Thursday's Radio & Media News - August 29, 2013

'Westwood One' Brand Is Set for Revival - But How Soon? MHBC is hearing that the radio syndication name "Westwood One" will indeed be revived and returned to prominence. Sources say the only question now is the timing of the Westwood comeback. We're told that had tentatively been set for sometime in early September by Dial Global's latest new CEO, Paul Caine -- but the return of the brand may be delayed until DG is acquired by Cumulus Media. Our source this time is an insider at an advertising agency who says his agency, and others, have already been told the name change is coming by representatives of Dial Global. Since they received the first news of that, though, there are now indications that the revival of the Westwood name, previously retired by DG, may be delayed until Dial Global is sold to Cumulus Media and the two syndication operations are combined. That, however, with an expected long regulatory clearance process, might not be until sometime next year. Our source agrees with several recent reports that have circulated that the name change will ultimately be two-fold -- to bury the failed Dial Global name and to make the syndication offerings of the revived Westwood more attractive to radio stations not owned by Cumulus, similar to Clear Channel's use of "Premiere Networks" for its radio syndication operation. Meanwhile, multiple reports indicate Paul Caine may remain when DG is acquired by Cumulus, taking charge of the combined syndication operation using the Westwood One name, which dates back to 1976 Westwood One was based in New York City, and at one time, was managed by CBS Radio. It was later purchased by the private equity firm The Gores Group. Due to purchases, mergers and other forms of consolidation in the 1980s and 1990s, at one time or another, it had ownership stakes in or syndication rights to some of the most famous brands in network radio, including CBS, NBC, Mutual, CNN, Fox and Unistar. The company was one of the largest producers and distributors of radio programming in the United States. It broadcast entertainment, news, weather, sports, talk, and traffic programming to about 7,700 radio stations across the United States. Oaktree Capital Management, through its Triton Media Group division, merged with Westwood One in October 2011. Triton then folded Westwood One into its Dial Global subsidiary. The Dial Global name came from a merger of X Radio Networks, a division of Excelsior Radio Networks, with Dial Communications and Global Media in 2006. Entravision Is Sued for Online Photo Copyright Infringement National Photo Group is suing another radio company for using a copyrighted photo on its websites. This suit claims that Entravision Communications used a photo of Drew Barrymore on the website for its Country "101.9 The Wolf" KNTY-FM, Sacramento, without authorization or permission. This lawsuit was filed in California, with NPG seeking $150,000 per photo plus "wrongful profits" and attorney's fees and costs. NPG is again represented by the Sanders Law Firm. The photo cited in the legal filing shows Drew Barrymore holding a sonogram. As we've previously reported, National Photo Group has recently filed similar suits for unauthorized use of copyrighted photos on the websites of several broadcast companies, including Clear Channel, Townsquare Media, and Midwest Communications. On August 22 we told you that Townsquare Media is being sued by National Photo Group for alleged copyright violations using unauthorized copyrighted photographs on the company's websites. "The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, alleges use of copyrighted photos by Townsquare's national PopCrush.com and local Country WFRG-FM ("Big Frog 104"), Utica, and AC WLZW-FM ("Lite 98.7"), Utica, websites. The suit against Townsquare follows NPG's suit against Clear Channel for similar alleged violations, as we reported in late June, and another last month against Midwest Communications. All of the NPG lawsuits against broadcast companies have been filed by "personal injury lawyers" The Sanders Firm of Garden City, Long Island, which claims to be "one of the largest New York law firms specializing in protecting the rights of innocent victims." Chicago's WGN-AM Reuniting 'Wendy And Bill' for Midday Show Tribune Broadcasting now tells us that indeed Wendy Snyder will join her former on-air partner Bill Leff for the 9am-12noon show on Talk WGN-AM, Chicago, starting next week when the station's new lineup debuts. Snyder has resigned from crosstown Cumulus Talk WLS-AM, where she's been the morning traffic reporter. Leff, who has been hosting late-nights at WGN-AM, has already been announced for the late morning show, originally "with a co-host to be announced." Leff and Snyder were a duo in evenings at Classic Rock "The Loop" WLUP-FM in 1994, later moving to mornings at Alternative "Q101" WKQX-FM, from 1996-98. New WGN-AM VP of Creative Content Todd Manley tells Chicago media reporter Robert Feder, "It's one of the best pairings to ever happen on the radio. It was just about to explode [at Q101], and here we find ourselves in a place where we can breathe new life into it and watch it grow. They're two really special people who have great stories to tell about their life together on the radio and since then." DC's WRQX-FM Becomes 'All The Hits 107-3' Cumulus Hot AC "Mix 107.3" WRQX-FM, Washington DC, flips to Adult Top 40 "All The Hits 107-3" -- following "an evolution" from an "80s, 90s and Now" music mix to mostly currents/recurrents. Afternoon hosts Marco and Brooke Ryan remain in place, but the rest of the host mix are now piped in from two sister stations -- CHR/Top 40 "Q100" WWWQ-FM, Atlanta, and Adult Top 40 "i94" WRWM-FM, Indianapolis. "All The Hits 107.3" is now featuring "The Bert Show" in mornings, followed by McKinzie Roth for middays. Following the afternoon show, WRQX-FM offers the syndicated "Nights Live With Adam Bomb." The new "All The Hits 107.3" is online here at the former "Mix" url, but the station has a new 1073Hits.com that will soon be used (if not already activated when you read this). Some are wondering if the station may eventually revive its onetime "Q107" identity with "All the Hits." The former "Q107" was a Top 40 station from 1979 until 1990 when it flipped to the just-ended "Mix" identity. 2013 Radio Show to Feature Pro Athletes Turned Pro Talkers The NAB and the RAB announce a 2013 Radio Show Super Session titled "Jocks on Jocks." The session, featuring former professional athletes who are now on-air radio personalities, will be held September 19 at 11am at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. CBS Sports Radio Host Jim Rome (pictured) will moderate a discussion on how these athletes transitioned from sports to radio and why they favor the medium. Panelists include Bobby Hebert of "SportsTalk with Bobby Hebert and Deke Bellavia" on Entercom's WWL-AM-FM; Tom Tolbert, host, "The Mr. T Show" on Cumulus' KNBR-AM; and Amani Toomer, co-host, "Amani and Eytan" on NBC Sports Radio. Rome is one of the top voices in sports broadcasting. Over 225 stations carry "The Jim Rome Show," currently the longest running, stand-alone syndicated sports talk show on air. He also hosts CBS Sports Network's "Rome," "Jim Rome on Showtime" and contributes to NFL, NCAA basketball and US Open Tennis Championship coverage. Hebert joined WWL in 2005. "SportsTalk with Bobby Hebert & Deke Bellavia" is consistently the top-rated talk show in its time slot. "The Cajun Cannon" played in the USFL and the NFL from 1983 to 1996, rising to fame as the New Orleans Saints quarterback and making the Pro Bowl in 1994 and 1995 with the Atlanta Falcons. He led the Saints to the franchise's first playoff appearance in 1991 and its second in 1992. In 2010, he founded the "Who Dat Nation" when the Saints made the Super Bowl. Tolbert has hosted KNBR's top rated afternoon drive show for 17 years and does weekday commentaries for CBS Sports Radio Network's "CBS Sports Minutes." He is also the radio color analyst for the Golden State Warriors, for whom he played for three years, and has worked as a NBA analyst on ESPN and ABC. Prior to playing in the NBA, he reached the 1988 NCAA Final Four with the University of Arizona Wildcats, averaging over 14 points per game. Toomer joined NBC Sports Radio in 2012 as co-host of "Amani and Eytan," which broadcasts to 96 affiliates each weekday. Previously, Toomer contributed to NBC's "SportsTalk," SiriusXM NFL Radio and MSG's Varsity's "Friday Night Football." He spent 14 seasons with the New York Giants, including the Super Bowl XLII championship team. He retired as the team's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. NRG Media Names Terry Peters Wisconsin Market Manager Terry Peters is named Market Manager for NRG Media's six-station Northwoods Radio Operation based in northern Wisconsin. Peters, most recently working in a non-radio position, previously managed a Des Moines cluster for Citadel, preceded by a position with Cox Radio in Tampa. NRG Media COO Chuck Ducoty tells us, "We have selected a manager for this important cluster who meets all of our criteria including radio managerial experience, a broad depth of experience in industries important to our growth in radio and, equally important in this area, an understanding, appreciation and love of the unique area and lifestyle that is the Northwoods of Wisconsin." Says Peters, "I am thrilled to be working with NRG Media in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, which I’ve always considered one of the most beautiful spots on earth!" Nick DeGregorio Joins Sun Broadcast Group as VP of Affiliate Sales Sun Broadcast Group hires Nick DeGregorio as VP of Affiliate Sales and Programming to head up the affiliate sales team. DeGregorio comes to Sun from Cumulus Media Networks where he was the Senior Director of Affiliate Sales and Special Projects. Previously, he was with Westwood One as the Regional Director of Affiliate Sales and Manager of the Lou Dobbs Radio Network for United Stations Radio Networks. "At the core of Sun Broadcast Group is the belief to always be different and strive for a new way of thinking. We were blown away with NICK as soon as we met him", says Sun EVP Steve Gallagher. "Nick is a wealth of new ideas and has a refreshing perspective on the network radio business for today and the future. Nick is a creative thinker and energizes anyone around him." Says Gregorio, "From the moment I first sat down with Steve and Jason Bailey, Sun Broadcast Group CEO, I knew our vision and goals were the same; to be the most forward thinking company in network radio. Our objective is not to reshuffle and repackage the same old syndicated shows, but to find what is next and change the way the radio industry is perceived. There are so few companies focused on, not only today but the future of radio, and Sun is the leader of that pack. That is why I joined this family; to help keep the Theatre of the Mind, Top of Mind, for generations to come. " Leslie Sturm Joins AdLarge Media AdLarge Media adds Leslie Sturm to its sales staff based in their New York office. Sturm previously was Senior Account Executive at United Stations Radio Networks (USRN) for three years. She was also Senior Account Manager at SiriusXM, and spent a combined 10 years with Premiere Radio Networks and MJI Broadcasting in similar capacities, handling ad sales for national accounts. "Leslie has a terrific combination of radio sales and advertising agency experience that gives her exceptional insight into advertisers' needs and goals," says Ad Large CRO for Radio Sales Don Wachsmith. "Her perspective is a benefit to client communications, and to meeting the objectives of an advertiser's strategy. I have known Leslie for a while, and I am delighted to welcome her onboard." Sturm tells us, "I was attracted to AdLarge as a growth company and because of its extensive array of premium sports and digital properties. AdLarge's strong content and digital partnerships provide advertisers with customizable options for deep integration and multi-media campaigns. I am looking forward to working with the entire AdLarge team." Before moving to media sales, Sturm was VP/Associate Director of Network Radio at NW Ayer/MediaEdge. Says AdLarge Co-Founder and CEO Gary Schonfeld, "Leslie and I collaborated on many campaigns when she was at NW Ayer/MediaEdge. She exhibited an ability to pinpoint the core objective of an advertising campaign and identify the right platforms and environment for reaching and engaging her client's target audience. I'm very excited that she has joined us." Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio CHR/Top 40 WPST-FM, Trenton, NJ, night host Tom Shinn moves up to afternoons to replace Matt Sneed who just exited the station after 12 years. Shinn will also be Marketing Director for WPST-FM. The station tells us Sneed's duties as APD/MD will not be filled by anyone ... CHR/Top 40 "Q101" WQPO-FM, Harrsisonburg, Virginia, names Mickey English as the new morning host ... CHR/Top 40 "107.1 The Monkey" WXYK-FM, Biloxi-Gulfport, welcomes Slater as the new 7pm-12midnight host. Slater previously was at "Bob 93.3" WERO-FM, Greenville ... Sports Talk "98.7 The Fan" WHFS-FM, Tampa, evening host Nanci "The Fabulous Sports Babe" Donnellan moves to weekends ... SiriusXM adds the Dan Patrick mid-morning show on the satcaster's Sports Talk channel, "Mad Dog Sports Radio" ... Classic Country KYPY-FM, Baton Rouge, flips to a simulcast of sister Sports Talk "104.5 ESPN" WNXX-FM as "ESPN Radio Baton Rouge" ... Talk WLW-AM, Cincinnati, news anchor Dean Miuccio exits to move to South Florida, where he will work for Miami Media School, while seeking a new radio position there ... News Talk WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee, ups afternoon news producer Eric Brooks to Executive Producer. Brooks will continue to produce afternoon news, but will now have additional operational and oversight duties.