Headlines

Overall, the ad market was up 3.8% in the quarter, mostly due to digital growing 11%, according to Standard Media Index. The social-media category saw spending increase a whopping 55%. Premium video was also strong, up 30%. In that category, Hulu climbed 11%. Magazine and newspapers continues to decline, with magazines down 16% and newspapers off 20%. SMI says radio also took a hit in the quarter, down 4%, and out-of-home lost 1%. This week we start to get a closer look at how radio performed in Q2 as companies begin to report earnings, including Entercom on Friday.

The day’s broadcast theme Made in America will feature senior members of the Trump Administration as program guests on approximately 20 Salem Media Group radio shows. Hosts Hugh Hewitt, Mike Gallagher, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, Larry Elder and Eric Metaxas will be joined by local hosts from Salem owned stations for a combined 36 hours of live programming.

88Nine Radio Milwaukee (88.9 WYMS-FM) has commissioned two colorful, original murals aimed at spurring community conversations. The non-profit station launched the mural initiative and commissioned local artists, using grant money, as a way to give back to Milwaukee as part of the station’s activities recognizing its 10th anniversary on air and in the community.

Local Radio Networks has hired Chris Reeves, Chris Hatton, and Jonathan Steele for LRN’s 24/7 format team. Reeves joins as Executive Vice President, Programming & Operations, Hatton becomes Director, 24/7 Creative Services, and Steele becomes Director, Programming Operations. LRN has 12 formats.

That’s actually Portland’s 98.7 The Bull (KUPL) which went live on Facebook at the Humane Society for Southwest Washington and ended up reuniting Ronald The Mastiff – who had been at the Humane Society for a while – with his former owner. How? The Bull’s Tony, McKinzie, and Jake captured Ronald on Facebook Live which reached a woman who recognized him.

The Austin-based funk-rock-blues band will perform during the 2017 Radio Show's Opening Reception on Tuesday, September 5 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the JW Marriott Austin. Produced by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Advertising Bureau, the annual Radio Show brings broadcasters and industry colleagues together.

As Gordon Smith heads into his eighth year as president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, many in our industry are glad that position carries no term limits for the former Senator. Smith is very popular among the NAB radio membership and his calmness, stability, and professionalism serve the radio industry very well (in addition to the great team he has working for him). Smith is among Radio's 40 Most Powerful People and has been ever since he took the NAB leadership job eight years ago. His official ranking on the list will be revealed next week when our Top 40 issue mails.

(By Eric Rhoads) Here’s a news flash, in case you missed it: Madison Avenue advertisers are mostly not enamored of radio. Yes, there are some loyal ones who continue to spend, but, right or wrong, most believe the world has moved on and that things like radio are antiquated.

(By Georgia Beasley) Technology has allowed for more sharing in all aspects of Millennials’ lives. We share photos on the “cloud,” we ride-share in Ubers, and we share our once-personal moments through social media. This approach is no different in the workplace and exactly the environment that allows Millennials to excel.