Radio+Television Business Report

If securing Nick Cannon for two sessions wasn’t a sure bet the 2021 NAB Show would be staged as a live event in Las Vegas — the first major industry gathering since NATPE Miami 2020 due to COVID-19 — this is.

Registration is open for the “premier convention for broadcasters and the broader media, entertainment and technology industries,” scheduled for October 9–13 in Las Vegas.

Co-located events The Radio Show and NAB’s Sales and Management Television Exchange (SMTE) have also launched registration.

SMTE is focused on revenue-generating strategies for small and medium market television stations and commences one day prior to the start of NAB Show. The Radio Show, October 13–14, is again co-produced by the Radio Advertising Bureau.

All NAB Show and co-located event registrants receive access to the NAB Show floor, open October 10–13, as well as all-access NAB Show Main Stage sessions and special events.

NAB pre-show gatherings are expected for Sunday evening; however there will be no full schedule of events, as envisioned for the cancelled 2020 affair.

“We look forward to delivering the first live, major domestic industry event following a long hiatus for all events,” said Chris Brown, the NAB’s EVP/Managing Director of Global Connections and Events. “[The] NAB Show represents a significant annual business catalyst for the media industry, which is eager to get back to doing business face-to-face, according to recent trade show attendee research. With momentum building toward the show in October, we continue to prioritize health and safety with a sound plan in place to deliver a safe experience for our community.”

NAB Show, Radio Show, SMTE and associated event registration packages are available here.

Educational Media Foundation is moving forward with the acquisition of another FM radio station, adding to a group of properties that makes the Christian Contemporary Music giant the second-largest licensee of radio stations in the U.S.

Only, this deal is hardly a surprise. It’s purchase an affiliate of its Worship Music noncommercial network.

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In May 2020, one of the nation’s largest broadcast TV station owners agreed to invest in Southeast Alaska — a transaction first reported by RBR+TVBR.

The deal presaged an August 2020 asset sale agreement that gave the company, Gray Television, ownership a satellite station then tied to the CBS affiliate serving Alaska’s state capital.

Now, there’s new activity in Juneau and nearby Sitka involving this CBS affiliate — and it involves the Colorado-based David and Penny Drucker.

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Virtually delivered Upfront presentations are in full swing, in lieu of the annual cocktail-fueled prance and dance across midtown Manhattan.

Among the media companies making their pitch to media buyers and CMOs on Tuesday was Univision Communications, with an entirely new C-Suite continuing a theme shared earlier this year in a “get to know you” session for the ad-buying community: Grow with Us.

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TORONTO — It’s been a very notable first half of 2021 for Bell Media, which enjoys a cozy relationship with U.S.-based audio media giant iHeartMedia. In February, it gained a lot of attention for a substantial reduction in force at its radio division, with heritage Anglophone News/Talk AM in Montréal following major shifts at its Windsor, Ontario, operations that reach Detroit listeners. Then came the news that several TV leaders exited, including the man in charge of programming for Canada’s largest commercial broadcast network, CTV, and its associated CTV2 network and owned-and-operated TV channels.

The job cuts followed the late December 2020 arrival of a national Adult Contemporary radio brand, Move Radio.

Now, another national radio brand has emerged from Bell media.

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On Sept. 25, 2017,  a new AM radio station licensed for broadcast at 1490 MHz in Santa Clara, Utah — and an associated FM translator it sought in the FCC’s recent Auction 99 — traded hands.

Now, those properties and a second FM translator are heading to a new owner.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The NAB Leadership Foundation has revealed the 2020 Broadcast Leadership Training (BLT) class, which has graduated following the completion of the executive MBA-style program.

The BLT program teaches the fundamentals of purchasing, owning and operating radio and television stations to senior-level broadcast executives, particularly women and people of color, who aspire to advance as group executives or station owners.

Typically comprising ten in-person weekend sessions held in Washington, D.C., the program schedule and curriculum were altered to an online model and extended due to the pandemic.

“I am thrilled to see this class of talented broadcasters join the ranks of industry leaders who have grown from this program,” NAB Foundation President Michelle Duke said. “The tenacity and resolve shown to adapt and continue in the toughest circumstances demonstrates their commitment to excellence and success. We look forward to watching as they achieve new career heights and positively impact the broadcast industry.”

Diane Sutter, who is the BLT program founder and dean and President/CEO of ShootingStar Broadcasting, added, “We are so pleased to have the talented BLT Class of 2020 finally join our graduates. Despite the challenge of the pandemic, many in the class were promoted and one of the graduates was able to buy her first radio station. We are immensely proud of how this class rose to the occasion and look forward to watching as they continue to grow their careers.”

With this class, 344 participants have graduated from the program.

The 2020 Broadcast Leadership Training Class graduates are:

• Adam Chase, Vice President / General Manager, KXXV-TV/The E.W. Scripps Company
• Sue Diviney, Vice President, Finance, WTTG-TV Fox 5/WDCA-TV Fox 5 Plus
• Bob Ellis, Vice President / General Manager, WJXT-TV/The Local Station
• Kevin “Big Redd” Felder, Nationally syndicated radio host, “The Big Redd Radio Show”
• Kevin Ferrara, Director of Operations, Magis Media
• Tery Garras, Market Manager, KXLY-TV/Morgan Murphy Media
• Estevan Gonzales, Owner & General Manager, KSWV Radio
• Kristie Gonzales, President & General Manager, KVUE-TV/Tegna
• Jeff Holub, VP & General Manager, WHNS-TV FOX Carolina/Meredith Corporation
• Kathi Kolar, Owner & General Manager, KHBT, Open Roads Media LLC
• Jinny Laderer, Founder & President Emerita, vCreative
• Jaleigh Long, Vice President & Market Manager, Cox Media Group Atlanta Radio
• Josh Morgan, Vice President & General Manager, WREX-TV/Quincy Media, Inc.
• Brittney Quarles, General Sales Manager, Urban One
• Antonio Roman, Regional President, Eastern Region, Univision Communications
• Andrea Stahlman, News Director, WLKY-TV/Hearst Television
• A.J. Vaughan, Partner Success Manager, Futuri Media
• Melanie Webb, Vice President, Sales Operations, TEGNA
• Tregg White, Vice President / General Manager, KGUN-TV/The E.W. Scripps Company

This year’s program sponsors include Beasley Broadcast Group, Cox Media Group, Fox TV Stations, Futuri, Graham Media Group, Gray Television, Hearst Television, Legend Communications, Meredith, Morgan Murphy Media, NAB, Nielsen Foundation, Quincy Media, Scripps, TEGNA and Univision Communications.

To some broadcast industry observers, it seems that nearly every day a new transaction is reported by RBR+TVBR, a non-secular, non-profit buyer is grabbing a radio station.

Is it our imagination, or have broadcast ministries taken advantage of the pandemic by going on a buying binge?

Jon Yinger, President and CEO of The Christian Broadcasting System and Broadcast Properties LLC, shares his perspective on access to capital, and the strategic purchases religious groups are able to do today compared to a decade ago.

“It’s time to pick up a dream purchase,” Yinger says in this InFOCUS Podcast, presented by dot.FM.

Listen to “The InFOCUS Podcast: Jon Yinger” on Spreaker.

For the last seven years, he has served as the Senior Executive Producer of ABC News’ “Good Morning America.”

Now, he’s joining Sean Compton in taking on a leadership role at Nexstar Media Group‘s still-growing NewsNation operation.

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“Craft or crap, that’s our creative challenge. Technology enables both.”

That’s a quote from revered Procter & Gamble Co. Chief Brand Officer Marc Pritchard. And, it is one that the radio ad veterans and founders of Oink Ink are taking to heart.

In an effort to see that “craft” wins, they’ve just launched a digital audio creative agency.

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MIAMI — For the last several years, U.S. Hispanics who have opted to watch the National Football League’s championship telecast en Español could turn to a cable TV channel.

For Super Bowl LVI, a big change is in the works for NFL fans, thanks to NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. El gran juego will air on broadcast TV for the first time.

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With its shares at their highest price since June 29, 2015, Townsquare Media is once again setting the tone for the entire radio industry with respect to long-term growth opportunities steeped in local digital, accompanied by traditional broadcast radio advertising.

Why then did the company reveal in a SEC filing that one of its board members on Friday — one who chairs the Compensation Committee — resign?

The explanation is a simple one.

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In a move the company says will “further accelerate its leadership” in the over-the-top (OTT) space, The E.W. Scripps Co. is collaborating with a digital Goliath to bring its OTT ad offerings to local businesses.

At the same time, Scripps has selected its preferred sell-side platform for Connected TV.

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LOS ANGELES — He was the toast of NATPE 2020, with a syndicated daily talk show picking up affiliates left and right. Then came COVID-19, and a controversy surrounding comments deemed anti-Semitic made by the veteran talent on a podcast, which he has since repented for.

With his syndicated morning show back on his flagship FM in Southern California and Debmar-Mercury gearing up a fall 2021 delayed debut of his TV show, Nick Cannon is ready for a big decade ahead.

On October 9 and 10, he’ll be a key figure at the live-and-in person NAB Show in Las Vegas — another sign that the media industry’s biggest annual gathering remains a go.

Cannon on Tuesday (5/18) was confirmed for two NAB Show events, just as brokers, PR professionals and tech companies committing to booths begin to make their final decisions on whether or not to start making travel plans.

As far as the NAB is concerned, the answer is yes.

Cannon will appear on Saturday, October 9, during the NAB’s Sales and Management Television Exchange (SMTE). There, he will discuss his long-running career in TV. On October 10, he will appear during an NAB Show Main Stage celebrity session.

This also affirms the NAB’s commitment to shifting sessions one day earlier than in the past, with key events starting Sunday rather than on a Monday.

The NAB Show’s full dates are October 9–13, 2021.

Cannon produces and hosts his daily radio show, “Nick Cannon Radio,” and weekend show “Cannon’s Countdown,” both syndicated nationally by Skyview Networks, as well as “Power Mornings with Nick Cannon” on Meruelo Media-owned KPWR-FM (Power 106) in Los Angeles.

“Nick Cannon,” a daytime talk show set for national syndication from Lionsgate’s Debmar-Mercury, will launch in fall 2021 with a slew of affiliates already committed from one year ago.

Additionally, Cannon currently serves as the executive producer and host of FOX’s “The Masked Singer.”

He began his career in television as a teenager on Nickelodeon’s sketch-comedy show “All That.” Cannon is also known for his work as creator, host and executive producer of MTV’s sketch comedy show “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out,” which recently aired its 15th season.

“Nick Cannon has entertained millions with his unique brand of humor and gregarious personality throughout his three-decade career,” NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith said. “We are excited to hear how his business acuity and industry experience have guided his success in radio, television, film and music as we welcome attendees back for the 2021 NAB Show.”

Nick Cannon also serves as the label head and music business curator of Ncredible Entertainment, where he has helped discover and develop award-winning talent such as H.E.R. and Kehlani. In 2009, he was named chairman of the TeenNick network and became the youngest television chairman in history.

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group (AMG) is welcoming a former WarnerMedia executive just hours after it was confirmed that the AT&T arm will be spun off and merged into Discovery Inc. in 2022.

John Buckholtz, most recently Vice President of Advertising Sales for Warner Media/Warner Bros. Domestic Television — where he also held earlier positions as Vice President of Station Sales and Director of Sales — since 1997 — will hold the title of VP/Ad Sales for AMG Global Syndication.

He will will focus on advertising sales, brand sponsorships, and revenue partnerships for all of AMG’s Entertainment Studios television series programming and content.

The Entertainment Studios programming portfolio comprises nearly 70 television shows.

Buckholtz, who will be based in New York, reports to AMG Global Syndication President of Ad Sales Darren Galatt.

Prior to Warner Media, Buckholtz worked for MTM Television Distribution (a division of Mary Tyler Moore Enterprises) as Vice President of Sales — where he also held the previous positions of Vice President of Northeast Sales and Midwest Manager.

“I am thrilled to have John Buckholtz on the Allen Media Group/Entertainment Studios sales team,” Galatt said. “John is an excellent sales executive who has enormous experience and vast relationships throughout the advertising community. John’s passion and sales talent will help us achieve greater market share.”

A veteran radio programming pro has just been named Director of Development for the company that says it invested online research for radio in the 1990s.

Taking the role at TroyResearch is Fletcher Keyes.

It marks a reunion of sorts for Keyes, who will be paired with company President Jonathan Little.

The two worked together in Madison, Wisc., radio, at WZEE-FM (Z104), WMMM (Triple M) and WOLX-FM in Baraboo.

Keyes said, “I’m a radio person ready to help radio with tools that make a difference.
I was a Troy customer for many years. I liked it so much, I joined the company!”

Little remarked, “It’s great to have another person who knows and loves radio joining
my team. Fletch has been a ratings winner as a morning jock and program director and
he knows research. He shares my commitment to helping radio be the best it can be.”

Now in its third decade, TroyResearch provides comprehensive music testing and
perceptual studies for radio and a sales generating tool, the Brand Awareness Study, for radio, television, digital and print.

SummitMedia, the owner of radio stations in such markets as Honolulu and Birmingham, Alabama, has appointed a VP of Engineering.

He is a radio veteran with more than 30 years of engineering experience and was Chief Engineer for the company.

Earning the job is Tom Scott. He’ll manage engineering for all of SummitMedia’s markets, which also include Greenville-Spartanburg; Knoxville; Louisville; Omaha; Richmond; Springfield, Mo.; Wichita; and Tuscaloosa, Ala.

“We are delighted for Tom to direct all Engineering efforts for SummitMedia,” said SummitMedia CEO Carl Parmer. “It is certainly a well deserved promotion. His depth
of knowledge and strategic vision will be invaluable to us as we continue to innovate
and evolve the technical side of our business.”

He succeeds Dennis Sloatman, who has retired.

Scott has previously served as a Chief Engineer for Cox Media Group and iHeartMedia predecessor Clear Channel.

Marketron, the provider of enterprise revenue management and digital software tools, has launched a new website that provides ideas, information and tools that salespeople and sales managers working in broadcast and media can use to help them close more business.

With educational webinars, case studies and creative assets among the offerings, Aspire by Marketron (aspire.marketron.com), “helps salespeople stay on top of the latest selling techniques and trends, deliver more compelling proposals more quickly, and increase their sales and revenue,” the company says.

Todd Kalman, a senior vice president of sales at Marketron, calls Aspire “another impactful resource to help everyone build their digital sales acumen and close more deals.”

Resources available on Aspire include webinars on current selling techniques and trends, as well as a searchable catalog of downloadable creative assets, including real-world examples that can be downloaded and incorporated into existing sales proposals.

“Aspire users can hone not only their digital advertising knowledge but also their prospecting skills, identifying the businesses spending money and using that insight to curate a strong target account list,” Marketron says. “They can train themselves on digital advertising and become the local marketing experts, thereby gaining more success for their advertisers and increasing their overall share of advertising dollars spent in the market.”

TORONTO — RadioPromoHub Inc., a company that built a workflow system for radio, has changed its name.

The new name, SPARC Media Hub, “better reflects the product and the services offered,” the company claims.

Why SPARC Media Hub?

It is an acronym that stands for “Sales”, “Promotions”, “Announcers”, “Reception” and “Creative”.

“We’re excited about the name change,” said Skyler Richard, the co-owner. “It really helps
our clients fully understand our product and allows the company to grow into different
media sectors.”

Along with a creative workflow and promotional tools, SPARC Media Hub also contains several prep tools like a collaborative prep list, custom prep sheet builders, a phone screener, built-in texting and more.

SPARC Media Hub is available for cash only in the U.S. and for barter in Canada through Orbyt Media.

NEW YORK — The Radio Mercury Awards’ Call for Entry for its 30th anniversary event will open on June 7.

For 30 years, the Radio Mercury Awards have celebrated creative excellence in radio and audio by honoring work that successfully harnesses the power of sound.

“In 2021, the Radio Mercury Awards reflect the current advertising environment for radio and related audio platforms, including broadcast commercials, integrated campaigns, podcasts, PSAs, jingles, sonic branding and music,” honors organizer RAB says.

Beginning this year, all entries will be open to work in any language for work that was broadcast, aired digitally, released or transmitted initially and primarily in the U.S. and its territories between June 1, 2019 and August 9, 2021.

Entries will be priced at $30 for all categories, except for entries for the student category, which will have no cost.

BBDO Atlanta Chief Creative Officer Robin Fitzgerald will return as the 2021 Chief Judge, after serving in the same role in 2020. In her role as BBDO Atlanta’s chief creative officer, Robin provides creative leadership to such clients asThe Home Depot, Georgia Lottery, Sanderson Farms and Honey Baked Ham.

Prior to BBDO Atlanta, Fitzgerald spent 15 years in Los Angeles, working at Crispin Porter + Bogusky and TBWA\Chiat\Day.

Finalists for the show will be announced in late September, and winners will be announced on November 17.