Cumulus Appoints Donny Walker Senior Director of Affiliate Sales for Country.
Cumulus Media Networks appoints Donny Walker as Senior Director of Affiliate Sales for Country. Walker will oversee operations and community relations, while also managing multiple national accounts and existing sales teams. “Donny has been the driving force behind the successful distribution of the biggest and best products in country radio,” says SVP of Affiliate Sales and Broadcast Operations Dennis Green. “With Donny joining the team we are poised to grow our syndication footprint for country radio. There will be some exciting things coming soon and I couldn’t be more delighted to have Donny on board to help us lead the charge.”
SBS No Longer in Delisting Danger.
Spanish Broadcasting System is no longer in danger of being delisted by Nasdaq. The exchange says SBS is back into compliance with its rule that the value of publicly-held shares be at least $15 million for a minimum of ten consecutive days. SBS had until March 13 to regain compliance.
Arbitron Mails Station Information Profiles.
Arbitron mails the Spring 2012 Station Information Profiles to radio stations that appear within the markets that will be measured in Spring Diary surveys. The SIPs are due back to Arbitron by February 27. The packet contains a Station Information Form, which includes pre-printed information that a station submitted for the previous survey. Stations must confirm or correct the information on the pre-printed forms for the simulcasting information to be carried forward. The dates of this year’s Spring survey period are March 18 through June 20. SIPs are also being sent to stations in PPM-measured markets for April, May and June PPM surveys.
Jeff Ashcraft Named Clear Channel Eastern Iowa Market Manager.
Clear Channel Eastern Iowa appoints Jeff Ashcraft VP and Market Manager, effective immediately. He’ll oversee the daily operations of the Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City markets. Ashcraft has been with Clear Channel since 2005, serving as Director of Sales and National Sales Manager for the Davenport market. “Jeff has a proven ability to lead and has demonstrated that for the last six years in Davenport,” says West Region SVP of Operations Matt Martin. “We are excited to leverage his talents across these three Eastern Iowa markets. This is great next step for all of us.”
Cumulus Detroit Promotes LSM Marty Rosenberg to DOS.
Cumulus promotes radio sales veteran Marty Rosenberg to Director of Sales for its Detroit FM stations Hot AC WDVD-FM and Adult Variety Hits “Doug FM” WDRQ-FM. Rosenberg, who has been Local Sales Manager for those two stations, tells us “I am very excited about this new opportunity and look forward to helping our customer’s businesses grow with the help of WDRQ and WDVD FM,” says Rosenberg. VP and Market Manager Tom O’Brien adds, “Marty’s enthusiasm, work ethic as well as his broadcast sales and management experience make him the perfect person for this position. We look forward to a successful 2012 with Marty at the helm.”
Clear Channel Hawaii Ups Rob Welsh to GSM.
Clear Channel Hawaii promotes Senior Account Executive Rob Welsh to General Sales Manager for AC KSSK-AM-FM, News Talk KHVH-AM and News Talk KIKI-AM. Says Hawaii VP and General Manager Chuck Cotton, “Rob has always demonstrated great leadership in every role he’s played for Clear Channel over the years. I have great confidence in Rob and his ability to bring a new level of performance to our team.”
SRN Partners with Radio America.
Salem Radio Network (SRN) will become the exclusive top-of-the-hour and bottom-of-the-hour news service for Radio America with 400+ affiliates, starting February 20. SRN President Greg Anderson says, “The potential of adding up to 400 Radio America affiliates to our roster of almost 1,300 current SRN News affiliates is very exciting for us. We look forward to a great partnership with Radio America and their affiliates in the days ahead.” Radio America COO Mike Paradiso adds, “SRN News is a great fit in our lineup of talk programs and will serve our 400+ stations well in this election year. We’re excited to be partnering with SRN on this venture.”
Miami Radio Host Sid Rosenberg Alleged to Have Big Sports Gambling Debts.
The Miami Herald is reporting that “Sports Radio 560″ WQAM-AM, Miami, afternoon host Sid Rosenberg supposedly owes $44,500 to a Costa Rica-based online sports betting website. The report says an operative of that betting site has been in South Florida for two months to try to talk Rosenberg into making good on gambling debts. Frank Soviero, who says he works for www.1betvegas.com, claims Rosenberg lost on dozens of NFL, MLB, WNBA, NHL and college football games in just two weeks. Soviero said he called WQAM-AM General Manager Joe Bell to complain, but to no avail. “We can’t sue Sid since what we do is illegal in the United States,” says Soviero. “I’ve tried everything. He comes up with 100 bucks here and there, and he gives me a big hug. The Herald says Rosenberg and his producer did not return repeated calls seeking comment. Bell declined to comment.
New Afternoon Host at WEBE-FM Bridgeport CT.
Mike McGowan is named Imaging Director and afternoon host at Cumulus Media AC WEBE-FM, Bridgeport, Connecticut, replacing current APD and afternoon host Robby Bridges who will move to a new position with Cumulus. Bridges’ new assignment will be announced soon. McGowan was most recently at Boston’s Classic Hits WODS-FM and Hot AC WBMX-FM.
Broadcasting Board Of Governors Names Interim Presiding Governor.
The Broadcasting Board Of Governors has named Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton as interim Presiding Governor. Lynton was already serving on the board. He will fill the gap left by the departure of author and BBG Chairman Walter Isaacson from the board until a new Presiding Governor or Chairman is selected. The Broadcasting Board Of Governors is the independent, autonomous entity responsible for all U.S. government and government sponsored, non-military, international broadcasting. “It is a pleasure to work with this multi-talented, bipartisan board, and an honor to be elected to help lead the organization,” says Lynton. “We are each committed to the cause of making this agency the best it can be. And with our various strengths and diverse backgrounds, we all bring something to the table.”
Radio Reacts to Whitney Houston’s Death.
Radio stations started playing Whitney Houston’s music almost the minute her death was confirmed Saturday evening.
The reactions came in markets across the country, both large and small. “It’s not the amount of time you live, it’s the impact you have,” said James Mtume of “Open Line” on WRKS-FM. “She lived five lifetimes. That’s what we want to focus on.” New York’s WRKS-FM and WKTU-FM went into mostly full-time Whitney music and listener calls, with WBLS-FM also paying tribute along with the “Heart Soul” and “OutQ” channels on Sirius XM. The satcaster launched Whitney Radio for at least the weekend with a “Heart Soul” tribute special set for Monday. The level of radio response was virtually the same in other markets.
A New ‘Open Letter’ from Bill St. James Promises New Show.
Former “Flashback” host Bill St. James is promising a new show coming next month. He’s written “Another Open Letter from Bill St. James” starting it “Dear America.” He writes, “Thanks for all the love. We heard you. Had we known you were that attached to us, we would have borrowed money from you long ago for that tanning parlor franchise deal. As it was, I had to borrow it from my father-in-law who at least got a big loss to write off from his taxes. Now stop your whining. We’re coming back with a whole new show, but the same bad attitude. You’ll only have to wait ’till March. More details to come very soon. Stay Tuned…” St. James had hinted at a new show forthcoming last month when Cumulus replaced him with a new host for “Flashback.”
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