Tuesday's Top News Reports (Feb. 26, 2013)

FCC Delays Media Cross-Ownership Ruling FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has agreed to put the media cross-ownership ruling on hold for a short time to complete an impact study requested by the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council. The MMTC made the request in a letter to the Commission. Says Genachowski in a statement: "The study is expected to take several weeks and will be filed with the Commission, after which MMTC suggests that the agency solicit public input, to be followed by a Commission vote. In this heavily-litigated area where a strong record is particularly important, I believe this is a sensible approach to moving forward and resolving the issues raised in this proceeding." According to Broadcasting & Cable's John Eggerton, a senior official called the approach "a strategy to move towards a successful vote and strengthen the Commission's position in court." Genachowski says, "The study addresses an issue of importance, will augment the record, and will assist the Commission in resolving the issues before it is on the full record." FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell isn't as strongly in favor of the delay, but says he does back a "prudent process" -- with limits. In his own statement, McDowell says: "Although I firmly believe that the record regarding the Commission's newspaper/broadcast and radio/television cross-ownership policies more than sufficiently justifies the immediate elimination of these outdated rules, I respect adhering to a prudent process that allows for the submission of the proposed Minority Media and Telecommunications Council study, along with expedient but adequate public comment. The Commission's review should be swift and sound. Not only did Congress intend for us to eliminate obsolete rules once more competition becomes evident, but it also meant for us to act with alacrity in our review. Accordingly, it is my hope that this most recent pause in our progress on this front is our last. I look forward to a substantive vote to modernize our rules by this summer." Clear Channel Names Devin Steel Memphis Operations Manager Clear Channel Media and Entertainment names Devin Steel Operations Manager for its seven-station Memphis cluster, and Regional Programming Manager for Memphis, plus Jackson and Laurel-Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Steel, who previously was Director of Urban Programming, will now oversee all operations for Clear Channel Memphis. Steel has been an on-air host at Urban "K 97" WHRK-FM, Memphis, since 2001 and will continue hosting weekday afternoons (3-7pm). "I'm excited for the opportunity to expand my career at Clear Channel Media and Entertainment while also staying in Memphis, my hometown," says Steel. "I look forward to growing our Memphis stations and contributing to our programming throughout the region." Says CCME Regional Market Manager Morgan Bohannon, "Devin is the perfect choice to lead Clear Channel Memphis' operations. He has the knowledge, work ethic and passion to take the cluster to the next level. Devin has been and will continue to be a great leader of our programming team in Memphis and throughout the region." Lance Houston Named WPOC-FM Baltimore Program Director Lance Houston is named Program Director for Clear Channel Country WPOC-FM, Baltimore, effective March 11, overseeing all on-air and digital programming. Houston, who will replace former PD Justin Cole, will also host 7pm-12midnight on WPOC-FM. "I am thrilled that Lance Houston will be taking on the role of Program Director at WPOC," says DC-Baltimore VP of Programming Meg Stevens. "His passion and insight for the future of Country radio combined with his on-air, digital skills and leadership abilities make him the perfect choice to lead the team to unparalleled success." Houston tells us, "It's an honor and a privilege to be joining the WPOC team in Baltimore. I'm so excited to be working with some of the best on-air personalities in the business." Houston will join WPOC-FM from "94.9 The Bull" WUBL-FM, Atlanta, where for the past six years he's served as Assistant PD, Music Director and afternoon host. He will continue to produce and host afternoons on WUBL-FM from his new location. Milwaukee's African American WMCS-AM Changing Formats The Milwaukee Radio Alliance has ended the African American Talk format of WMCS-AM, Milwaukee, with most all of the on-air staff ousted. A new format, yet to be revealed, is expected to be launched soon. For now the station is stunting -- currently with all Elvis music. Duane Dudek of Milwaukee's Journal Sentinel reports that the format change was described as a "business decision" by Bill Hurwitz, VP of the Milwaukee Radio Alliance, a partnership of Willie Davis' All Pro Broadcasting and Times Shamrock. "This decision was made by the owners, plural," Hurwitz is quoted as saying. He said that WMCS-AM "has been losing money for a decade," with low ratings and a limited ad base. "Stations like this, basically super serving the African American community especially on AM, don't exist in this country," said Hurwitz. "If not for Willie, the station would have been gone a long time ago." He called the decision "the hardest thing I've ever done in 40-years in broadcasting." Other reports from Milwaukee say all on-air staffers have been released, except Phil Anderson, who hosts the nightly "Blues After Dark." WMCS-AM has been serving Milwaukee's African American community for more than 20 years. A new website for the station is "under construction" at its existing 1290WMCS.com url, where you can listen as the current stunting continues. Jaye Albright and Tom Kay to Receive Conclave 2013 Rockwell Award The Conclave Learning Conference has announced its 2013 Rockwell Award Winners: Country Consultant Jaye Albright and Conclave Executive Director Emeritus Tom Kay. In making the announcement, Conclave Executive Director Bob Shannon commented, "Jaye Albright represents the best broadcasting has to offer. Always a student of radio, she’s also one of our best teachers and her influence on country radio is unmatched." Says Albright. "As I think about the past Rockwell honorees, and how much I respect what each of them has given to our business over many, many years, I remain a bit stunned that The Conclave feels that I belong among them. I'm humbled, surprised, flattered and honored."  A partner at Albright & O’Malley & Brenner, Albright was inducted into the Country Radio Hall Of Fame in 2008 and named one of the Most Influential Women in Radio in 2012. Her career highlights include: President/Country for McVay Media, Vice President/Country – Burkhart/Douglas, General Manager – BP Consulting Group and Director of Country Programming – Jacor/Clear Channel Communications. Albright’s consulting career began in 1981, when she was invited to join Drake-Chenault Enterprises. Commenting on the Rockwell going to Tom Kay, Shannon put it simply: "This is recognition for a job well done. If it weren’t for Tom, the Conclave wouldn't exist today. Giving him the Rockwell Award makes all the sense in the world. I can't tell you how pleased I am." Says Kay, "I am deeply honored to become an honoree with my mentor, Doug Lee, and with the dozens of others who have been recognized with this most special award through the years; especially my co-recipient this year, Jaye Albright! To be considered in the same breath as these wonderful contributors to the Conclave and to the industry is most humbling." Kay, who was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2011, began his association with the Conclave in 1976, when, as Program Director of WJON/St. Cloud (MN), he became part of the organization's first Advisory Board.  In 1985, when the Conclave became a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, its Board of Directors named Kay Executive Director, a post he held until his retirement in December 2012. Albright and Kay will receive the Rockwell Award and be honored during “Conclave 38: The Learning Conference" in Minneapolis July 17, 18 and 19. For more details on Conclave 38 visit www.theconclave.com. Radio Veteran Ivan Braiker Named Augme CEO Radio veteran Ivan Braiker has been promoted from President of mobile marketing firm Hipcricket to CEO of its parent company Augme Technologies, effective March 1. Braiker succeeds interim CEO Bob Hussey, who has resigned. The change comes as Augme puts more focus on growing its Hipcricket business which Braiker has led since 2004. Says Braiker, “I am excited the board has asked me to lead Augme into the next phase of our company’s growth. I intend to continue the focus on driving our core business toward operating profitability and providing the innovative solutions we are well known for. Finally, I know everyone at Augme wants to thank Bob Hussey for his leadership contributions over the past nine months." Braiker co-founded Hipcricket in 2004, and merged it into Augme in August 2011. Melissa Etheridge Wins Talk Show Gracie Benztown Radio Networks announces that "The Melissa Etheridge Radio Show" has won the Gracie Award for Outstanding Talk Show - Entertainment/Information category. Presented each year by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, the Gracies honor programming that is created by women, for women and about women, and recognizes individuals who have made valuable contributions to the industry. The 38th Annual Gracie Awards will be presented May 21 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. "The Melissa Etheridge Radio Show" is a nationally syndicated five-hour daily program. Etheridg connects with audiences across the U.S. about life, family, and music. Listeners engage with Melissa on-air and online.The show is produced and syndicated by Benztown Radio Networks. Says Etheridge, "I have won Grammys and an Oscar, but there is something especially meaningful about being recognized with a Gracie. I love radio, and it's important to me to bring the voices of women to our audiences, as they share their respective truths about life, love and family -- and as I share the same with them. It's also a great pleasure to provide a forum where we can connect with each other about the music that moves us. I'm honored that people are responding to the show across the country and I thank the AWM Foundation for this award." WEPN-AM New York Gets Red Bulls Deal ESPN Deportes WEPN-AM, New York, and M&E Productions have reached an agreement for Spanish-language coverage of New York Red Bulls games during both the regular season and the playoffs. The deal begins with the 2013 season. Both home and away games will be broadcast live by WEPN-AM. M&E Productions is the holder of the Red Bulls radio broadcasting rights. "We are very excited to be able to expand our soccer programming with complete coverage of the New York Red Bulls," says WEPN-AM General Manager David Roberts. "The MLS team keeps growing in popularity with Hispanic sports fans in the area, and this acquisition is another step forward in our effort to continue offering content that is relevant to our audience." M&E Senior Director of Communications Robert Sierra adds, "M&E Productions is very proud to be able to broadcast the New York Red Bulls on ESPN Deportes Radio Nueva York. During the 16 years of the league, we have always looked for the most genuine sports broadcaster and we are excited to finally have found it." The Spanish-language broadcasts will include 30-minute pre- and post-game shows with commentary, analysis and interviews with players before and after each event. The games will be covered by well-known analyst Robert Sierra along with additional reporting by Jorge Clara. Nelson Rubio, Wilfredo Campos and Mauricio Rivas. Sports USA to Offer NFL Draft Show Sports USA expands its coverage of the National Football League with live coverage of the 2013 NFL draft. Sports USA will broadcast the first round of the draft April 25 at 7:30pm ET live from Radio City Music Hall in New York. The draft show will feature analysis from NFL and NCAA experts who will break down the rookie class of 2013. Additionally, local reporters from each NFL city will weigh in to discuss their team's needs for the upcoming season. Sports USA President Bob Moore tells us, "We are thrilled to expand our NFL coverage. The NFL Draft has become a marquee event and we are excited to offer the entire first round of the draft to our partner stations." Stations interested in carrying the NFL Draft from Sports USA can contact Lyle Gordon at SportsUSAmedia.com. 'Phil's Gang' Rejoins BTRN The Business TalkRadio Network announces that financial talk show host Phil Grande and his "Phil's Gang" show will air weekdays at 3pm ET beginning March 11. "Phil's Gang" is the third show to return to the network since Consulting Operations Officer Jeff Weber rejoined the company this past October. Weber had resigned his position as EVP in December 2011 after nearly ten years in that role. He assumed the CEO's responsibilities when appointed in October 2012. The "Ray Lucia Show" and Gary Goldberg's "Money Matters" returned to the Business TalkRadio Network in early February. "Phil Grande is the guy who coined the phrase 'I'm going to tell you what Wall Street doesn't want you to know!' and with good reason. He predicted the historic stock losses of May and October, 2007," says Weber. "Phil created 'Phil's Gang' as a means of sending children with cancer to Paul Newman's Rock Summer Camp. He is committed to this personally and financially."