Tom Hicks, Who Helped Launch iHeartMedia’s Radio Empire, Dies
Tom Hicks, the Texas businessman whose investments helped engineer one of the most significant turning points in radio consolidation, died Saturday at age 79. He is also remembered for his well-known tenure as owner of the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars.
Pillar Adds Jules Dygert as Senior Marketing Specialist in Denver
Jules Dygert is joining Christian broadcaster Pillar Media as Senior Marketing Specialist for its Denver stations. Dygert previously held a sales position with Salem Media Group, where she built partnerships with businesses, ministries, and nonprofits across radio and digital.
The Wolf Wipes Out $2.17M in PNW Medical Debt for the Holidays
Audacy Portland’s 99.5 The Wolf (KWJJ) has helped pay off $2.17 million in qualifying medical debt during the 6th annual Nick and Kristen’s Medical Debt Payoff. Donations supported Pacific Northwest residents in partnership with national non-profit Undue Medical Debt.
‘Click Here’ and WABE’s ‘Health Wanted’ Added to PRX Lineup
Starting in January, public media network PRX has announced two new national distribution partnerships, expanding its public radio lineup with Health Wanted from WABE in Atlanta and Click Here from Recorded Future News.
Heidi Raphael and Kathleen Kirby Join Media Institute Board
The Media Institute has elected Beasley Media Group Chief Communications Officer Heidi Raphael and Wiley Rein LLP Partner Kathleen Kirby to its Board of Trustees. Both bring decades of experience in broadcasting and public advocacy to the organization’s leadership.
Inner Banks’ Hinton to Defend Local Radio At Senate AMFA Debate
With the music industry pressing for new performance royalties and Congress nearing year’s end, radio is mounting yet another full-force defense on Capitol Hill. The National Association of Broadcasters is sending one of its own to the front lines to fight for radio.
Edison: Yet Again, AM/FM Radio Leads US Ad-Supported Audio
With streaming services multiplying and habits fragmenting, radio still stands at the center of America’s daily listening. Edison Research’s Q3 2025 Share of Ear finds AM/FM commanding the majority of ad-supported audio time across every demographic.
AI Drives 2026 Ad Market Forecasts as Audio Fights for Share
Two major global advertising outlooks paint a picture of continued worldwide growth, driven by “creative destruction” fueled by artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and behavioral change, but reveal contrasting fortunes for traditional audio.
Words Can Be Heavy; The Ripples They Create Are Great
(Mike McVay) A couple of years ago, during one of the Alliance for Women in Media’s Gracie Awards Luncheons, a young country artist whose history included being maligned by heavy words began her rise from the ashes by performing live in front of a media-heavy audience.
The Spots We Don’t See Coming
(John Shomby) Marissa Murray’s excellent book Blind Spots is built around a simple idea: leaders rarely fail because of the things they see. They fail because of what they don’t see. The assumptions, habits, beliefs, and past experiences we’ve never stopped long enough to question.
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