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Hubbard St. Louis Radio Group was recognized with multiple awards at the 2018 Missouri Broadcasters Association Annual Convention, held June 1-2 at the Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. The haul included three First Place awards.

Manatee County (Bradenton, FL) Sheriff Rick Wells says Bubba The Love Sponge (Todd Clem) has committed to purchase 9 ballistic vests for the MCSO K9 unit at a cost of $1,550 per vest. Wells says Bubba heard the dogs were in need of the vests and thanks to his generous donation, "the MCSO K9 unit will be better equipped for dangerous service they provide each day."

A two-hour weekend country show hosted by Michael Knox has been added to the Focus 360 roster. Knox has produced 21 number one career singles, with over 18 million albums and 40 million singles sold. The show is called Know Country 360.

Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier, co-creators of the chart-topping Crimetown podcast series and the Emmy and Peabody award-winning The Jinx — The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst have launched The RFK Tapes, a new podcast series that re-examines the murder of presidential candidate Robert Kennedy.

The Radio Advertising Bureau, BMI and the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group will present the 11th annual “Rising Through the Ranks” Seminar on August 15-16 at BMI’s Nashville office. The deadline to apply for one of the 20 scholarships BMI is offering is today.

(By Ray Cole) I have fond memories of my friendship with longtime local radio executive Joe Bilotta. Sadly, he passed away on June 1, 2018 after putting up one helluva fight against pancreatic cancer over the last two years-plus. He was only 69.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has established the Joseph Bilotta Memorial Fund in honor of the veteran broadcaster. Foundation President Jim Thompson said, “Joe was a friend and champion of the Broadcasters Foundation and our industry. He devoted time and energy to advancing broadcasting and to helping colleagues in need. He will be missed by many, personally and professionally.”

The Home Depot remains the king of radio advertising with another big week, airing 79,203 commercials on radio stations all over the country, according to Media Monitors. Lowe's moved up to number two by airing 38,659 spots. Rounding out the top five were...

This past weekend, WTOP was honored with 12 Chesapeake AP Awards, including the Outstanding News Operation award and the award for Best Website for WTOP.com. The awards were presented to WTOP employees on Saturday at the annual Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcasters Association Awards Banquet in Ocean City, Maryland.

Jeffrey Zander is the owner of the Zander Insurance Group. His company is physically located in Nashville, however, thanks to his advertising partnership with syndicated talker Dave Ramsey his business has gone national. We interviewed Zander about that relationship with Ramsey, and how his business has grown thanks to the Ramsey partnership. (Our weekly Advertiser Success Stories are sponsored by Sun & Fun Media).