Headlines

The season for giving has radio firing on all charity cylinders. This time it’s News Radio 1200 WOAI San Antonio, which held a radiothon and silent auction on December 3 and 4, raising a record-breaking $243,034. The funds will benefit the Elf Louise Christmas Project, a local non-profit organization that purchases and delivers toys during the holiday season for Bexar County's less fortunate children.

The two sides in Todd Clem's ratings tampering case have requested the judge appoint a mediator. The first time they tried mediation back in July it failed.

The New York Post is reporting the layoffs are a result of Westwood One cutting its fees to CBS. Among those being let go: Executive Producer Charlie Kaye whose been with CBS for 34 years, 30 year network veteran, Washington correspondent Barry Bagnato, afternoon anchor Harley Carnes and “CBS World News” anchor Bill Whitney. The Post says the radio veterans were all offered targeted buy-outs.

With a new administration about to take over Washington, the National Association of Broadcasters is making it known again that broadcasters believe ownership regulations now on the books are antiquated. The NAB is asking The FCC to consider changing its recent decision to leave the rules in place.

Advertising spending among top retailers is off to a slow start this holiday season, according to a new report from Kantar Media.

CNBC reported on Friday that the music streaming service is now open to being sold and is willing to have discussions with SiriusXM. CNBC reported that SiriusXM is expected to pursue a deal.

(Bob McCurdy) This week I worked on several pieces of key long-term businesses that were targeting W25-54, one of which was a nationally known grocery chain. The challenge in this particular market with this specific station was twofold: to overcome “rank” and a heavy male skew. This required building a case for the importance of the total audience -- women and men.

(By Ronald Robinson) While swapping some emails discussing the business of copywriting, my friend – he of the “Old School” – and I, of the, shall we say, “Whizzy, New, Advanced and Superior School,” were promoting very different approaches. Cranking out listenable and more effective scripts for our trusting advertisers was the stated, desired outcome.

It’s the giving season, and radio just keeps on giving. This time it’s Alpha Media Mason City, Iowa, raising $32,000 for Children’s Miracle Network with a radiothon, November 16-17. Mason City’s Kids Helping Kids campaign played a big role =.

The stations – WXMA, WDJX, WGZB, WMJM, and WGHL – raised an incredible $890,000 from the marathon, November 17-18. They broadcast live from Norton Children’s Hospital, which was also the beneficiary of the radiothon. In a nice touch, each station took the name of a child treated by the hospital.