Jonathan Butler, 28, is in police custody accused of setting his father’s company, Butler Broadcasting in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on fire. Police say Butler, who works for Butler Broadcasting and lives on the property, had an altercation with another employee before the fire started. The building houses several radio stations. Police say after igniting the fire in his adjacent apartment Butler locked himself inside the station causing a brief stand off with authorities. The building that houses the radio stations didn’t suffer much damage, but fire officials say the two-story apartment next door, where Butler lives, had extensive damage. Fayetteville Police Sgt. Craig Stout says, “He came outside, made some threats to employees inside. He proceeded to go outside, poured some type of flammable liquid on top of a vehicle, and trailed it off into one of the neighboring buildings and then ignited that substance.” Butler is charged with felony arson.
Emmis Communications reports record earnings of $2.90 per share for its latest fiscal quarter, but domestic radio revenues dropped 4% while overall revenues were flat. Emmis reports same-station revenue fell 5% in the quarter, although it’s still pacing up 1% for the year. The earnings boost is largely the result of the sale of three stations to Merlin Media, and a series of transactions by which Emmis repurchased about 65% of its preferred stock at prices well below the face value. Emmis says more advertisers targeted adults than younger demos during its fiscal quarter that ended November 30. With a portfolio of stations that mostly targets 18-34 year olds, the company’s bottom line was negatively affected.
Despite the company’s struggles, Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan says he’s upbeat about its prospects. “It’s been disappointing in terms of our revenue, but I think we’re poised to see 2012 as a breakout year for this company.”
Richard Sutton is named the Global Head of Sales for CBS Interactive Music Group, overseeing the worldwide sales efforts for a portfolio of properties that includes Last.fm, metrolyrics.com, MP3.com and Radio.com. Sutton joins CBS Interactive from WebMD where he was SVP of Consumer Markets. “Having known Rich for more than 15 years I can personally attest to his exceptional understanding of digital sales, and considerable passion for music,” says CBS Interactive President David Goodman. “As the leader of our sales network that spans a diverse range of online and mobile properties both nationally and globally Rich will work closely with his worldwide team to create high value, and performance driven programs for advertisers.”
CBS Radio appoints Peter Bowen Director of Sales in Los Angeles, and Mark Day Director of Sales in Chicago.
Bowen has been DOS in Chicago and moves to Los Angeles, while Day who has been General Sales Manager of WBBM-AM takes over as DOS in the Windy City. Says President of Sales Michael Weiss, “The director of sales position has proven to be a key differentiator for CBS Radio. Our stations are working more efficiently for advertisers who are taking advantage of the collective creative resources and programming choices across a wide portfolio of properties. Under Peter’s direction our Chicago stations have consistently performed at a superior level, and Mark has demonstrated he has the qualifications to take on a more senior level position with the company. These moves are well deserved for two employees who have taken on positions of increasing responsibility their entire careers with CBS Radio. This is a win-win for Peter and Mark.”
Miss Jones is out again. Major Trendz Entertainment has pulled the “Jonesy in the Morning Show” from its syndication lineup. Tarsha “Jonesy” Jones had been hoping to take her show national in syndication after Clear Channel Urban “Power 99″ WUSL-FM, Philadelphia, ousted her following the filing of a second lawsuit against Miss Jones and the station. Her departure from “Power 99″ came a week after a defamation lawsuit filed by a local businesswoman, who claimed that her day care business suffered from a tarnished reputation and resulted in death threats due to Jones’ repeated defamation, misidentifying the businesswoman during a segment of “Jonesy in the Morning.” Now, Major Trendz says her “style of radio is just too risky.” They also cut all online ties with Jones.
Clear Channel Radio Los Angeles will launch a new live and local 3-6pm program, the “David Cruz Show” on News Talk KTLK-AM, January 16. Cruz’s broadcast journalism background spans more than three decades, and includes stints in major market network television news, radio and online media, including NBC-TV Los Angeles where he anchored a daily news program. Says Clear Channel Los Angeles President and Market Manager Greg Ashlock, “This is a fresh new look at Southern California through the eyes of a well-known, veteran network television and radio journalist very familiar with the Latino community in the nation’s second-largest market.” Cruz tells us, “To me, Los Angeles is the place to be on the air. To have this opportunity to join the KTLK family, to speak my mind and hear the thoughts of my fellow Angelenos in this world class, multicultural city is incredibly exciting and energizing.”
Ford’s Internet-connected car, unveiled at CES in Las Vegas this week, features Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio. Ford is the first to launch the iHeartRadio app with voice control using the SYNC AppLink, making iHeartRadio the sixth app for SYNC AppLink that Ford is launching at CES. Clear Channel Digital President Brian Lakamp says their “strategy is to be wherever our listeners want us to be — no matter the device — with the programming and services they expect, and our relationship with Ford is an important piece of that strategy.” He adds, “Now Ford drivers will be able to create their own custom stations, tune in to the leading radio stations from 150 cities and stay connected to their favorite on-air personalities. Through Ford SYNC AppLink, iHeartRadio will offer drivers the ultimate voice-controlled, personal listening experience.”
Nick Cannon had planned to return to his morning show on New York’s “92.3 Now” WXRK-FM this week, but postponed his return saying he wasn’t yet feeling well enough. The station now says he “was released over the weekend to be with his family. He is resting and recovering at home and would like to thank everyone who has expressed concern, well-wishes and prayers. He plans to return to his live morning radio show broadcast Rollin’ with Nick Cannon on 92.3 Now FM on Jan. 17, 6-10 a.m. EST.” Cannon had been moved to a Los Angeles hospital after first being hospitalized in Aspen, Colorado, with “minor kidney failure,” according to his wife Mariah Carey.
Talk WGN-AM, Chicago, is moving up to the 7th floor of Tribune Tower to accommodate a new restaurant moving into its existing first floor space. The station will keep its plaza-level showcase studio, but everything else will move up. Reports from Chicago say sales, programming and administrative personnel will relocate to a new state-of-the-art 7th floor facility by summer. The showcase studio is used by morning host Jonathan Brandmeier. WGN-AM General Manager Tom Langmyer tells the station’s staff in a memo, “Our new location in the building will include a fresher and brighter workspace (as the relocated offices, sales area, news department and studios will have windows as well) and the technical operation and new studios will be fully digital, replacing the current analog equipment, much of which has been in service since WGN moved to the Tower 25 years ago.”
Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman is announced as the recipient of the 2012 Spirit of Life Award from the City of Hope’s Music and Entertainment Industry group. The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious philanthropic honor, presented annually to an entertainment industry leader who has demonstrated outstanding business and altruistic achievement. The award will be presented to Pittman in May at a music-infused gala in California which will also act as a fund raiser for City of Hope. In celebration of his selection, City of Hope has launched a six-month fundraising initiative that will leverage Clear Channel’s broad reach to showcase the power that radio has in communities across the country by engaging local listeners to action. The premise of the drive is to use music to incite emotion and evoke hope for the millions of people suffering from cancer and other critical diseases. Says City of Hope Senior Director of Development Britta Bucholz, “Bob Pittman embodies all that The Spirit of Life Award represents, and Clear Channel has been a longtime supporter of our initiatives, including Pink Channel, Play for Life, Taste of Hope and a variety of online auctions. From Live Aid to the recent iHeartRadio Music Festival, Bob has continually shaped American pop culture.”
America’s Radio News Network adds Rachel Crowson as a news co-anchor. Crowson has worked at the Voice of America and ABC News Radio, and spent a number of years as a reporter and anchor at Metro Networks in Washington, where she also was News Director. Says ARNN CEO Mark Masters, “We welcome Rachel into our exclusive news organization. Her background and demeanor are a perfect match for our non-partisan long-form news programming.” Crowson tells us, “I’m thrilled to join the talented broadcasters at America’s Radio News Network. When I was a kid, my family used to sit around the dinner table and talk about the news of the day. For me, being in the news business is like being at home. I look forward to sitting down with listeners every day to bring them the news and information that matters to them most.”
The syndicated late-night sports talk “Nick and Artie Show” adds several markets with new affiliates including KHTK-AM, Sacramento; KTCT-AM, San Francisco; KILT-AM, Houston; and WMTI-FM in New Orleans. Produced by DirecTV, the Premiere Networks show airs live Monday through Friday from 10pm-1am ET, and is streamed on the show’s website at www.NickandArtie.com. The show features Artie Lange, a former regular on Howard Stern’s show, and Nick DiPaolo, who has made frequent appearances on Stern’s show and Comedy Central.
CBS Radio’s new “All News 99.1” WNEW-FM, Washington DC, announces more hires ahead of the station’s January 19 launch. Jill Schlesinger, Editor-at-Large of CBS MoneyWatch, joins the morning team to provide business news every thirty minutes at :15 and :45 and traffic reporter Lisa Baden will handle traffic reports for the new station’s morning show. The morning team is anchored by the previously announced team of Bill Rehkopf and Amy Morris. WNEW-FM Program Director Rob Sanchez says Schlesinger “has a refreshing, lively, no nonsense approach to reporting business news” and
Baden’s “knowledge and passion are unparalleled in DC traffic reporting.” CBS Radio Washington DC SVP and Market Manager Steve Swenson tells us, “We’ve assembled an impeccable roster of anchors, reporters and production personnel to create all-news 99.1 WNEW, with Lisa and Jill adding strength to an already deep group. From the moment we launch, listeners will hold our talented staff in the same high regard we do, and concur that their background, expertise and delivery is as good, if not better, than any else who broadcasts this format.”
The NAB is now accepting entries for the 2012 Crystal Radio Awards, recognizing outstanding community service. The newly streamlined entry process is now available online, and entries are due by January 31. To qualify, a station must submit an entry describing their community service efforts for the past calendar year. “NAB is proud to recognize the hard work and commitment to community that is demonstrated by local stations,” says NAB EVP of Radio John David. Crystal Radio Awards finalists and winners are chosen by judges with broadcast and community service backgrounds. Entry information is available on NAB’s website.
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