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The Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group will present “Growing Your Talent, Growing Your Revenue,” Thursday, September 7 at the 2017 Radio Show in Austin. The panel: Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley, Hubbard CEO Ginny Morris, Entercom COO Weezie Kramer, and NRG CEO Marry Quass. Beasley (#6), Morris (#8), and Kramer (#17) were all on Radio Ink's 40 Most Powerful People in Radio list. Quass was voted radio's #1 leader by Radio Ink readers.

Thomas was a star of both radio and TV. He started his radio career at WAPE in Jacksonville, which was followed up by WAYS-AM and WROQ-FM in Charlotte. He then moved to New York City, where he hosted mornings at WXLO-FM and WKTU-FM. Thomas followed a short run at WKIS-FM Boston with a decade run on KPWR-FM in Los Angeles.

(By Buzz Knight) The passing of Jay Thomas leaves an incredible void for those of us who knew him and an audience that loved him as an entertainer. Jay defined the concept of multi-talented. Actor, comedian, radio host, and a career that spanned decades of memorable moments. I'm proud to have observed his illustrious career and even more proud to call him a friend.

Sports Illustrated, citing staffers at ESPN, says the radio host who was arrested for being drunk and wandering into someone's condo, will likely be suspended but not fired. SI says Russillo has supporters in upper management, including ESPN executive VP of content Connor Schell, and his contract is also not immediately up.

In a press release announcing the name change, CEO Spencer Brown said, “Our new brand identity reflects our focus on the unique character of our company and our commitment to ensuring that we take a creative approach to making each show successful. As our company continues to grow, our partners and the shows we publish are always our number one priority.” Earlier this month Entercom purchased a 45% stake in the company.

With a goal of helping radio prove ROI, the folks at NextRadio say this new report is the first radio data management platform to accumulate and measure over 250 demographic, behavioral, and listening data points in near real-time. Here are the details...

iHeartMedia Pittsburgh’s 105.9 The X has signed a multi-year extension with the NHL Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. The new deal runs through the 2020-21 season. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ games have aired on iHeartMedia stations since 1999 and exclusively on 105.9 The X since 2003.

The Radio Show, produced by the RAB and NAB, kicks off the day after Labor Day this year and is being held in Austin. As everyone gears up to make the trip to Texas, Radio Ink will spend the next 10 days interviewing industry executives about what they're expecting to see when they arrive in The Lone Star State. We start it off with broker Dick Kozacko from Kozacko Media Services in Raleigh, and his thoughts on the possibility of wheeling and dealing.

After tapering off for a few months SMI is reporting that July was vibrant again for digital advertising. And the firm is also reporting a huge jump in ad revenue for radio in July, mostly thanks to the automotive category.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide is reporting that ESPN Radio host Ryen Russillo was found naked in a stranger’s condo early Wednesday. The owner of the condo first thought it was a family member only to discover it was apparently Russillo lying in a bed with his pants around his ankles.