News

iHeartMedia has named Derrick “DC” Cole Senior VP of Programming for its five stations in Wilmington, DE. Cole has programmed multiple formats, including CHR, Hot AC, Country, and News-Talk, and has worked as an on-air personality at stations in Long Island, Hartford, and Poughkeepsie, as well as at Premiere.

The Portland station raised the bonanza for Union Gospel Mission on November 17 at the Skype Live Studio. The amount raised equates to over 51,400 meals for the city’s homeless.

And that means Michael Savage is out. O’Connor will host a new three-hour weekday afternoon (3-6 p.m.) show on WMAL-AM/FM beginning January 2. He segues from his co-hosting duties on WMAL’s Mornings On The Mall with Brian Wilson.

Kevin Graham is the new Program Director for News/Talk radio stations WBAP and KLIF in Dallas. Graham moves to Dallas from Boston, where he was Brand Manager for WEEI-FM/AM and Red Sox Radio Network, and Sports Radio Format Captain for Entercom for the past three years. Graham is replacing longtime Program Director Tyler Cox, who is retiring.

Talus Knight, who is the PD at KKND-FM and KMEZ-FM, has been promoted to Operations Manager for the entire New Orleans cluster. And Shawn Williams has been promoted to APD at WRKN NASH 92.3 and WZRH 106.1 the Underground. She will continue as afternoon host on WRKN and midday host on WZRH.

Scott Smith has been inducted into the Alaska Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The 27-year broadcasting vet worked his way up from Account Executive to Market Manager. He has served on the Alaska Broadcaster’s Association for 20 years and is a two-time past president.

That's the view from Galaxy Communications CEO Ed Levine (pictured right) who was part of Radio Ink's Independent Operator panel at Forecast 2017. Levine's point: If Facebook and Google can own 100% of the digital space in his market, why can't he own 100% of the radio stations in his market?

From our keynote speakers to our informative panels from the best financial minds in America, the reviews from Forecast 2017 have been extremely positive. Broadcast Attorney Frank Montero, who conducted a great off-the-record interview with NAB CEO Gordon Smith, said, "Congratulations on the very best Forecast ever. It was a huge success." Plan now to attend Forecast 2018 on November 15, 2017 at The Harvard Club in New York City.

Jeffrey Eisenach has been appointed to head President-elect Donald Trump’s FCC transition team. He's also considered to be a candidate to head the government agency along with Commissioner Ajit Pai.

According to BIA/Kelsey, over 77% of small- and medium-sized businesses are now using social media. For the third year in a row, social media is the top marketing channel used by small businesses to communicate with their customers, according to BIA/Kelsey's latest survey.