News

Larry Cotlar was the host of “Cotlar and Company” on 1350 ESPN in Des Moines. He died when he stepped out of his stalled vehicle and was swept away by a flashflood. The torrential rainstorm Saturday night dumped more than 7 inches of rain in just a few hours on Des Moines. Cotlar's body was recovered several blocks from where the van stalled. Cotlar was 66.

(Bob McCurdy) Last week an agency working on a media plan for a theme park contacted me looking to access Nielsen’s channel planning tool, Commspoint, which lead to me spending 90 minutes on a video conference call with their head planner. The benefits of these kinds of sessions are immense.

(By Randy Lane) Station appearances are your chance to come face to face with your audience and make a very personal impression. Never underestimate the value of this. In fact, you should prepare carefully and give the appearance your best. Here are some guidelines to help you do just that.

Country Radio Seminar has hired music industry veteran Jean Williams to fill the position of Director of Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships. She starts July 2. Previously, Williams served as the Regional Promotions and Marketing Director for Show Dog Records.

The Covino & Rich show, which first premiered on SiriusXM in 2005, made its debut on ESPN Radio, Saturday, at Noon. The program is co-hosted by Steve Covino and Rich Davis, and will now air Saturdays and Sundays, Noon-4 p.m. this summer, covering the hottest stories in sports.

Richard "Box" Bachschmidt worked for 105.5 The Bridge in Charleston up until this past February. He was quoted in The Charleston Scene saying, "If the coaches don’t care enough to make their team look their best and play their best and win, then I’m going free agent."

After spending 20-plus years over several tours of duty on air at KCAL-FM (96-7 KCAL/Los Angeles), longtime APD/MD and midday personality Cluque has accepted the position of Operations Manager for Cal State San Bernardino's Coyote Radio station.

The retiree organization’s new podcast is called An AARP Take on Today and is hosted by Bob Edwards, the original and longtime host of NPR’s flagship program Morning Edition. Each new episode will feature in-depth news interviews on timely topics with guest experts .

It’s official. Dan Le Batard and Jon “Stugotz" Weiner have signed long-term deals to continue as hosts of the popular daytime ESPN Radio Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, daily 10 a.m.–1 p.m. ET.

Rock programming veteran Jacent Jackson is the new PD for San Francisco Rock station KFOG 104.5FM and 97.7FM. Jackson was previously Program Director for KITS-FM in San Francisco.