For Immediate Release:

Monday, December 12, 2022

Monday Memo: The Podcast Interview. “Conversation can seduce the listener,” and in this week’s column consultant Holland Cooke has collected technique tips from “interviewers whose work we’ve leaned-into all our lives.” Read it here.

Pending Business. AM Radio Is Dead… Again… Maybe. Radio sales pro Steve Lapa responds to the recent news reports about electric vehicle manufacturers planning to leave AM radios out of their products due to the interference inherent in the vehicles’ operation. He says it’s important to remember that EVs make up 3% of auto sales right now. “Let’s see if you and I can slow the spin cycle and sell through the ‘sky-is-falling’ banter that seems to be occupying the headlines. Let’s start by staying focused on now and what matters today. After all, most of your local advertisers are concerned with Q4 and 2023.’” Read his column here.

New York Times:  In a Future Filled with Electric Cars AM Radio May Be Left Behind. The New York Times published an article this past weekend (12/10) by reporter Michael Levenson outlining the dangers presented by the growing number of electric cars on the road to AM radio.  The article states, “Carmakers say electromagnetic interference causes static and noise on AM transmissions, annoying customers. Broadcasters say they could lose a connection to their core listeners, who rely on the radio for emergencies….An increasing number of electric models have dropped AM radio in what broadcasters call a worrisome shift that could spell trouble for the stations and deprive drivers of a crucial source of news in emergencies.”  To read the entire piece, please click here.

‘Bob & Tom Show Cast Member Ron Sexton Victim of Gun Attack. WHTR-TV, Indianapolis is reporting that Ron Sexton, a comic and voice actor on the nationally syndicated “Bob & Tom Show” was shot at while driving a rental car in Indianapolis. Sexton, who says he counted nine bullet holes in his vehicle (some of which can be seen in the photo here),

was not hit by any of the shots. The police report indicates the shooting took place at 2:00 am on the north side of Indianapolis. Sexton says he believes he knows who the shooter is and that he was targeted. He comments, “Last night, it came to a head with me all of a sudden pulling up to a red light and seeing him in my blind spot on my driver’s side, and he pulled a weapon. In ‘Sopranos,’ they say you don’t hear it, you’re right, you don’t hear it. I didn’t hear anything. I felt glass. I felt glass on my face, on my ears, everything.” Sexton adds that as the shooting has not yet been apprehended, he’s concerned for his life and for the lives of his parents. Sexton is a stand-up comic in the Indianapolis area and voices the character Donnie Baker on the “Bob & Tom Show.”

Talent Shuffle at WEEI, Boston Leaves PM Drive Host Lou Merloni Out. According to a piece at the Boston Globe, afternoon drive personality Lou Merloni’s contract with Audacy sports talk outlet WEEI, Boston will not be renewed and he will exit his regular show duties with the station after 11 years. Right now,

it’s not clear what Audacy has in mind for afternoons as it’s also been revealed that Merloni’s co-host Christian Fauria will move to the midday show alongside Andy Gresh. Current midday co-host Rich Keefe’s situation is unclear but it’s reported he is expected to remain with the station, possibly in evenings. It also appears that afternoon drive personality Meghan Ottolini, who joined the PM drive show last May, will continue in afternoons. The Globe piece notes that “‘Merloni, Fauria, and Mego’ show finished third in afternoon drive in the summer Nielsen Audio ratings in Boston – the most recent full ratings book — among listeners ages 25-54 with a 6.0 share. That was a good distance behind the 19.6 share rival station 98.5 The Sports Hub got for its ‘Felger and Mazz’ program, a ratings juggernaut for more than a decade.” Merloni – a former Red Sox infielder who played 15 years in pro baseball – first joined the station as a part-time co-host on the Glenn Ordway-hosted “The Big Show” PM drive show back in 2008. He became full time in 2011.

KBOI-AM/FM, Boise Breaks Record with ‘Idaho’s Largest Toy Drive.’ Boise news/talk outlet KBOI-AM/FM – working with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve – broke the record for their annual holiday “Idaho’s Largest Toy Drive” that benefits Toys for Tots in Boise and children in Idaho, Eastern Oregon, and Northern Nevada. Over the course of the 12-day event, KBOI collected four and a half 53-foot semi-trailers of toys holding over 15,000 donated toys and raised more than $45,000 in cash donations. Pictured above (from l-r) are: U.S. Marine Captain Johnson, KBOI program director Nate Shelman, and Staff Sargent Paala. Shelman comments, “In a year marked by inflation, seeing the Boise community come through to take care of the kids so they can experience joy this Christmas is very heartwarming. KBOI Radio considers it an honor to help the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve accomplish their mission with Toys For Tots in Boise.”

Talkers Books Title Tops Amazon Charts. The recently-released autobiography by Murray Sabrin titled From Immigrant to Public Intellectual: An American Story (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMZ9WP1F) published by Talkers Books (a TALKERS company) ranks this week by Amazon in the #1 chart positions in

both the categories of “Biographies of Political Leaders” and “Political Freedom.” The new autobiographical book with a foreword by Michael Harrison is described as a truly American story about an immigrant child’s rise from humble beginnings in a family of Jewish Holocaust survivors from post-WWII Germany to forge a stellar career as an educator, author, political candidate, and influential “public intellectual.” Murray Sabrin explains libertarianism in plain language using his own life story set against a half-century backdrop of changing times. In 1997, Dr. Sabrin made New Jersey political history as the nominee of the Libertarian Party in the state’s gubernatorial election by being the first third-party candidate to gather enough support to meet the requirements for receiving matching funds and a place on the stage at all three debates with the two major party standard bearers. Murray Sabrin, Ph.D. is professor emeritus of finance, Ramapo College of New Jersey. He is considered a “public intellectual” for writing essays about the economy in scholarly and popular publications in addition to his numerous appearances during the past three decades as a talk media guest commenting on political and social issues. He is the author of Tax Free 2000, Why the Federal Reserve Sucks; Universal Medical Care: From Conception to End-of-Life; Navigating the Boom/Bust Cycle; and most recently, The Finance of Health Care: Wellness and Innovative Approaches to Employee Medical Insurance. His commentaries can be followed at murraysabrin.substack.com. TALKERS founder Michael Harrison says, “All of us at TALKERS are so proud of Dr. Sabrin for this stunning accomplishment and delighted that our boutique book publishing arm is able to make an impact on this level in the noisy media world.” Other recent Talkers Books titles include Yappy Days: Behind the Scenes with Newsers, Schmoozers, Boozers and Losers by Bernadette Duncan and The Tall Skinny Jewish Kid with Eyeglasses from Bridgeport: A Radio Guy’s Chance Encounters with the Colorful and Famous by the late Al Herskovitz. To arrange an interview with Dr. Murray Sabrin to discuss anything from his days as a student growing up in the Bronx during the JFK/LBJ era to his groundbreaking gubernatorial campaign to his present-day status as one of the leading libertarian thinkers and spokespersons in America with insights into inflation, crime, health care and U.S. involvement in foreign affairs – contact Victoria Jones at DC Radio Company. 917-865-3991 or victoria@dcradiocompany.com.

Benztown News Library Service to Talk Radio Passes Decade Mark. Burbank, CA-based radio production and imaging giant, Benztown (established in 2008), is marking over a decade of service to talk

radio with its two high-quality news libraries, “Benztown News” and “Ambush,” which continue to gather rave reviews and count as loyal affiliates scores of legendary news/talk stations including: WTOP, KNX, KLIF, WLS, and KABC among others. Both news libraries are available on a market exclusive basis and contain all unique elements – they do not share content across libraries. Each one provides a comprehensive collection of imaging/production elements, from produced imaging shells to individual work-parts including music beds, loops, FX, actualities, bumpers, rejoiners, sound design and more. Materials are all housed on Benztown’s industry-leading platform. These Benztown resources play a strong role in helping news/talk and news stations of all genres achieve the standout, competitive sound so necessary for success in today’s noisy media marketplace. Programmers should check it out. For more information and to hear a sample of the Benztown news/talk services please click here.

Griner Prisoner Exchange, Elections Challenges, Trump in ‘24/Legal Battles, The Economy/Holiday Spending, Tripledemic/China COVID Policy, Iran Executions, Russia-Ukraine War, World Cup/Grant Wahl Dies Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. Criticism of the Biden administration’s prisoner swap of WNBA star Brittney Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout; the challenges to 2022 election results taking place in several states; former President Donald Trump’s bid for the White House in 2024 and his numerous legal battles; inflation, threats of a recession and forecasts of Americans’ holiday spending; the tripledemic of influenza, RSV, and COVID filling emergency rooms across the U.S.; the second execution of a protestor in Iran; Ukraine’s strikes against Russian troops in Melitopol; the World Cup quarterfinals and the sudden death of soccer journalist Grant Wahl were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, 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: 98.5 The Sports Hub, AM radio, Andy Gresh, Audacy, Bob & Tom Show, Christian Fauria, comic, consultant, dead, Donnie Baker, Felger and Mazz, Glenn Ordway, gun attack, Holland Cooke, Host, Idaho's Largest Toy Drive, interview, interviewers, KBOI, local advertisers, Lou Merloni, Meghan Ottolini, Michael Levenson, Monday Memo, news/talk radio, Nielsen Audio, Pending Business, PM drive, podcast, Rich Keefe, Ron Sexton, talent shuffle, Talkers Magazine, The New York Times, TVs, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, voice actor, WEEI

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