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Volume 24, Issue 127, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
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Friday Morning June 29th, 2007
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Radio News ®
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 Fairness Doctrine handed
strong rebuke in US House
Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), a former radio talk show host, may be on the minority side of the aisle in the US House of Representatives, but he was clearly in the majority with the amendment he introduced to bar the FCC from using any federal funds to reinstate the so-called "Fairness Doctrine." The amendment to an appropriations bill was adopted last night by an overwhelming 309-115 vote. Most of the recent talk about reinstating the Fairness Doctrine, which the FCC eliminated in 1987, has come from Democrats in the Senate, but last night's vote showed that party members in the House were less enamored of the idea. "This House will say what some in the other body are not saying, that we believe in freedom on the airwaves. We reject the doctrines of the past that would have this federal government manage political speech on the public airwaves," Pence said in pitching his amendment. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA) had recently made statements calling for the return of the Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcasters to provide equal time for views opposed to those which had been aired. NAB had told lawmakers that bringing back the Fairness Doctrine was "unnecessary, unwarranted and unconstitutional." The broadcast trade organization was quick to praise the House vote. "Complementing the absolute explosion in alternative media outlets since the Fairness Doctrine was eliminated, broadcast viewers and listeners today enjoy a rich diversity of viewpoints from all sides of the political spectrum. We salute House members who today stood with our nation's Founding Fathers and embraced a robust press that is free and unfettered from government interference," said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton.
FCC puts key XM/Sirius question before the public
The language used by the FCC at the birth of the two big DARS companies, XM and Sirius, would appear to rule out a merger between the two. The FCC is now asking for commentary as to whether or not that language "constitutes a binding Commission rule" and if so, wonders if "the Commission should waive, modify or repeal the prohibition in the event that the Commission determines that the proposed merger, on balance, would serve the public interest." Here's part of the FCC's original language: "Even after DARS licenses are granted, one licensee will not be permitted to acquire control of the other remaining satellite DARS license. This prohibition on transfer of control will help assure sufficient continuing competition in the provision of satellite DARS service." XM/Sirius are arguing that this constitutes not a rule or a regulation but rather a "policy statement," and ask that whatever necessary is done to it to make the merger possible. The FCC is taking commentary within 30 days of publication in the Federal Register, with an extra 15 days for reply comments. The NAB's Dennis Wharton has already offered a comment, saying "NAB is pleased the FCC is asking tough questions about this proposed government-sanctioned monopoly. We're hopeful that in the final analysis, regulators will conclude that competition serves consumers better than a monopoly, particularly when XM and Sirius have said repeatedly that they are not failing businesses."
RBR observation: Your average DARS-owning citizen would look at the phrase "prohibition on transfer of control" and go to work building the business as is. Only a lawyer could look at that phrase and see that it leaves a wide open hole for a merger. They're arguing that's because it wasn't put into the Code of Federal Regulations. Anyway, it's your chance to weigh in once the proceeding is opened. It's in MB Docket No. 07-57.
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 Heavy hitter backs XM/Sirius
Economist and former FCC Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth has written a piece called "An Economic Review of the Proposed Merger of XM and Sirius," presented to the FCC under commission from the prospective newlyweds. Under these circumstances, it will probably not come as a major surprise that he finds the merger palatable. Furchtgott-Roth is a free marketer, who became a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute after leaving the FCC, and founded his own company, Furchtgott-Roth Economic Enterprises. He said, "After studying various economic factors and potential changes in competing communications services, I conclude that American consumers have a wide and rapidly expanding range of choices for communications services that compete with XM and Sirius. Additionally, these competitive choices discipline the prices that XM and Sirius charge subscribers today and will continue to do so regardless of whether the firms merge. I believe that government agencies should afford these companies the flexibility "to respond to rapidly changing market conditions."
RBR observation: If both companies are solvent, why shouldn't we benefit from their competition "to respond to rapidly changing market conditions?" Who will respond the best? Won't competition make both companies better? The truth is that companies hate competition - it's much easier if you have the market to yourself - and that's why we have antitrust laws and government watchdogs to make sure the natural corporate desire to eliminate competition is countered. It does not appear that Furchtgott-Roth has added anything new to the equation. He says it's crazy out there - he's right - but it's crazy for everybody. He says XM and Sirius should be allowed to merge - he's wrong.
Different town, same complaints
The FCC traveling road show on localism rolled into Portland, ME last night - and if you were expecting any new insights, you haven't been paying attention. Chairman Kevin Martin was unable to make the Maine trip, so ranking Commissioner Michael Copps served as host. AFTRA sent RBR an advance copy of testimony by retired WBZ-TV Boston anchor Shelby Scott, who is also a former National President of the union. "Here, in Portland, and in local communities across New England, the erosion of meaningful rules governing ownership of newspapers and broadcast stations has been a disaster for localism," she complained, arguing against any repeal of the newspaper-broadcast crossownership rule. Scott also railed against LMA's charging that being able to lease WILD-FM Boston from Radio One before receiving the actual license allowed it to "emaciate" the station before local residents had a chance to object to the silencing of a long-time voice of the African-American community.
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FTC urges slow going on net neutrality
The Federal Trade Commission has recommended that Congress use a light touch when broaching the issue of internet access and network neutrality. It put a special FTC task force on the case, and the task force has put out a report called "Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy." FTC Chair Deborah Platt Majoras summarized its recommendations, saying, "This report recommends that policy makers proceed with caution in the evolving, dynamic industry of broadband Internet access, which generally is moving toward more - not less - competition. In the absence of significant market failure or demonstrated consumer harm, policy makers should be particularly hesitant to enact new regulation in this area." The FTC notes that in its estimation, the jury is still out on significant issues, and that "...certain conduct and business arrangements that broadband providers may pursue, including data prioritization, exclusive deals, and vertical integration into online content and applications, can benefit consumers." In a release, the FTC noted, "The primary reason for caution is simply that we do not know what the net effects of potential conduct by broadband providers will be on all consumers, including, among other things, the prices that consumers may pay for Internet access, the quality of Internet access and other services that will be offered, and the choices of content and applications that may be available to consumers in the marketplace."
RBR observation: Supporters of network neutrality would argue that enforcing it is not adding new regulation, it is retaining the existing protocol, which holds that Internet providers are the same as a phone company which may not prioritize one phone call over another. In using the words vertical integration and prioritization, Platt Majoras is probably igniting the worst fears of net neutrality supporters. When the issue has come up in Congress, Democrats have tended to support the neutrality concept with some support from across the aisle, all of which would indicate that this battle is far from over.
 Luntz to deliver the Word
in Charlotte
Author and consultant Frank Luntz will keynote the NAB Radio Show in Charlotte. Expounding on his book, "Words that Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear," Luntz will offer attendees insight into how word choice can positively impact their station. Luntz has been named one of four "Top Research Minds" by BusinessWeek, and among "50 of America's most promising leaders aged 40 and under," by Time magazine. Over the past decade Luntz has written, supervised and conducted more than 1,500 surveys, focus groups and dial sessions in over twenty countries. He has administered focus groups for numerous media outlets, including ABC, CBS and NBC, and won an Emmy Award in 2001 for his recurring segments on MSNBC and CNBC entitled "100 Days and 1,000 voices." The keynote address on Thursday, September 27th will follow opening remarks by NAB President and CEO David Rehr.
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Ad Business Report TM
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RAEL: radio ads have emotional impact equal to TV ads
According to new research based on advanced physiological testing, radio ads have emotional impact on consumers that is equal to that of television ads. The Radio Ad Lab released the new study, Engagement, Emotions, and the Power of Radio, at the Interep Mid-Year Radio Symposium yesterday in NYC.
| Read More... |
 HD Radio multicasts to add spots in 2008
iBiquity CEO Bob Struble told attendees at the Interep Radio Symposium yesterday he expects HD Digital Radio Alliance stations to begin to introduce various forms of advertising on HD multicast channels early next year. As has been speculated, not all will use the traditional spot method. Some multicast channels may have sponsorship hours; some may be brokered out or branded ("The Starbucks Channel" or "Circuit City Channel") to start pulling ROI. "HD multicast networks" where new formats targeting narrow demos might be offered across multiple markets as well. Other ways to monetize HD include Conditional Access, which Broadcast Electronics is spearheading with new gear and advertising via program associated data. As well, there are plenty of digital and texting options. For example, Clear Channel is creating a digital specialized traffic reporting service that it expects to sell for five bucks a month. More from The Interep Radio Symposium on Monday.
Three radio campaigns score Grand Prix Lions at Cannes
The awards giving kicked into high gear at the recent Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival as judges handed out 172 Lions, including three best-of-show Grand Prix, in the radio, outdoor and media-buying ad categories. Competition in these categories, among the nine being judged this week, was up significantly: Radio entries were up 23%, media submissions rose 13%, and outdoor ads 9%. Judges reviewed a total of 7,692 entries from around the world to pick the winners, according to USA Today. The Radio jury president says the category's entries are up because marketers are re-evaluating all media. "Agencies and advertisers are turning attention to radio," David Guerrero, chairman and chief creative officer of BBDO Guerrero Ortega in the Philippines told the paper. "It's one of the great areas of possibility." The US scored Gold Lions for radio ads with Combos Pretzels and Bud Light. Combos ads by TBWA/Chiat/Day play off its TV ads that show what the world would be like with men as moms. Bud Light ads by DDB Chicago feature the voice of Pete Stacker paying tribute to everyday men such as "Mr. Really Loud Cellphone Guy" and "Mr. Enormous SUV Driver." The series that started in 2000 on radio in the United Kingdom now has won two Grand Prix at Cannes. But it was an Australian ad for U.S.-based Masterfoods' Snickers candy that won the Grand Prix. In it, two singing cowboys try to outdo each crooning about funny things they ate to satisfy their hunger.
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| Media Business Report TM |
 HM buying up yellow pages
HM Capital Partners LLC (formerly Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst), a Dallas-based private equity firm, announced a deal to acquire Phone Directories Company LP, one of the largest independent providers of yellow page directories in North America for an undisclosed price. This is the third yellow pages acquisition for HM in recent years. It previously bought Yell from British Telecom in 2001 and Phone Directories Canada (renamed Canpages) from PDC in December 2005. Headquartered in Orem, Utah, PDC has been in the directories publishing business for more than 37 years and publishes directories in 137 markets across the Western and Midwestern United States, distributing more than eight million copies. The acquisition of PDC is the first investment by HM Capital's Sector Performance Fund LP.
RBR observation: Are we missing something here? What is the advantage in consolidating a dying business? Who in the Internet generation even thinks of using the yellow pages? As much as the Internet has hurt all sorts of media, it looks like it should take just a few more years to wipe out the printed yellow pages completely - and their related websites have lots and lots of new competitors.
Carat revises US ad spending forecast downward
Carat revised its 2007 U.S. ad spending forecast downward slightly to 5.1% growth. In December, the company had projected a growth rate of 5.2%. Carat forecasts U.S. ad demand to rise to 5.6% next year, compared with 4.9% in 2006. Carat expects 6.4% growth in global ad spend in 2008, largely fuelled by China, and maintained its global estimates for this year at 5.8%, down on the previous year's 5.9%.The biggest growth will come from online, while newspapers will be the slowest-growing segment. Carat also projected increasing ad spend from new technologies, including 3G (wireless), HD Radio and IP (Internet Protocol) TV. Digital investment remains the single biggest driver of growth in every region and country, with the next two fastest growing media being out-of-home and cinema. China is forecast to see 2007 growth of 20.9%, more than three times faster than the global advertising industry. The 2008 figure for China is 23.1%.
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| Media Markets & Money TM |
EMF continues to expand
There seems to be no end to Educational Media Foundation's appetite for radio stations. It has another deal submitted to the FCC, this time for KVRN-FM in Marvell AR. It's in the reserved band at 90.7 MHz, and is coming from East Arkansas Educational Foundation of Phillips County for 300K. The station is well-away from rated territory, not far from the Mississippi River about 60 miles southwest of Memphis.
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| Washington Media Business Report TM |
 Clear Channel deal put on notice
The 452.1M sale of 187 radio stations from Clear Channel to GoodRadio.TV has been put into permit-but-disclose ex parte status by the FCC for the purpose of gathering commentary as to whether the deal should be allowed or not. It also includes stations subsequently parked in the Leibowitz Station Trust by GoodRadio.TV since Clear Channel cannot transfer grandfather status along with some of the possibly over-sized market clusters involved in the main deal. The normal deadline for a petition to deny on the Clear Channel-to-GoodRadio.TV expired 6/18/07, and is set to expire on 7/5/07 for the Liebowitz portion. But the FCC has decided that opening the proceeding up on an ex parte basis would serve the public interest.
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| Internet Media Business Report TM |
The day after the "Day of Silence"
On Tuesday thousands of Internet radio stations across America turned silent in symbolic protest of the increase in royalty rates proposed by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB). Bridge Ratings conducted two studies in association with Tuesday's "Day of Silence" to gauge what impact this movement would have. The second study was based on Wednesday when Internet Radio returned. 89% of the panel indicated that they had listened to Internet radio - a significant increase over Tuesday. One can conclude from this data that Tuesday's "Day of Silence" did have a significant impact on listening though 45% of the sample still found Internet radio stations to listen to even if their primary Internet Radio stream of choice was not available. Despite this finding, a significant number of Internet Radio fans sought out alternatives to their primary stream. Bridge then asked the entire sample of Internet radio listeners if they found their primary Internet radio station silent on Tuesday's "Day of Silence". 62% of the respondents indicated they had. Also on Tuesday, Bridge asked the 62% who found their primary Internet station silent on Tuesday, what action they took when they found that station silent. 72% stated that they tuned to an Internet radio station that was streaming while 23% didn't listen to Internet radio that day.
 Streaming media advertising forecast at 1.4 billion for 2007
Streaming media (audio and video) advertising is on course to deliver a 1.37 billion market in 2007, up 38% over 2006, according to the latest report by AccuStream iMedia Research. "Streaming Media Advertising 2003 - 2008: Market Spend by Avail, Brand and Content Category," breaks down the multiple revenue components driving growth for the period 2003-2008, both by video category (including UGV-user generated video) and Internet music radio. AccuStream estimates inventory of 1.4-1.6 billion pre roll avails being sold against 2.1-2.7 billion streams/progressive download views per month inside professional, ad supported content areas (excluding UGV). Pre roll is forecast to make up 26.7% of gross video ad spend in 2007 (excluding pre roll or interstitial units sold against long-form content), and 28.5% in 2008. By contrast, embedded or in-page placements make up an estimated 58.8% of gross billings in 2007, and forecast at 55.9% in 2008. Based on demand indicators, including high sell out rates, rich CPMs and trained cross-platform sales teams, inventory sold against long-form TV shows published by major networks will grow substantially through 2008. In game video ads are forecast to grow faster than the overall market. UGV is expected to generate noteworthy ad dollars, particularly from embedded video placements, but continued hesitation on the part of brands and agencies to tackle the chaos of the category suggests incremental steps toward mainstream exploitation. CPC (cost per interactive click) applications which enable screen over lays and or crawls are being deployed and finding some traction, and could become regular features on larger aggregated catalog sites such as Amazon.com, music video sites and premium content sites published by the networks.
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| Ratings & Research |
 Study details
"Youth-fluentials"
A new survey/study points to the powerful influence a segment of youth aged 10 to 18-dubbed "Youth-fluentials"-has on the products and brands their families and friends purchase. The study, conducted by Burson-Marsteller in partnership with Penn, Schoen and Berland, uncovered the influence of youth-driven word-of-mouth on purchasing decisions amongst their peers and parents. While it's not surprising that nearly 100% of Youth-fluentials believe they influence their friends' decisions about clothes and music, more than 80% hold sway over their parents' decisions regarding key product areas as far ranging as electronics and food. 89% of Youth-fluentials say their friends influence their day-to-day decisions as compared to only 61% of youth overall. 86% say that their parents influence their day-to-day life decisions. Some 75% spend their own money on magazines, DVDs, clothes and shoes as well as pricier items such as cell phones, electronics and concert tickets. Youth-fluentials cite affordability as critical when shopping for lower cost items such as beverages (97%) and fast food (90%). 88% are more likely to pay attention to a brand or product if sent a coupon. 73% spend time hanging out with their friends while only 58% spend time interacting on sites such as MySpace and Facebook. The total sample of youths is even more indicative of this; 81% of all kids are spending time with friends while only 39% spend time on MySpace or Facebook Web sites. Magazines (76%), TV (71%) and radio (70%) remain the primary source for information and entertainment for this age group. Importantly, this audience will engage with all these media in a single day and often simultaneously. Youth-fluentials are much more likely to respond positively to a brand when that brand is showcased through community events (82%). Such events are more motivating than magazine (79%), television (77%), newspaper (71%) or online advertising (65%).
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| Transactions |
652K KJDJ-AM San Luis Obispo CA from Padre Serra Communications Inc. (Jaime Bonilla Valdez) to Centro Crisitano Vida Abundante Inc. (Manuel S. Sanchez Sr., Leopoldo Avila, Eva G. Avila, Maria Vasquez, Miguel Corona). 452K prepaid, 200K cash at closing. LMA 3/12/07. Buyer is noncommercial entity. [File date 6/7/07.]
N/A WXTC-AM Charleston SC from Citadel Broadcasting Company (Farid Suleman) to Apex Broadcasting Inc. (G. Dean Pearce, Voncile R. Pearce, Houston L. Pearce). Swap for Apex-owned tower in Tuscaloosa AL, plus Apex will pay Citadel 70K cash. Superduopoly with WAVF-FM, WXST-FM & WIHB-FM. LMA 6/1/07.Citadel retains several stations in the Charleston SC market. [File date 6/6/07.]
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| Stock Talk |
Traders unimpressed by Fed
Stock prices moved up after the Fed announced that it was leaving rates unchanged, but the gains didn't hold and the market closed mixed. The Dow Industrials were down five points to 13,422, while the Nasdaq Composite was up slightly and the S&P 500 down slightly.
Radio stocks, though, had a good day. The Radio Index rose 0.546, or 0.4%, to 158.444. Citadel led the charge, up 3.1%, with no news about the company. Entercom rose 2.7%.
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| Radio Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Thursday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
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Arbitron
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ARB
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52.37
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-0.13
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Google
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GOOG
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525.01
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-1.28
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Beasley
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BBGI
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8.67
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unch
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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24.07
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+0.29
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| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
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33.23
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+0.16
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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13.10
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-0.03
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| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
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33.23
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+0.18
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Lincoln Natl.
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LNC
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71.04
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+0.05
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| Citadel |
CDL |
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6.29 |
+0.19 |
Radio One, Cl. A
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ROIA
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7.05
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-0.11
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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37.71
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+0.19
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Radio One, Cl. D
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ROIAK
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7.06
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-0.08
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Cox Radio
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CXR
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14.71
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+0.16
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Regent
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RGCI
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3.27
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-0.05
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Cumulus
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CMLS
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9.45
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+0.15
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Saga Commun.
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SGA
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9.75
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+0.11
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Debut Bcg.
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DBTB
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1.70
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unch
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Salem Comm.
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SALM
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11.09
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-0.35
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Disney
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DIS
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33.85
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-0.42
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Sirius Sat. Radio
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SIRI
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3.02
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+0.05
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Emmis
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EMMS
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9.22
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-0.20
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Spanish Bcg.
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SBSA
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4.43
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-0.09
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Entercom
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ETM
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24.75
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+0.66
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SWMX
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SMWX
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0.18
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+0.04
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Entravision
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EVC
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10.53
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+0.11
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Westwood One
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WON
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7.30
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+0.01
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Fisher
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FSCI
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51.23
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-0.10
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XM Sat. Radio
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XMSR
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11.56
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+0.28
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Bounceback
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 We want to
hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments and
a photo to radionews@rbr.com
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Below the Fold
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Ad Business Report
Radio ads have emotional impact
RAEL: reveals the real results...
Media Business Report
Carat revises US ad spending
Their forecast now turns downward...
Internet Media Business Report
Streaming media advertising
Forecast at 1.4 billion for 2007...
Ratings & Research
Youth-fluentials
Survey/study points to the powerful influence segment of youth aged 10 to 18...
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Stations for Sale
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Hispanic Stations-Connecticut
Two full-time established AM stations serving the Hartford & Bridgeport Markets.
Contact Dick Kozacko,
Kozacko Media Services
607-733-7138, rkozacko@stny.rr.com
Radio Print Combo NEast
3 revenue streams AM/FM
print package. Asking 1.75M
Inquiries 781-848-4201 or
e-mail: salesgroup@beld.net
WEB radiostationsforsale.net
 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
June Barnes
jbarnes@rbr.com
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Radio Media Moves
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 Lott to Philly
Wade Lott has been named General Sales Manager of Clear Channel's WRFF-FM Philadelphia. He had held the same position at WFMS-FM Indianapolis, owned by Cumulus Media Partners.
Beach front anchors
Michael Woulfe and Gerrard Campbell have joined James Crystal Holdings' WFTL-AM Ft. Lauderdale to co-anchor morning drive news. Woulfe was formerly at WIOD-AM Miami and Campbell at WJNO-AM West Palm Beach.
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More News Headlines
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XM grabs
NHL exclusivity
Even with their merger pending, there is still a bit of competition between XM and Sirius. XM has now pushed Sirius out of the pro hockey arena, becoming the "exclusive satellite radio home of the NHL." We see the deal as having the most impact in Canada, where XM's affiliate has trailed its Sirius rival in attracting subscribers. To that end, the announcement from XM did not quote any of its US executives, but rather its partner from north of the border. "We are excited with this new partnership, and as the only satellite radio provider to air NHL games, XM will continue to be the premier destination for hockey fans across Canada," said John Bitove, Chairman and CEO of XM Canada. The 2007-08 NHL season will mark XM's third season of NHL coverage, but it will no longer have to share the league schedule with Sirius. XM and the NHL have a long-term broadcast partnership, through 2015. As the exclusive satellite radio partner of the NHL, XM is officially rebranding the Home Ice channel to NHL Home Ice.
Hurricanes
switch flagships
Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC) and the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL announced an agreement giving broadcast rights to CBC's station, WCMC-FM "99.9 Genuine Country" Raleigh, to air all 82 regular season games beginning with the 2007-08 season. The team's games had previously aired on Curtis Media's WWMY-FM.
EMI buyout
stuck in neutral
Wednesday's tender deadline for the proposed 4.7 billion bucks buyout of EMI Group by the Terra Firma private equity group found only 3.53% of the outstanding shares had been tendered. Apparently most shareholders are still waiting to see if Warner Music Group will come up with a topper bid (6/12/07 RBR #114). With little other choice, Terra Firma has now extended its tender offer until July 4th.
RBR observation: The other choice for Terra Firma, though, is to walk away. If Warner Music Group doesn't get its act together and actually make a bid, EMI shareholders could be left with no buyer. EMI's stock has been trading above the Terra Firma offer price, but the price could plunge if there is suddenly no bidder at all.
Alabama
stations deploying
"ALERT FM"
Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) announced that five radio stations in Alabama are among the first in the state to deploy a local platform for ALERT FM, an FM-based digital alert and messaging system. The Alabama Broadcasters Association joined GSS for this announcement and encouraged local broadcasters to support the ALERT FM system as a demonstration of their commitment to first responders, businesses and citizens. ALERT FM incorporates RDS technology to send digital info using conventional FM radio infrastructure. Targeted alerts and messages are delivered by satellite to FM broadcast towers and can be received on ALERT FM receivers and other mobile devices, including PDAs, cell phones and other specialized receivers equipped with FM chips. Following a presidential directive to improve the nation's emergency alert capability, Mississippi broadcasters and emergency management officials were the first in the nation to fully deploy ALERT FM for instantaneous alert and messaging. Associations of broadcasters in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida unanimously support the system.
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RBR Radar 2007
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Radio News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
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Again, More on Clear Channel's Hawaiian farewell
We have more on the Clear Channel license parking project currently being processed by the Federal Communications Commission. The licenses are all headed to Aloha Station Trust LLC under the oversight of Jeanette Tully. Today's data dump includes radio stations representing 13 markets in 11 states. Check that: Another document came in on 6/27/07 for one single station, WPHB-FM, serving the Panama Beach FL market from its city of license of Port St. Joe FL. That brings the total of the parking project to four television stations and 124 radio stations.
RBR observation: We would like to point out our admirable restraint thus far in avoiding making any jokes, observations or allusions linking the name Jeanette Tully and that of the classic British rock outfit known as Jethro Tull. Jeanette Tully. Jethro Tull. See? Unlinked. You can thank us later.
06/28/07 RBR #126
Kitchin exiting
Premiere Radio Networks
RBR bulletin first reported, Kraig Kitchin, President/COO Premiere Radio Networks has resigned. Kraig and Katz Media CEO Stu Olds were gathered at CCU HQ in San Antonio Wednesday for a meeting to hammer out the details. Charlie Rahilly will take over the top job at Premiere. He is currently Executive VP/Operations at CC Radio and its non-traditional revenue chief.
RBR observation: Perhaps he just got a better job offer. There are some big openings possibly right now in the network radio business - Westwood and potentially ABC Radio Networks, depending on what Citadel decides to do with its new division - but neither seems to fit with his comment on his next job being more "narrowly focused." We wait to see what's up.
06/28/07 RBR #126
Coen lowers expectations
for 2007 ad spending
Advertising guru Bob Coen is less optimistic now than he was back in December when he issued his ad spending forecast for 2007. The Universal McCann forecaster now expects US ad spending to grow only 3.1% this year, down from his previous prediction of 4.8% growth. Coen noted in his mid-year update, saying that consolidation of many retailers has hurt local ad spending. But he'd been so negative about local radio going into this year, that it is one of only two local media categories (yellow pages is the other) where he has boosted his forecast. He now expects local radio revenues to be up 2% this year, rather than 1%, while local ad spending across all media rises only 1.1%, down from his previous forecast of 2.7%. Coen is not so upbeat about national radio ad sales (network and national spot combined),
06/27/07 RBR #125
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Local Sales Manager
KFAN, Twin Cities, home of the Vikings and the leader in Sports radio has opening for a Sports Leader LSM. Minneapolis-St. Paul is a Top 20 Metro market (#16) and year after year, in quality of life studies, we are listed as one of the nation's best. Have what it takes to win when in the Red Zone then join our Sports Team and KFAN-AM 1130 as we go helmet to helmet. Qualifications and where to send resume, cover letter see Radio Careers
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