George Allen Named Clear Channel Raleigh Market Manager

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Raleigh has named George Allen as Market Manager, effective immediately. As Market Manager, he is responsible for the entire Raleigh market’s operations including all strategies, programming and sales initiatives. Allen joins the Raleigh cluster from Clear Channel Cleveland, where since 2009 he's been Director of Sales. "I could not be more thrilled to join such dynamic market and work with such great brands," says Allen. "I am really looking forward to getting to know the people of Raleigh and developing strong business partnerships within the local community." Regional Market Manager Charlie Wilkinson tells us, "George is a proven leader who knows how to develop talent and create winning strategies for our brands. He has great track record with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and I am confident George will take the Raleigh market to the next level." Allen has also served as Captain of the Automotive Category for all of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. He has more than 18 years of experience in the radio industry and previously was Local Sales Manager and General Sales Manager for various stations in the Cleveland market.

Marketers Shifting Focus from Traditional Media to Digital

Marketers plan to decrease their focus on newspapers, magazines and radio this year, looking more at various digital channels. That's according to a survey conducted by Aquent and the American Marketing Association (AMA). Radio is third for the decrease cited by 24% of respondents in the survey conducted online within the United States by Inavero on behalf of Aquent and the American Marketing Association among 2,620 marketing professionals. The survey was conducted between October 31 and November 19, 2012. MarketingCharts.com notes that traditional media occupied the top six areas slated for a decline in focus this year by respondents, who widely say they are moving more toward digital. "Topping the list is mobile media, with 82% of respondents saying they’ll increase their organization’s focus in this area. That aligns with recent research finding mobile to be perceived as the year’s most disruptive media and marketing trend. Recent survey results from Econsultancy also revealed that mobile is the most exciting opportunity for digital marketers this year. Meanwhile, many respondents to the Aquent and AMA survey also will increase their focus on social media (76%) and marketing automation (75%)."

Illinois Officially Enacts ‘First Informer' Status for Broadcasters

Illinois now has a new law ensuring that broadcasters have the emergency credentials in times of disaster to get fuel to power their facilities. The First Informer Broadcasters Act has been signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn. It applies to both broadcasters and cable operators will get expedited access to fuel needed to power their facilities’ emergency generators during times of disasters. Illinois Broadcasters Association CEO Dennis Lyle says, “Illinois’ brave first responders have always known they can depend on their dedicated local broadcasters to assist them in disseminating critical information to the masses, regardless of the disaster or emergency,” The “First Informer Broadcasters Act,” sponsored by Illinois State Representative John Bradley and Illinois State Senators Antonio Munoz and Kirk Dillard, passed in the House last Spring, and in the State Senate this month. Both votes were unanimous. With the Governor’s signature, the Act becomes effective immediately. The IBA (Illinois Broadcasters Association) now begins the process of working with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in identifying and creating a training curriculum that broadcast and cable operator personnel will have to complete before earning emergency credentials, according to Lyle.