Headlines

(By Gary Krantz) From the 1940s through 1998, WALL-AM was the “go to” station for New York’s Hudson Valley. Yet for almost 20 years, its original home, Middletown, was without live, local programming. That is, until Bud Williamson of Neversink Media Group resurrected the heritage station.

Our thanks to Beth Mann, President and CEO of WKDZ and WHVO in Cadiz, Kentucky for introducing us to Senior AE Cindy Allen Lax (left). Lax is celebrates 25 years with Mann's company and we spoke to her and the owner of Hancock’s Neighborhood Market, Mallory Lawrence, who has built her business using local radio. (Our weekly Advertiser Success Stories are sponsored by Sun & Fun Media).

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai visited Flinn Broadcasting in Memphis late last week specifically to continue his commitment to the preservation and growth of AM Radio. Flinn Broadcasting Owner George Flinn discussed the simplification of radio rules and the continued availability of FM translators as well as exposing the medium to those who may be unfamiliar with AM radio.

(By Bob McCurdy) Competitive advantage is becoming increasingly difficult, not only to achieve but to maintain. This is true in any business, as the time required to neutralize a competitors’ technological breakthroughs, product enhancements, or tactical adjustments is continually shrinking. In sales there are several ways we can go about achieving competitive advantage.

(By Randy Lane) Many radio shows and podcasts lose potential fans in the first few minutes or even seconds because they are not inclusive. Welcome new and occasional listeners by making them feel part of the family. Here are four simple ways to be inclusive and make new listeners feel like they are part of your fan club...

Westwood One is launching a new genre, “Classic Rock X,” on Forever Media’s WRQY (Rocky 96.5) in Wheeling, WV. The format was developed in conjunction with Forever Media and will soon be featured in more of their markets, as well as offered to the marketplace at large.

Hubbard Radio’s WTOP in Washington, DC, is once again radio's highest-billing radio station, taking in $67.8 million in 2017, according to BIA/Kelsey. That's three years running now for the all-news station. Hubbard Market Manager Joel Oxley tells Radio Ink he's very proud of his WTOP team.

(By Deborah Parenti) For all the ink devoted to San Diego radio personality Kevin Klein, and the highly controversial promotional stunt he used to market his new morning show, we may not know the whole story. Certainly, no one is talking and Klein himself appears to be MIA and in a state of limbo...

BIA/Kelsey is out with some new data that says radio's over-the-air revenue declined 2% in 2017. However, the good news is radio's digital revenue jumped 9.7%. Was that big jump in digital enough to keep radio above the flatline?

That will be the topic at the NAB next week, moderated by Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs. The session, called "Fast Tracking Radio's Future," will include Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley, CMG Executive VP Bill Hendrich, Jacobs Media's Paul Jacobs, Entercom Senior VP Tim Murphy, and NAB Executive VP of Strategic Planning Steve Newberry.