News

President Trump intends to nominate Democrat Jessica Rosenworcel to return to the Federal Communications Commission after her term lapsed at the end of last year. She would need to be confirmed by the Senate. Rosenworcel's first five-year term expired in May 2016 but she stayed on until the end of the year.

Alison Smith, SVP of Operations, Distribution and Administration, has been promoted to EVP, Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services; and Mike Steinberg, SVP of Licensing, has been upped to EVP, Creative & Licensing.

In his latest blog posting aimed at helping radio sellers tell the story of radio, Chief Insights Officer at Cumulus and Westwood One Pierre Bouvard asks the question. 'How does each media perform against their promise?' His answer: AM/FM radio audiences deliver exactly what is promised: ads are heard.

Justin Hoberg owned talker KNOX- AM in Grand Forks. He started as a salesperson and eventually purchased the station in 1966. He also wound up buying KYTN-FM in Grand Rapids and stations in Bemidji and Minot. Hoberg eventually sold the stations and retired in the 90's. According to The Grand Forks Herald he died at his home on Lake Bemidji, his family by his side.

It's a multi-year deal for U.S. public performance rights and data collaboration between the two companies. While details were not disclosed, ASCAP stated, "The mutual goal of this agreement is to work together to ensure that ASCAP members get paid more fairly and accurately for the use of their music on YouTube."

The network is undertaking a “news everywhere” strategy and this summer it’s extending its reach, including three new developments: Smart Speakers; NPR One in TV, phone, and car; and NPR News Now podcast and Twitter.

Bill Ashenden is joining Entercom's Portland cluster as VP/Market Manager as of July 10. Ashenden joins Entercom from BiCoastal Media in Medford, Oregon, where he was Market Manager. He replaces Tim McNamara who left a few months ago. Jack Hutchison from Entercom Seattle has been serving as interim Market Manager. Entercom has seven stations in Portland.

On Tuesday, the company launched a new lineup of original, on-demand audio content. audioBoom is debuting five new podcasts (one launched in February), including Very Bad Words, which premiers on June 14, 2017. The launch marks the company's first wave of original podcasts featuring a mix of shows in various categories.

The National Association of Broadcasters has hired Josh Pollack as Vice President of NAB Government Relations, effective July 10. He will report to Curtis LeGeyt, NAB Executive Vice President of Government Relations. Pollack joins NAB after serving as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs in the Obama White House from 2012 – 2017.

(This is part 3 of a 3 part series) (By Michael Dudding) My last article focused on "kids and non-professionals" recording bland "it's-acutely-obvious-my-monotone-voice-means-I'm-reading-copy-given-to-me." Effective messages need to have warmth, excitement, believability, sincerity, and honesty.