Activity Stream

From Radio Insight: RadioInsight Exclusive: After just one year at helm of Latino Media Network, Sylvia Banderas Coffinet has exited the company. Banderas Coffinet was appointed Latino Media Network’s first CEO in May 2023. She had previously held roles as Vox Media General Manager of Marketing Equity & Inclusion Partnerships, General Manager of Multicultural Brand Partnerships and Marketing for Group Nine Media, Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer for ?HOLA! Magazine, National Advertising Director at PEOPLE en Espa?ol, and Beauty Director at Glamour and Latina Magazine. In a statement, a company spokesperson stated, “Sylvia transitioned from her role as CEO of Latino Media Network (LMN) on May 31, 2024. Sylvia?s leadership was critical for our company at one of the most important moments in our history. As our first CEO, she stepped up to steward the organization through our first full year in business. Marc Manahan, who has served as our president and CFO since the beginning of the company, will serve as interim CEO until we determine the longer term trajectory of leadership.” The spokesperson continued, “To date, LMN has built a tremendous team that, since our founding, has led us through the acquisition of 17 radio stations in 9 markets, built a top-notch station service team, has begun the content strategy rollout at LMN and constructed a best-in-class sales organization. Collectively, the team has been foundational in driving our growth and advancing our mission of representing and uplifting the Latino community. Our co-founders, Stephanie Valencia and Jessica Morales Rocketto, have no doubt this team will continue to thrive and excel as LMN moves into its next phase of growth.” more

From Radio Insight: Nielsen completes its release of the May 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include Jackson MS. The June PPM ratings release will commence on Tuesday, July 9. more

From Radio Insight: Is Townsquare prepping a change in Lake Charles LA? Are two companies looking to make a move in Asheville NC? Plus upcoming changes in Astoria OR and Brownwood TX. This content is for Premium Annual and Premium Monthly members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. more

From Radio Online: PodcastOne will debut its latest podcast, "Wholeheartedly with Kendall and Galey." Hosted by top fitness instructor and wellness influencer Kendall Toole and DIY home renovation expert and HBO MAX host Galey Alix, "Wholeheartedly" is set to debut July 17 with weekly episodes dropping on each Wednesday. More...

From Radio Online: Northwestern Media ups Adam Hannan to Station Manager for KJNW-FM (Life 88.5) in Kansas City. He previously served as the Contemporary Christian outlet's Operations Director and as Station Manager for co-owned KNWS (Life 101.9) in Waterloo, IA. Hannan replaces Dave Gordon, who has been named a Senior More...

From Radio Online: Westwood One Senior VP and Executive Editor John Wordock exits after five years with the group. Before joining Cumulus and Westwood One in February, 2019, Wordock served as the Executive Producer of Podcasts for the Wall Street Journal and guided the multi-department team that launched the podcast More...

From Radio Insight: John Low’s 1TV.com is selling “Oldies 96.5” KIKO-FM Claypool AZ in a package deal with George Kimble’s Media Sales LLC’s 96.5 K243BN Laveen/Phoenix for $2.4 million. Buyers Arturo Murguia and Yasmin Orozco’s Orozco Broadcasting will operate the two signals synchronously with the translator fed by an HD subchannel of the parent. The deal is part of a settlement agreement between the two sellers to eliminate interference caused by the translator to the parent signal. The buyers have no other radio properties. Low will retain Classic Country “The Bull” 1340 KIKO Apache Junction/99.1 K256DK Phoenix/105.1 K286BS Miami AZ. Kimble served as broker of the deal through his RadioTV4Sale.com. more

From Radio Insight: Cumulus Media has announced it has signed Mark Levin to a contract extension to continue his daily 6-9pm Eastern syndicated talk show on Westwood One and Cumulus’ Podcast Network. Levin will also develop an original podcast for the company. The new deal replaces the “Lifetime extension” that Levin signed with the company in 2016 that ran through the end of 2025. Levin has been syndicated since 2006 after beginning his radio career hosting a weekend show at WABC New York in 2002. The attorney had previously been a regular guest on Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity?s programs. Levin stated, “This has been my radio home for 23 years, and I am more excited than ever ? especially during these tumultuous and historic times ? to continue my relationship with my first-rate broadcast partners for many years to come. I understand my obligation is to serve the millions of patriotic Americans in the audience. I am blessed to do what I do, and I am committed every day to providing detailed analyses of current events along with historic context, commentary, and my in-depth perspectives to deliver the very best broadcasting I am able to share with our many listeners.? Westwood One President and Cumulus Media EVP/Corporate Strategy & Development Collin Jones added, “Mark is a powerful and influential voice with an incredible ability to establish strong relationships with his listeners while driving tremendous results for his advertising partners. Mark has been dubbed ?The Great One? for his ability to concisely break down the day?s most significant topics, and we are thrilled to grow our partnership with him for years to come.? more

From Radio Online: Urban One's WPPZ-FM (Classix 107.9) in Philadelphia names Shaila Scott as its new midday personality. She has a career in radio spanning over 30 years. Scott was the first hostess of "Kissing After Dark," co-host of the "The Kiss Wake Up Club," and aired in middays for decades until she departed from WBLS in More...

From Radio Online: Edison Research has announced that the Sports Audio Report: Female Fans with SiriusXM Media and Group M will be presented in a webinar Tuesday, July 16 at 2pm ET. This webinar will explore the unique audio listening habits of U.S. female sports fans a show how they interact with sports beyond the field. The More...

From Radio Online: Salem Media Group closed on its sale of the company's Christian Music Stations in Nashville, TN and Honolulu, HI to Educational Media Foundation for $7 million on Wednesday, June 26. Included in the deal were WFFH-FM and WFFI-FM (The Fish) in Nashville and KAIM-FM (The Fish) in More...

From Radio Online: Veteran talk host Mark Levin has extended his contract to host both his syndicated radio program, "The Mark Levin Show," on Westwood One and his podcast, "Mark Levin Audio Rewind," on the Cumulus Podcast Network for multiple years. Levin will also develop and host an all-new show for the network, his first More...

From Radio Insight: Michael ?Froggy? Cusmano has exited the MJ Morning Show at Beasley Media Classic Hits “Q105” 104.7 WRBQ Tampa in a budget cut. Cusmano shared on Instagram, “Crappy Monday report* I was let go today from the Morning show due to budget cuts. I want to thank beasley for 4 amazing years. I’ll miss it. Cusmano originally worked on Todd ‘MJ Kelli’ Schnitt’s morning show at iHeartMedia CHR 93.3 WFLZ Tampa in the 2000s where he was the second cast member of the show to be billed as ‘Froggy’. He would reunite with MJ and Dom ?Fester? Siciliano in 2019 for a podcast, which then led to them joining WRBQ for mornings in October 2020. He also used the on-air name ‘Kooz’ as night host at “XL 106.7” WXXL Orlando and “98 Rock” WXTB Tampa. Beasley signed Schnitt to a contract extension in April. He, Roxanne Wilder, and Siciliano remain in mornings. more

From Radio Insight: After dropping YEA Networks’ Greg Beharrell Show, Cumulus Media Alternative “Q101” WKQX Chicago has added Lyndsey Marie to its lineup for nights. Known in the market for her four years in middays at the former “97.9 The Loop” WLUP from 2014 until the station’s demise in 2018, Lyndsey had been tracking nights at sister Classic Hits 94.7 WLS-FM. Before and after her time at WLUP, she was based in Atlanta at “Rock 100.5” WNNX and currently tracks remotely for multiple Cumulus stations including “96 Rock” WFTK Cincinnati, Classic Rock “101 The Fox” KCFX Kansas City, and Rock “93X” KXXR Minneapolis. more

From Radio Online: Bolognious Francine Marconi will be upgrading his role with idobi Network. He's been the creative imaging voice and audio alchemist for idobi Network since 2015. In his new upgraded role he will be even more involved in the day to day creative aspects of the sound of all idobi brands and assist where needed More...

From Radio Online: WOKV-FM/Jacksonville, FL Director of Branding and Programming Jim Graci is retiring after more than five decades in radio. Prior to joining the Jacksonville News/Talk outlet two years ago, Graci previously spent nearly a decade as the Brand Manager of both News/Talk KDKA-AM and Sports KDKA-FM (93.7 The Fan) More...

From Radio Insight: Townsquare Media has promoted Russell Lawson to Market President for its Bozeman MT cluster. Lawson has served as Director of Sales for the cluster since March 2022 after fifteen years with Cox Media Group. During his time with Cox, Lawson served as an account executive in Jacksonville, General Sales Manager and then Station Director/Director of Sales in Athens GA, and Integrated Sales Manager in San Antonio. Lawson succeeds Scott Souhrada, who has retired after leading the cluster for the past decade. Souhrada moved over to management after a long tenure in programming Rock and Adult Alternative at stations including KBZU and KTZO Albuquerque, KKGL Boise, KYYS Kansas City, KGA and KAEP Spokane, and KATS Yakima. more

From Radio Online: Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) names Jessica Williams, a national AC host, and Community Outreach Director for Townsquare Media in Rochester, MN as 'Speak Up's' 2024 mentee. Created in partnership with Media Staffing Network and Laurie Kahn before her death, Speak Up! is a one-year program More...

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the May 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Chattanooga and Huntsville Coming tomorrow: Monthly ratings for Jackson MS. more

From Radio Online: Neuhoff Family LP, the parent company of Neuhoff Media-Springfield LLC and Neuhoff Media-Bloomington LLC has entered into an agreement to sell the assets of WFMB-AM andamp; FM, WCVS-FM, WXAJ-FM and Channel1450.com in Springfield, IL and WBBE-FM, WWHX-FM and WIHN-FM in Bloomington, IL to Woodward Communications. More...

From Radio Online: After launching on Rhythmic AC KEZE-FM/Spokane in January, 2023, the Joey andamp; Lauren show is moving to mornings on sister Hot AC KZZU-FM, effective July 8. "Joey andamp; Lauren in The Morning" features segments like "Make Up Or Break Up," "That Awkward Moment," "Phone Jenks" and more. "We are honored to have More...

From Radio Insight: Iliad Media Group’s Joey & Lauren morning show is moving in Spokane WA from Morgan Murphy Media’s QueenB Radio Rhythmic CHR “Hot 96.9” KEZE to Hot AC 92.9 KZZU starting Monday, July 8. Joey & Lauren take the place of 30 year hosts Dave Sposito, Ken Hopkins and Molly Allen, who were let go from the station in June. Joey and Lauren have been heard on KEZE since January 2023. Hosted by Joey & Lauren Jenkins, the married couple have been hosting mornings at Iliad Hot AC ?My 102.7? KZMG since July 2018. Joey Jenkins previously served as PD/afternoon co-host at Sports ?99.1 ESPN Boise? K256CZ for Iliad, while Lauren was a newcomer to radio at the time of the show?s launch. Joey and Lauren commented, “This is home for us. We grew up listening to ZZU; we went on our first date to Silverwood. We are so excited to be a part of the #1 station in Spokane! We?re looking forward to waking up with the ZZU fam every morning! We want to thank the Morgan Murphy Media team for their support and for trusting us to take care of ZZU listeners and clients?. Iliad Media Management VP/Operations James Garner stated, “We are honored to have Joey & Lauren join a heritage and top-rated station like ZZU. Joey & Lauren have deep roots in Spokane; they grew up here, their family is here, the city and the people mean a lot to them. We are excited to introduce the show to even more listeners in the Inland Northwest.” Garner can be reached for affiliation inquiries at Jamesg@iliadmg.com or joeyandlaurenshow.com. more

From Radio Online: Cumulus Media elevates Shoshana Shapiro to Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Marketing, effective immediately. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Corporate Communications and Marketing Initiatives. Prior to her tenure at Cumulus, Shapiro held roles across several media sectors, More...

From Radio Insight: Earlier this year, Ross on Radio?s Sean Ross interviewed veteran programmer Alan Burns about the latest edition of his ?What Women Want? survey, unveiled on May 15, and about the state of radio overall. The survey highlighted, among other things, the depth of listener frustration with current music. While there have been signs of a rebound since Burns? study was conducted late last year, the study does show the magnitude of the issue and just how far contemporary radio has to rebound. Alan BurnsIt isn’t just radio programmers who are frustrated with current music product lately. One of the more surprising findings in Alan Burns and Associates and the Cumulus Media/Westwood One AudioActive Group??s “What Women Want” was how large the agreement was with this statement: “Today’s music is generally not as good as it was years ago.” You?d expect to see that with older people and fans of Classic Rock and Classic Hits, but the sentiment was widespread across all format cumes and all ages/generations. 64% of Generation Z, the youngest respondents agreed, while 61% of the oldest?Boomers–saluted it.* We see that sentiment showing up in the reaction to the Top 40 music montages that we tested. In this survey, we see Top 40 Gold? songs like ?High Hopes,? ?We Found Love,? ?Yeah,? etc. –tied with Current/Recurrent Pop for the number one slot with the total audience, No.1 one by a nose with Top 40?s cume, and #1 by a larger margin with the heaviest listeners. That’s a surprise. Another sign of stagnation: Only two artists ? Post Malone and The Weeknd – have broken into the top 20 ranking of Top 40 and Hot AC listeners? favorite artists in the last seven years.* Labels and radio have always had different goals, but for most of top 40’s history (as well as that of Country, Hot AC, and Urban formats), those interests were somewhat aligned: radio gave music exposure, and labels paid attention to what radio needed.* Lately, though, what’s selling and/or streaming and what appeals to mass audiences has diverged more, with the music industry logically and understandably following sales and streams rather than what works for radio in music testing. Radio needs to build mass, but the music industry can be profitable with a narrower audience. For example,* Taylor Swift’s best-selling album so far is Fearless at 7.3 million copies worldwide. 7.3 million represents only .005% of the global English-speaking population. Swift?s 1989-Taylor’s Version sold 2 million in the US alone. 2 million’s a nice number, but it’s only .006% of the American population. 7 million and 2 million are great sales numbers, and everybody made money. But radio can’t make money on those numbers. How would your boss feel if you only managed a .005 or .006 cume rating? It’s ironic that radio has probably never fallen more in line with label agendas and goals than it is now, at a time when it feels like we need to be striking out on our own and finding better, more appropriate product. We can’t manufacture it, but we can certainly look past label priorities. Here’s an example: odds are that while “Fortnite” is the label/artist’s choice for the first single off of Taylor’s Tortured Poets album, “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” may wind up being a bigger single, whenever it’s finally worked by the label. By that time, though, it will be old news for Taylor Swift fans and calling it “new music” will create its own issues. A word of caution here: while women generally agree that music is not as good as it used to be, they still also tell us that discovering new music is very important to them. Let’s find the best new music, regardless of whether it’s currently being “worked.”* Reaching back into Top 40?s history, there was a time when stations went looking for and played great album cuts, and even created their own versions of songs. There have been a few recent signs of possible improvement in current pop music; let?s hope those keep showing up–the audience is asking for better product. Did you miss the ?What Women Want? webinar, or have more questions about the results and what they mean?* We?d be happy to share findings with you ? just email alan@burnsradio.com or jeff@burnsradio.com.* more

From Radio Insight: Neuhoff Media has completed the sale of its properties with a deal to sell its seven stations in Bloomington and Springfield IL to Woodward Communications for an undisclosed amount. Woodward will acquire “Rock 96.7” WIHN, Variety Hits “97.9 Bob-FM” WBBE, and Hot AC “Hits 100.7” WWHX in Bloomington and Variety Hits “96.7 Bob-FM” WCVS-FM, Hot AC “99.7 The Mix” WXAJ, Country 104.5 WFMB-FM, “Sports Radio 92.3” 1450 WFMB and the streaming “Channel 1450” local sports platform in Springfield. The stations will be integrated into the company’s Woodward Community Media division joining their six stations in the Appleton and Green Bay WI markets along with print publications in Iowa and Wisconsin. Woodward President/CEO Tom Woodward states, “We are excited to welcome these exceptional brands into the WCI family. They are a great fit with our culture and dedication to serving local communities. We look forward to collaborating with a very talented and engaged team to continue delivering top-quality programming and service.” Neuhoff Media trustee Julian Hickman commented, ?This final sale is bittersweet for our family, reflecting both a proud legacy and an emotional farewell. Our grandfather, Roger Neuhoff, poured his heart into the broadcast industry since the mid-1950s. The stations have been a vital part of our family and community, and while we cherish the incredible journey, it is time to turn the page.? Fellow trustee Makena Neuhoff added, “We would like to thank the incredible teams of local broadcasters in Springfield and Bloomington. We will forever cherish the memories and the significant impact our stations had on the local communities.” Neuhoff Interim CEO Steve Wexler commented, “I couldn?t be happier to transition these tremendous brands and talented, committed local broadcasters to the Woodward team. They share Neuhoff?s passion for localism and excellence. It?s been an honor to be part of this closing chapter in the proud Neuhoff broadcast journey.” Tideline Partners’ Greg Guy advised Woodward on the acquisition, while Kalil & Co. acted as broker for Neuhoff. At its peak Neuhoff Media owned 24 stations in Illinois and Indiana. The company announced its plans to exit radio earlier this year selling Danville and Decatur IL to Champaign Multimedia Group and its Lafayette IN stations to Saga Communications. more

From Radio Insight: Brook Stephens has exited Leighton Media Country “Wild Country 99” 98.9 KZPK Paynesville/St. Cloud MN after 22 years at the station due to budget cuts. Stephens had most recently been serving as Music Director and afternoon host at KZPK while also tracking afternoons at co-owned “KJ Country” 96.5 KJJK-FM Fergus Falls and 97.1 KYCK Crookston MN/Grand Forks ND as well as hosting a weekly Country countdown show for the company. She was named as Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio’s first ?Behind The Mic’ mentee last November. During her tenure, Stephens has also held roles as Imaging Director and APD/morning co-host at AC “Lite 99.9” KCML, and has tracked shifts for stations across the country. more

From Radio Online: Scottish radio programmer and personality Rob Lee is named producer for Bob Stei's syndicated 1990s "The Grunge Garage" radio program. Lee, who operates several Internet stations on RLB Media, is also the production voice of the program. He takes over for Rhett Butler who will be moving on to other More...

From Radio Insight: Audacy Cleveland SVP/Market Manager Tom Herschel has announced his retirement. Herschel has led he CBS Radio turned Audacy cluster since 2002 after holding various sales leadership roles in the market at WGAR AM/FM, WDOK-FM, WZAK/WZJM/WJMO, and WEWS-TV along with KGMB-TV Honolulu. Herschel stated, ?While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to such an incredible group of individuals and the remarkable brands we have the privilege to represent here in Cleveland, this decision fills me with joy. By making this move, we’ll finally have the opportunity to be fully present in our family?s daily lives and participate in the precious moments as our grandsons, Charlie and Emerson, grow and flourish. On a personal note, this transition opens the door for me to explore passions and interests that have been not-so-patiently waiting on the sidelines for way too long. I?m looking forward to the luxury of my first summer without a job since I was thirteen. Not to mention, I?m very ready to chase ?the dream? of achieving a single-digit golf handicap (hey, like I said, a guy can dream).? more

From Radio Online: Rock legend Alice Cooper and six-time PGA Tour winner Rocco Mediate are teaming up for a unique new golf show airing on SiriusXM. Since taking up the game nearly 50 years ago as he was recovering from alcohol addiction, Cooper has been one of golf's best known celebrity devotees. He would say later that he More...

From Radio Online: Audacy/Cleveland Senior Vice President and Market Manager Tom Herschel has announced his retirement after 22 years with the company. With a career spanning nearly four decades in the media industry, Herschel established himself as a prominent figure in radio and television sales and management. He was More...