Wednesday's Radio & Media News - March 13, 2013

Bonneville Seattle Announces Programming Promotions Brian Long to Senior Director of Programming, Pete Gammell and Jason Antebi to PDs Bonneville Seattle promotes News Talk KIRO-FM News Director Pete Gammell to Director of News and Programming for the station, and ups KIRO-FM Assistant PD and weekend Executive Producer Jason Antebi to Program Director of Talk KTTH-AM, as well as retaining his KIRO-FM weekend duties. Concurrently, "710 ESPN Seattle" KIRO-AM PD Brian Long adds Senior Director of Programming for the cluster. The moves follow Larry Gifford's recent exit from the cluster. Gammell has been News Director at KIRO-FM for the past three years. He began at the station in 2000, then left for a stint at CBS Radio News KCBS-AM, San Francisco, 2006-08, before returning to Seattle. "I am honored to be a part of KIRO Radio – one of the heritage news talk radio stations in Seattle and across the nation," says Gammell. "I truly believe we have some of the best talent in the business and I hope to continue to grow and enhance our news and programs." VP and Market Manager Carl Gardner tells us, "Pete instinctively understands KIRO Radio. He was born and raised in Tacoma, educated in Seattle, came up through the KIRO Radio newsroom and has been a leader in shaping KIRO's distinctive blend of news and conversation. More than anyone, Pete just gets the unique role this station plays in our community." Antebi joined KIRO-FM as Assistant PD in 2011 after stops in Los Angeles as a producer at CBS Radio and Clear Channel. He's also been the Executive Producer of Phil Hendrie's TRN show. "I'm excited to be given the opportunity to navigate KTTH into a premiere brand that reflects the values and beliefs of our audience," says Antebi. "I believe we have one of the best line-ups of talk radio personalities in the country and one of the best local talents in our own David Boze.” Says Gardner, "Jason has won us all over with his relentless dedication and top-notch work. We're excited to see what he can do as a Program Director for KTTH." Long, PD at "710 ESPN" since 2010, and former APD at ESPN Sports KSPN-AM, Los Angeles, says, “I am excited to be working with two programmers I respect and admire, I look forward to collaborating with Pete and Jason to continue building upon these unique brands." Gardner adds, "Brian is a talented programmer and proven ratings winner. He brings experience, focus, and a leadership style that will be invaluable to our content teams on all three stations." Cox San Antonio Names Jeff Garrison Cluster OM, 'Y100' PD Cox Media Group San Antonio names programming veteran Jeff Garrison as Operations Manager for the cluster, and Program Director for Country "Y100" KCYY-FM. The cluster also includes AC "Magic 105.3" KSMG-FM, Classic Hits KONO-FM, Rock KISS-FM, Classic Rock "X 106.7" KTKX-FM and "Classic Country 680" KKYX-AM. Garrison, most recently with CBS Radio Phoenix, starts his new job April 1. He's been OM/PD at Country KMLE-FM, Phoenix, and VP of Country Artist Relations for CBS Radio. "I’m thrilled to have someone of Jeff’s caliber on our San Antonio team," says CMG San Antonio VP and Market Manager Dan Lawrie. "Jeff will have a positive impact and take our already strong brands to the next level." CMG Director of Programming Steve Smith tells us, "Jeff and I worked together in one of the biggest monster country battles in the early 2000s where KMLE took out legendary KNIX with an all-star lineup. It's so great to be reunited with Jeff again and I’m confident we’ll have the same success in San Antonio." In his new Cox position Garrison replaces Randy Chase who exited last month. Clear Channel Launches EDM 'Evolution 93.5 Miami' Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announces the launch of "Evolution 93.5 Miami" -- its second broadcast Electronic Dance Music (EDM) station. The frequency -- on translator W228BY -- was formerly a simulcast of News Talk WIOD-AM. The new format features dance music by artists including Skrillex, David Guetta, Calvin Harris and more. "Evolution 93.5 Miami" is promoting its launch with two "All Gone Pete Tong" parties featuring Pete Tong, Evolution’s ambassador DJ, on March 16 and 22, at The Surfcomber Hotel on Miami Beach. Tong will host Evolution’s first-ever live, on-air broadcast from the "All Gone Pete Tong" party on March 22 from 6-9 pm ET, according to the announcement. "In addition to Evolution 93.5 Miami, the broadcast will air live on Boston’s Evolution 101.7 (CCME's other EDM FM station) and Evolution on iHeartRadio, and will include live mixes from Pete Tong, Skream and Eats Everything." Beginning March 25, Evolution 93.5 Miami will air "All Gone Pete Tong," a two-hour long daily show featuring his "Essential New Tune of the Week," as well as "the hottest tracks from the global Top 100 chart on Beatport.com." The show will broadcast Monday through Friday from 7-9pm ET, and additional programming will feature Tong’s curated mixes, on-air interviews and guest-hosted radio shows. "It's an exciting time in Miami when an entire radio station can dedicate All Things Dance programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week!" says CCME Miami VP of Programming and Operations Alex Tear. "Miami is one of the hottest cities to experience dance music – and now that Evolution 93.5 Miami is here with EDM tastemaker Pete Tong, the party won’t stop." Says Tong, "I’ve been coming to Miami for over fifteen years to DJ and attend March’s Winter Music Conference and Ultra Week. It’s one of the most important dates in the DJ year, and the City of Miami has always been a special and progressive market for dance music. To be launching the second Evolution terrestrial station in Miami in March is amazing, and a real highlight of my career. I can’t wait for us to begin broadcasting Evolution and All Gone Pete Tong to this special city on a daily basis." St. Louis Will Again Have Classical Station April 8 Radio Arts Foundation will launch a Classical station in St. Louis, April 8, returning the format to the market for the first time since July 2010 when KUFO-FM was sold. The new station will air on 107.3 FM via translator K297BI, fed by the HD2 multicast channel of Emmis' KIHT-FM. The new Classical station will feature some local programming with the remainder of the schedule filled by national programming produced by Chicago WFMT-FM's Beethoven Network. Former KFUO-FM announcer Tom Sudholt has been named Program Director and an on-air host for the new Classical 107.3 FM. Sudholt tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "I am pleased—and somewhat amazed—to report to you this afternoon I officially became an On-Air Announcer and the Program Director for the Radio Arts Foundation of St. Louis (RAF-STL)." Since "Classical 99" KFUO-FM signed off in July of 2010, after 62 years, the only local classical programming has been on Saturday nights, when St. Louis Public Radio airs its live Symphony broadcasts, notes the Post-Dispatch's Stefene Russell. According to the Radio Arts Foundation website, "Not only do we plan to 'bring back Bach,' we're also devoted to being a community-owned, community-driven asset. With the launch of our new station RAF-STL will become a community asset with an unmatched devotion to growing the arts and cultural community in the St. Louis area." Portland's KXL-FM Signs with CBS Radio News Alpha Broadcasting's "FM News 101" KXL-FM, Portland, Oregon, announces a multi-year partnership with CBS Radio News which will begin airing seven days a week starting May 7. CBS Radio News coverage on KXL-FM will include around the clock six minute hourly newscasts, special reports for unscheduled developing stories or breaking news, and live anchored coverage of major events and crisis news coverage. Says Alpha Director of Programming Scott Mahalick, "All of us at Alpha Broadcasting are thrilled to bring CBS Radio News to FM News 101 KXL. This partnership will strengthen our credibility as the number one news station in the Northwest." CBS Radio News VP Harvey Nagler adds, "CBS Radio News is excited to partner with Alpha Broadcasting. We're looking forward to working with Scott Mahalick and his team to bring CBS Radio News' original programming to FM News 101 KXL." Arbitron: 'Why Put Your Ratings in Question? Social Media Dos & Don’ts' Arbitron has issued a "policy brief" for using social media while protecting the integrity of station ratings. "Ratings data can be among the most valuable tools broadcasters have for programming and sales," says the introduction. "It's important to protect the integrity of your station's ratings by following Arbitron's guide to using social media. While these platforms create more personalized communication with listeners, social media can also lead to rating bias or rating distortion if not managed properly." According to Arbitron's Kim Myers, "The goal of having these guidelines is to preserve the integrity of radio ratings by following Arbitron’s guide to using social media. While these platforms create more personalized communication with listeners, social media can also lead to rating bias or rating distortion if not managed properly." Titled "Social Media Dos & Don’ts," the brief offers "guidelines to follow when managing the use of social media." Protecting the Integrity of Audience Estimates Adherence to the "Social Media Dos & Don'ts" will help preserve respondent anonymity and help stations avoid rating distortion and rating bias. The Importance of Anonymity Arbitron treats respondents' identities as confidential. Respondents are instructed not to discuss their participation with strangers and those who disclose their participation become ineligible. Arbitron Monitors Social Media Arbitron monitors social media sites daily for respondent disclosures and for contact between respondents and stations. Air personalities sites are monitored if the sites are public, e.g., personality uses on-air name or the site promotes a station or a show. Arbitron investigates every respondent disclosure it encounters. Social media is not only defined as Facebook and Twitter, but also includes texting, e-mails, etc. In-person programming stunts, remotes and events These could also foster rating bias or rating distortion. Any inappropriate interaction with panelists or diary keepers at those events are also evaluated under this same policy. Arbitron offers the following "Don'ts": Don't attempt to learn the identity of Arbitron respondents. The station may be delisted, even if the attempt doesn't succeed. Don't address comments to panelists or diary keepers. Don't discuss ratings (even ratings success) on social networking sites. Doing so may prompt respondents to disclose their participation. Don't post comments encouraging listeners to participate as panelists or diarykeepers. Don't offer anything of value to selfidentified panelists or diarykeepers. Arbitron asks to be notified if a respondent reaches out to the station via social media (or any other means). Program Directors should remind station staff that social media comments are subject to same guidelines as on-air comments. Stations should contact Arbitron for a confidential pre-review if unsure about comments you wish to post. Outlets should also contact Arbitron if your staff sees posted comments directed to an Arbitron respondent or if the station learns the identity of an Arbitron respondent (by any means). FCC Commissioners Appear Before Senate Committee Hearing All five FCC Commissioners appeared before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee's oversight panel, Tuesday, discussing a wide range of issues. Chairman Julius Genachowski, focusing mostly on expansion of Internet access and wireless spectrum, asserted that "we need to promote media diversity" and touted the Commission's reviews of media ownership rules and cross-ownership as well as "the largest expansion of community radio in U.S. history." He also warned that sequestration "will harm the ability of the FCC to deliver on its vital mission, including universal service, public safety, spectrum management, and consumer protection." Asked why progress has not been made on media ownership rule changes, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel noted that news is still primarily consumed through traditional media outlets, such as radio, TV and newspapers. Genachowski agreed with Rosenworcel, noting that a vast amount of the country is still without access to broadband and that we are currently in "an interim period" when it comes to the concerns surrounding media consolidation. Commissioner Robert McDowell said that the media ownership rules are due for an update, as advertising dollars and the public are moving towards digital and new media. He added that the rules should "reflect the current economic realities of the marketplace and eliminate any and all unnecessary mandates." Commissioners Ajit Pai and Mignon Clyburn both noted they need to be careful about the effects of such changes. Clyburn said, "We want to get the rules right, and I am pleased that we are considering every possible option before making a final judgment." Last month, Genachowski announced a delay for the Commission's vote on changes to the media ownership rules, allowing for further study of the impact of possible changes on minorities and women. Cox Media Group Jacksonville Names Eric Lauer GSM Cox Media Group Jacksonville appoints Eric Lauer to be the new General Sales Manager for "The Big Ape" WAPE-FM, WXXJ-FM and "Power 106.1" effective March 25. Says CMG Jacksonville VP and Market Manager Bill Hendrich, "We are thrilled that we can hire such professional Sales talent like Eric from within Cox Media Group. Eric's rich history with CMG, vibrant personality and dedication to customers are a magic combination that will fit perfectly with our strong radio brands and community." Lauer tells us, "I'm thrilled to take the next step in what's been a very rewarding career with CMG. Jacksonville is a dynamic market full of exciting challenges and opportunities, and I'm so grateful to work for Bill and his impressive team." Lauer was previously GSM for Cox Media Group's six Athens, Georgia, stations. He's also been Local Sales Manager for Athens and Account Manager for CMG Atlanta News Talk WSB-AM-FM and Rhythmic CHR WBTS-FM. Lauer was at one time a producer and on-air personality with Southern Broadcasting, Jefferson Pilot Communications and Cox Radio. Phil Hendrie Partners with LEG Digital to Expand Reach Talk Radio Network host Phil Hendrie partners with LEG Digital and Courtside Media's Launchpad Digital Media, in an effort to increase Hendrie's fan base. LEG Digital, a creative agency that represents high profile entertainers, is represented nationally for ad sales by Launchpad Digital Media. Together they are "implementing new strategies via social marketing platforms." To date, results have shown that in the last four months, Hendrie's Twitter followers are up 28 percent, his Facebook audience is up 667 percent and his daily podcast monthly downloads are up 500 percent. Says LEG Digital Managing Partner Darrin McAfee, "I've been a huge fan of Phil's for the last 15 years. Knowing and enjoying the magnitude of his talent, it's obvious to me that he's well on his way to the next plateau of his career." Launchpad has also launched the weekly "Phil Hendrie's Mmm-Hmm, The Bobbie Dooley Podcast" on their podcast network. "I'm really, really, really excited about finally doing my own podcast and everything like that," says Dooley. "The celebrities that I'll interview are going to be exciting too and also excited." Chicago's '97.5 ESPN Deportes' to Air Mexican Soccer Team "97.5 FM ESPN Deportes Chicago," on translator W248BB, has obtained the radio broadcast rights to Mexican soccer team Chivas Rayadas de Guadalajara. The station will air the coverage under an agreement with Grupo Latino de Radio. "97.5 FM ESPN Deportes is dedicated to providing its listeners with the best Spanish sports coverage," says Program Director Ricardo Otero. "This new agreement with GLR will allow 97.5 FM ESPN Deportes to continue to fulfill this commitment with the broadcast of Chivas Rayadas de Guadalajara games." Chivas Rayadas de Guadalajara is the only football club in Mexico to exclusively field Mexican players, and holds the Mexican league record for the longest winning streak at the beginning of a season with eight consecutive wins. Says GLR Director of Affiliations Blanca Navas, "We are proud to partner with 97.5 ESPN Deportes in bringing Chivas de Guadalajara's games to Chicago. The most exciting and traditional soccer team in Mexico." (03-13-13) San Antonio's 'Ticket 760' Re-Signs Houston Astros Sports Talk "Ticket 760" KTKR-AM, San Antonio, will broadcast the Houston Astros games again during the 2013 season. The station says it has renewed its agreement to remain the official radio broadcast home for the MLB team. "We are delighted to announce Ticket 760 will be San Antonio's home for the Houston Astros during the 2013 season, says Clear Channel Market President Breeanna Malik. "The Astros are thrilled to be a part of the Ticket 760 lineup," adds Houston Astros Director of Marketing and Broadcasting Scott Wakeman. "San Antonio is a very important market to us, and we want to be sure the fans have access to hear the games." Rick Roberts Joins Envision Radio Networks Rick Roberts joins Envision Radio Networks as an additional host of America Weekend. He'll handle America Weekend Saturdays from 12noon-3pm ET. Roberts joins America Weekend hosts Paul Harris (Saturdays and Sundays 9am-12noon) and Turi Ryder (Sundays 12noon-3pm.). Envision calls America Weekend "a programming alternative to brokered shows and 'Best of' programs." Roberts, a 20-year veteran broadcaster and journalist, has had previous assignments at KOA/Denver, KCMO/Kansas City, KRLD/Dallas, KOGO/San Diego and KFMB/San Diego. New at Conclave 38: 'Game Day' "The Conclave breaks new ground during this coming July’s 38th Annual Learning Conference by presenting a day exclusively devoted to sports broadcasting," says the announcement. "Conclave 38 Game Day, part of the Conclave’s three-day conference, July 17-19, will be Friday, July 19, at the Doubletree Park Place Hotel in Minneapolis, site of the 2013 Learning Conference." Says Executive Director Bob Shannon, “Our line up starts with Bruce Gilbert, Senior Vice President of Sports Operations for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. Bruce built 'The Ticket' in Dallas, was recruited by ESPN to create their national radio brand, and has just joined Clear Channel. Clearly, he is one of our nation’s sports programming experts." We're told that "Conclave 38 Game Day" concludes with a reception at the Minnesota Twins flagship station, Northern Lights’ new KTWN-FM, "which is just a short walk across the street from Target Field in downtown Minneapolis. And, then, it’s major league Baseball when the Minnesota Twins take on the Cleveland Indians." Board Chair Mark Bolke tells us, “Sports isn’t new to the Conclave. In years past we’ve featured TV’s Bob Costas, Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett, Play-by-Play maestro Tom Hamilton, The Minnesota Vikings Dennis Green, and legendary broadcaster Herb Carneal.” Admission to Conclave Game Day is included in the 2013 Tuition for the entire Conclave Learning Conference that gets underway July 17. In addition, one day admission to Conclave Game Day will also be offered to those who cannot attend the full three-day conference. For more information on the Learning Conference and Conclave educational programs, visit http://www.theconclave.com. Also found on the Conclave website is hotel room reservation information for the Doubletree Park Place Hotel.