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Pandora Reportedly Makes A Deal with UMPG Billboard: Pandora, Universal Music Publishing Reach Short-Term Royalty Deal 
Pandora and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) have reportedly reached a short-term, direct royalty deal, which would pay out the highest royalty rate to which the streaming music service has ever agreed. A spokesperson for UMPG tells Billboard, "We can confirm that UMPG has worked out an arrangement with Pandora that we believe is in the best interest of our writers while ensuring Pandora access to our music through the end of the year." The new deal, however, could get killed by the ASCAP rate court, which is expected to rule on a motion by Pandora that argues publishers can’t cut direct deals because they are still operating under an ASCAP consent decree. Therefore, notes Billboard, UMPG and others seeking direct deals are still obligated to accept whatever rate the court sets for ASCAP for the current licensing period set to expire Decrmber 31, 2015. "In cutting a deal with UMPG, Pandora has averted potential liability for its use of the publisher’s catalog. If it hadn’t reached and agreement and the ASCAP rate court judge ruled against Pandora on the consent decree motion, the service as of July 1 would have been in violation of copyright," says the report. Sources tell Billboard that Pandora has also been in talks for a "grace period" while awaiting ASCAP's rate court decision, which is expected at the end of this month. Warner/Chappell Music and BMG Chrysalis have also filed notices of intent to withdraw their digital rights from ASCAP, as of July 1, but sources tell Billboard that Warner/Chappell has opted to delay its withdraw until January 1, 2014. "We believe all parties are awaiting the ruling of the court on our motions," says a Pandora spokesperson. Clear Channel Flips Dayton's 'Lite' AC to 'Hot Country B94.5' 
Clear Channel AC "Lite 94.5" WLQT-FM, Dayton, flips to "Hot Country B94.5" -- launching with 1,000 songs in a row. Market Manager Tom Doran says the station is emphasizing “Hot New Country Favorites.” The new "B94.5" will run jockless until Monday, July 15. The station describes itself to potential listeners as featuring "artists that are the stars of today." The new "Hot Country" station is directly competing with Cox’s "K 99.1" WHKO-FM. Longtime WLQT-FM personality Kim Faris will remain with the station, shifting to afternoons. Premiere's syndicated “Bobby Bones Show” will air in mornings, with Billy Greenwood in middays and Michael Jay airing nights. Reports from Ohio say Clear Channel is attempting to transfer AC "Lite" listeners to sister Hot AC "Mix 107.7" WMMX-FM. "Lite 94.5" has struggled with ratings since moving from 99.9 FM to the less powerful 94.5 two years ago. KKBR-FM/Billings Flips to 'Pop Crush 97.1' 
After several days of stunting with Christmas music, Townsquare's Oldies "K-Bear" KKBR-FM, Billings, Montana, flips to CHR-Top40 as "Pop Crush 97.1" -- with "Today's Hit Music" -- featuring the syndicated Elvis Duran morning show and Billy Bush in evenings, along with local midday and afternoon hosts. Tara Nicole will host middays. An afternoon host has yet to be named. Some of the "Pop Crush" core artists, we're told, include Selena Gomez, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, One Direction and Katy Perry. KKBR-FM becomes the second Townsquare station to use the "Pop Crush" brand, following its installation at WQSH-FM, Albany, NY. The new Billings station is online at www.PopCrush971.com. The launch of "Pop Crush 97.1" follows several days of stunting as "97.1 Santa FM" following the end of the "K-Bear" Oldies format. 'Nash FM' Brand Expands to Five More Stations 
Cumulus further expands its Country "Nash FM" brand, adding five more of its stations to the stations re-branded in late May. "Great Country 93.7" WSJR-FM Dallas-Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, becomes "Nash FM 93.7"; "Wheelz 100.5" WHLZ-FM, Marion-Florence, SC, is now “Nash FM 100.5”; "KD 101" KAYD-FM Beaumont, Texas, goes to “Nash FM 101.7”; "The Hitkicker" WHKR-FM, Rockledge-Melbourne, Florida, becomes "Nash FM 102.7"; and, "Great Country 104.9" WKOS-FM, Kingsport, Tennessee, is now "Nash FM 104.9". Those five stations join the five that relaunched over Memorial Day weekend and the original "Nash FM 94.7" WNSH-FM, New York, that debuted in January. During the Memorial Day weekend, Cumulus flipped WLXX-FM, Lexington, Kentucky; KHKI-FM, Des Moines; KQFC-FM, Boise; simulcasters WPKR-FM, Omro, and WPCK-FM, Denmark-Green Bay; and WKAK-FM, Albany, Georgia -- all to the "Nash FM" brand. Further expansion of the new national Country brand is expected. Rep. Doug Lamborn Again Seeks to Defund NPR 
Colorado Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn is again attempting to eliminate federal funding for NPR. The new bill is identical to one that passed the House in March 2011 but failed in the Senate. Lamborn says, "At a time when millions of federal works are being furloughed, school children are barred from visiting the White House, and many military training flights are grounded all to save money, it is unacceptable that taxpayers are still on the hook for millions of dollars each year to subsidize National Public Radio. Additionally, it was highly inappropriate for NPR to move into a lavish new headquarters building partly paid for by taxpayers, many of whom continue to struggle under the worst economy since the Great Depression." Lamborn's latest attempt to defund NPR (HR 2597) is titled "To prohibit Federal funding of National Public Radio and the use of Federal funds to acquire radio content." In fiscal year 2010, NPR received $56 million in indirect funds and $5 million in direct funds from federal taxpayers, notes Lamborn. "In a world of 500-channel cable TV, streaming radio over the Internet, and cellphone Internet access, government-funded broadcasting is completely unnecessary. The government has no business being a broadcaster, especially when there is a thriving private market." Arbitron to Re-Issue Fresno Spring Phase 2 Arbitrends 
Arbitron says it will re-issue its Spring Phase-2 Arbitrend data for the Fresno market after it learned that six diaries were returned from a media-affiliated household. In a statement, Arbitron says, "Arbitron has learned that six Spring 2013 Phase 2 Fresno Metro diaries were returned from a media-affiliated household. We have confirmed that these diaries, which were In-Tab for the originally issued Spring Phase 2 Arbitrends data, should not be included in the In-Tab sample. Revised Spring Phase 2 Fresno Arbitrends data, based on an In-Tab sample that excludes these diaries, will release on Monday, July 8, at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time. Audience estimates reported for KJWL-FM and KYNO-AM may be substantially affected. Estimates for KFIG-AM may be affected to a lesser extent. In addition, estimates to stations that were not recorded in the deleted diaries may be slightly affected as a result of sample balancing and reprocessing procedures that accompany deletion of any diary from the sample." Spotify Adds 'Discover' Function to iOS App 
Spotify, as previously promised, has added its "Discover" function to its iOS app. The function will roll out to other platforms "soon," according to Spotify, and offers recommendations and playlists based on listening habits. A new update for its iOS app brings its Discover functionality to iOS, says Spotify. Also added in version 0.7.1 are a new logo, new Now Playing view, and the ability to edit playlists directly from the iPhone. Spotify says in its announcement, "Ever find yourself wondering what to play on Spotify? Introducing the new Discover experience on iPhone. (Coming soon to everyone.)" Also New: "A shiny, new Now Playing view, featuring the 'Up Next' queue on iPhone. (Again, rolling out to everyone soon.)" As for improvements, "We've changed the order of the iPhone search tabs. Now it's Artists, Albums, Tracks. (iPhone/iPod only.)" and "We've moved the ... context menu button in the Playlist and Album views to the top right of the screen. It's better there. (iPhone/iPod only.)" For "fixes" we're told, "Ford integration now works correctly when your iPhone/iPod is set to a language other than English" and "In your playlist folders, 'All Tracks' will now show you the actual number of tracks." Harris Broadcast CEO Harris Morris Exiting 
Harris Broadcast CEO Harris Morris is exiting the company today. A new CEO is expected to be named next week. Morris led the company through its divestiture from Harris Corporation and subsequent acquisition by the Gores Group. The news of his exit was disclosed via an email sent to all Harris Broadcast staff by company Chairman Carl Vogel. No reason was given for Morris’s departure. The text of Vogel's email reads, "This is to inform you that, based on discussions with the board of directors of Harris Broadcast, Harris Morris is transitioning from the Company." Vogel adds, "We thank Harris for his contributions to the company over his tenure and for guiding Harris Broadcast through the end of the fiscal year in its transition to an independent company. We wish Harris well as he pursues new opportunities. We are excited about the future and look forward to the next chapter for Harris Broadcast. As such, we will be announcing the new CEO to the company on Tuesday, July 9th." Morris joined the Harris Broadcast & Communications (BCD) business unit in January 2008 as VP software systems. He became president of Harris BCD in February 2010. In February 2013, Morris was named CEO of Harris Broadcast when it became an independent company following the purchase of Harris BCD by the Gores Group from Harris Corporation. Prior to his time at Harris, Morris was chief strategy officer at Thomson Learning; and was a partner and vice president for Bain & Company. Beasley Names Debbie Pretzello President's Club Winner 
Beasley Broadcast Group announces that Debbie Pretzello has been named the company's "President's Club Overall Winner" for the calendar year 2012. This is the second time that Pretzello, a senior account executive for Beasley Broadcast's Augusta, Georgia, group has earned the award. The President's Club consists of Beasley sales execs inducted annually for their abilities to meet or exceed individual and market goals, while attaining RAB accreditation as Certified Radio Marketing Consultants (CRMC). One account executive in each market is named to the Club monthly, and after the year ends the individual with the highest ranking from the pool of top performers is named the "President's Club Overall Winner" for the previous calendar year. Pretzello has been a member of the company's President's Club for the past four consecutive years (2009-2011) and additionally earned the coveted "Overall Winner" status in 2010. Says VP of Sales Heather Monahan, "It is most important for a sales executive to not only achieve success but to be able to do it multiple times and build a sustainable business in the process. Debbie has demonstrated that she knows how to achieve success and how to duplicate it year-after- year. Debbie has now entered our elite group of repeat President's Club winners, this challenging task is impressive and inspiring, and we are lucky to have her on our team." Envision Radio Launches VirtualNWS News Reports 
Envision Radio Networks launches "VirtualNWS News Reports." As part of Envision's VirtualNWS (News-Weather-Sports) brand, the service will provide local news written and voiced by a remote team of reporters available anytime and anywhere. VirtualNWS News Reports' team of 15 anchors have expertise in major-market radio and TV news and have been heard in top markets such as Denver, Houston, Sacramento, Philadelphia, and elsewhere. Envision Radio Networks President and CEO Danno Wolkoff tells us, "VirtualNWS News Reports has been specifically designed for radio stations. The customized news service delivers content that your listeners want and need on a daily basis with no additional needs placed on your current newsroom. Radio stations’ sales departments can still sell local advertising and sponsorships for each newscast delivered as VirtualNWS will integrate them seamlessly."
DMR/Interactive Announces 'Groundswell' Marketing, 
DMR/Interactive says that as new digital platforms and communities emerge on an ongoing basis, "Word of Mouth" (WOM) marketing continues to be the most powerful way people connect and make recommendations with one another. To help radio take advantage of this audience amplification, DMR/Interactive is launching "Groundswell" -- a marketing strategy "that combines the process of a 360-degree approach with the power of in-person WOM." DMR/Interactive says Groundswell removes the guess work from WOM marketing by specifically identifying the P1s who are the best brand advocates for the station. The result is a relationship with those who matter most to ratings and revenue. Not only are these people participating in an engaged two way relationship with their favorite station, says DMR/Interactive, but they are also connecting directly with other members of the audience. This community building approach is noteworthy because unlike Pandora and other personalized audio services, radio is very much a shared experience. DMR/Interactive has a proprietary reporting and tracking system that identifies, tracks and influences the key brand advocates for each station. "We regularly see brand advocates collectively sharing their favorite station with 4,000-6,000 of their family members, friends and co-workers," commented DMR/I COO Andrew Curran. "Conversations around the water cooler have always been taking place, but with Groundswell, stations are no longer left to guess who their best brand advocates are. We literally provide them a list." He adds that during the first half of 2013, clients who used WOM amplification saw a 15-25% increase in their audience engagement. In addition, based on data analysis and reporting, two thirds of these connections were new database members and 75-80% are in the station's core demo, which further demonstrates the strength of audience amplification.
Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio Tribune Talk WGN-AM, Chicago, appoints Todd Manley as VP of Creative Content. Most recently, Manley handled similar duties for crosstown Triple-A WXRT-FM. Previously, he was Program Director of Talk KTRS-AM, St. Louis. This marks a return for Manley to WGN-AM, where he worked from 1998-2008 as Production/Imaging Director and then Creative Director ... Katie Barr is the new midday host at Maverick Media Hot AC "Mix 104.9" KMHX-FM, Santa Rosa, California. She previously was Program Director, Music Director and midday host at Triple-A "The Crush" KRSH-FM, Healdsburg, California ... Zannie K exits as APD/MD and morning host at Rhythmic CHR KPEZ-FM, Austin ... Nick Bonsanto joins the morning show on "103.7 The Game" KLWB-FM, Lafayette, Louisiana, starting Monday (July 8). Most recently he hosted "The Nick Bonsanto Show" on The Sports Byline USA Network live from the Luxor Casino in Las Vegas ... Salem News Talk "AM 560 The Answer" WIND-AM, Chicago, announces that former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh's radio show will be expanding to three hours and moving up to 5-8pm weekdays, following the exit of Steve Cochran.
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From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Wednesday's Radio & Media News - July 3, 2013
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