Headlines

If you think Borrell's prediction of 37% growth in digital ad spend in 2016 is crazy, consider this: In 2015, local digital ad spend grew by 35% and Borrell is making that bold prediction for 2016 based on a survey that showed nearly 60% of SMBs plan to increase digital advertising. Borrell projects that in 2016 local businesses will spend nearly $66 Billion on some form of digital advertising.

And this revenue will come from Run of Site Display, Targeted Display, Email, Paid Search and Online Audio according to Borrell. New York City will scoop up $3.5 Billion of the $65 Billion Borrell projects will come from 53 markets the company surveyed in its latest report.

Radio's lobbying arm has found a way to get the FM Chip in front of the FCC Commissioners once again. This time it's in a joint-filing with NPR. The FCC is seeking input on how to improve the Wireless Emergency Alert service, which notifies Americans, via text message, during times of emergency. The NAB says many times the alert tells residents to get in their car and turn on their radios for more information. The two organizations argue that one way to improve upon emergency notification is to have all FM Chips in cell phones activated.

Granary Way Media has announced that its casino and poker industry talk radio show House of Cards® and its gaming news flash the House of Cards® Gaming Report will now be syndicated on over 100 broadcast radio stations.

The new lineup on the network goes into effect Monday, February 8, and NBC Sports Radio’s Program Director Jack Silver says, “I couldn’t be prouder of our network’s evolution and our role as a benchmark for sports talk radio. This new lineup leverages our best assets and connects them to our expanding audience of passionate sports fans. We look forward to an exciting 2016.” Here are the changes...

Every week the editors of Radio Ink will interview successful managers from all over the country, both inside the radio industry and outside the radio industry. Our goal is to help you be a better manager, a stronger leader and help your team sell more radio. Our first Podcast will be posted Monday morning. You'll be able to listen to them on our website, SoundCloud and via iTunes. If you'd like to receive a link to the Podcast one day early (every Sunday) to prepare you for the week, send an e-mail to [email protected] with "Podcast" in the subject line.

This FCC filing is over the planned ($3.04 Million) Fort Myers, FL purchase of WLVO-FM by Sun Broadcasting from EMF. This joint filing by two fierce Fort Myers competitors states that "Sun's acquisition of WLVO does not comply with the Commission's rules because evidence shows that Sun already exceeds the multiple ownership limit in Fort Myers through its de facto control of other stations in the market."

iHeartMedia announced Wednesday that four of its senior executives have been promoted into newly created roles as Division Presidents. These executives – Hartley Adkins, Greg Ashlock, Matt Martin and Tom McConnell – were formerly iHeartMedia Executive Vice Presidents of Operations.

(THURSDAY UPDATE) Without giving any details - or the reason why Brown left the studio - Reach Media says the co-host will return to the Tom Joyner Morning Show Monday morning. Joyner mentioned it briefly, with no details either on his show Thursday.

It was announced Wednesday morning that Monroe Capital is lending the money to the station to help pay down debt. It's a $35 million senior credit facility to support the recapitalization of Jerry Lee's WBEB in Philadelphia.