Monday, July 25, 2022

Monday Memo: Save Those Benjamins. Even with gas prices now inching
down, almost everything else is “SO expensive that listeners (and we) are coping.” Wrapping-up his month-long series – “Inflation Hacks” –
Holland Cooke presents 9 money-saving tips, “AND a fabulous radio prize!” Read it
here.
Pending Business: The Great Resignation. Radio sales pro Steve Lapa says “The Great Resignation” is having an effect on
the radio/audio sales business, too. He writes, “The
Pew survey says the top three reasons for ‘The Great Resignation’ are: low pay, lack of advancement opportunity, and feeling disrespected at work. Does it sound like the grumbling before the Monday morning sales meeting? My marketing work puts me in direct contact with sales reps across the country and ‘The Great Resignation’ did extend into our radio/audio sales community. On the radio side more so in the larger market stations.” He offers some suggestions for navigating this era of economic uncertainty. Read it
here.
Radio HOF Welcomes Nine Inductees. A voting participant panel comprised of more than 800 industry professionals honorees determined six honorees; the other three were voted on by the
Radio Hall of Fame nominating committee. Radio Hall of Fame co-chair
Kraig Kitchin comments, “Our forthcoming inductees have made a wonderful impact on the lives of their listeners and our industry. We’re thrilled to be able to celebrate their respective careers and honor them with an induction to the Radio Hall of Fame.” According to

co-chair
Dennis Green, “This was our highest voter participation ever. The radio industry picked an amazing, diverse class of broadcasters and executives that we are proud to call Hall of Famers. These individuals have made a lasting impact on this amazing industry, cementing their place as part of the legacy that makes radio special.” In alphabetical order, the nine inductees are: radio executive
Marv Dyson; “Country USA” host
Lon Helton;
iHeartMedia Los Angeles adult contemporary KOST “Coast 103” morning personality
Ellen K;
Audacy New York classic hits-oldies WCBS-FM “New York’s Greatest Hits” afternoon drive talent Broadway
Bill Lee; “Gospel Traxx” host Reverend
Walt “Baby”
Love; iHeartMedia New York classic rock WAXQ “Q 103.4” talent
Carol Miller;
Sirius XM sports talk host
Chris “Mad Dog”
Russo;
Emmis Communications president/chief executive officer
Jeff Smulyan; and
New York Yankees Radio Network announcer
Suzyn Waldman. The 2022 Radio Hall of Fame inductees will be honored in-person November 1 at Chicago’s
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. The Radio Hall of Fame was founded by the
Emerson Radio Corporation in 1988;
The Museum of Broadcast Communications took over operations in 1991. This year’s confidential ballot was conducted by
Votem.com and overseen by
Miller Kaplan’s
Andrew Rosen.

Radio Resources Unit Debuts Today. Tailored for medium to small market owners and operators,
Radio Resources was launched today (Monday, 7/25) by parent company
Gen Media Partners. Director of products and services
Alex Quintero notes, “Until now, radio station owners and operators had to deal with multiple providers and retrofit the pieces together. The Radio Resources toolkit offers broadcasters one central point of contact and stewardship for a wide array of products and services, streamlined across critical departments to deliver a more efficient, productive, and seamless experience. We’re the only company that can aggregate such a broad range of radio products and services and provide this level of multi-resource support. Our independent standing gives us the freedom to seek out the best providers to service our radio clients.” Among other things the Radio Resources suite includes: Programming and Content; Workflow Solutions; IT and Cyber Security; 24/7 Formats; Sales Strategy; Imaging and Production; Research; Online and Digital Integrations; and Back-Office Operations. Radio Resources products and services are available for cash, barter or a combination of both.


Pickup Truck Slams Into Cumulus Media Indy Building. Two vehicles were involved in a crash last Thursday (7/21) at approximately 5:45 pm with one, a pickup truck (pictured above), striking the Cumulus Media Indianapolis building on North Shadeland Avenue. No one in that structure was hurt, although the building received extensive damage. According to a Facebook posting, Cumulus Indianapolis continued from its backup studio. The driver of one vehicle in the accident was taken to a hospital and is listed in serious condition. In addition to sports talk WXNT “CBS Sports 1430 AM,” Cumulus Indianapolis consists of WFMS “95.5 The Country Station”; classic hits-oldies WJJK “Classic Hits 104.5”; WNDX “93.9 X – Indy’s Rock Station”; hot AC WNTR “107.9 The Mix”; and CHR WZPL “99.5 ZPL.”


Windy City Readying For Rock Radio Revisited. Longtime “The
Larry King Radio Show” executive producer
Pat Piper is producing
The Museum of Broadcast Communications’ “Rock Radio Revisited,” which will be held August 14 at 3:00 pm at
The Des Plaines Theatre. Museum of Broadcast Communications board chair
David Plier notes, “The heyday of rock radio in the 60’s and 70s’ was centered around the booming personalities of [Chicago on-air talents such as]
Larry Lujack,
John Records Landecker,
Yvonne Daniels,
Bob Sirott and
Steve King. Every city had their favorite local radio station and the voices behind them. This will be an incredible celebration of the personalities and music that made that era of rock and roll so memorable.” Landecker,
Tommy Edwards,
Bob Stroud and
Dyana Williams will reminisce about “the golden age of rock radio.” In addition, there will be vintage airchecks, as well as stories about the on-air personalities, fans, and gimmicks. Those making special appearances include:
Gary Burbank; “Cousin
Brucie”
Morrow;
Kris Erik Stevens; and
Connie Szerszen. Among the “presenters” of the
Wendy Snyder-hosted event is
Nexstar Media Group Chicago news/talk WGN “Radio 720”; cross-town
Cumulus Media-owned news/talk WLS-AM “890 AM” is one of the “sponsors.”

TALKERS News Notes. As a result of signing a multi-year contract, WHPT “102.5 The Bone” 6:00 am – 10:00 am talent Mike Calta
continues his role at the
Cox Media Group Tampa news/talk outlet. Regional vice president/general manager
Keith Lawless remarks, “Mike is arguably one of the most successful and talented broadcasters on the air in America today.” WHPT’s director of branding & programming,
John Brennan, comments, “Mike Calta is simply the best radio talent in Tampa. I couldn’t be more excited that he will continue to call ‘102.5 The Bone’ home for many years to come.” Calta – who joined WHPT in 2007 – adds, “I’m grateful and proud to be continuing my radio career with CMG in my home of Tampa Bay. At 50 years old, my window to being a male dancer has surely closed, so this contract is extra special to me and my family.” … Two-year
Max Media Norfolk vice president/operations and programming
Eddie Haskell exits the five-station cluster, which includes sports talk WVSP “94.1
ESPN” and business talk WGH-AM “Money Talk 1310 and 100.9.” He formerly was senior vice president/programming for nine
iHeartMedia stations in Ft. Collins (Colorado).

Tags: Alex Quintero, Andrew Rosen, Audacy, Bob Sirott, Bob Stroud, Broadway Bill Lee, Carol Miller; Sirius XM sports talk host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo; Emmis Communications, CBS Sports, Chicago, Colorado, Connie Szerszen, Country USA, Cousin Brucie Morrow, Cox Media Group, Cumulus, David Plier, Dennis green, Dyana Williams, Eddie Haskell, Ellen K, Emerson Radio Corporation, ESPN, Ft. Collins, Gary Burbank, Gen Media Partners, Gospel Traxx, iHeartMedia, Indianapolis, Jeff Smulyan, John Brennan, John Records Landecker, Keith Lawless, KOST, Kraig Kitchin, Kris Erik Stevens, Larry King, Larry Lujack, Lon Helton, Los Angeles, Marv Dyson, Max Media, Mike Calta, Miller Kaplan, New York, New York Yankees Radio Network, Nexstar Media Group, Norfolk, Pat Piper, Radio Hall of Fame, Radio Resources, Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Reverend Walt “Baby” Love, Steve King, Suzyn Waldman, Tampa, The Des Plaines Theatre, The Museum of Broadcast Communications, Tommy Edwards, Votem.com, WCBS-FM, Wendy Snyder, WFMS, WGH-AM, WGN-AM, WHPT, WJJK, WLS-AM, WNDX, WNTR, WVSP, WXNT, WZPL, Yvonne Daniels
Category: Front Page News, Industry News