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Volume 24, Issue 96, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
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Wednesday Morning May 16th, 2007
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Radio News ®
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 XM suspends O&A for 30 days
XM Satellite Radio has suspended Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia of "The Opie & Anthony Show" for 30 days, effective immediately. The suspension follows a recent segment that aired on XM (and not the AM and FM stations) where guest "Homeless Charlie" made vulgar remarks about raping and/or having sex with Condoleeza Rice, Laura Bush and Queen Elizabeth (5/14/07 RBR #94). The company said in a press release: "Comments made by Opie and Anthony on [the] broadcast put into question whether they appreciate the seriousness of the matter. The management of XM Radio decided to suspend [them] to make clear that our on-air talent must take seriously the responsibility that creative freedom requires of them." The suspension from O&A's XM show apparently does not affect their syndicated show for broadcast radio stations, which is produced separately - and within the constraints of the FCC's rules against broadcast indecency.
RBR observation: Ok we will say it, XM you did the only thing you could do to CYA.
Citadel peeved at Peak
Peak Broadcasting CEO Todd Lawley has a court battle on his hands with his former employer, Citadel Broadcasting. Citadel has sued Peak, Lawley, four Peak employees and a series of potential John/Jane Doe defendants, charging that they have engaged in a conspiracy to purloin proprietary information and trade secrets from Citadel. The lawsuit was filed in state court in Idaho by Citadel last month, but drew news coverage from the Idaho Statesman newspaper this week after Peak had it transferred to federal court. RBR has obtained a copy of the lawsuit. In it, Citadel charges that "At least as early as July 2006, some four months prior to his resignation and while still serving as a Regional President, unbeknownst to Citadel Broadcasting, Defendant Lawley initiated a scheme to raid the ranks of Citadel Broadcasting employees (and, thereby, cripple Citadel Broadcasting in a host of markets) by recruiting and luring away key employees and managers of the Company to join him in what he was then planning as a new dndeavor at Peak Broadcasting." The suit charges that Lawley was involved in confidential planning by Citadel to bid for the radio stations that CBS Radio had up for sale in Fresno, CA - but that Lawley then improperly used that knowledge for his own successful bid to buy the stations, the first acquisition for Peak. Former Citadel employees now at Peak are also accused of taking a data disc with them and of deleting files before leaving Citadel. In its reply, Peak denies that any such disc exists and denies that any of the defendants made improper use of any Citadel information. It states that all of what Citadel claims is proprietary information is "generally known in the public domain and/or readily ascertainable.
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 Not everyone hates Emmis
CL King analyst Jim Boyle maintains his "strong buy" on the stock. Why? He thinks a sale of WQCD-FM New York is coming at a lofty price, setting the stage for either going private or another big stock buyback. To be sure, Boyle agrees that Emmis' results for the most recent quarter were below expectations and guidance for the current quarter is "dismal." Like others, he has now slashed his revenue estimates for the company. And he makes no bones about Emmis' stock price being relatively expensive when judged against its peers. "Yet you should buy it based on the asset sale, and it triggering a potential take-out," he told clients.
RBR observation: We wait to see the next move by Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan. In Boyle's view, the independent directors at Emmis now have "lower, realistic expectations" than when they rejected Smulyan's buyout offer last year. But first, we wait for a WQCD sale, which Boyle first predicted in a note to clients on April 2nd.
Keeping the heat on food
Advertising for less-than-ideal food aimed at childhood is a hot topic this year in Washington, and Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA) says he wants something on the books with enough teeth to take a bite out of the problem. It looks like Commissioners at the FCC are ready to help him on a bipartisan basis. "The public health implications of childhood obesity warrant action by public officials on number of fronts, including concrete efforts to address the role that televised food advertising during children's programming plays as a contributing factor," said Markey. "While the recently-formed Task Force on Media and Childhood Obesity may in the future provide insightful recommendations for the television industry and the FCC to consider in confronting this issue, any proposals it makes will ultimately be non-binding. Further, the ongoing work of the Task Force does not relieve the Commission of its own statutory role and obligation to safeguard children and the public interest. I continue to believe that the Commission should begin the process of developing a public record on problematic food advertising to children. By starting such a proceeding now, the Commission can assure the public that it is developing an adequate, and timely, policy response to an important health issue."
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin (R) and fellow Republican Deborah Taylor Tate (R), in a joint letter to Markey, said they were awaiting results from the Task Force, but that "...some additional restrictions on the type of advertising that airs during children's programming may be necessary absent sufficient industry guidelines." They added that going after broadcast content alone would not be enough, since the problem is markedly worse on advertiser-supported cable children's fare. Michael Copps (D) said that the FCC's role as guardian of the public interest gives it license to look into the matter and do something about it. He acknowledged that writing new rules on this topic may be tricky, but added, "Simply because this job may be difficult is no excuse for shirking it."
RBR observation: Members of both parties know that it's always good form to "protect our children." Strap in, ladies and gentlemen. This issue is not going to go away any time soon.
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 Murdoch continues mating dance with Dow Jones
Will the courtship succeed? News Corporation CEO Rupert Murdoch has offered the Bancroft family a seat on his company's board of directors, but they remain cool to his five billion bucks offer to buy Dow Jones & Co. Murdoch sent a letter to Bancroft family members making a number of commitments, including the board seat and a commitment to the editorial independence of the Wall Street Journal. While Murdoch said in his News Corporation conference call this month that he respects the privacy of the Bancroft family and doesn't want to negotiate in the press, it looks like at least one recipient of the letter doesn't feel the same way. The full text of the letter was posted on the WSJ website. In it, Murdoch sought to rebuff criticisms that he has a reputation for interfering in the news product of the ventures owned by News Corporation. "Much has been written about me, my family and our company, some flattering, some not; some accurate, most not. Please let me assure you that, first and foremost, I am a newspaper man. I don't apologize for the fact that I have always had strong opinions and strong ideas about newspapers; but I have also always respected the independence and integrity of the news organizations with which I am associated," Murdoch wrote.
RBR observation: While Murdoch has offered 60 bucks a share, or a total of five billion, for Dow Jones & Company, there was no mention of money in the latest letter. Rather, he was trying to sweet talk the Bancrofts and convince them that they would not be selling out their family heritage by doing a deal with him. Will it work? Not so far, but Murdoch has indicated that he will be a patient suitor.
Wide range of topics vie for attention
Increasing unease among Republicans in Congress, highlighted by a visit to the White House by 11 moderate House members, pushed the Iraq policy debate to the top of the charts in the latest Project for Excellence in Journalism coverage chart for 5/6-5/11/07. All media agreed that this was the number one topic except radio, which remained fascinated with the 2008 campaign. That ongoing saga dropped completely off the online and network charts. European politics made a relatively rare appearance on the PEJ chart, with Tony Blair's upcoming exit and elections in France garnering some attention. Two weather events - - tornadoes and fires - -and made the top ten list and two more appeared on individual medium lists - - floods and more fires. There was even a curtain call for Don Imus on the cable chart, no doubt thanks to his plans to get the rest of his cash out of CBS. The biggest story to drop of the chart entirely was coverage of George Tenet's new book.
| Top ten lists here |
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Ad Business Report TM
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 Wine and West Palm
radio spots examined
Media Monitors took a look at wine advertisers, the West Palm Beach market and their use of spot radio. The HD DIGITAL RADIO ALLIANCE was the #1 advertiser on the radio last week with 587 spots. Coming in #2 was WEST PALM BEACH KIA with 456 units, with HOME DEPOT running 377 commercials and coming in 3rd. AT&T was 4th with 368 units, while GEICO was 5th with 353 spots. CHRYSLER-JEEP-DODGE ran 276 in at #6 and BRANDSMART USA in at 7th airing 247 commercials. WPTV-TV 5 clicked into the 8th slot with 229 spots and MAROONE CADILLAC was in 9th position with 219 Spots. THIRD FEDERAL Savings & Loan was in the 10th position. As most radio people know, scoring large advertising campaigns from Wineries has been more of a slow drip rather than a waterfall of spots. Last week, the SPOT TEN for Wineries had WHITEWATER WINERY located in Harrison, Ohio was #1. LAKERIDGE WINERY AND VINEYARDS located in Clermont Florida, was #2. Coming in at #3 was SOARING WINGS VINEYARD, which produces their wine in Springfield, Nebraska. Holding down the 4th slot is NIAGARA WINE TRAIL, which is an association of many wineries in western upstate New York. In at five, BRASSFIELD ESTATE WINERY & VINEYARDS hails out of Clearlake Oaks, California located at the base of the Mendocino National Forest. In at #6 is CHATEAU THOMAS WINERY, which was started by a doctor and is located in Plainfield, Indiana. #7 is CORBETT CANYON VINEYARDS, one of the larger wineries on the SPOT TEN with their base of operation at San Luis Obispo, California. In the 8th position, we have PETRONI VINEYARDS from Sonoma Valley, California and they also boast of being the first vintner to ever successfully produce a truly authentic Tuscan-style 100% organic extra virgin olive oil. In at 9th is THORNTON WINERY located in Temecula, California. And bringing up the 10th position is SUGAR CREEK WINERY & VINEYARDS out of Defiance, Missouri. Clearly, our analysis demonstrates that wine on the radio comes from many different states. On the NATIONAL SPOT TEN from last week, HD DIGITAL RADIO ALLIANCE came in #1 airing 27,130 spots, HOME DEPOT was #2 with 24,479 commercials, GEICO in at 3rd running 27,728 ads, while VERIZON was 4th with 21,847 announcements.
Corus Québec and Cogeco Radio Television
join to create Groupe Force Radio
Mario Cecchini, VP/Montreal operations for Corus Québec, and René Guimond, president and CEO of Cogeco Radio Television, announced the creation of Groupe Force Radio, the largest radio sales organization in Quebec. The companies have decided to consolidate their national sales teams into one company that will begin operation on 6/4. "Our aim in combining the Corus Québec and Cogeco Radio Television Inc. sales teams into Groupe Force Radio is to increase radio usage in Quebec and build on the undeniable marketing strength of 18 stations with complementary formats," stated Mr. Cecchini and Mr. René Guimond. As a one-stop shop for multimarket ad buys, Groupe Force Radio will represent 30 radio stations in Quebec: 5 Cogeco Radio Television stations and 13 Corus Québec stations, as well as 12 stations of its first client, Radio-Nord. Force Radio will reach over 3.3 million listeners each week, or nearly 50% of Quebec's population and will be especially dominant in Montreal and Quebec City.
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| Washington Media Business Report TM |
Please sir, I want some MORA
We were discussing Maurice Hinchey's (D-NY) Media Ownership Reform Act the other day, and since he has it posted prominently on his official Congressional website, we thought we'd pass it along for your scrutiny, behind the click below. His bill would restore the Fairness Doctrine; set national caps, and put local ownership caps at an as-yet-unspecified level; it includes a plank which mirrors Byron Dorgan's (D-ND) Resolution of Disapproval which would overturn the FCC's 6/2/03 ownership rulemaking; establishes a new review process; and requires reporting of public interest activities. Have a look.
| MORA is here |
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| Media Markets & Money TM |
 The trio that Goodman
isn't getting
Dozens upon dozens of stations are going from Clear Channel to GoodRadioTV LLC, but the contract also takes pains to identify three stations that aren't making the move. That isn't to say they aren't moving, though. The fact that they are anticipating city of license changes is what is putting them on the excluded asset list. Two are in Ohio. The contract stipulates that the seller "has filed or will file" to change the city of license and call letters for WSRW-FM Hillsboro and WMRN-FM Marion OH. The same applies to WTRZ-FM McMinnville TN. Marion OH is well to the north of Columbus, and Hillsboro is well east of Cincinnati. McMinnville is not particularly close to any rated territory either, southeast of Nashville and northwest of Chattanooga. It's actually closer to Cookeville, well off to the north. Goodman will help out if anything slows down the moves, however. Should any of the stations still be in their original town as of closing, GoodRadio.TV will see to their care and feeding under terms of a "Local Programming and Marketing Agreement and a Shared Services Agreement."
GoodRadio.TV paperwork filed
Clear Channel and GoodRadio.TV LLC have posted the contract for their massive deal involving numerous small market stations scattered throughout the country. GoodRadio.TV, headed by Dean Goodman and Paul Kasper, is spending 452.1M for the stations. The buyer is backed by American Securities Capital Partners LLC, and a couple of notable names appear on the ownership roster: veteran broadcaster Carl Hirsch and former NAB stalwart Eddie Fritts. The biggest bundle within the bundle is Ohio, featuring 28 stations, and also includes stations in Alabama (5), Alaska (6), Arizona (1), Arkansas (6), Delaware (2), Iowa (4), Kentucky (5), Maine (12), Maryland (6), Minnesota (5), Mississippi (7), Missouri (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (8), New York (17), North Dakota (12), Oklahoma (2), Pennsylvania (11), Tennessee (10), Vermont (3), West Virginia (13) and Wisconsin (7).
RBR observation: Goodman has already inked deals for six stations in Iowa and 15 in Missouri prior to this blockbuster. And keep an eye on this company. We suspect it doesn't have "TV" in its name for nothing, although it has yet to strike in that portion of the broadcasting spectrum.
| Complete station list here |
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| Entertainment Media Business Report TM |
Commercial and noncommercial deal in Boston
In a unique partnership, Greater Media's AAA-formatted WBOS-FM Boston today begins airing newscasts in its "All Music Morning" program - newscasts provided by local noncommercial outlet WGBH-FM. The 90-second newscasts at 15 minutes past each hour will be anchored by Dan Tritle, local "Morning Edition" host for the Cape and Islands NPR Stations of WGBH. How's this work? WBOS Program Director David Ginsburg told RBR that no cash is changing hands. Rather, the WGBH underwriter will get a 15-second credit. WBOS expects to have a sponsor soon, but they will get a name-only mention at the top of the newscast, each of which will begin and end with "for WBOS, this is Dan Tritle in the WGBH newsroom." So, both sides get something from the deal. "WGBH extends their brand and is allowed a 15-second messaging opportunity within the content and WBOS receives content we are not in position to create ourselves," Ginsburg said.
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| Internet Media Business Report TM |
 MySpace Video to
launch branded channels
MySpace announced the launch of a new section within MySpace Video featuring content from the top news and lifestyle brands relevant to the community. In the coming months, MySpace Video will launch "branded channels" for its global network with news outlets including National Geographic, The New York Times, Reuters, and lifestyle outlets including Animation Show, The Daily Reel, Expert Village, Flow, FOX's IGN Entertainment, LX.TV, Octane TV, Kush TV, Ripe TV, Studio411, VBS.tv (from the makers of Vice Magazine), and Young Hollywood. All branded channels will live inside MySpace Video and will contain varying video content offered by each respective partner. In response to user demand, the initial set of MySpace Video branded channels focuses on the categories of news and lifestyle.
Ford signs online ad deal with Specific Media
Specific Media, an interactive media company, announced it has signed an ad commitment with Ford for the automaker's 2007-2008 Lincoln Mercury online advertising initiatives. The upcoming campaign will serve to build brand recognition for several new Lincoln Mercury models including the new MKZ, MKX and Mercury Mariners. After using Specific Media's demographic and behavioral targeting to better reach its users and prospective buyers last year, Ford's decision to make a 12-month media commitment was said to be based on the scalability, accuracy and effectiveness Specific Media delivers.
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| Transactions |
460K WRLV AM & FM Salyersville KY from Wallingford Broadcasting Company Inc. (Kelly D. Wallingford) to Morgan County Industries Inc. (Clifton C. Smith). 20K deposit, balance in cash at closing. Superduopoly with WMOR-AM/WQXX-FM Morehead, WLKS AM & FM West Liberty. [File date 4/18/07.]
400K KPEB-FM CP San Angelo TX; KNIL-FM CP Jackson WY; KKSB-FM CP Scottsbluff NE; KKNM-FM CP Gallup NM; WICE-FM CP Ironwood MI; WMBZ-FM CP Halifax PA; KKWV-FM CP Aransas Pass TX; FM CP Roswell NM; & FM CP Hobbs NM from Broadcasting for the Challenged (George S. Flinn Jr.) to Educational Media Foundation (Richard Jenkins). Promissory note. KPEB-FM San Angelo TX CP is for Class C3 on 90.9 with 15 kw @ 144'; KNIL-FM Jackson WY CP is for Class C3 on 88.3 with 2.35 kw @ 1,073'; KKSB-FM Scottsbluff NE CP is for Class C1 on 89.1 with 100 kw @ 249'; KKNM-FM Gallup NM CP is for Class C2 on 88.1 with 30 kw @ -13'; WICE-FM Ironwood MI CP is for Class C3 on 88.3 with 10 kw @ 515'; WMBZ-FM Halifax PA CP is for Class A on 88.5 with 1 kw @ 420'; KKWV-FM Aransas Pass TX CP is for Class C2 on 88.1 with 45 kw @ 469'; FM CP Roswell NM CP is for Class C1 on 91.7 with 55 kw @ 174'; FM CP Hobbs NM CP is for Class C2 on 90.9 with 50 kw @ 223'. [File date 4/18/07.]
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| Stock Talk |
Stocks surge, then fall back
Good news on the inflation front in the Labor Department's CPI report sent stocks shooting skyward on Tuesday, but then news of a deteriorating housing market from the National Association of Homebuilders brought them crashing back to earth. In the end, the Dow Industrials finished up 37 points, or 0.3%, at 13,384, but other major indices were in negative territory.
Radio stocks fell. The Radio Index was down 1.242, or 0.8%, at 155.587. cox Radio was down 3.4% and Salem fell 3.1%.
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| Radio Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Tuesday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
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Arbitron
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ARB
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48.25
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-0.21
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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25.35
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-0.24
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Beasley
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BBGI
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8.99
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-0.01
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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13.32
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-0.20
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| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
 |
31.73
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-0.14
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Lincoln Natl.
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LNC
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74.46
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+0.88
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| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
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31.75
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-0.12
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Radio One, Cl. A
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ROIA
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7.03
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-0.11
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| Citadel |
CDL |
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8.30 |
-0.07 |
Radio One, Cl. D
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ROIAK
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7.02
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-0.15
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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37.81
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+0.12
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Regent
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RGCI
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3.38
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-0.01
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Cox Radio
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CXR
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13.95
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-0.49
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Saga Commun.
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SGA
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9.20
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-0.04
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Cumulus
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CMLS
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9.26
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+0.01
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Salem Comm.
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SALM
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11.44
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-0.36
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Disney
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DIS
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35.94
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-0.04
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Sirius Sat. Radio
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SIRI
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2.73
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-0.04
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Emmis
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EMMS
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10.16
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+0.16
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Spanish Bcg.
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SBSA
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3.91
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+0.01
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| Entercom |
ETM
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26.28
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-0.14
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SWMX
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SMWX
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0.26
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+0.03
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Entravision
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EVC
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9.49
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-0.16
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Westwood One
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WON
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7.15
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-0.02
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Fisher
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FSCI
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48.42
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-0.52
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XM Sat. Radio
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XMSR
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10.62
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-0.27
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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 [email protected]
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Below the Fold
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Ad Business Report
Corus Québec and
Cogeco Radio Television join to create Groupe Force Radio...
Media Markets & Money
GoodRadio.TV paperwork filed
Clear Channel & GoodRadio.TV LLC posted the contract for their deal...
Entertainment Media
Business Report
Commercial and noncommercial
Deal in Boston, a unique partnership...
Internet Media Business Report
MySpace Video
To launch branded channels...
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Stations for Sale
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NE Louisiana FM
Great stand alone market!
Offered at 6 X 2006 BCF
[email protected]
(303)758-6900
 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
June Barnes
[email protected]
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More News Headlines
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Tribune completes
Hoy NY sale
Tribune Company has completed its sale of the New York edition of Hoy to ImpreMedia, the publisher of El Diario/La Prensa (2/13/07 RBR #30). Tribune said it would record a pretax gain on the sale, but has not disclosed the price. Tribune continues to publish Hoy daily in LA and Chicago, but they are now more closely aligned with the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. Tribune also publishes weekly newspapers in Spanish in Orlando and South Florida.
Shaffer heads to radio
After 25 years as David Letterman's musical director and sidekick, Paul Shaffer is finally getting his own show (but he's not giving up his night job). Envision Radio Networks and Paul Shaffer Enterprises have launched "Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock," a daily 60-second vignette. The program is being offered to stations on a barter basis.
Jerry Falwell dead at 73
Long time radio and TV televangelist Jerry Falwell died yesterday at age 73 in Lynchburg, the hometown he never left while becoming a national religious and political figure. Falwell launched the "Old Time Gospel Hour" program in 1956, the same year he founded Thomas Road Baptist Church. He founded Liberty University in 1971. According to a statement from the university, "Rev. Falwell was found unconscious in his office around 11:30 a.m., by members of his staff and received immediate resuscitation efforts there, again in the ambulance and at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was officially pronounced dead at 12:40 p.m."
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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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Analysts pile on after Emmis miss
The analysts' comments couldn't have been much worse than what Jeff Smulyan had to say about his own company's performance in Friday's quarterly conference call, so it is not surprising that forward revenue estimates for Emmis Communications have been cut after the company came in under expectations for its fiscal Q4 (December-February). As we reported (5/14/07 RBR #94), the big problems for Emmis are in two markets - and those are giant markets, New York and Los Angeles. (Total report on this page of RBR)
05/15/07 RBR #95
Future bleak for paid
video downloads
The paid video download market is a dead end, according to a report from Forrester Research. Forrester estimates that paid video downloads will peak in 2007, generating 279 million bucks in revenue, up from 98 million last year. That sounds like fantastic growth, but the report says it is all over.
RBR note: This study is interesting but more informative of the junkies that buy and use content. For details see RBR's Ratings & Research section in this issue.
05/15/07 RBR #95
2007-08 Pre-Upfront
Programming Report
Carat USA's just-issued Pre-upfront Programming Report which examines the primetime development slate NBC this was compiled before the NBC unveiling, so check out what didn't get picked up, as much as what did! Currently ranked fourth in Households, Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54. While the addition of Sunday Night Football contributed to ratings momentum in the fourth quarter, the network experienced severe declines during first quarter 2007. NBC is laying the groundwork one show at a time for a reversal of ratings misfortune. Substantial investment continues to be made in development. The network is actively seeking innovative programming that can not be found anywhere else on Network Television. (For the complete analysis and what NBC is line-up will be this fall see Ad Business Report section in TVBR)
05/15/07 TVBR #95
Challenging times for Emmis
With troubles continuing for its New York and LA stations, Emmis Communications reported revenues down 4.6% to 78.6 million bucks for the final quarter of its fiscal year and told Wall Street that the current quarter will be down in the mid to high single digits for its radio group. The words "challenge," "challenging" and "challenged" came up repeatedly.
RBR observation: On the programming side - Challenge, Challenging are true words but only words. Face it, NYC, Chicago and LA are the big leagues and it takes top programming, talent, creative thinking with strong promotion and marketing dollars to win. Plus two other C words - Consistency and Commitment.
05/14/07 RBR #94
2007-08 Pre-Upfront
Programming Report
Take a look at Carat USA's just-issued Pre-upfront Programming Report which examines the primetime development slate for the upcoming 2007/2008 season. Written by Shari Anne Brill, Carat USA VP/director of programming, here's an inside look at the new series programming that have been under consideration. Today, it's CBS: CBS is currently ranked first in Households, Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 despite ratings declines across all three demographic categories. While the network remains in the running for a second place finish in Adults 18-49 it is down by nearly 8% versus YAG. (Details in this report page of TVBR)
05/14/07 TVBR #94
Q2 a worry for radio
Now that pretty much everyone has reported their Q1 results, the word from those conference calls is that Q2 revenues are not very encouraging. Is this another year of "just wait until the second half?" Industry giant Clear Channel indicated last month that Q2 was pacing down (4/27/07 RBR #83), meaning that it will have another quarter with radio revenues still down from the equivalent period of 2004, before Less is More. Other radio companies have said much the same thing in their conference calls, that Q2 is looking soft, or, at best, flat. Cumulus is in the flat camp.
RBR observation: Other than Ed Christian at Saga, who is promising that the second half of 2007 will look better for his company primarily because it is getting the expense side under control, we are not hearing radio CEOs telling Wall Street to just wait, because the second half is going to be a lot better. Rather, what we're hearing is that it is difficult to project out a month, let along a quarter or the rest of the year because ad buys are coming in late and traditional patterns are just not to be found. Christian noted that there is just no rhyme or reason to business trends. Some markets are up and others are down, with no clear-cut explanation for either case. The only advice we can offer is to stick to your knitting and focus on delivering results for your local clients. At least at the local level there are steps you can take to control your own destiny. National business continues to be so volatile that we wonder how Stu Olds and David Kennedy manage to keep their blood pressure under control.
05/11/07 RBR #93
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