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According to Standard Media Index's latest data, U.S. advertising increased 4% in January compared to January 2015. Digital remains the shinny new toy for advertisers with spending for January up 3 points for a total of 27% of all spending. Internet Radio increased a whopping 39% over 2015. SMI saw investment in video sites increase 39% and social media sites were up 56%. Traditional radio ad volume was lower by 16% in January according to SMI data. Television's total market share is currently 59%, having dropped by 2 percentage points from 61% in January 2015. Broadcast TV grew by 9% and cable TV ad spend slipped by 3%.

More great data from the folks at Media Monitors. In this week’s report, Media Monitors combined radio ads for the Super PACs and campaigns and eliminated all candidates who have dropped out of the race. The data shows Ted Cruz pretty much dominates the radio airwaves. So exactly how many spots have aired between January 1 and February 21?

The popularity of Hispanic-focused radio continues to grow and the field in Orlando just became more crowded. The new station, on a translator, launched by Cox Media Group Orlando, Monday, is called "107.3 Solo Éxitos," targeting Hispanic adults 25-54

The total spot count for Walgreens was down 7,000 according to Media Monitors, however 50,129 commercials run on stations across the country was more than enough to beat out number two GEICO (39,479) last week. Burger King dropped to third from second (28,645), Auto Zone was fourth (28,455), and Jackson Hewitt fifth (27,354). Rounding out the top 10 were McDonalds, The Home Depot, Metro PCS, Quicken Loans, and Macy's.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced the 2016 Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards which will be presented at the Foundation’s annual breakfast Wednesday, April 20, in Las Vegas during the NAB Show. The awards are in recognition of career contributions to the broadcast industry and the community at large, and are named in honor of broadcaster Ward L. Quaal. Here are the 2016 winners...

Understanding how powerful radio is, especially during elections, a group of progressives who say their voices are not being heard on local radio are hoping to purchase their own radio station. At the same time they plan to monitor conservative talkers who they say are dividing their community. According to The Journal-Sentinel in Milwaukee, the effort is led by a group called Citizen Action of Wisconsin and they are not happy that conservatives rule the Milwaukee airwaves.

That's according to a piece in The Wall Street Journal and that's compared to $18 Billion being spent on radio and $67 Billion in TV. While $35 Million will represent a 2% increase over last year, the article points out there are still a lot of hurdles to purchasing advertising in this new form of audio listening.

Todd Clem (Bubba The Love Sponge) has 14 days to answer the lawsuit filed against him by Nielsen after a judge denied his motion to dismiss his ratings tampering case. In his decision, U.S. District Judge James Whitmore wrote that Clem's request to dismiss Nielsen's request for punitive damages will not be dismissed, "because the complaint adequately states a claim that is alleged to be based on willful, wanton and malicious conduct. The complaint also adequately alleges loss of control of reputation, loss of trade and loss of goodwill, which are recognized grounds for irreparable injury."

Radio Ink is pleased to announce this year's finalists for the prestigious Medallas de Cortez, the only awards dedicated to honoring the very best in Hispanic radio. The Medallas de Cortez awards are named in honor of Raoul Cortez, founder of the first Spanish-language radio station in the United States, KCOR/San Antonio, in 1946. Raoul Cortez was a visionary for his time and a legend for all times in the annals of Hispanic radio.

(By Wayne Ens) In science, for every force, there is a counterforce, and for every negative, there is a positive. These principles also hold true in sales and economics. While some resource-dependent markets may be experiencing weakness caused by low oil prices, other markets are benefiting from the increased consumer spending generated by lower prices at the gas pumps.