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Clear Channel Exploring Automated Ad Buying System, 
Interpublic Group is partnering with TV and radio companies, including Clear Channel, to build and test an automated ad-buying system for television and radio ads, according to The Wall Street Journal. Clear Channel is among a group that also includes A&E Networks, Tribune Company and Cablevision to test the new system, which Interpublic says could be operational within six months. This comes as television and radio face growing competition from online media, where automated systems have long been used for search ads and increasingly online display. "Executives on both the buying and selling side of advertising say that automated systems make it possible for advertisers to use data about consumer habits to better target their ads at the people they want to reach," says the WSJ.com report. Matt Seiler, CEO of IPG Mediabrands, the Interpublic division building the system, tells them, "There is so much intelligence and data out there, we have to capitalize on that and it cannot be restricted to digital media. Digital has paved the way for the reinvention of the rest of the media." The WSJ report says, "Having an automated system that can allow for more data to be used in media buying in traditional media will put traditional 'media companies on a level playing field' with the digital media outlets," citing a comment from Mel Berning, president of ad sales at A&E Networks. Executives involved in the IPG plan say a more automated system will allow a media buyer to go into a computer system to see what inventory each TV or radio outlet has available and select the best ad placements based on data that the ad buyer has on its customers and their media habits. Says Clear Channel Media and Entertainment President of National Sales and Marketing Tim Castelli, "If you have the right targeting and the right data then I think you can drive yield and this doesn't have to be a race to the bottom." The Wall Street Journal report cautions that there's "no guarantee the new system will succeed."
IPG Mediabrands Forms 'Magna Consortium' with Media Companies: 
Today, IPG Mediabrands announced another major step toward an automated future. "Six months ago, Mediabrands put a stake in the ground to deliver at least 50% of their clients' buys through automation by 2016. After months of critical conversations with the industry's most important players, a consortium of like-minded companies has been formed. A+E Networks, AOL, Cablevision, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and Tribune share in the determination to bring the industry forward in the service of both clients and their audiences, and will work together with Magna Global to establish an industry-leading end-to-end, integrated programmatic-buying business model to drive critical automation advances across all media transactions," says a news release from IPG Mediabrands. The Magna Consortium, we're told, "will work to substantially improve the media planning and buying process, leading the way to a scalable, omni-channel marketplace." Together, the Consortium will work to deliver innovative ways to drive more precise targeting and greater performance through the use of data; exploration of opportunities to modernize and streamline media negotiations through expanded use of data and technology- based buying platforms; application of technological solutions to automate legacy buying systems and processes across traditional and digital media. Through this alignment, IPG Mediabrands will have access to Consortium members' select media and data through Magna Global. Available inventory will include Display, Video, Mobile, Digital Out-of-Home, Radio and TV, and will include assets not previously available through automated buying systems.
Marketron Restructures Its Sales Organization Newly Created Position will Oversee all Marketron Product Lines 
Marketron announces the appointment of Deborah Esayian as Chief Revenue Officer. Adding to her duties as Co-President of Marketron Interactive, Esayian will now also oversee the sales and business development operations of all three of Marketron's product lines including radio traffic, mobile and interactive. "As our customers' business has become more sophisticated, it is important that Marketron is equally equipped to meet the evolving demands of the marketplace. Deb is a recognized leader in our industry and I am confident she will fill this role with the smart client-centric approach she is known for," says Marketron President and CEO Jeff Haley. Esayian expands her role at Marketron after 19 years of experience in advertising, media and software technology, and is widely recognized as one of the most influential women in broadcasting. In 1994, Esayian founded Next Generation Radio, a new business development enterprise that returned millions in lost business to the industry. She has managed radio stations and sales teams and, over the past 10 years, trained and developed over 4,000 salespeople, publishers, editors and station managers in local media across the globe in using creative engagement solution techniques to monetize their websites. As Co-President of Marketron Interactive, Esayian has led the company's interactive sales efforts, as well as worked with broadcasters and publishers worldwide, helping them build profitable, sustainable interactive businesses. According to a news release, the restructuring of the sales organization and its leadership "comes on the heels of a number of new client agreements that span all three tiers of Marketron's product offerings – radio traffic, mobile and interactive – affectionately coined the 'Marketron Triple Play.' Organizing the company's product-specific sales teams under one chief revenue officer will enable further growth and client touch points for Marketron while leveraging the power of the company's software portfolio towards a complete solution for broadcasters." Esayian tells us, "For almost a year now, our teams have been working tirelessly toward integrating collective efforts to provide one-stop customer care and service for our clients. Our mindset and mission is to foster deliriously happy partnerships with intelligent, smart, efficient solutions that empower our customers' success."
Big Changes Coming Soon at Chicago's WGN-AM, 
Three months after Jimmy de Castro took over as President and General Manager of "WGN Radio 720" WGN-AM, the veteran broadcasting exec is about to take the next step for his intended revival of the Tribune Broadcasting station. "Plans include not only a new roster of familiar faces and voices on the legendary 50,000-watt powerhouse, but a robust presence online and -- sometime down the road -- an additional programming venue on an FM frequency," reports veteran Chicago media reporter and columnist Robert Feder. "For now, the most significant move will happen Sept. 3 when Steve Cochran replaces Jonathon Brandmeier as morning personality from 5 to 9 a.m. weekdays. Cochran, once seen as heir apparent to former morning star Spike O'Dell, rejoined WGN amid much fanfare last month following three years in exile. Brandmeier, whose final morning show on the station could air this Friday, is expected to reappear after a break on a live streaming webcast and eventually may turn up on the proposed FM signal," says Feder. "Mike McConnell, the Cincinnati import who'd been hosting middays since 2010, already has shifted to daily podcasting while de Castro seeks to negotiate a settlement on the remaining two years of McConnell's $500,000-a-year contract (a vestige of the Randy Michaels era at Tribune Co.)." Feder emphatically states that these moves and more to follow are being orchestrated personally by de Castro, the charismatic former impresario of Chicago's Loop in the 1980s and key architect of what would become the largest radio group in the country before he stepped out of the limelight in 2000. Now at WGN, he's doubling as de facto program director, a position that's been vacant since Bill White tendered his resignation on de Castro's first day on the job. Working most closely with de Castro on programming strategy are Todd Manley, who recently rejoined the station as vice president of creative content, and Cochran, a longtime friend and confidante." Feder tells us that middays are expected to feature the husband-and-wife team of Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano occupying one three-hour shift and current overnight host Bill Leff occupying another. "Garry Meier will be kept in afternoons for now, though eventually he may be teamed with a partner. David Kaplan will continue to talk sports in evenings. Nick Digilio and Pete McMurray are expected to figure in some combination of late-night and overnight shifts." Also returning to WGN-AM are former longtime midday hosts Kathy O'Malley and Judy Markey, who will host a Saturday 10am-12noon show. Boston Celtics Leaving Entercom's WEEI-FM/WRKO-AM 
Reports from Boston say the Boston Celtics are leaving Entercom's WEEI-FM and WRKO-AM, effective immediately, after the team and the station could not agree on a new deal. VP and Market Manager Jeff Brown confirms the reports that the stations will not air the 2013-2014 games. "WEEI has had an incredible run with the Boston Celtics, from being a part of their 17th championship banner to the end of the Big 3 era," says Brown. "Unfortunately we were unable to come to terms on a new contract moving forward. We thank the entire Celtics organization for our tremendous time together and wish them the best of luck in the future." The NBA team had aired on the two stations since 2005. So far, there's no word from the team on where they will move in the Boston market for a new flagship station. Report: Obama's School Internet Plan Could Derail FCC Nominations 
Two former Republican members of Congress warned on Monday that President Obama's proposal to expand a federal Internet program for schools could derail two nominations to the FCC, reports The Hill. In a speech in June, Obama called on the FCC to spend several billion dollars to ensure that 99 percent of schools have access to high-speed Internet within five years. He argued that the money would enable innovative new educational tools and better help students compete for modern jobs. The proposal would expand the FCC's existing E-Rate program and would not require congressional approval. E-Rate is funded through fees that telephone companies pass on to consumers in their monthly phone bills. Tom Tauke, a former Republican House lawmaker and former lobbyist for Verizon, accuses Obama of trying to do an end-run around Congress with the plan. He predicts that Senate Republicans could insist that Tom Wheeler, Obama's nominee for FCC Chairman, and Mike O'Reilly, a nominee for a Republican Commission seat, publicly disavow the plan. If they won't, they won't be confirmed. Cliff Stearns, also a former GOP House member, agreed that Senate Republicans should use the confirmation process to press the nominees on Obama's plan. "I think that's the responsibility of Congress to increase taxes and to think that the FCC would increase taxes by executive order," says Stearns, "is very alarming to me." The FCC is currently accepting comments on how to update its E-Rate program. Baltimore Billboard Tax Brings Clear Channel Lawsuit 
Clear Channel Outdoor is suing the city of Baltimore in federal court over a recently implemented municipal tax of $15 per square foot for digital billboards and $5 for other faces. The tax is expected to generate $1 million in additional revenue for the city. Clear Channel already pays $600,000 a year to the city as well as rental fees to property owners. In its suit, Clear Channel argues that since the property owners already pay taxes on the property, the city is trying to essentially tax the same thing twice. The company also is claiming they are protected from such taxation by the First Amendment's provisions protecting free speech. City attorneys say those provisions don't apply as the city is not trying to regulate any of the content on the billboards, claiming its because they are "visible clutter and blight" and "public nuisance," as well as a safety problem. Clear Channel Outdoor has previously sued Los Angeles (2002) and Philadelphia (2005) over measures to regulate their billboard. The company settled with Los Angeles in 2007, but a more recent decision resulted in about 100 digital boards being forced to go dark earlier this year. Jim Watkins Returns to TRN for Affiliate Relations 
Jim Watkins rejoins Talk Radio Network's TRN Syndications to oversee new projects and business development in the affiliate relations department. Watkins, who left TRN at the start of the year to join Sun Broadcasting Group as VP of Programming, was Director of Affiliate Relations and Executive Producer at TRN for 13 years. TRN CEO Mark Masters tells us, “Jim is deeply entrenched in Talk radio, and has developed alliances with key programmers across the country. As the country ramps up into the mid-term elections, Talk radio has never been more vital to facilitating the national debate. Jim really understands the vitality of Talk Radio better than most people in the industry today." Says Watkins, "Talk radio reaches the most affluent and loyal audience of any format, and it does so by allowing for a free exchange of ideas which can and does influence public policy in a big way. To have one of the best rosters of talent to be found anywhere gives me a great sense of pride." Before joining TRN the first time, Watkins programmed for Meridian Broadcasting in Fort Meyers and Clear Channel in Santa Barbara. Scott Webb Appointed Beasley Miami Production Director 
Beasley Broadcast Group Miami appoints Scott Webb to be Production Director for its three-station cluster -- "Power 96" WPOW-FM, "99.9 Kiss Country" WKIS-FM and "560 Sports Radio" WQAM-AM, effective immediately. Webb will be responsible for overseeing the voicing and production of commercials for the three stations. Webb operates his own Scott Webb Radio Imaging. Previously, he was Creative Services Director and morning co-host for WJMO-FM, Washington DC. Also in the Washington area, he previously was Creative Services Director for WHUR-FM and Creative Services Director for WMMJ-FM. Webb has also worked as Creative Services Director at KRBV-FM, Dallas, and in New York as Production Director for two Long Island stations. Says Operations Manager Ken Boesen, "Scott brings exceedingly strong production skills, top quality voiceover abilities and a fun work ethic to Beasley Miami. He'll be a great addition to the team and will help make our production department the strongest in South Florida." Webb tells us, "What an amazing opportunity to work with this talented radio group in Miami, Florida! I will be focused on doing great sounding custom, creative, in-house production." He adds, "I love what I do, and am happy to make this transition from my own studio to working with a team again. I can't say enough about Ken Boesen, and all he has done to make this happen. Thanks to everyone at Beasley Broadcast Group." Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio 
Cumulus Hot AC "Mix 107.3" WRQX-FM, Washington DC, is transitioning to CHR/Top 40 "All The Hits 107.3" -- with some on-air staff changes to go along with the revamped format. Gone with the "Mix" brand are on-air hosts other than afternooners Marco and Brooke Ryan, with the rest of the hosting duplicating sister CHR/Top 40 stations "Q100" WWWQ-FM, Atlanta, and "i94" WRWM-FM, Indianapolis -- "The Bert Show" in mornings, McKinzie Roth in middays, and "Nights Live with Adam Bomb" ... After a weekend of stunting, the former KQWB-FM, Fargo, North Dakota, launches its new format as Adult Top 40 "Big 98.7" with "Today's Hit Music" (minus rap) -- after Rock "Q98" KQWB-FM moved to a new frequency as "Q105.1 FM" ... Triple A KINK-FM, Portland, officially names Jared Aman as night host after recently covering the shift. Aman, known on-air as "Jared," has been with KINK-FM on a parttime basis for two years. He previously spent 11 years at "Live 105" KITS-FM, San Francisco ... Former St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt will join "101 ESPN" WXOS-FM, St. Louis, as a football "Insider" with exclusive weekly call-ins to the Sports Talk station, beginning September 8 ... Kevin "Crash" Davis is appointed Program Director of Contemporary Christian "106.9 The Pulse" WPLL-FM and the News Talk simulcast WDVH-AM and WRZN-AM, Gainesville-Ocala. Davis previously served as PD of crosstown Classic Rock "Wind FM" WNDD-FM ... Brandy Newman exits as VP and Market Manager at Clear Channel Las Vegas, after nine years. Regional Manager Glynn Allen is overseeing the market until a replacement is named.
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From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Tuesday's Radio & Media News - August 20, 2013
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