Tuesday's Radio & Media News - August 6, 2013

Tom Langmyer Named Journal VP of News Talk Programming Former Tribune Talk WGN-AM, Chicago, VP and General Manager Tom Langmyer is named VP of News Talk Programming for Journal Broadcast Group, effective August 12. Langmyer, who also was previously VP/GM at CBS Radio News Talk KMOX-AM, St. Louis, in his new position will oversee the programming of News Talk "Newsradio 620" WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee, which he has been consulting since March, and will work closely with VP of Programming Beverlee Brannigan on Journal's News and Talk stations nationwide. Says EVP Steve Wexler, "I am thrilled to welcome Tom to the Journal family. He is a trusted leader with a well-known track record of success. He understands the importance of heritage stations like WTMJ. I've known Tom for years and am happy to finally be able to call him a fellow employee." Langmyer tells us, "I've admired Journal Broadcast Group for many years as a leader in local content - and for their service to their communities. WTMJ is Wisconsin's iconic multi-platform brand, with great personalities, dependable news and it's also revered as the home of the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, and Bucks. I’m honored and excited to join Steve, Beverlee and Journal." Brannigan adds, "Tom's many talents make him an all-star addition to the Journal team. I'm proud he's about to call WTMJ home and look forward to his contributions to our success." Brett Andrews Named PD for Two Clear Channel St Louis Stations Clear Channel St. Louis promotes Brett Andrews to Program Director for CHR-Top40 "Z107.7" KSLZ-FM and Rhythmic CHR "Wild 104.9" KBWX-FM, effective immediately, reporting directly to St. Louis Regional Program Manager Steve Stewart. Andrews, a 12-year industry veteran, most recently was Assistant PD for the two stations. He will also continue as afternoon host on KBWX-FM. In his new role, Andrews will "manage and develop engaging content for both stations’ digital extensions; program daily and weekly music scheduling; manage station liners and promotional liners for events, websites and special features; maintain record label contacts and relationships; and manage and maintain community service efforts." This isn't his first time as a PD. Previously, he was Program Director of CHR-Top40 "Z100" KKRZ-FM, Portland, Oregon. "Brett has shown incredible talent since coming on board from Portland a year ago," says Stewart. "We are excited for him to oversee the continued success and growth of these two great stations' programming." Andrews tells us, "I am incredibly honored and humbled to take the lead of legendary call letters such as KSLZ. I'm excited to continue working with Regional Program Manager Steve Stewart, Market President Beth Davis and SVP Tony Coles to grow both Z107.7 and the new Wild 104.9." Previous stops for Andrews before Portland included "Channel 96.3" KZCH-FM, Wichita, as APD/morning host and "Hot 97.5" KVEG-FM, Las Vegas, as afternoon host before joining "103.7 Kiss FM" WXSS-FM, Milwaukee. He began his radio career in 2001 as a weekend host in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Saga Reports Q2 Net Operating Revenue Increased 2.6% Saga Communications reports that second quarter net operating revenue increased 2.6%. For the quarter ending June 30, station operating expense was $23.5 million compared to $22.0 million for the same period last year. Of the increase, $851 was the result of credits received for music licensing fees during Q2 2012 that are not recurring in 2013, says Saga. Station operating expense increased 7.0% compared to the same period last year, but only 3.0% when adjusted for such credits. Operating income decreased 8.0% to $8.4 million compared to $9.1 million. "Adjusted for the music licensing fee credits, operating income would have increased 1.5%." Net income for the quarter decreased 6.4% to $4.8 million ($0.84 per fully diluted share) compared to net income of $5.1 million ($0.91 per fully diluted share) for the same period last year. Net operating revenue increased 0.8% for the six month period ending June 30. Station operating expense increased 2.9% to $45.6 million. "Adjusted for the $851 thousand music licensing credits received in the 2nd quarter of 2012, station operating expense would have increased 0.9%. Operating income decreased 5.8% to $13.3 million compared to $14.1 million for the same period last year. Adjusted for the music licensing fee credits, operating income would have increased 0.2%. Net income for the six month period decreased 1.1% to $7.8 million ($1.35 per fully diluted share compared to $1.38 per fully diluted share for the same period last year)," reports Saga. "Capital expenditures in the 2nd quarter of 2013 and 2012 were $1.3 million. The Company currently expects to spend approximately $5.5 million for capital expenditures during 2013. Salem Q2 Total Revenue Rises 4.4%, Broadcast Revenue Up 1.4% Salem Communications reports second quarter total revenue increased 4.4% to $60.1 Million. Broadcast revenue was up 1.4% to $47 million, while Internet revenue grew 23.3% to $9.9 million. Total operating expenses decreased 5.4% to $50.8 million from $53.8 million. Net income increased 390% to $5.2 million (20 cents per diluted share). The 2012 figures include a $5.6 million impairment loss on land in Covina, California. Salem also reports that total debt excluding capital leases decreased $8.5 million during the quarter to $298.4 million. In its breakdown of the broadcast segment the company tells us that net broadcast revenue increased 1.4% to $47.0 million from $46.4 million; station operating income ("SOI") increased 2.1% to $16.2 million from $15.9 million; same station net broadcast revenue increased 0.2% to $46.4 million from $46.3 million; same station SOI increased 1.9% to $16.2 million from $15.9 million; and same station SOI margin increased to 34.8% from 34.3%. For the third quarter, Salem is projecting total revenue to increase 0% to 2% year-to-year, but 3% to 5% excluding political revenue. Says the company, "The growth is impacted by strong political revenue of $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2012. Excluding that revenue, we would project revenue to increase 3% to 5%. We are also projecting operating expenses before gains or losses on disposal of assets, impairment losses and stock-based compensation expense to increase 1% to 4% as compared to the third quarter of 2012 operating expenses of $47.4 million." For the six months ended June 30, compared to the same year-ago period, consolidated total revenue increased 3.4% to $115.8 million from $111.9 million, while operating expenses decreased 0.2% to $99.9 million from $100.1 million. Operating income increased 34.6% to $15.9 million from $11.8 million, but net loss increased to $13.4 million. For the first half of 2013, net broadcast revenue was unchanged at $90.3 million. More stats and figures are available from Salem Communications here Fisher Shareholders Approve Merger with Sinclair Fisher Communications announces that its shareholders have approved the merger agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group, under which Sinclair will acquire Fisher. Under the terms of the merger agreement, upon the consummation of the merger, Fisher shareholders will receive $41.00 in cash for each share of Fisher common stock they own. "More than 90% of the votes represented and cast at the special meeting of Fisher's shareholders, or approximately 77% of the total outstanding shares of common stock eligible to vote as of the June 14, 2013 record date, were voted in favor of the approval of the merger agreement. Shareholders also approved the non-binding advisory proposal regarding merger-related compensation with a vote of more than 90% of the votes represented and cast at the meeting. The completion of the merger remains subject to certain customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals," says a Fisher news release. Darrell Brown Named KSL Broadcast Group President Bonneville International names former McGraw Hill Broadcasting President Darrell Brown as President of the KSL Broadcast Group, which includes Salt Lake City’s News Talk KSL-AM-FM, AC KSFI-FM, and Classic Rock "The Arrow" KRSP-FM. "I am pleased to welcome Darrell to KSL," says Keith McMullin, CEO of Deseret Management Corporation, Bonneville’s parent company. "He embodies the mission of our organization and brings strong leadership and broadcast experience." Brown spent 28 years at McGraw Hill Broadcasting, including as its President from 2008 until its sale to Scripps earlier this year. He tells us, “KSL is a long-standing leader, not just in Utah, but across the broadcast industry. This is a group of stations that builds-up, connects and informs the communities they serve. I am proud to be part of such a strong team, and look forward to upholding the great legacy that is KSL.” His new position brings a return to Utah for Brown, who attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Cincinnati Radio Vet Pat Barry Sues Radio One Over Firing Veteran Cincinnati radio host Pat Barry is suing Radio One and Blue Chip Broadcasting, claiming he was fired from the former "Mojo 100.3" WMOJ-FM last October after being accused of "corporate espionage" for forwarding a station email to long-time friend, Merlin Media CEO Randy Michaels. Using his real name of Barry Tingley, he's filed a lawsuit in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court saying he was refused "severance, vacation or other accrued benefits using a false reason of corporate espionage" for his termination after 13 months last October, reports John Kiesewetter at Cincinnati.com. His firing, he says, came two weeks before the station dropped the "Mojo" format and announced it would become a Sports Talk station in January. The station became "The Fan 100.3" as WCFN-FM from January until last week, when it flipped to Urban Oldies "Old School 100.3" ending the Sports Talk format. Barry tells Kiesewetter that he did forward an email to Michaels, inviting Radio One employees to a teleconference with CEO Alfred Liggins last October. But Barry said the email did not include any passwords or proprietary information. Jeff Wilson, General Manager for the three Cincinnati Radio One stations, said he "can’t comment on pending legal matters." Barry, a 40-year market vet, said he "never wanted to" sue, "but they didn’t give me any choice. I've never been treated so poorly." In 2011, says the suit, Doug Spak was GM and signed Barry to a two-year contract with a one-year extension calling for $120,000 a year, including a base salary of $65,000 and benefits. The contract called for the station to promote Barry, and market him for paid personal appearances and commercials, says the suit. Barry claims Spak and others "induced him" to turn down a full-time Dayton broadcasting job to work at WMOJ-FM. But "Mojo" management decided in May 2012 to flip the format to Sports Talk, and planned to terminate him in November last year. Barry also claims he was "qualified" to remain at the station after going Sports Talk because of his "deep contacts in the Cincinnati sports world." Barry seeks re-instatement, lost pay and benefits, punitive damages and $25,000 in compensatory damages. Pandora Reports More Listener Growth in July Metrics Pandora releases its own self-reported listenership metrics for the month of July, showing slight increases from June. According to the streaming music service, listener hours increased 14% from 1.12 billion to 1.28 billion, month-to-month. Pandora claims that its unverified metrics show a year-to-year increase in its "share of total U.S. radio listening" -- in July this year at 7.08%, up from 6.13% in July 2012. Pandora also reports that its share of total U.S. radio listening in July was 7.08 percent, up from 6.13 percent a year ago. Active listeners were 71.2 million in July, up 30 percent from 54.9 million in July 2012. In June this year, Pandora reported a 7.04 percent share of total U.S. radio listening, with 71.1 million active listeners. LFM Appoints Ellen Cavanaugh Denver DOS Lincoln Financial Media has appointed veteran sales executive Ellen Cavanaugh as the new Director of Sales at LFM's Denver cluster, effective September 3. She "will supervise sales efforts at KYGO, KQKS, KKFN, KEPN, KRWZ and Comedy 103.1," says a company news release. Cavanaugh comes to LFM from new media firm FindMyCompany, where she's been Corporate Sales Manager for the past four years. Her previous experience includes management positions at Latino Vibe Media, KILT-FM/Houston, Radio Unica Network, Liberman Broadcasting and other broadcasting outlets in Houston and Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico. "I'm very excited to find someone with the depth of experience across a broad range of media to lead our sales departments," says LFM Denver SVP/General Manager Bob Call. "Ellen brings a terrific professional reputation and outstanding track record to our cluster of brands, helping to support our mission to create effective, integrated marketing solutions that drive results for our clients." Says Cavanaugh, "I can hardly wait to get started with a great company so aligned with my passions, skills, training and experience, and especially my philosophy on marketing and client focus. I look forward to growing with Lincoln Financial Media and its values of placing listeners, clients and employees first." Les Hollander Joins Spotify as Senior Director/U.S. Audio Sales Former CBS Radio and Clear Channel sales executive Les Hollander joins Spotify as Senior Director of U.S. Audio Sales. He exited Pandora after four years and moved to Gannett/US Community Publishing in June, joining as VP of Digital. Hollander joined Pandora in March 2009, and was promoted to VP of Sales in December 2011. After his brief stop at Gannett/US Community he returns to an online streaming music service in his latest gig at Spotify. Hollander describes his new duties as creating "the Spotify Audio monetization strategy for U.S. Radio/Audio marketplace. Evangelize internet radio and our digital audio platform to Fortune 500 companies, broadcast and digital media executives at agency holding companies. Lead efforts for measurement, insights and solutions as it relates customer needs." Hollander spent four years at CBS Radio and seven at Clear Channel before joining Pandora. He tells us, “The broadcast advertiser already knows the value of digital audio. Digital advertisers have learned that using audio along with a digital display campaign increases engagement pretty dramatically.” Hollander reports to VP of North American Sales Brian Benedik, also a former broadcast sales executive. Benedik joined Spotify in March after serving as President of Katz360. Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio Clear Channel Adult Variety Hits "102.9 The Lake" WLKO-FM, Charlotte, Program Director and afternoon host Darla Thomas is out, as Clear Channel continues its latest nationwide round of budget-tightening ... CHR-Top40 "Hot 107.9" WJFX-FM, Fort Wayne, night host Andrea Russett exits, and is replaced with Caden, who was at New Country sister "US93.3" WBTU-FM. Caden will continue as Assistant PD and Music Director for both stations. Meanwhile Randy Alomar is now hosting nights at WBTU-FM ... "Wild Country 93.5" KZTL-FM, Paxton-North Platte, Nebraska, flips to AC "Sunny 93.5" ... Townsquare Comedy "Funny 1410" WNWZ-AM, Grand Rapids, flips to Urban AC as "1410 AM The Touch" using the Cumulus Media Networks syndicated "Touch" programming service ... Former Regional Mexican "La Caliente" WJSJ-FM, Jacksonville, flips to Hot AC "105.3 The Mix” -- with a high percentage of "throwback" songs from the 1980s and 90s. The flip comes after a week of stunting with Christmas music ... Jeff Miles is the new morning host at Country "Y100" KCYY-FM, San Antonio, replacing Jeff Roper who exited in May. Miles, a Waco, Texas native, most recently was midday host at Cumulus Media’s CHR-Top40 "Q100" WWWQ-FM, Atlanta.