News

According to Standard Media Index's latest data, U.S. advertising increased 4% in January compared to January 2015. Digital remains the shinny new toy for advertisers with spending for January up 3 points for a total of 27% of all spending. Internet Radio increased a whopping 39% over 2015. SMI saw investment in video sites increase 39% and social media sites were up 56%. Traditional radio ad volume was lower by 16% in January according to SMI data. Television's total market share is currently 59%, having dropped by 2 percentage points from 61% in January 2015. Broadcast TV grew by 9% and cable TV ad spend slipped by 3%.

According to The Verge, Volvo will begin integrating Spotify into some of its cars this spring. Models XC90, S90, and the V90 will include the music app, but drivers will need to upgrade to the paid version, Spotify Premium in order to have access. That's $10.00 per month, or drivers can use their aux cord or Bluetooth to stream from a phone and save the $10.00.

Aaron Wilborn is the new VP/GM for Apex Media Corporation's six stations in Charleston (WAVF, WCKN, WMXZ, WMXZ-HD, WSPO, and WXST). Most recently, Wilborn was the Market Manager for the six-station iHeart cluster in Jacksonville.

Greater Media announces the hire of Jeff Miles as new morning show host at country station WKLB-FM in Boston. He is replacing JW (Willis) and Lori (Grande) who exited back on 2/11.

Entercom Atlanta is reuniting Jenn Hobby and Jeff Dauler on Star 94.1. Hobby has worked on multiple Atlanta radio stations since 2000, including WBTS-FM, WWWQ-FM, where she and Dauler worked together as co-hosts on The Bert Show, and most recently WKHX-FM.

Portland’s 101.9 KINK has hired Jeff Allen for the night shift. Allen got his start in radio hosting a local artist show on KUFO, before helping launch KBFF in 2011.

Tulsa’s Mix96 (KRAV-FM) announced that K.C. Lupp will be joining their team as host of the new K.C. and Lindsey Morning Show. Lupp was previously an afternoon host and production manager for iHeart Media Tulsa, a position that he has held for the last 12 years.

More great data from the folks at Media Monitors. In this week’s report, Media Monitors combined radio ads for the Super PACs and campaigns and eliminated all candidates who have dropped out of the race. The data shows Ted Cruz pretty much dominates the radio airwaves. So exactly how many spots have aired between January 1 and February 21?

The station has signed the Brooke & Jubal show to mornings starting March 1. The show originates from Hubbard’s KQMV. Jubal Flagg is a standup comedian and radio and TV host. Brooke has worked in morning radio for over 12 years and has hosted Top 40 radio’s first all-female morning drive show.

CBS Radio's Las Vegas alternative rocker KXTE X107.5 has launched a new local morning show. Operations Manager JB King said, “We are very excited for the debut of Marco & Jeetz. After an exhaustive search all across the country to find the right personalities for our new morning show, we believe that Marco & Jeetz are exactly what the X107.5 listeners have been asking for.” (Pictured left to right: Marco, Jeetz, Show Producer Ransom)