Headlines

The flip in Savannah took place this past Friday. Cumulus changed from NASH Icon to Hot AC (102.1 The Sound, The New Sound of Savannah) on WZAT-FM. The syndicated Bert Show will air in morning drive.

International news-clipping service Grabien is releasing two new production tools. The tools provide a way for producers to clip the news in real time, as well as from a searchable archive of full-length news programming.

Late on Friday, SAG-AFTRA sent out a press release demanding Spanish Broadcasting System "engage in good faith bargaining with its on-air employees who face unfair treatment by the company." SAG-AFTRA says the problems are taking place at L.A. radio stations – La Raza (KLAX/KXOL – 97.9 FM) and La Mega (96.3 FM).

Typically listening to the News/Talk format tapers off once an election ends but as Nielsen points out that has not happened as of yet. Nielsen says News/Talk listening remained strong during the month of February

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga claims 32 year old Jacqui Helbert was fired for violating journalism ethics. The Times Free Press is reporting that local lawmakers complained about how Helbert reported on a on a state transgender bathroom bill.

(By Bob McCurdy) It has been a wild week of media news, led by Verizon, AT&T, Enterprise, GlaxoSmithKline, GM, Walmart, Pepsico, and J&J’s boycott of Google and YouTube due to their inability to safely “traffic” Web advertising. The environment in which some of their banner and video ads were served make commercials airing in radio’s more controversial programs akin to appearing in Ozzie & Harriet.

(By Jeff McHugh) You must share your authentic point of view with the audience for your radio show or podcast to be memorable. Your point of view includes opinions, emotions, inner thoughts, and/or personal stories. Most media personalities share their point of view cautiously, timidly and politely. Most are afraid of upsetting someone. 

After we ran our story yesterday updating you on Bubba The Love Sponge's latest counter-claims against the ratings firm, we heard from Nielsen bright and early in the morning. Their statement was short and sweet:

That's according to a new report from Borrell & Associates called "How Franchisees Are Changing Marketing Expenditures." Borrell surveyed 500 local franchise operators and the new report says these franchisees spend 67% more than the typical local business and are heavy buyers of digital, which recently overtook direct mail as their number one media choice.

Yesterday, we told you about the drama at WDFD-AM in Detroit regarding the firing of Monica Conyers (she says she quit). WDIV-TV in Detroit got hold of the internal memo station owner Kevin Adell distributed to employees. He gave seven reasons why she was fired, stating, "Monica Conyers is the same person you saw in City Council with her sense of entitlement."