News

Longtime WXXI radio talk show host Bob Smith died Friday at the age of 63. For 25 years, Smith hosted the two-hour 1370 Connection show for over 25 years on the Rochester, New York station. He had a stroke in 2013, which caused him to retire from WXXI.

Now in its fifth year, our Future African American Leaders in Radio list, as it has in previous years, includes people from every aspect of the business and from all over the country. On the 2017 list you’ll see several trends: Many of the people listed credit their success to having a mentor, many credit their success to a great team that works for them, and many talk about how blessed they are to have advanced in an industry they love.

Radio Ink's Hispanic Radio Conference has assembled a dynamic group of agency executives and the industry’s best managers and sellers to discuss new strategies and platforms that will please both listeners and buyers. Industry leaders and economists who will give their spin on the economic outlook and potential growth.

(By Bob McCurdy) There were two important studies published the past several weeks that are worth further comment. The first study, conducted by Alan Burns and Associates titled, “What Women Want 2017,” involved 2,000 15-54-year-old AC and CHR female listeners. Burns has been a well-respected and successful programming consultant for decades.

(By Ronald Robinson) Because I have noticed how only some attention has been paid to a phenomenon of radio of which I have been aware for decades, I offer it up again – as a bonus that can be an extra asset to radio reps. Radio, lucky for all concerned, is considered a “passive” medium.

Four markets will receive their inaugural audience estimates from Eastlan Ratings this Spring. Those markets are Beckley WV, Bluefield WV, Cedar City UT and Marion VA. Eastlan is also returning to Wenatchee WA.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai was interviewed by WJR Detroit's Paul W. Smith on the Paul W. Smith Show, Friday morning. Pai, who has been an occasional guest on WJR as FCC Commissioner, called WJR to say he'd be in Detroit today and graciously accepted Smith's invitation to appear on today's St. Patrick's Day show.

Geoff “G-Off” Owens, that's who. Owens will program iHeart's two Hip Hop stations, JAM'N 107.5 in Portland and KUBE 104.9 in Tacoma. Owens will also host afternoon drive on both stations, a position he’s held at JAM'N 107.5 since 2012. He replaces Senior VP Tim Herbster who was covering those jobs.

Radio imaging voiceover and jingle company Benztown has appointed Katrina Woolverton as General Counsel, a newly created position. Woolverton is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and San Diego State University.

Legendary artist Stevie Wonder will be honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, with its inaugural Key of Life Award at this year’s ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO in Los Angeles, April 13-15. He will also appear in a keynote “I Create Music” session.