Monday's Radio & Media News - July 8, 2013

Genesis Media Holdings Acquires Local Focus Genesis Media Holdings, which owns independent radio rep firm McGavren Guild Media, has acquired Local Focus from Kay Olin and Dave Demer. McGavren Guild and Local Focus will operate independently under the Genesis Media Holdings umbrella. Atlanta-based rep firm Local Focus represents more than 350 radio stations, including those of Dick Broadcasting, URBan Radio Broadcasting and Guaranty Broadcasting. "Local Focus is an innovative firm powered by a team of highly-accomplished sales professionals," says Genesis Media Holdings CFO Billy McEntee. "We look forward to working with them to provide an even greater of level of service to radio stations and advertisers." VP of Revenue Dave Demer has been named President of Local Focus, bringing 20 years of experience in radio and event marketing including marketing and sales positions with Clear Channel and Cox Media. Local Focus founder Kay Olin will now act as a consultant to Genesis Media, continuing to build on relationships developed over the years while at Local Focus. "Kay has been instrumental in facilitating the evolution of Local Focus and preparing it for this next step in its growth,” says Demer. “She will add immense value to Genesis Media." Kevin Garrity Joins Genesis Media Holdings as Manager Genesis has named former Cumulus Media Director of National Sales Kevin Garrity to the newly created position of Manager of the company. Garrity, a 26-year radio vet, will focus on building the Genesis Media platform reporting to the board and investors. "I am thrilled to be joining Genesis Media Holdings," says Garrity. "Their commitment to building their platform and investing in the long-term growth of their properties is very exciting and I look forward to playing an integral part in shaping that growth." Says McGavren Guild Media President Lisa Sirotka-Sonnenklar, “I am extremely excited to be working with Kevin to further build McGavren Guild Media. I look forward to the additional support I will gain from his depth of industry experience.” McEntee adds, "Kevin Garrity has excelled at every level of radio sales management. With the addition of Kevin and the acquisition of Local Focus, we are poised for rapid expansion and growth. Management will continue to drive revenue for their respective station partners, while capitalizing on opportunities afforded through the larger Genesis Media group." Dial Global Expands National Sports Sales Team Dial Global names three additions to its national Sports Sales division. Matthew Colborn, who previously was Director of Client Services with US Interactive Media, joins DG as West Coast Director of Sports Sales. Dial Global Account Manager Julie Boruchov takes on a new role as East Coast Director of Sports Sales. Amilia Poin is appointed Sports Coordinator. "I'm thrilled to officially announce Matt, Julie, and Amilia in their new roles. Collectively, they bring a tremendous amount of audio and integrated sales experience, which will supplement our already strong sports sales division and benefit our clients and marketing partners," says Dial Global SVP/Director of Corporate Sports Michael Schreck. "I look forward to working closely with Matt, who brings 15 years' experience developing strategic ad campaigns for multiple high-profile categories. Julie's immeasurable knowledge of the industry coupled with success selling our sports assets and Amilia's understanding of our sports programming have already proven to be invaluable to the success of our sports group." DG CEO Paul Caine adds, "This is an exciting time for Dial Global and our ability to influence the programming and content in sports through the power of sound. We are committed to delivering the best marketing solutions to our clients with our excellent sports content and live event activations. I am confident that we have the right team in place, with the right mix of experience and knowledge to connect the market to Dial Global's compelling content, and to continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in audio." Kellar Radio Talent Institute Begins Today Twenty-two young broadcasters will be taught by a lineup of broadcast professionals at this year's Kellar Radio Talent Institute that begins today on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Thirty-eight radio pros are teaching the sessions this year, including Beasley Broadcast CEO George Beasley, Salem Chairman Stu Epperson, CBS Radio President Dan Mason and Morning Show and Talk Radio Boot Camps' Don Anthony. WBT/Charlotte PD Jason Furst and afternoon host John Hancock will teach News/Talk radio sessions. Programming, promotions and interactive sessions are led by WNKS-FM (Kiss FM)/Charlotte PD John Reynolds. Also teaching are Entercom/Greenville, SC, Promotions Manager Keaira Huffman, CCME/Charlotte Digital PD Patrick Sills, 106.5 The End/Charlotte PD Jack Daniel, Curtis Media/Raleigh Radio 96.1 PD Jay Nachlis and Greater Media/Charlotte Director of Interactive Jonathan Mauney. Every session is on the Appalachian State University campus, except for one day in Charlotte where sports broadcasting sessions are led by Mick Mixon, play-by-play announcer of the NFL Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Doug Rice of Performance Racing Network at the Charlotte Motor speedway and Scott Lauer of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Arena. The Kellar Radio Talent Institute is an intense 10-day curriculum whose previous students are now working professionally at Entercom, Clear Channel, CBS, Beasley, Curtis Media, Greater Media, Dick Broadcasting, CNN, Centennial Communications and others... and in positions ranging from traffic, on-air, sales, promotions and interactive... throughout the Carolinas and from Washington, DC, to Los Angeles. "Most importantly," says Kellar Radio Talent Institute Director Dan Vallie, "these students are starting their careers in radio, we are developing the next generation of broadcasters. The students come with enthusiasm and passion for the business, and it's very impressive how industry professionals sacrifice their time to come to the campus to teach sessions and give back to the industry." Vallie, the founder of the National Radio Talent System who is placing Radio Talent Institutes on college campuses across America, adds, "The concept of the National Radio Talent System is to attract, train and coach talented college students who have a passion for the broadcast industry, to be an incubator of talent for radio -- and it is working." The Kellar Radio Talent Institute is named for former broadcaster Art Kellar of EZ Communications who initially funded the Institute. Vallie had been an EZ programmer before becoming a principal of Vallie-Richards-Donovan Consulting. Mason Dixon Re-Ups with Tampa's 'Q105' Veteran Florida radio personality Mason Dixon has signed a new contract with CBS Radio's Classic Hits "Q105 FM" WRBQ-FM, Tampa. Dixon has been heard in the Tampa Bay area for over three decades. He started with "Q105 FM" in 1978. His "Mason In The Morning" is one of the highest-rated shows in the market. "I'm honored to be a part of such an award-winning radio station through so many decades, from the 1970s, through the 80's -- the decade that brought my two daughters into this world -- the '90s and today," says Dixon. "And to be still going strong as Q105 celebrates its 40th Anniversary and I celebrate my 34th anniversary in Tampa Bay indeed makes me a truly blessed man." SVP and Market Manager Ben Hill tells us, "We're very excited to have signed Mason Dixon this week to a new contract. He's a Tampa Bay Icon and Q105 is certainly glad to have him continue with his consistently top rated morning show." Hill also notes that Dixon gives back to the community through the "Mason Dixon Christmas Wish Fund" -- a non-profit providing families needing help with financial assistance, children's toys and more. Hollywood Hamilton to Ride for Wounded Warriors Premiere Networks syndicated host Hollywood Hamilton and his wife Marina will be attempting a 350-mile bicycle ride along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal from Washington DC to Pittsburgh, riding to raise money for the Wounded Warrior project, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping thousands of injured warriors returning home from current conflicts and providing assistance to their families. So far over $5,000 has been raised. Hamilton, who hosts "The Remix Top 30 Countdown" and "Weekend Top 30," tells us, “Our mission is to build awareness for our brave soldiers who fought for our freedom and safety, and to give back to our wounded soldiers. Some of you who personally know us might think, ‘there is no way he could possibly go six days without an Xbox' or 'his wife Marina could never live without a hair dryer.' For those reasons, along with both of us being stubborn and the possibility that we may break up somewhere along the way, we will only be collecting these thoughtful donations based on the miles we cover.” Google Takes 7% Stake in Vevo Google has taken a "small stake" in online music-video service Vevo as part of a deal to keep its content on Google’s YouTube video site. Google’s roughly 7% investment values the four-year-old Vevo at around $650 million, meaning Google put in around $45 million of its own money, according to several reports. While Google hasn't confirmed the amount of its investment, Google said in a statement that it was “excited by their future prospects and to provide YouTube users with the best possible music experience.” Vevo said it wouldn’t offer any comment about the deal. Vevo has long been the most-viewed “channel” on YouTube, according to comScore. As its partnership with Google hung in the balance in recent months, Vevo reportedly held talks with many other technology companies, including Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Twitter, Microsoft and others to help distribute online its music videos from major music-publishing labels Universal Sony and EMI. Most observers, though, doubted that in the end Vevo and YouTube would actually part ways. This is the second time Google has taken a stake directly in a video content company. Last year Google invested in Machinima, another top creator of videos on YouTube, which gets more than a billion unique visitors per month, according to the company. Vevo sells hundreds of millions of dollars in ads that appear with the videos, and it shares an undisclosed portion of the resulting revenue with YouTube. The videos are “embedded” on millions of sites beyond YouTube.com.