Stern defended in NYT

Adam Cohen penned an op-ed piece for the New York Times entitled "Fighting for Free Speech Means Fighting for...Howard Stern." To take last things first, Cohen notes that the indecency flap has added more serious tones to Stern's daily broadcasts. "More uplifting content than usual, but it is taking Mr. Stern's time and energy away from sphincters, flatulence and all the other vulgarities he has a constitutional right to obsess about."

In fact, the FCC's remarks concerning "repeated flatulence sound effects" in a Stern broadcast caused Cohen to name it "...the whoopie cushion doctrine." He continues, "It is hard to believe that the government now regards flatulence jokes, the lamest staple of gag gift stores, as grounds for taking away a broadcast license."

Cohen freely admits that Stern is tasteless, but says that is precisely why he needs defending. He argues that Clear Channel dropped him not because of the programming, but because of the fines.

Most disturbing, to Cohen, is the addition of the word "profanity" to the FCC's hit list, and change which could conceivably land a station in hot water for a commonplace statement such as "go to hell."

He goes on. "While making its criteria hopelessly vague, the FCC is removing longstanding protections that give speakers breathing room. While the law has long said that violations must be 'repeated' before a penalty can be imposed, the FCC now says an isolated incident is enough. Instead of requiring that offenses be 'willful,' the new rules hold that a broadcaster's good-faith efforts to understand highly subjective standards are 'irrelevant' to whether it will be punished."

DG Systems to upgrade offering with Avande

Digital spot delivery provider DG Systems has tapped Avanade, a technology integrator for Microsoft solutions, to develop and deploy new features and enhance usability of DG Online, DG's proprietary, Internet-based application TV and radio spot delivery.

Once implemented, the Avanade enhancements will give DG customers more options for storage, delivery, and management of broadcast advertising and other content. DG customers will be able to more easily track the status of an ad spot in the DG network, utilize enhanced workflow automation tools, and access a more streamlined portal designed to simplify the order-entry process.

TGDA gives Marketron top prize

The Traffic Directors Guild of America (TDGA) has given Marketron International top honors in the first release of results of an independent survey. According to the findings published on 4/30, the Marketron Radio system outranked its four leading competitors in overall client satisfaction, earning an 8.59 rating on a 10-point scale. Marketron also scored the top ratings in satisfaction with the quality of support and reporting.

Marketron outperformed its leading radio traffic competitors in the following categories:

• Overall Satisfaction

• Quality of Customer Support

• Sales Management reports (standard)

• Sales Management reports (customizable)

• Corporate/administrative reports (standard)

• Corporate/administrative reports (customizable)

• Business department reports (standard)

• Business department reports (customizable)