and released from the hospital, but the pneumonia returned and he didn't respond to further treatment.
Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio
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