Clear Channel and Robbins Entertainment Sign Revenue Sharing Agreement

Clear Channel & Robbins Entertainment Announce Agreement Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and Robbins Entertainment, a major indie dance/pop music label, announce an agreement that enables Robbins Entertainment's artists to share in all of Clear Channel's radio revenues, a key approach to building a sustainable Internet radio industry. Robbins Entertainment was founded in 1996 by veteran record executive Cory Robbins. A pioneer in dance music, the company has guided the genre into the 21st century, from Afrojack's "Take Over Control" and D.H.T.`s "Listen to Your Heart" to Cascada's "Everytime We Touch" and DJ Sammy's "Heaven." Prior to founding Robbins Entertainment, Cory Robbins was president and co-founder of Profile Records, the seminal hip-hop label that signed Run-D.M.C., Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock, and DJ Quik. "I've always said that the music industry needs to figure out a way to give listeners what they want," says Cory Robbins. "Clear Channel has always believed in playing the best music on its stations, regardless of the size of the label or the national picture, and I think Clear Channel's strategy will help Internet radio become a viable business, encouraging its growth and enabling listeners to discover and enjoy our roster of the hottest dance artists. The growth of Internet radio will be a boon for all parties - artists, labels, distributors, and fans." "Cory Robbins has a rich history of introducing great artists from a variety of genres," says Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman. "He understands what music and dance fans want and he has been a pioneer in delivering it to them, wherever they are, on whichever device suits them best. Cory also understands that the health of our industry depends on all of us working together to produce the music, the products and the services that our customers want. These kinds of market-based agreements satisfy our listeners' love of music, increase artistic opportunity and diversity, and fuel innovation, job creation, and growth in the Internet radio sector." Clear Channel's agreement with Robbins Entertainment follows several other agreements reached this year, including Big Machine Label Group, Glassnote Entertainment Group, DashGo, rpm Entertainment and Naxos. False EAS 'Zombie' Alerts Trigger Real FCC Alert Following several incidents of "zombie attacks" aired as Emergency Alert System alerts, the FCC is urging radio and TV stations to update and change their EAS passwords to prevent other false EAS notices from being aired. The recent incidents have raised questions about the security of the EAS national warning system, and are under active investigation. Pranksters hacked into multiple TV station EAS Emergency Alert Systems, sending out a warning of a "zombie attack" with bodies "rising from the grave" and attacking people. Originating with KRTV-TV, Great Falls, Montana, the message later appeared on three stations in Marquette, Michigan. Later, when "Z93" WIZM-FM, Lacrosse, Wisconsin, played audio of the false alert on its morning show, the EAS tones caused the same warning to be sent out again. All broadcast stations are now being urged to make sure the passwords for their EAS devices are updated and not using the default administrative passwords. The FCC says stations should "take immediate action to secure their CAP EAS equipment, including resetting passwords, and ensuring CAP EAS equipment is secured behind properly configured firewalls and other defensive measures. All CAP EAS equipment manufacturer models are included in this advisory." Todd Schnitt Seeks New Trial in Bubba Case Todd Schnitt is seeking a new trial in his defamation lawsuit against Tampa radio rival Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. Reports from Florida say Schnitt's attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial amid allegations of attorney misconduct. In the previous trial of the civil case, the jury ruled against Schnitt, clearing Bubba of all charges. Schnitt is now a talk host using his real name. The case stems from his time as morning host "MJ Kelly" in the Tampa market when he and Bubba were direct competitors. Schnitt is seeking a new trial on the grounds of the widely-reported DUI incident involving Schnitt's attorney Phil Campbell during the first trial. Campbell's trial briefcase ended up in the hands of Bubba's law firm, after a paralegal for them was with Campbell at the time of his arrest, and an attorney for that firm tipped police about Campbell's intoxication. That incident is currently being investigated by the Florida bar. Bubba's lawyers say the paralegal who was drinking with Campbell had nothing to do with the alleged setup. They claim the two were drinking for hours at a restaurant in Tampa when Campbell allegedly offered her a ride home. In legal paperwork they allege Campbell took the paralegal's valet ticket and her car keys, and began to drive her home. Six blocks later, they were pulled over by a Tampa police officer. The paralegal, Melissa Personius, never told Campbell that she worked for the law firm representing Bubba. During the trial, neither side would talk extensively about what happened that night. Personius repeatedly took the 5th amendment, as did Bubba lawyer Stephen Diaco, but he has since said he had nothing to do with a setup. Radio Mercury Awards Sets Final Round Judges The Radio Mercury Awards has announced the final round judging panel for the 22nd Annual Radio Mercury Awards. This year's panel of top level agency creatives represents radio's top advertising categories including automotive, communications, packaged goods, restaurants and retail. The Chief Judge is Bill Cimino, Chief Creative Officer at Y&R Midwest. The final round judging panel includes: Joe Alexander, chief creative officer, The Martin Agency (select clients include Discover, GEICO, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Pizza Hut, and Wal-Mart); Greg Hahn, executive creative director, executive vice president, BBDO NY (select clients include AT&T, FedEx, Foot Locker, and Mars); Chuck Meehan, executive vice president, executive creative director, Doner (select clients include Chrysler, Del Taco, Minute Maid, and UPS); Aldo Quevedo, principal, creative director, Richards/Lerma (select clients include Advance Auto Parts, Dodge RAM, Fruit of the Loom, Home Depot, and Metro PCS); Tiffany Rolfe, chief content officer, Co: Collective; Mark Simon, chief creative officer, Campbell Ewald/DET (select clients include Alltel Wireless, Chevy, Ghirardelli, GM, OnStar, and United States Postal Service); Chris Smith, brand creative group head, The Richards Group (select clients include Central Market, Chick-fil-A, Home Depot, Jiffy Lube, and Motel 6); and Lewis Williams, executive vice president, chief creative officer, Burrell Communications (select clients include American Airlines, Comcast, Disney, General Mills, McDonald's, P & G, and Toyota) "I couldn't be happier with this distinguished group of creative minds we've gathered," says Cimino. "This jury not only represents the best of the best, but everyone on this list is a true lover of radio and recognizes the challenges that come with creating effective, engaging and entertaining audio advertising." Says RAB President/CEO Erica Farber, Board Chair of the Radio Creative Fund, "It's always a special day when we gather the top creative thinkers and leaders from the agency world into one room, to listen to our final round spots and campaigns and have them discern which of them will take home the big prizes. I'm confident that our panel of final round judges will set a high bar for this year's Radio Mercury Awards." The 2013 Call for Entry is open for submissions, with an extended deadline of April 8. This year's awards event will take place in New York at the Highline Ballroom on June 5. NPR Moving 'Weekend All Things Considered' to NPR West NPR is moving its "Weekend All Things Considered" newsmagazine from Washington DC to NPR West, their second largest production center in Culver City, California. The move is planned for this coming summer. "We're thrilled by this opportunity to expand our presence on the west coast," says NPR SVP of News Margaret Low Smith. "Moving the show west will broaden and deepen our coverage and allow us to bring strong geographic diversity to our programming. In addition, this plan gives us a new level of business and editorial continuity. By having a full team stationed at NPR West, we will be able to respond quickly if weather or a major news event incapacitates NPR headquarters." The weekend newsmagazine's relocation to NPR West will, we're told, "bring a pool of program guests drawn from the entertainment, international trade, science, and technology industries that the Los Angeles area is known for. By making its home in the most ethnically diverse major city in the nation, the program will also have immediate access to a whole new range of stories." The timing for the move comes as NPR begins a search for a new program host. Former host Guy Raz left the show in December for TED Radio Hour, on which he debuts next month. Chicago's 'Q87.7' to Debut New EDM Specialty Show Alternative "Q87.7" WKQX-LP, Chicago, is set to debut a new Electronic Dance Music (EDM) show -- "Electric Playground." The new program will air Sunday mornings from 12midnight-4am, beginning February 17. "Q87.7" has partnered with Chicago club DJs Andre Solaris and Nosmo, both of whom are considered "experts in the genre and have deep roots in Chicago," to bring the EDM to its audience. Says WKQX-LP Program Director PJ, "EDM is massive. From sold-out, multi-day festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival and Ultra Music Fest, to the bright spotlight shone upon it via the Perry Farrell Stage at Lollapalooza, to the commercial success it's finding in promotional campaigns for things like ESPN's X Games, this music is a big part of our audience's life. Adding a show of this type is only natural." Nosmo adds, "I'm thrilled to once again share proper global beats on Chicago's airwaves." Solaris agrees, saying, "Chicago is the city where House was born. There is such a rich palette of global dance music, and I, too, am elated to once again share it with this city." Ron Paul to Host Daily Commentary Feature for Courtside Courtside Entertainment signs former Congressman and Presidential Candidate Ron Paul (R-TX) for a daily radio and podcast feature, "Ron Paul's America" which starts March 8. Veteran Phoenix radio host Charles Goyette will serve as Paul's sidekick for the commentaries, which will feed as one-minute daily vignettes and a weekly podcast. Courtside CEO Norm Pattiz announced the deal. "There's no questioning the fact that Ron Paul is one of today's most impactful leaders," says Pattiz. "His thoughts and opinions have created a significant and loyal following that has made its presence known throughout the country. That following includes college campuses, corporate offices and everything in between. His new radio show for Courtside and his digital presence via podcasting create a platform that will be hugely successful." Paul says, "I am very excited to have this opportunity to take the message of freedom to more people than ever, especially now when our country needs it so much. Radio and podcasting are a much more powerful means of communication than speaking on the floor of Congress. I welcome this chance to work with Norm and Courtside and interact with America in a new way, delivering a message that is timelier than ever and a philosophy that people are clearly hungry to hear more about." Dial Global/TM Studios Offering 'Blue Sound Design' Dial Global and TM Studios sign an exclusive agreement to manage affiliation and advertising sales for Blue Sound Design -- a market exclusive, format specific, imaging production library. Offered in CHR, Hot AC, Country and new formats to be announced soon, Blue Sound Design delivers what it calls a "cache of relevant, adaptable and modern production elements." Blue Sound Design is the creation of Executive Producer John Kerber. "I'm very excited to partner with the talented people at Dial/TM, a company that has a consummate reputation for quality and a passion to bring the most innovative products to market," says Kerber. TM Studios VP of Creative Greg Clancy adds, "John is known as a forward-thinking, highly creative and skilled imaging producer. He's lived in the imaging front lines at a very high-level for years and has an innate sense of where radio is heading. Blue is a dead-on reflection of John's style... edgy and fun, yet well thought-out and sophisticated. I think it's unmatched in today's radio imaging landscape. Once producers try Blue, they'll realize what they have been missing."