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Official: Cumulus Takes A Significant Stake in Rdio 
The official announcement, as expected, is made by Cumulus Media and Rdio. They have entered "a powerful content, promotion and advertising partnership that provides listeners with a one-stop solution for their audio needs while offering advertisers new opportunities to engage with consumers." The strategic partnership, we're told, will provide Cumulus with a financial interest in the larger digital music ecosystem
and allows Rdio to launch free, ad-supported products in the United States while accelerating the activation of new users and subscribers.
Jack Diamond Joins Miami's WLYF-FM for Mornings 
Jack Diamond is named morning host at Lincoln Financial Media AC "101.5 Lite FM" WLYF-FM, Miami. Diamond recently exited Hot AC "Mix 107.3" WRQX-FM, Washington DC, after 24 years as the station's morning host. He replaces Ellen Jaffer, who moves to afternoons. Julie Guy will be Diamond's co-host in mornings. "Jack Diamond is a master entertainer, engaging each listener over the air, in person and through all forms of interactive media," says WLFY Director of Programming and Operations Rob Sidney. "His experience, showmanship and passion reflect the best of what Lite FM has built over four decades. And I'm thrilled to have Jack kicking off Lite's next era of success." LFM Miami SVP and General Manager Maureen Lesourd tells us, "This is a reunion for Jack and me. I brought him to DC and together we built one of the most successful adult-contemporary franchises in the nation. Jack's commitment to his craft and ability to relate to an audience are like none other." And says Diamond, "I've been excited about stations and opportunities before, but this is absolutely the best I could have asked for. Teaming up with Maureen and Rob -- to say we're all on the same page is an understatement. I'm ready to do the finest work of my life in South Florida with the amazing talent at Lite FM." Larry Wilson's L&L Buys Five More Stations 
Larry Wilson continues growing his new "Live and Local" L&L Broadcasting, now entering into a definitive agreement to purchase five radio stations in Columbia, SC, owned by YMF Media. The stations are Urban AC "The Big DM" WWDM-FM, Urban "Hot 103.9" WHXT-FM, Classic Rock "Fox 102.3" WMFX-FM, Alternative "Rock 93.5"
Derrin Woodhouse Named CCME National Entertainment Director 
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment names Derrin Woodhouse to the newly created position of National Entertainment Director for National Programming Platforms. We're told he will assist with the planning and executing of Clear Channel's "ever expanding number of events, including the iHeartRadio Music Festival, Pool Party, Album Release Parties, B2B events and more." Woodhouse will be based in New York City and will report to Darren Pfeffer. Woodhouse comes to Clear Channel from Vevo, where he was Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships. Prior to that, he was Director of Integrated Marketing at BET, and Entertainment Marketing Manager at Time Inc.'s Style and Entertainment Group. CCME tells us, "His experience in event production, brand building and partnership development will be a great asset to Clear Channel Media and Entertainment." Arbitron Releases RADAR September 2013 Report 
Arbitron reports in its September 2013 RADAR (Radio’s All Dimension Audience Research) Radio Network Ratings that nearly 180 million Persons 12 and older, or approximately 68 percent of this demographic, heard one or more network radio commercials in an average week of the survey period. And we now receive "Selected Audience Results" from the latest RADAR report. Arbitron tells us, "The RADAR September 2013 survey period demonstrates network radio’s power in reaching a mass audience in all demographics. Commercials aired on the 45 radio networks measure reached: NextMedia Signs Multi-Year Arbitron Deal 
Arbitron has announced that NextMedia has signed a multi-year contract for Arbitron's Diary radio ratings services in three new markets: Canton, OH, Greenville-New Burn-Jacksonville, NC, and Myrtle Beach, SC. NextMedia also signed a multi-year renewal for Arbitron's PPM radio ratings service in Chicago and San Jose. "Arbitron's PPM and diary ratings are the standard industry currency for the radio buy-sell process. NextMedia's continued commitment to using our services, and the addition of three diary markets, is a testament to the value our data provides to radio broadcasters," says Arbitron President and CEO Sean Creamer. "Radio continues to be a vibrant medium that reaches consumers at a very local level. Subscribing to Arbitron's radio ratings services gives NextMedia the opportunity to demonstrate radio's continued strength to our current and potential advertisers," says NextMedia Group President and CEO Jim Donahoe. Former Clear Channel EVP/CFO Tom Casey Exits with About $8M 
Former Clear Channel EVP and CFO Tom Casey, who exited the company in late July, leaves with about $8 million -- $5 million in an "equity preservation agreement," plus a severance payment of $2.7 million, to be paid out over the next 18 months, and $198,000 from a "supplemental incentive plan." That's according to an SEC Form 8-K filing. "In connection with Mr. Casey’s termination of employment, on September 11, 2013 CCU and Mr. Casey entered into a Severance Agreement and General Release (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which CCU agreed to pay Mr. Casey: (1) $198,000, representing the amount previously earned by Mr. Casey pursuant to a supplemental incentive plan with respect to 2012 performance, and (2) as provided in Mr. Casey’s previous Employment Agreement dated December 15, 2009 (the “Employment Agreement”), and in exchange for the Agreement and Mr. Casey’s release of claims and provided that Mr. Casey does not revoke the Agreement: (a) a prorated annual bonus with respect to the days he was employed during 2013, calculated as provided in the Employment Agreement; (b) an “equity value preservation payment” equal to $5,000,000; and (c) a $2,700,000 severance payment paid over 18 months. However, if Mr. Casey violates the non-compete provision of Section 7 of the Employment Agreement during the 18-month period above (but without regard to whether Mr. Casey’s activities are within or outside the non-compete area specified in such provision), the severance payments referred to in (c) above shall cease," says Clear Channel Communications in the filing. Saga Anticipates Q3 Gross Revenue to Increase Up to 2% 
Saga Communications today reported that it anticipates gross revenues for the third quarter ending September 30 to be flat to up 2% in comparison to the corresponding period last year. Saga also reported that its Compensation Committee and Board of Directors approved amending Saga's 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan to, among other things, increase the number of authorized shares by 233,334 shares of Common Stock, resulting in a total of 562,869 shares of Common Stock available for grant, and extend the date for making awards under the Plan to September 6, 2018. The amendment to the Plan will be subject to stockholder approval by written consent. CBS Radio St. Louis Appoints Sam Morton Director of Sales 
Sam Morton is appointed Director of Sales for CBS Radio/St. Louis, overseeing sales for News Talk KMOX-AM, AC KEZK-FM and Hot AC "Y98" KYKY-FM. Morton starts his new position October 14. He will also serve as General Sales Manager for KMOX. Morton previously was General Sales Manager for CBS Radio Dallas Sports Talk KRLD-FM, Adult Variety Hits KJKK-FM and Classic Hits KLUV-FM. In St. Louis he will report for SVP/Market Manager John Sheehan. "I've kept track of Sam the past few years as he's been working with some of our great leaders in Dallas, and I've seen the success he's had in a very competitive radio market," says Sheehan. "His strategic leadership and management experience in Dallas, along with his understanding of CBS Radio business philosophies will make him a great partner for us in St. Louis. I'm looking forward to welcoming Sam and his family to the area." Salem Communications Moving New York Stations 
Salem Communications has reached an agreement to move it's New York radio studios and offices from Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, to lower Manhattan before the end of this year. The new offices and studios will be located in the Trinity Building next to Trinity Church at 111 Broadway, where WOR-AM has been located since 2006. WOR-AM is moving to the Clear Channel headquarters building as previously announced. Christian Talk WMCA-AM and News Talk "970 The Answer" WNYM-AM will be located in the building adjacent to the historic Trinity Church and cemetery in lower Manhattan. Says Salem VP/Director of Spoken Word and Regional VP for New York Phil Boyce, "Salem has a major commitment to winning in New York and this move will help us take both stations to the next level. We know for years great radio came out of this building when it housed WOR and now we have the opportunity to continue that tradition with both WMCA and 970 The Answer. As an added plus, WMCA, known as ‘New York’s Christian Talk,’ will be re-locating next door to historic Trinity Church, founded in 1697, as the oldest church in New York City. There is some divine providence going on here, as WMCA, which is licensed to the city of New York now moves next door to the oldest church.” The move marks a return to Manhattan for WMCA which moved to New Jersey in 1989. Former longtime WOR-AM General Manager Jerry Crowley, now with Salem New York, will be moving back to his former office. Says Crowley, "I am extremely pleased that the radio facility we built there when WOR moved in will continue to be operated as a great radio station, only now with new call letters and frequencies. It is a joy for me to return to those halls and be able to utilize one of the top notch radio studio facilities in Manhattan, now for my new company Salem Communications."
CBS Radio, BBR Music Group Partner for 'Triple 7’s' Promotion 
CBS Radio and the BBR Music Group have partnered to "create an unprecedented artist hook-up spanning one music filled week in October." Starting today (Sept. 16), CBS Radio’s Country stations are launching a national multi-market promotion "which will drive listeners to Radio.com to enter-to-win their way onto a private jet for a week-long, music-jammed journey around the U.S. to see 7 Shows during 7 Back-to-Back Nights in 7 different Cities with BBR Music Group Recording artists. The grand prize winner, along with his or her guest, will also have the opportunity to meet each artist." The contest winner’s jet setting, whirlwind week includes: Stop #1: Rachel Farley - 10/21 in Nashville, TN; Stop #2: Parmalee - 10/22 in Asheville, NC; Stop #3: Randy Houser - 10/23 in Charleston, SC; Stop #4: Jason Aldean - 10/24 in Memphis, TN; Stop #5: Thompson Square - 10/25 in Tampa, FL (Part of the Dirt Road Diaries tour); Stop #6: Dustin Lynch - 10/26 in Bossier City, LA (Part of the Light The Fuse tour); Stop #7: Joe Nichols - 10/27 in New Orleans, LA (Special acoustic performance prior to the New Orleans/Buffalo game). The contest will run through Friday, September 27 and be featured on the following CBS Radio stations: KFRG/Riverside, KILT/Houston, KMLE/Phoenix, KMNB/Minneapolis, KMPS/Seattle, KNCI/Sacramento, WDSY/Pittsburgh, WQYK/Tampa, WSOC/Charlotte, WUSN/Chicago, WYCD/Detroit. The grand prize winner will be chosen on Monday, September 30, and announced on-air and at Radio.com. Boston's WUFC-AM Becomes '1510 Yahoo Sports Radio' 
Yahoo Sports Radio, operated by Gow Broadcasting, announces an expanded relationship with Sports WUFC-AM, Boston, which becomes "1510 Yahoo Sports Radio." Under the deal, WUFC-AM will broadcast a larger number of YSR shows, including the "Steve Czaban Show" from 6-10am, the "Anthony Pepe Show" from 10am-12noon, several weekly specialty shows in the evenings and YSR's overnight show with Brian Benway. "We are excited to increase our presence in Boston with Yahoo Sports Radio 1510, and to work more closely with Anthony Pepe," says Yahoo Sports Radio CEO David Gow. "We believe it's going to make a mark on the sports radio landscape in Boston." WUFC-AM General Manager Anthony Pepe, also the host of the midday show that is nationally syndicated via YSR, tells us, "The team at Yahoo Sports Radio is an exceptional group. I really look forward to this deeper partnership and growing our business together." Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio 
Alternative "X107.5" KXTE-FM, Las Vegas, ups Music Director and afternoon host Jon Manley to Assistant Program Director. He will continue to host afternoons ... Hot AC "Mix 94.1" KMXB-FM, Las Vegas, promotes night host Heather Collins to middays to replace Heather Converse, who is moving to Houston to be closer to family ... Tyler Media launches new Oklahoma City CHR/Top 40 "Now 96.5" on FM translator K243BJ, via KRXO-FM's HD3 multicast channel. The new station is billing itself as "Oklahoma's Station For Generation Now, 96.5" ... Mid-West Family Springfield Missouri names JD Garfield as cluster Operations Manager, and direct Program Director of Rhythmic CHR "The Beat" KOSP-FM and Active Rock "Q102.1" KQRA-FM, replacing Kristen Bergman, who exited last month. Garfield joins from PD at Rhythmic CHR "93.1 Jamz" WJQM-FM, Madison ... Lola Montgomery moves from mornings at AC "Mix 100.7" KMGX-FM, Bend-Redmond, Oregon, to middays at Country clustermate KSJJ-FM ... Ric Knight joins AC "Sunny 95" WSNY-FM, Columbus, for afternoons, and will also host mornings on "Rewind" WNND-FM, taking over from Joe Kelly who has moved up from APD/MD to oversee programming for the cluster ... AC "102.7 The Lake" WLYK-FM, Cape Vincent NY, serving the Kingston Ontario market, has flipped to CHR/Top 40 "Kiss 102.7" positioned as "Kingston's #1 Hit Music Station" and currently airing 10,000 songs in a row ... Tyler Reese joins Country "The Big 98" WSIX-FM, Nashville, as Assistant PD/Music Director and afternoon host, replacing Anthony "Ant Man" Allen, who is now APD/MD at sister Country KNIX-FM, Phoenix. Reese is coming from sister "Kat Country" WKKT-FM, Charlotte, where he was Music Director and evening host ... Melissa Moore will join Country KYGO-FM, Denver, October 1, as the new midday host. Most recently, she hosted afternoons for WAY Media's radio affiliates, and middays at WAYM-FM, Nashville.
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From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Monday, September 16, 2013
Monday's Radio & Media News - September 16, 2013
Cumulus will obtain a significant equity stake in Pulser Media, Rdio's parent company, in exchange for exclusive content, media and on-air promotional commitments over a five year period. In addition, Rdio will leverage the Cumulus sales infrastructure to monetize its upcoming ad-supported free products, including music on-demand, custom playlists and exclusive content curated by Cumulus. Available in over 30 countries, Rdio is the digital music service founded by the co-creator of Skype. "On Rdio, music fans discover, play and share more than 20 million songs and build a digital music collection that's available to stream on the web, on mobile and offline. Rdio offers listeners an ever-growing catalog and an endless variety of passive listening options, including personalized radio stations." According to the joint announcement, The New York Times has recently called Rdio its "go-to music app" for its "beautiful design and user interface," while Mashable has lauded it as the "music discovery version of a candy store."
WARQ-FM and News Talk WOIC-AM. Effective immediately and pending FCC approval, the YMF stations will be operated by L&L under a local marketing agreement (LMA). This deal is worth $13 million. Previously, L&L purchased six stations from YMF in Jackson, Mississippi. Wilson, who heads both L&L and Alpha Broadcasting, tells us, "We're excited to bring the Columbia YMF Media cluster into the L&L Footprint. With a heritage market leader like WWDM - "The Big DM" - there's unlimited potential for growth. As the state capital and home of the University of South Carolina, Columbia is a city with abundant cultural energy, rich history and an adventurous atmosphere." Says YMF President and COO Charles Warfield, "For the past 13 years, we've been honored to work with the dedicated staff and management at these top performing stations in Columbia. We are pleased that the legacy of community service and commitment provided by these great stations, led by WWDM, will continue under the guidance of L&L Broadcasting."
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