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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.

(By Loyd Ford) Often I tell clients about the most amazing social media book ever written. We might be talking about ratings or strategic direct mail or telemarketing campaigns or even their direct social media campaigns. This book is good for a lot of people

(By Ronald Robinson) Those rare speakers who can hold the attention of, and influence, others are so incredibly impressive. Sometimes, consciously and with discipline, they are applying the available, precise skills allowing for more purposeful communications. These individuals compel me to shut up and pay attention. Some are (unfairly) labelled “naturals.” Still, they are amazing. They are hardly ever working in radio.

Samuel Tatum, Jr. is the General Sales and Solutions Manager for Radio One in Washington, D.C. He’s also one of 20 Future Leaders we spotlight in the March 7 print issue of Radio Ink, featuring the Future African American Leaders in Radio. As General Sales and Solutions Manager, Tatum leads and coaches a team of sales managers (both traditional and nontraditional), salespeople, and support staff to service local, national, and regional clients. We spoke at length with Tatum about his passion for radio, why he's been successful, and how he hopes to make the radio industry stronger.

The New York Market Radio Association reported that, according to data provided by Miller, Kaplan, & Arase, radio revenue in New York City increased 5% in the 4th quarter of 2015, compared to 2014. Spot revenue was up 3%. So which categories were strong for New York radio?

Automotive has historically been the leading revenue category for radio, and in 2015 that held true, making up a whopping 15% of the 2015 New York radio spend. Twenty-one automotive advertisers at least doubled their radio budgets.

All areas within the food and beverage category increased their radio budgets in 2015, according to NYMRAD. Restaurant spending increased 10% due in part to six new category spenders.

The latest Media Monitors ad update shows Bernie Sanders airing over 1,200 radio spots so far in Las Vegas. Democrats will caucus this Saturday. On the Republican side, Dr. Ben Carson is out front with 529 commercials. The Republicans vote on Tuesday the 23rd. For the rest of the candidates, on both sides, it doesn't appear as if radio is on their radar very much.

9-year-old Sawyer is battling terminal cancer (Burkitt's Lymphoma). Sawyer is a huge fan of the morning show on Entercom's 107.9 The End in Sacramento with hosts Gavin, Katie, and Jason. On Thursday, the station changed its name and dedicated the day to the young boy as part of "Sawyer Day."