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From Radio Online: The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the results of the 2024 NAB Radio Board of Directors elections. The two-year terms of the elected board members will begin in June. New board members include Beasley Media Vice President and Market Manager Mary Menna for District 2 (NY, NJ), More...

From Radio Insight: After 100 years and a drastically changed landscape, it is interesting how radio is still so easily explained, but how rarely it benefits from a modifier. That?s especially true when you?re looking to differentiate the product originating on AM/FM from other like services. Not everybody who reads Ross on Radio regards ?terrestrial radio? as a pejorative. ?It sounds futuristic, like it?s out of science fiction,? says Jeff Berlin. ?It feels special and magical, like we are,? says Lauren Pressley of New Jersey?s WOLD.* Mostly, though, ?terrestrial radio? still comes across as satellite radio?s attempt to position itself as the space-age service, and everybody else as something lesser. That was certainly why the consumer press so enthusiastically adapted it in the early ?00s, and why radio advocates like Erica Farber have campaigned against it.* Edison Research, in its studies, uses AM/FM radio to signify stations originating there, even if those stations are consumed on another platform. In this column, I?ve mostly used the term ?broadcast radio? in the same way. As a proud broadcaster, I know that term is easily understood among us, but there?s no sizzle there for a consumer. In the first segment of Point-to-Point Media?s recent What Workers Want study, Strategic Solutions Research asked listeners about ?your local radio station.? It was a term that many respondents viewed favorably, and one that Strategic?s Hal Rood encouraged radio to embrace, particularly since there was no consumer benefit to ?terrestrial.? Part I of the What Workers Want trilogy of webcasts found that ?local information? was still valuable to 48% of respondents, third after non-stop music and ?funny content.? Even traffic, the thing still on most stations because it?s sponsored, but thought to have been made redundant by your phone, is still an attraction for 33% of listeners. ?I like ?local radio,?? says veteran PD Monica Starks. ?It?s where it?s originating from and hopefully not lost on programmers.? I agree that ?local radio? is a great thing to offer people. As Starks notes, being ?local radio? carries with it the responsibility to deliver ?local? rather than just talking about it. Even when an air personality is sitting in a station?s studios, and even if they?re speaking in real time, they may still be talking about entertainment news or what doctors in Sweden have discovered. When I listen to client stations, ?I need to learn more about the market? is usually among my notes.* ?Local radio? doesn?t cover everything, or have to. I?ve said before that not all radio needs to be local. Part of my vision for a more compelling radio dial is the creation of more ?real national? or ?real regional? to replace ?faux local.? I?ve also suggested that some of that national (or regional radio) could have some of the benefits of local just by being more transparent about where content is emanating from, something that works well for SiriusXM.* ?Traditional radio? reinforces the notion of radio as hidebound. ?Classic radio? means radio with the values that have always made radio great, but it also doesn?t provide for an ongoing evolution, and it?s easily confused with Classic Hits radio. For myself, I think of those stations that still do the right things as ?real radio.? That wouldn?t be a bad way to differentiate ourselves for listeners, but that one also carries a burden of proof.* Some readers make distinctions with friends depending on what exactly they?re referring to. ?I usually make it as specific or vague as necessary,? says Country Insider?s Brian Mansfield, who will use ?local,? ?terrestrial,? ?satellite,? or ?broadcast? as applicable. But he uses radio ?if it?s just delivered audio. Then I count on the reader to go, ?wait, what?s the difference between ?terrestrial radio? and ?radio??? And that sets up a teaching moment.? ?When I?m talking with people about how they listen to music, they usually don?t give a generic answer ?I stream,?? says Bruce Cole. ?They answer with brand specificity: Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, etc. My takeaway is to talk brand more than delivery message ? not radio but WXRT, CBS-FM, V103, etc.? For many readers, like Alan Sells, the answer is just ?radio, that?s what it is. You would have to waste too much time trying to rebrand any other term for 99% of potential users, who wouldn?t know why you were trying to rebrand the project.? It?s not news that streaming pureplays still often find ?radio? to be the easiest way to explain what they do. ?We don?t have to explain what we are,? says syndicated morning host Jerry Broadway. ?We are radio. Satellite and internet ?radio? are derivatives of a well-established brand. We don?t have to explain, they do.? When I?m asked about the survival of ?radio,? a question poised even by some broadcasters themselves at the National Assn. of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas earlier this week, there?s no grim determination required when I tell people that I believe there will be a franchise for ?radio? forever. The only issue is who will provide it and on what platform. Despite its initial publicity, SXM has always been for me a bastion of ?real radio,? although some of its expanded offerings, particularly following its merger with Pandora, are less so. “Free radio” is a popular and valuable talking point at the moment, but I?m still in favor of SiriusXM being thought of as radio and counting towards radio?s ?Share of Ear? in Edison?s studies, and in the perception of the media and advertisers. It would also help broadcasters in the perception of the media and advertisers if there were a way to make their presence in podcasting better known and recognized. According to Edison, four of podcasting?s top 10 networks and two of the top three are part of the radio industry; (again, I?m including SiriusXM here). Sharing that story would help reinforce the notion of “radio everywhere.” For those listeners on which that distinction might be lost, it would help broadcasters if just a fraction of the inventory of those podcasts went toward directing listeners to real-time radio, some likely for the first time. If broadcasters were able to target podcast listeners, they would have to offer both a compelling message and a product. That would require the same improvements, particularly in both quantity and quality of spots, that would improve radio for the existing audience. They might indeed do better to market specific brands or shows, and whatever they market will have to be available on multiple platforms, including the one they?re listening to at that moment. We won’t necessarily have to explain what real radio is; but it will be necessary to deliver it.* more

From Radio Insight: The Lindsay Cochrane hosted “Life with Lindsay” will join the lineup at Lee Family Broadcasting Country ?Kat Kountry 106? KKMV Rupert/Twin Falls ID on Wednesday, May 1. KKMV will add the show for overnights replacing Premiere Networks’ After Midnite with Granger Smith. KKMV Program Director Scotty Cameron states, “Kat Kountry 106 KKMV is a local radio station that focuses on our community and independent country music. I had a chance to meet Lindsay in Nashville and loved her personality. After listening to her I knew she would make the perfect addition to the Kat Kountry family. She focuses on real life and has the Country Music tea everyone wants to hear.” Cochrane commented, “I’m so excited to add KKMV to the Life with Lindsay affiliate list. They have such a loyal country audience that has already started to welcome me on social media, I can’t wait to invite them to be a part of the show! Scotty has done such a great job having the station be a big part of the community and I am honored that he believes in my content on Life with Lindsay and wants me to be a part of the Kat Kountry family.? Life with Lindsay is available via barter to air in any daypart. Those interested in the show are asked to reach out to Cochrane at Lindsay@lifewithlindsayradio.com or Virtual Jock’s Jason Kidd atjkidd@virtualjock.com. more

From Radio Insight: Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of female leadership in radio broadcasting, proudly names Corinne Baldassano, the 2024 MIW Frances Preston Trailblazer.* Corinne most recently served as Senior Vice President of Programming & Marketing at Take On The Day, LLC/The Dr. Laura Program. MIW?s Trailblazer Award, named for music industry pioneer and longtime Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) President and CEO Frances Preston, is MIW?s highest accolade. It is presented annually to a woman who, through her leadership and accomplishments in the industry, champions and creates opportunities for other women in radio to further their careers. Corinne Baldassano is a well-respected radio veteran with a long, extremely successful, and storied career, which began at WHN Radio in New York City, where she started as an Editorial Researcher and rose to Music Director. She spent 16 years with ABC, including roles as Music Director at WPLJ-FM in New York and Program Director at KAUM-FM in Houston. She also served as Program Director under Boston Globe?s WSAI-FM in Cincinnati. Later, Corinne was named Program Director of ABC’s Contemporary and FM Radio Networks, Director of the ABC Entertainment Radio Network, and Vice President of Programming for ABC Radio Networks, overseeing major programs like American Top 40. She also served on the Board of Directors for Nashville’s Country Radio Broadcasters and worked as Vice President of Programming at Westwood One, and Senior Vice President of Programming at Sony’s SW Networks. Corinne became General Manager of the Radio Division at the Associated Press and most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Programming and Marketing at Take On The Day, LLC. She is a founding member of the MIWs and serves on its Advisory Board. The MIW Trailblazer Award was presented during the 2024 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show on the Main Stage, on Monday, April 15th. MIW Board President Ruth Presslaff comments, ?Corinne’s remarkable career firmly establishes her as a Trailblazer. In addition to all she’s accomplished, her selfless devotion to mentoring women and men, and absolute delight in helping them achieve their goals, is the essence of who she is. She is truly a mentor of mentors. We are thrilled to recognize her with our highest award.? Corinne adds, “I am honored to accept this year?s Trailblazer Award from the MIWs.* As I built my career, it was natural for me to offer guidance to others who also wanted to take a similar path.* And it?s turned out to be one of the most important and satisfying things I?ve ever done.* I?m proud of those I have mentored and I?m humbled to be recognized by an organization committed to fostering the growth of broadcasting?s next generation of women.* I?m happy to see my work and theirs come full circle.* Thank you!” Corinne joins an illustrious group of media professionals who are esteemed for their leadership and dedication to the radio industry. Prior honorees include the late Laurie Kahn (2023), Michelle Duke (2022); Christine Travaglini (2019); Julie Talbott (2018); Mary Quass (2017); Beth Neuhoff (2016); Kim Guthrie (2015); Diane Sutter (2014); Weezie Kramer (2013); Caroline Beasley (2012); Ginny Hubbard Morris (2011); Lynn Anderson (2010); and Erica Farber (2009). more

From Radio Online: Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) names Corinne Baldassano as the 2024 MIW Frances Preston Trailblazer. Corinne most recently served as Senior Vice President of Programming andamp; Marketing at Take On The Day LLC/The Dr. Laura Program. MIW's Trailblazer Award, named for music industry pioneer and More...

From Radio Online: "Life with Lindsay" adds Lee Family Broadcasting's KKMV (Kat Kountry 106) in Twin Falls (Sun Valley), ID to its lineup. The syndicated Country show, available thru VirtualJock.com, is hosted by Lindsay Cochrane and will debut on May 1 from 12-6am. KKMV Program Director Scotty Cameron stated, "Kat Kountry More...

From Radio Online: Unionized podcast workers at iHeartMedia, represented by the Writers Guild of America East, have lodged an unfair labor practice complaint against their employer with the National Labor Relations Board, reports the Hollywood Reporter. The employees accuse the media giant of intimidation tactics and More...

From Radio Online: Gemini XIII and MyJourney Technologies launch PodJourney, a coaching platform designed for podcasters seeking one-on-one support from industry experts. PodJourney helps podcasters expand their audience and find a path to monetization through its unique tool set and network of coaches. Developed by More...

From Radio Online: Yea Networks syndicated "The Greg Beharrell Show'' adds 13 new markets. The show can now be found in mornings at Mid-West Family Broadcasting's Alternative 106.1 WQYQ/St. Joseph, late nights on Federated Media Active WRBR (Rock 103.9)/South Bend, nights on Saga's WZZP (Rock 97.5)/Hopkinsville and nights on More...

From Radio Online: O'Reilly Auto Parts will be recognized as the 2024 Radio Mercury Awards "Radio Marketer of the Year" Award in recognition of the company's longstanding use of radio to empower consumers and build their brand. O'Reilly Auto Parts has made radio central to its marketing activities to More...

From Radio Online: The Radio Television Digital News Association has announced Kristie Anderson, Assistant News Director at WXIA in Atlanta, has been selected as the 2024 recipient of RTDNA's Loren Tobia Leadership Award. The award is given annually to a journalist who exemplifies true leadership within their company or More...