For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Jack Heath is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast.  Longtime New England broadcaster Jack Heath is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Heath is host of the popular 9:00 am – 12:00 noon midday news/talk radio show, “Good Morning New Hampshire” heard daily on a statewide network of stations owned by regional independent giant Binnie Media called “The Pulse of NH.”  The show features discussion of the topics that are important for the citizens of the Granite State in news, business, politics, and finance. Heath is a former news director and VP of WMUR-TV in Manchester and a former TV reporter in Boston and Maine. Harrison and Heath talk about the political and social nuances of New England; New Hampshire’s traditional impact on the presidential election cycle; how increasingly defensive campaigns connect (and don’t connect) with talk radio; the differences in broadcasting news/talk programs on radio and TV; and what it’s like working for an independent, privately held regional broadcasting company. Lots of takeaways! To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here.

Premiere Networks Promotes Scott Shapiro to SVP of Sports Programming. Sports radio pro Scott Shapiro is promoted to senior vice president of sports programming for Premiere Networks. Shapiro has been serving as VP of sports programming since joining Premiere in 2015. In his new position, he’ll continue to oversee the daily execution of the company’s sports programming and content, including the FOX Sports

Radio Network, as well as its lineup of podcasts and digital assets. Shapiro will also continue to lead content strategy, while working closely with affiliate and advertising partners to identify promotional opportunities and maximize engagement across the network’s portfolio of multiplatform brands. iHeartMedia Sports EVP Don Martin says, “Scott is a tremendous leader, incredible partner and wonderful friend. I’m so proud of the talented family we have built on and off the air as we continue to produce the best sports audio content the industry has to offer. [Premiere president] Julie Talbott and I couldn’t be happier to recognize Scott’s efforts with this well-deserved promotion.” Shapiro comments, “I’m truly blessed to be working with such great people. Julie Talbott and Don Martin are wonderful tone-setters who have set a world-class culture. The team I’m fortunate to work with on the air and behind the scenes inspires me on a daily basis to put my heart in and give this role my all.”

Talk Host Lars Larson and Compass Media Networks Extend Syndication Deal. Portland, Oregon-based talk radio personality Lar Larson and Compass Media Networks announce they have inked a multi-year

extension in which Compass will continue to serve as the exclusive home of “The Lars Larson Show” for national syndication. Larson says, “It has been the highlight of my 48 years in radio to work hand-in-hand with [founder and CEO] Peter Kosann and Compass Media Networks. I’m humbled that he has offered me five more years of doing a show that I look forward to every day. Thanks, Peter!” Larson’s program is syndicated to 130 affiliate stations across the country. Peter Kosann comments, “There will always be a special place in my heart for Lars and his wonderful family. Lars made the courageous decision to join our company in the beginning, and I am forever grateful for his friendship and faith in us. We hope to syndicate Lars until the end of time.”

Steve King and Johnnie Putman Return to WGN, Chicago for Weekend Program. Chicago radio personalities Steve King and Johnnie Putman are going back on Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN-AM, Chicago on January 7 to host the Saturday night show from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. The award-winning husband-and-wife duo were two of the longest-running hosts on WGN and in the overnight slot for nearly

three decades until December 2011. WGN says, “Steve and Johnnie were on the forefront of tech with segments like ‘Website Wednesdays’ long before computers were a household item. Their shows frequently featured musicians, from the up-and-coming to the well-established, including the late guitar legend Les Paul who was a longtime friend and frequent on-air guest. The couple authored the Les Paul memoir, A Little More Les, in 2015.” King and Putman say, “Returning to the Saturday nighttime slot is a full circle moment for us. Our first regular show as a duo on WGN Radio was in February 1985 – on a Saturday night. Coming back to WGN for version 2.0 seemed like a fun idea. Of course, we’ll be revisiting some of our most popular features, but we’re looking forward to seeing where version 2.0 takes us. We’re throwing a Saturday night party for our friends – and there’s no dress code!” WGN VP and general manager Mary Boyle says, “I know Steve and Johnnie’s return to a regular Saturday night show will be warmly welcomed by longtime loyal fans and new listeners alike. Before their ‘retirement’ in 2011, Steve and Johnnie owned our WGN overnight airwaves for 26 years. Back then and on their guest spots since, they always present entertainment, interviews, and information in their inimitable, ‘homespun comfort’ style of earnest, friendly listener interaction.”

The National Press Club and New York Festivals Radio Awards Create ‘National Press Club Award.’ This spring, the winner of the inaugural National Press Club Award will be announced at the New York Festivals 2023 Storytellers Gala. The National Press Club and the New York Festivals 2023 Radio Awards announce the creation of this new honor. It will go to the highest scoring news program across the “Best

Coverage Of Breaking News Story,” “Best Coverage Of Ongoing News Story,” “Best Nonfiction Series” and “News Podcast” categories in the 2023 New York Festivals Radio Awards. National Press Club president Jen Judson says, “We are grateful to New York Festivals for recognizing the great work being done in journalism today and so honored to now have an NYF storytelling award named after The National Press Club.” New York Festivals Radio Awards executive director Rose Anderson comments, “Journalists today are finding new ways to keep listeners informed in our ever-changing and interconnected world. With the National Press Club Award, the Radio Awards shines a spotlight on the audio journalists and reporters who are committed to using their talents to tell the stories that matter.” The entry deadline for the 2023 Radio Awards competition is January 31, 2023. To enter please visit here. All 2023 award winners will be celebrated at the NYF Storytellers Gala taking place on April 18 at the 2023 NAB Show Centennial in Las Vegas.

Study: Podcast Listeners Have Few Concerns Over Brand Safety and Prefer Funny Host Reads. According to the results of Cumulus Media’s and Signal Hill Insights’ ninth edition of the Podcast Download series from MARU/Matchbox that takes an in-depth look at the habits of 603 weekly podcast listeners, they have few concerns about brand safety. Several of the study’s takeaways include: 1) Among

podcast listeners, brand safety is less of a concern compared to other media – 73% of weekly podcast listeners have no problem listening to podcasts with language or content that might be considered unsuitable or objectionable. As such, advertisers can feel safer about listeners’ approving the content of their ads; 2) Podcast listeners don’t mind listening to ads to support their favorite podcasts: Podcast listeners are uniquely receptive to ads. The average number of ads weekly podcast listeners think is appropriate has remained stable since July 2017; 3) Podcast listeners prefer fun host-read ads over pre-produced ads and love when hosts have fun with the creative: Given a choice between different types of podcast ads, the top choice by far for weekly podcast listeners is host-read ads (48%); and 4) Podcast listeners prefer funny and entertaining ads but say they currently hear more ads that communicate dry features/benefits: The top two types of podcast ads weekly podcast listeners are interested in are funny ads (74%) and entertaining ads (72%). However, the top type of podcast ads weekly podcast listeners say they actually hear are ads that communicate features/benefits of products/services (83%). See more here.

KBLA, Los Angeles Presents Event for Los Angeles Mayor-Elect Karen Bass. Los Angeles talk radio station KBLA held a “Welcome Home, Mayor-elect Karen Bass” Block Party on Saturday (12/10) in Leimert Park. KBLA and SmileyAudioMedia say “to celebrate the historic win of Bass as not only the first woman, but also only the second African American to be elected mayor of LA following the legendary Tom Bradley, the radio station wanted to be the first to welcome Bass back to her LA roots where her political career began. Bass grew up in the Venice/Fairfax area of LA and represented the area in Congress.” Pictured above are Bass (second from left), KBLA owner Tavis Smiley(second from right) with two members of the R&B group The Whispers. Photo: Arnold Turner/Eclipse Content for KBLA

WABC and Joe Piscopo Celebrate Frank Sinatra’s Birthday. Pictured above is Joe Piscopo (left) and Margo Catsimatidis (right) on stage at Sunday’s “Bulova Frank Sinatra Birthday Bash” at WABC, New York’s Studio 77. The event celebrated the birthday of “Ol’ Blue Eyes” featuring a live broadcast performance hosted by Piscopo, who regaled both the radio and in-person audiences with Sinatra tunes. Backed by a live, six-piece band, Piscopo entertained the audience with two hours of songs and stories and gave a surprise performance on drums that blew the crowd away. WABC is owned by John Catsimatidis’ Red Apple Media. Catsimatidis says, “This is exactly why we built Studio 77. Studio 77 extends the WABC experience. We are radio, video, digital, and we are live! We revamped our on-air lineup and brought music and entertainment to weekends. It’s just common sense… give people the entertainment and information that they want and need.” Piscopo hosts the weekly “Ramsey Mazda Sundays with Sinatra” program on WABC.

TALKERS News Notes. Last week’s 11th Annual “Mitch Albom SAY Detroit Radiothon” produced by Cumulus Media’s WJR, Detroit and afternoon drive host and author Mitch Albom set a new fundraising record by raising more than $1,800,000 for Detroit charities that serve Detroiters in need. The 15-hour radiothon, hosted by Albom and his WJR on-air partner Ken Brown, was broadcast on WJR on Thursday (12/8) and featured celebrity guests including: Anderson Cooper, Steve Yzerman, Barry Sanders, Tim Allen, Hugh Jackman, Jared Goff, Jane Pauley, Hoda Kotb, Hank Azaria, Bradley Whitford, Tom Izzo and many more. Since its first broadcast in 2012, the annual Mitch Albom SAY Detroit Radiothon has raised over $10 million to help the poor, the homeless, families without homes, children without medical care, students hoping to reach the college of their dreams and veterans who have hit hard times…..Audacy raised over $287,000 to benefit Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU during the annual “36-Hours for Kids Radiothon” in Richmond. Now in its 11th year, this annual radiothon has raised over $2.2 million with support from Audacy Richmond stations including news/talk WRVA, sports talk WRNL, and its four music-formatted sister stations…..Urban One news/talk outlet WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte recently held “The Bike Drive” – an annual charity event begun by retired WBT talk host John Hancock. Over the years the event has collected some 20,000 bikes, as well as gifts, food, clothing and more to be given to tens of thousands of kids. At the close of this year’s four-hour event that aired live on WBT-AM/FM, 579 bikes had been donated. Hancock comments, “What an energetic night filled with good, positive, uplifting people. I truly am humbled by the efforts of so many. Think of the stories we created.”

Trump Legal Battles, Lockerbie Suspect, Government Shutdown, The Economy, FTX Collapse, Musk & Twitter, Respect for Marriage Act, Tripledemic, Russia-Ukraine War, Winter Weather, and Fusion Energy Breakthrough Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (12/12). The numerous legal issues facing former President Donald Trump; the arrest of the alleged builder of the bomb that brought down Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988; congress scrambles to pass a budget to avoid a government shutdown; the arrest and expected extradition of Sam Bankman-Fried over the collapse of crypto exchange FTX; Elon Musk’s release of the “Twitter files” and his elimination of Twitter’s “Trust & Safety Council”; the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act that protects same sex and interracial marriage; the COVID, influenza and RSV cases combining to fill hospital emergency rooms; Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine; the giant winter storm to hit much of the U.S.; and scientists to announce  breakthrough in fusion energy technology were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

The Radio Sales Arena is Changing and We Are On the Leading Edge. The key to sales growth in radio going forward is multi-platform digital marketing. In the coming decade, “radio” will simply be the engine driving an increasingly complex and sophisticated array of digitally powered platforms creating endless packages and options for the

advertiser. The keys to success will be in branding that cuts through the noise and surgical targeting that delivers optimum efficiency for agencies that know exactly what they want. The Salem Media Group is leading the way and the opportunities for our sales team are endless. But, right now, we need that special individual who has the tools, the vision and the ambition to get it done. That one special person who truly “gets it.” Jerry Crowley, the longest-running GM in the nation’s largest market, says, “We want one outstanding seller who can take it to the moon! Compensation will reflect potential and performance – salary will range from 50k- 85k plus substantial bonuses and generous commissions.” Candidates should send cover letter and resume to Jerry Crowley, VP/GM, Salem Media Group, NY (WMCA 570am The Mission/WNYM 970am The Answer) at Jcrowley@nycradio.com.

Salem Media New York Seeks Production Director. News/talk “AM 970 The Answer” WNYM and Christian Teach & Talk “AM 570 & 102.3 FM The Mission” WMCA is seeking its next full-time production director. Candidates must be experienced and willing to work in our studios in Lower Manhattan, NYC. Interested candidates can apply directly on our corporate website here.

Tags: 2023 NAB Show, Binnie Media, brand safety, Bulova Frank Sinatra Birthday Bash, Chicago, Compass Media Networks, Cumulus Media, digital assets, Don Martin, Fox Sports Radio Network, Jack Heath, Jen Judson, Joe Piscopo, John Catsimatidis, Johnnie Putman, Julie Talbott, Karen Bass, KBLA, Lars Larson, Les Paul, Los Angeles, Manchester, MARU/Matchbox, Mary Boyle, National Press Club, national syndication, New England, New York Festivals Radio Awards, news/talk radio, Peter Kosann, PodcastOne, podcasts, Premiere Networks, Rose Anderson, Saturday night, Scott Shapiro, Signal Hill Insights, SmileyAudioMedia, sports programming, Steve King, Storytellers Gala, Studio 77, SVP, Talkers Magazine, Tavis SMiley, The Michael Harrison Interview, The Pulse of NH, WABC, WGN, WMUR-TV

Category: Front Page News, Industry News