|
Entercom Avoids Legal Fees Tied to Fatal Contest 
A California appeals court has ruled that a man who helped stage an Entercom radio station's water-drinking contest that turned fatal cannot recover his legal fees, reports Courthouse News Service. Jennifer Strange died of water intoxication hours after participating in a "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest sponsored by Entercom's KDND-FM, Sacramento, in January 2007. The woman consumed over 1.5 gallons of water during the morning-show stunt, an investigation found. Strange's family sued Entercom Sacramento and several of its employees -- including part-time morning show assistant Matthew Carter, who handed the contestants water bottles -- after the incident. A jury awarded the family more than $16.5 million in damages in 2009. Although Strange's family eventually dismissed Carter from the suit, he had initially tendered his defense -- as was his right under California labor law -- to Entercom's insurer, Vigilant Insurance Company. Carter had rejected the attorney Vigilant hired to defend him, however, preferring the lawyer he had retained shortly after Entercom fired the entire KDND morning show over the tragedy. In 2010, Carter's attorney submitted a 108-page, $807,421 bill to Vigilant and sued Entercom for indemnity. For its part, the company agreed it owed Carter no more than $1,690 for expenses incurred between the time he tendered his defense and Vigilant accepted the tender. A Sacramento County judge found that Carter's rejection of Vigilant's attorney "was not reasonable and therefore costs and fees incurred by Carter to defend himself were not 'necessary expenditures'" under labor code. Although the superior court agreed that although Carter was entitled to indemnity for the period between tender and acceptance, it reduced the hourly rate to $150 - less than half of the $325 per hour Carter demanded. A panel for the Third Appellate District this week rejected Carter's contention that he had an "absolute right to counsel of his own choosing" under California labor law. Clear Channel Again Official '9/11 Day Of Service' Partner 
MyGoodDeed -- the nonprofit which annually organizes the federally-recognized "9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance" -- has again named longtime supporter Clear Channel Media and Entertainment the official national entertainment partner of 9/11 Day. Since 2010, Clear Channel has "used its broad reach to inspire millions of Americans to observe the anniversary of 9/11 by serving others.
Sun Broadcast Group Launching 'Marilu Henner Show' 
You might remember Marilu Henner as one of the stars of television's "Taxi" (1978-1983). Now Sun Broadcast Group is hoping to make Henner a radio star, as they announce the launch of the "Marilu Henner Show." We're told it will focus on entertainment and lifestyle, and will air as a live 12noon-3pm weekday talk show, starting next week. Says Sun EVP Steve Gallagher, "The listeners, the clients and the agencies are all saying the same thing -- that Talk Radio needs to be reinvented. We are excited beyond belief to be able to be working with Marilu Henner, whose boundless energy and love of life will be shared on radio, the most personal of all mediums. She is a natural!" Henner has appeared in over thirty films, six Broadway shows, and two sitcoms, "Taxi" and "Evening Shade" -- and is a five-time Golden Globe nominee. "I love to share life-empowering information that inspires positive changes in people, and there's no better way to do that than through a daily radio show. Its impact is immediate, global, and intimate, all at once," says Henner. "That's why I'm thrilled to be part of Sun Broadcast Group. Their philosophy that radio should be 'helpful, not hurtful' is totally in sync with the way I live my life." Sun says the new show "launches September 9, 2013, live via satellite from Los Angeles" and "is compliant to PPM methodology and will consist of celebrity interviews, lifestyle and health segments, phone calls and fun benchmark segments." Acting Head Kevin Klose Appointed RFE/RL President/CEO 
Broadcasting Board of Governors Chairman Jeffrey Shell has announced that distinguished journalist and broadcast executive Kevin Klose has accepted an offer, unanimously supported by the BBG, to serve as President and CEO of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. In its capacity as RFE/RL's corporate board of directors, the BBG had hired Klose as Acting President this past January. Meeting with RFE/RL leadership and staff at the organization's headquarters in Prague, Shell noted that the entire board approved a multi-year contract for Klose, to be reviewed annually. “Kevin Klose’s seasoning in international media -- here and over his entire career -- makes him the right person to carry out this critical mission,” says Shell. ”His stewardship has brought steady progress. We look forward to working with Kevin and the talented team at RFE/RL to bring news and information to priority countries from Iran to Russia and across Eurasia." Says Klose, "As great an honor as it was for me to return to the Radios in January, I am even more excited to take this opportunity to lead RFE/RL as it continues its digital transformation while building on its hard-earned reputation for extraordinary, fact-based journalism." Klose was President of NPR from 1998 to 2008, and named President Emeritus in 2008. Before joining NPR, he directed the International Broadcasting Bureau at the U.S. Information Agency from 1997-1998. Klose first joined RFE/RL in 1992 as Director of its Radio Liberty division, and as President of the network from 1994 to 1997 oversaw its relocation from Munich to Prague. Prior to that, he was an editor and reporter for The Washington Post for 25 years. NAB Board of Directors Votes to Pursue Headquarters Relocation 
The NAB's Board of Directors has voted unanimously to pursue the relocation of NAB's headquarters to a new site in the Capitol Hill/Capitol Riverfront section of Washington DC. The decision came after of months of strategic assessment on how best to improve NAB's advocacy efforts in Washington, and to diversify assets of the broadcast industry's principal trade association. The board vote followed a supporting unanimous recommendation made by the NAB Real Estate Committee and the NAB Executive Committee. "I am delighted by today's vote, which would move NAB to the center of government action in Washington," says NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. "Traffic has become so congested in much of Washington that it is extremely difficult for members of Congress and the FCC to visit NAB's current headquarters. A move to the Capitol Hill/Capitol Riverfront area would provide policymakers and regulators easier accessibility to NAB." NAB currently owns its 1771 N. Street headquarters in the Dupont Circle section of Washington DC, where the broadcasters association has been located since 1947. Entercom Launches Second Buffalo Sports Talk Station 
Entercom's Progressive Talk WWKB-AM, Buffalo, flips to "ESPN Buffalo 1520 AM" airing ESPN Radio's programming 24/7 -- to offer Entercom's second Sports Talk station in the market. We're told that along with "550 SportsRadio" WGR-AM, "ESPN Buffalo 1520" will offer local sports fans national Sports Talk programming plus access to expanded national and local play-by-play action. The new station kicks off with live coverage of the 2013 NHL Prospect Tournament, September 5-9 in Traverse City, Michigan. "Buffalo is a passionate sports town and the appetite for sports programming on the radio keeps growing. With WGR 550AM and now ESPN Buffalo 1520AM, Entercom Buffalo has expanded our ability to offer the best and most comprehensive local and national sports coverage to Buffalo sports fans, and giving our clients and advertisers even better access to the total Buffalo sports audience," says Entercom Buffalo Operations Manager Tim Wenger. He also tells us that every Sabres game will be carried live, with play-by-play provided by Paul Hamilton of WGR-AM, "Home of the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bills." WestwoodOne Sports Kicks Off NFL Season Tonight 
WestwoodOne announced the broadcast lineup for the 2013-2014 NFL season beginning with the annual Kickoff Game tonight (Sept. 5) featuring the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens against the Denver Broncos. WestwoodOne Sports will broadcast complete coverage of 51 national regular season primetime matchups, plus every post season game, including the AFC and NFC championship games and Super Bowl XLVIII. WestwoodOne Sports will also present a weekly doubleheader starting on Sunday, September 8 and continuing for 17 consecutive weeks through Sunday, December 29. In addition, WestwoodOne Sports delivers weekly fan-favorite specialty programs, including NFL Preview, NFL Insider, The NFL Today and NFL Sunday. "We have been proud partners of the NFL for more than four decades," says WestwoodOne CEO Paul Caine. "This partnership is a true testament to our dedication to our clients and advertisers, as well as our ability to deliver top-quality coverage to one of the most dedicated fan bases on the planet. WestwoodOne is committed to delivering the most engaging audio experience listeners, and our longstanding NFL relationship, shows that we continue to deliver." New to the WestwoodOne Sports NFL broadcast team is Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson, and Kevin Kugler has been elevated to Sunday Night Football from Sunday afternoons. CBS Sports Radio Sets Football Season Schedule 
CBS Sports Radio is ready for the new football season with five new shows. On Saturdays, CBS Sports Radio anchor Rich Ackerman hosts "Eye on College Football" from 12-8pm. The show includes reports from all of the top college football games as well as interviews with coaches, players, broadcasters and writers. In addition, the network's Jody McDonald will join Ackerman from 6-8pm every Saturday to break down the competition, and continues with his solo show until 10pm. Later on Saturday nights, Adam the Bull hosts "Eye on Fantasy Football" from 10pm-12midnight. The show is co-hosted by CBSSports.com senior fantasy football writers, Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg. The writers will join Adam from the CBSSports.com studios in Fort Lauderdale. As previously announced, "Mike Francesa's Football Sunday" will now air on Sunday mornings. Beginning this Sunday (Sept. 8), the show will be heard from 9-11am. The program has been a staple of WFAN-AM-FM's Sunday football lineup for 25 years, where Francesa's afternoon show airs weekdays. Following "Mike Francesa's Football Sunday," and also starting this Sunday, CBS Sports Radio will simulcast CBSSports.com's "Fantasy Football Today" show from 11am-12noon, hosted by the site's Jason Horowitz. The show will provide late breaking fantasy football news. Finally, from 12-8pm beginning this Sunday, Rich Ackerman will also host "Eye on Football" offering a national perspective on all of the NFL games as well as interviews and reports. Similar to their Saturday College focused program, Jody McDonald will join Ackerman for the final two hours of the Sunday show.
State Farm and OMD Execs to Participate in 
The RAB and the NAB announce that executives from State Farm and OMD will participate in a Q&A at the 2013 Radio Show Advertiser Luncheon. State Farm is one of the country's leading broadcast advertisers. The event, sponsored by Katz Media Group, will be held September 18 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. RAB President and CEO Erica Farber will moderate a discussion with Tim Van Hoof, assistant vice president of marketing, State Farm, and Sumeet Kanwar, managing director, Midwest & Strategy for OMD, State Farm's media planning and buying agency partner. State Farm, a Fortune 50 Company and one of the top ten radio advertisers of 2012, increased its radio advertising spend by 20 percent in the first half of 2013 and by 32 percent in Q2 2013. Van Hoof and his OMD agency partner, Kanwar, will address why they and other advertisers leverage the power of radio. "The Advertiser Luncheon is always a Radio Show highlight and an opportunity for attendees to learn to leverage Radio’s unique ability to attract and retain top advertisers," says Farber. "Mr. Van Hoof, as a key decision maker, and Mr. Kanwar, as a key influencer, offer valuable perspectives for one of Radio’s largest advertising clients." Van Hoof oversees all media, creative and sponsorship efforts for State Farm. His responsibilities include developing and implementing communication approaches across a multicultural audience. Van Hoof has extensive experience in sales, marketing and supply web management in both the manufacturing and service industries. As managing director at OMD Chicago, Kanwar draws on his marketing and analytics background to help clients get the most from their marketing dollars. Before he joined OMD, he served in customer strategy and brand management roles at Sears and also spent many years at Leo Burnett working across their global network.
iBiquity Digital: 'First Toyota Vehicles with Subscription-Free 
HD Radio developer iBiquity Digital announced today that the 2014 Tundra, Corolla, Sequoia, 4Runner, and Tacoma are the first Toyota vehicles to launch integrated audio and real-time traffic and weather services using Clear Channel's Total Traffic HD Network (TTN) and HD Radio Technology. The 2014 Toyota Corolla, Tundra and Sequoia are now available with the 4Runner and Tacoma arriving in dealerships later this month. Toyota has launched two new systems integrating HD Radio digital audio entertainment and TTN's real-time traffic and weather information. For vehicles with navigation systems, Toyota will provide a digital audio and navigation system driven by the first of its kind hybrid technology capable of receiving digital traffic and weather information from both HD Radio stations and the cell phone network, using the driver's smartphone connected with the Toyota Entune system. For vehicles without navigation, Toyota will offer a premium display audio system complete with free traffic maps and weather information, all delivered by HD Radio stations across the country. Both systems will also offer the latest digital audio features including Artist Experience, allowing listeners to view images such as album art on their radio screens as they enjoy their favorite HD Radio stations. Says iBiquity Digital COO Jeff Jury, "Toyota is leading the automotive industry with their innovative HD Radio offering. By utilizing multiple delivery systems for traffic and weather information Toyota has built a very compelling service offering. We are very pleased that subscription-free audio entertainment and traffic and weather information over the HD Radio system is an integral part of this offering. Toyota and the entire automotive industry is adopting the latest HD Radio audio and data features very quickly driving the transition of over-the-air AM & FM broadcasting to a digital future." Pandora Claims More Listening in August 
Pandora releases its own claims of listening metrics for the month of August, reporting more listening than in July. According to the unverified self-reported metrics from Pandora, its streaming service had 1.35 billion user listening hours in August, a 16 percent increase from 1.16 billion in the same previous year period. Pandora also claims its "share of total U.S. radio listening" last month was 7.46 percent, representing an increase from 6.3 percent in August 2012. Pandora also says its "share of total U.S. radio listening" last month was up from a 7.08 percent share in July. Active listeners to Pandora are reported at 72.1 million this August, a 28 percent increase from 56.2 million a year ago. For July 2013, Pandora reported 71.2 million active listeners. Stardome Radio Launches 17 Spanish Talk Shows 
In advance of Hispanic Heritge Month, Stardome Radio Networks launches 17 new Spanish language radio talk shows for network syndication. The offering includes the CNN en Espanol shows "Cafe CNN" - "Cala" - "Aristegui" - "Showbiz" - "NotiMujer" - "Encuentro Live" - "Directo USA" - "Panorama Mundial" - "CNN Dinero" - "CNN Mexico Perspectivas" - "Clix" - "Choque de Opiniones" - "Mexico Opina" - "Salud con la Dra" - "Azaret" - "Panorama USA" - "Contrastes" and "Sin Limites." Says Stardome Radio Networks Managing Director/CEO Anthony Hernandez, “The CNN en Espanol Radio’s top of the hour newscasts have taken a leadership position in the U.S. Hispanic radio marketplace. This follow up deployment displays our joint commitment to serve the Hispanic community with compelling programming of interest.” Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio 
Santa 'Ho Ho Ho' Claus has low power in September as Clear Channel flips FM translator K265CA, Albuquerque, New Mexico to all holiday music as "Santa 100.9" after a power increase to 250 watts. "Santa 100.9" is originating via the HD2 multicast channel of 104.1 KTEG-FM, Santa Fe ... KJ Brooks is S.O.L., exiting as Program Director at Urban AC "V 101.5" WSOL-FM, Jacksonville, as the position is eliminated -- in favor of having G-Wiz, PD at sister Urban WJBT-FM, handle programming for WSOL-FM ... Alternative "Alt 94.9" KHTB-FM, Salt Lake City, gives us the lowdown on its new on-air line-up -- mornings will feature Rock, Corky and Bree Cook as "The 1/2 Assed Morning Show" - Lindsay moves from mornings to middays at sister Hot AC KBEE-FM - Monroe returns for middays on KHTB-FM - Tysen Webb is doing afternoons - Victor Cade hosts nights ... Morning co-host Jared Max exits "98.7 ESPN Radio New York" WEPN-FM, according to a post on his Facebook page: "I am sorry that 'Maxed Out' will not continue on ESPN New York." Max you might remember joined ESPN Radio from crosstown All News WCBS-AM, going from a news anchor to a sports talk host ... Leland Conway joins "NewsRadio 84" WHAS-AM, Louisville, as midday host, effective September 16, airing weekdays from 9am-noon. Conway most recently hosted a daily talk show on WRVA-AM, Richmond, Virginia, where he will continue to be heard weekdays from 3-6pm ... Former NFL player Corey "The Pastor of Pain" Miller exits Sports Talk "560 The Team" WXBT-AM, Columbia, South Carolina. He'd been with the station since it was "1400 The Team" WCOS-AM.
|
From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Thursday's Radio & Media News - September 5, 2013
Over the last three years, Clear Channel has committed over $10 million in support, the single largest media contribution by any 9/11 Day partner." Through September 11, Clear Channel’s 840 radio stations are airing a series of on-air public service messages in support of 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. Listeners who want to participate can choose options including volunteering, donating to charities of their choice, or simply making a voluntary pledge to dedicate time on 9/11, or another day, to performing good deeds that help others in need. “Clear Channel was an inaugural partner of 9/11 Day in 2011 because we strongly believed in giving the public a platform to publicly or privately honor those lost in the attacks on September 11, 2001,” says Jessica King, Director of Community Engagement for Clear Channel. “We believe our participation is more important each passing year to ensure that 9/11 Day remains the world’s largest annual day of charitable service and giving in the U.S.”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment