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The Bubba The Love Sponge (Todd Clem) ratings tampering case with Nielsen just took an interesting turn. Bubba has filed a 46-page counterclaim against Nielsen, and has dragged Cox and Cox Tampa morning man Mike Calta into the case, claiming they conspired against him and Beasley Media.

Last week, we reported that Beasley Media promoted Debbie Mazella to Program Director at WMGQ-FM in Central New Jersey. Mazella started her career at WMGQ in 2007, adding APD duties a year later. With her promotion last week she became the first female PD in the station’s history. Mazella says ever since her childhood she wanted to be in radio. Here's why...

(by Eric Rhoads) Advertisers, whether local, regional, or national, tend to think about the same things. Sometimes they pace the floors thinking about those things. Here's what those things are and what you should be doing about it so you can turn it into cash...

(By Ryan Wrecker) It took two videos before they found a sponsor. Not much time passed before Dave and Chuck the Freak monetized their daily video for WRIF in Detroit. If you're a talent, don't take your audience for granted. Part of connecting with them means you're willing to build a relationship with them, and you're in connection with them not just when you want them, but when they want you.

The Visa Retail Spending Monitor says in 2016 retail sales grew 4.8% on Visa payment products. E-commerce spending was up 19%, 5% higher than 2015. Money spent on e-commerce in 2016 made up 24% of the total spend, of from 21% in 2015.

(Mark Ramsey) This week in Media Unplugged, Mark Ramsey declares, “Apple is the new Hollywood!” He also looks at why Twitter "can't be fixed."

Our December 2016 cover story interview was with the hosts of one of the most successful radio shows syndicated by ESPN, Dan Le Batard and Stugotz (Jon Weiner). ESPN SVP/Production, Business Divisions Traug Keller says the show, which airs nationally, is successful because Le Batard and Stu have chemistry. "It’s fun, infectious, and smart must-listen-to radio for growing legions around the country.” If you missed our interview with the hosts, HERE IT IS

According to an 8K filed Friday the iHeartMedia Board of Directors approved retention bonuses for CEO Bob Pittman for $1.75 million, CFO Richard Bressler for $1.75 million and VP of Corporate Finance Steven Macri for $750,000.

Those are the words of Beasley Media CEO Caroline Beasley in our cover story interview that comes out today. Beasley is our 2017 Radio Executive of The Year and she is featured on the cover of Radio Ink magazine. In another excerpt from that interview, Beasley told us she'd like to see the radio industry work together a little more. She also discusses the importance of having a mentor and how she believes radio will succeed given all the choices consumers now have for entertainment.

Also in an 8K filed on Friday, it was made public that the Cumulus compensation committee awarded CEO Mary Berner a one-time discretionary cash incentive compensation award of $1,087,500 "in recognition of, among other things, her exceptional efforts and contributions during 2016, both individually and as a member of the management leadership team, in the initial phase of the Company’s operational turnaround plan and ongoing operational and financial restructuring."