Chicago Tribune Remembers Former Boss Randy Michaels (Not Too Fondly)
The Chicago Tribune is "remembering" former Tribune CEO Randy Michaels in a series of less than flattering articles. Michaels, now CEO of Merlin Media, says the newspaper, brought in by Sam Zell, found resistance to his management style and plans for the paper. We're told that many at the Chicago Tribune had problems with his vision almost from the start. Michaels wanted to apply what he'd learned from the radio industry to the entire Tribune Company, which was mostly newspapers and television. "If the radio industry had taught him anything, it was that market power flowed from size and scale," writes the Chicago Tribune. "The more he studied the company, the more he believed the newspapers and TV stations should be closely tied rather than urged to do their own thing. Centralizing operations would cut costs and allow the company to take advantage of its national scale when selling ads and buying TV programming. He viewed newspapers as tired, and he said he thought he could reinvent them for a new audience. In a memo he wrote to Zell charting his first 100 days, Michaels argued for radical change in the content and design of the company's newspapers to make them more appealing." The resistance was quick to come and widespread, but Michaels "said he found it difficult to stop pushing as long as employees resisted change that he believed was key to the company's success." The Tribune notes that he "said he recognized that he might have pushed too far at times but equated letting up with settling. 'I didn't want to dial it back,' he said. 'I'm not wired that way'." The negative reactions didn't cease. "In short, Zell and Michaels never bothered to understand the workplace they were trying to remake, which should be job one in corporate culture change." The latest article in the series goes on to cover a recap of the end of his reign as CEO, with allegations of creating "a hostile workplace through sexist comments, 'frat house' antics and other inappropriate behavior." Read more from the Chicago Tribune here.
Kevin Metheny Named WJR-AM/Detroit Program Director
Cumulus "News Talk 760" WJR-AM, Detroit, names veteran programmer Kevin Metheny to be the station's new Program Director, effective today (Jan. 16). Metheny most recently was interim PD at Country "Buz'n@102.9" KMNB-FM, Minneapolis. Previously he was PD at Tribune Talk WGN-AM, Chicago. He's also worked at WNBC-AM, New York and WTAM-AM, Cleveland, as well as at MTV and VH1 where he had been VP of Programming and Production. Says Metheny, "I’ve long admired WJR from 90 miles across Lake Erie where I put 760 on a button the day I landed in Cleveland. The Great Voice of The Great Lakes is a gold standard collection of impossible to duplicate treasures and I'm thrilled to join the Cumulus team." Although he's most recently noted for his time at Chicago's WGN-AM under former Tribune CEO Randy Michaels, he's best remembered for ten years with Clear Channel Cleveland, and before that having programmed WNBC-AM, New York, when Howard Stern was hosting afternoons and Don Imus was heard in mornings. At WJR-AM, Metheny replaces Ron Harrell who exited last September for a new position in Dallas. Cumulus News-Talk-Sports Corporate Programmer Jim Mahanay tells us, "Kevin brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the spoken word format to the legendary WJR. We are excited to have him on the team!"
Bubba Versus Schnitt – Cox Out, Jury In
Cox and Todd Schnitt have agreed to settle, leaving a pending defamation lawsuit by Schnitt only against Bubba the Love Sponge (Todd Alan Clem). Jury selection for the case was already underway in the suit against both Cox and Bubba. Cox had owned the station on which Bubba allegedly made defaming comments against Schnitt's former alter ego, MJ Kelly, and his wife, when they competed in the Tampa, Florida, market in 2008. Terms of the settlement between Cox and Schnitt are "confidential." Jury selection has now been completed. A jury was selected from a pool of 48 after they were asked all day how they felt about bullying, about damage to reputations and about famous media feuds, including that of Jay Leno and David Letterman, reports the Tampa Bay Times. That report says the selection came to a confusing end after both sides first accepted the panel, then the Schnitts' lawyers asked to reconsider. Clem's attorneys cried foul and called for a mistrial. The judge declared the selection final and swore in the jurors. Schnitt and his wife filed the lawsuit, accusing Clem of "false, highly offensive and defamatory statements" about them. On Cox Radio's WHPT-FM, Clem targeted Schnitt on his "MJ Morning Show" at WFLZ-AM.
SoundExchange 2012 Royalty Distributions Set New Record
SoundExchange says it had a record year in 2012, with total year-end royalty payments reaching about $462 million. That's up 58 percent from 2011. According to SoundExchange, fourth quarter 2012 distribution also increased, with more than 22,000 payments totaling approximately almost $135 million, a nearly 10 percent increase from its Q3 2012 distribution of $122.5 million. The royalties are paid by Internet radio, satellite radio and cable radio services for their performance of sound recordings, and are distributed by SoundExchange to recording artists and record labels. "SoundExchange’s increasing annual royalty payments are a positive indication of where the industry is heading. As digital radio continues to grow, so should the amount that performing artists and rights owners receive for the use of their content," says SoundExchange President Michael Huppe. "Our distribution represents another record-breaking year for SoundExchange, but more importantly, it means more money in the pockets of the creators of music. We’re optimistic about the industry’s future, and look forward to maximizing digital performance royalties for the people we serve and finding new ways to propel the music industry forward."
Dial Global Moves Closer to Voluntary NASDAQ Delisting
Dial Global is now completing its voluntary NASDAQ de-listing. A statement on the NASDAQ.com website says, "Not too long after Oaktree's $71.3 million purchase, Dial Global announced its decision to voluntarily delist from NASDAQ. The company's board reached the decision through consideration of several factors including the relatively limited historical trading volume of the company's common stock, the compliance costs from maintaining its NASDAQ listing, and the applicable laws and rules from the federal government and the exchange itself, among other things." Dial Global filed an SEC Form 25 in late November. The following month the company deregistered more than 2.6 million shares of its Class A common stock and more than 8.5 million shares of regular common stock.
Dr. Joy Browne Moves to Radio America
Dr. Joy Browne's syndicated show, formerly distributed by WOR Radio Network, is moving to Radio America starting Monday (Jan. 21). The show, which airs 12noon-3pm ET, is cleared on over 100 stations. "What a great way to start the new year. Surrounded by loyal affiliates, being discovered by a whole new audience and working with the terrific group at Radio America," says Browne. Radio America COO Mike Paradiso tells us, "We are very excited about working with Dr. Joy. Talk radio listeners are hungry for engaging programming that covers relevant issues outside of politics and Dr. Joy is a perfect fit. She will be a great addition to our existing lineup."
'Conexion Thalia Radio Show' to Go Daily
Cumulus Media Networks will expand "Conexion Thalia Radio Show" from weekends to Monday through Friday starting in March. The show is "a popular lifestyle and music program hosted by Latina recording artist Thalia" that "provides informative segments on the important day-to-day issues facing Latinos, along with music, discussions on the latest entertainment news, fashion, health, immigration and interviews with Hispanic community icons." Says Thalia, "To be given this opportunity is an honor and a privilege and I look forward to reaching more listeners and touching their lives now on a daily basis." Cumulus Media en Espanol Hispanic Division VP Elisa Torres adds, "Thalia is a phenomenal talent who has proven herself across a variety of platforms. She is a vital component to our success in delivering compelling programming to Spanish-language stations. Our network is proud to continue the partnership we began six years ago and we look forward to bringing her brand of entertainment to even more listeners throughout the country."
Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio
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