Boston Radio: Celtics Games No Longer Will Air On WEEI

The Celtics will have a new home on the radio dial in the coming season.

Entercom Communications, whose WRKO 680 AM and WEEI 93.7 FM stations in the Boston market have been the radio home for the Celtics since 2005, will no longer broadcast the NBA franchise's games beginning in 2013-14, according to The Boston Globe.

"WEEI has had an incredible run with the Boston Celtics, from being a part of their 17th championship banner to the end of the [new] Big 3 era," said Entercom Boston vice president/market manager Jeff Brown in a statement.

"Unfortunately we were unable to come to terms on a new contract moving forward. We thank the entire Celtics organization for our tremendous time together and wish them the best of luck in the future."

The Celtics did not offer a statement but team management confirmed Entercom's announcement.

It's uncertain at this time which station will carry the Celtics games in the 2013-14 season, but an announcement is expected soon. Greater Media, which owns five stations in the Boston market, has expressed interest in Celtics broadcasts in the past.

The CBS Radio-owned 98.5 The Sports Hub, which has surpassed WEEI in the Arbitron ratings among Boston's two primary sports radio stations, is the Bruins flagship station, but has enough other properties in the market to make any scheduling conflicts work.

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Billtown Radio: Backyard Broadcasting Exits Radio

Barry Drake’s Backyard Broadcasting has completed its exit of radio with the sale of its cluster in Williamsport, Pam home of Little League.

Longtime cluster GM Don Farr is buying the cluster for an undisclosed price. Farr has managed the cluster for the past 20-years which includes  Country WILQ 105.1 FM, Oldiez WBZD-93.3 FM, Classic Rock simulcast 99.3 WZXR 99.3 South Williamsport and WCXR 103.7 in nearby Lewisburg, Hot AC WLMY 107.9 FM, and N/T WWPA 1340 AM/101.3 W267BJ.

Earlier this year Backyard sold its clusters in Muncie, IN and in New York State. (See original posting).

CC’s Brian Lakamp On The Future of Talk Radio

iHeartRadio, a streaming radio app, is turning its ear to talk. Brian Lakamp, Clear Channel president of digital, joins WSJ’s digits.

Coca-Cola, Pepsi Most Respected Brands

A new survey from CoreBrand, a company that researches branding and its impact on business, found that Coca-Cola and Pepsi were tied as the most-respected corporate brands in the eyes of other business people. That means they combined high recognition with very favorable views.

The top 10 were:

1. Coca-Cola

1. Pepsi

3. Hershey's

4. Harley-Davidson

5. Bayer

6. Johnson & Johnson

7. Kellogg's

8. Campbell's Soup Company

9. Colgate-Palmolive

10. Estee Lauder

On the other end of the spectrum, the companies with the least brand respect, meaning they had much less favorable views, staring from the worst, were:

Delta Air Lines

Phillip Morris

H&R Block

Denny's

Big Lots

Best Buy

JCPenney

Capital One

Rite Aid

Foot Locker

R.I.P.: Iowa Broadcaster Paul Michaels Dies At 65

Paul Michaels

Cedar Valley airwaves lost an icon this week with the passing of broadcaster Paul Michaels, who was found dead at home Monday.

Michaels' real name was David Eggleston, according to wcfcourier.com.  He was 65. The preliminary cause of death was natural causes

His death leaves a hole in the airwaves and the hallways of the Woodward Radio Group, home to KFMW, KOKZ, KWLO and KXEL in Waterloo, said Dennis Lowe, KXEL operations and news manager.

Michaels, a Waterloo native, worked in multiple capacities since 1981 when he joined KWLO --- originally KWWL-AM --- and KFMW. Michaels was the morning D.J. at KOKZ from 1996 through the spring of this year when he moved to KXEL 1540 AM, Waterloo, Iowa.

"He was very outgoing, gregarious," Lowe said. "People liked being around him. He had a passion for radio, and it was contagious."

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Fargo Radio: Big 98.7 FM Launches With Jesse, Amanda, Pike

Fargo's Q98 rocks has moved to 105.1 FM and taking the 98.7 FM spot on the FM dial is Big 98.7, branding as Today's Hits Music Without All The Rap.

Adult CHR KLTA Big 98.7 will be the new home of the popular morning show, "Jesse and Amanda with Pike."    Jesse and Amanda with Pike – John Halvorson (Jesse James), Amanda Scheid (Amanda Lea) and Taylor Peterson (Pike) – left their longtime home of Froggy 99.9 earlier this month.

According to The Forum, the three stayed mostly silent about where they were headed, the only hints being dropped through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The cryptic messages only read, “Big changes are coming.”

98.7 FM was formerly home to Q98 Rocks, a hard rock, male-oriented staple of the Red River Valley moved Friday to 105.1 FM and is now branded Q105.1 Rocks retaining its call letters KQWB.

On Monday, hundreds of clients and listeners attended the Big 98.7 launch party as the morning trio went live on air from The Venue at the Hub at 5 p.m.

The station’s first song, “Got a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas, helped set the tone for a format of current hit songs minus any hard rock or rap.  Featured artists on the new Big 98.7 will include Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5 and Lady Gaga.

To top the day off, Jesse and Amanda with Pike were named North Dakota’s best morning show and top community service team by the North Dakota Broadcasters Association.

BIG 98.7 FM LISTEN-LINE: Click Here.

Monday’s announcement bookended a storm of radio station changes earlier this year.

In late April, Jim Ingstad sold his six Radio Fargo-Moorhead stations, – including Bob 95 – to Midwest Communications.

Ingstad then bought Froggy 99 and five other stations from L&L Broadcasting, which had just bought those stations as part of a larger deal with Triad Broadcasting.

Then, on Aug. 5, Ingstad swapped Froggy 99.9 with Midwest Communications’ Bob 95.

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LA Radio: Dan Kearney Named CBS Radio Market Manager

Dan Kearney

Daniel Kearney has been named Senior Vice President and Market Manager, CBS Radio Los Angeles, it was announced today by Dan Mason, President and CEO, CBS Radio, to whom he will report.  Kearney will oversee all operations of the division’s cluster of six radio stations. 

The appointment is effective on Tuesday, September 3.

CBS Radio owns and operates KNX-AM (All News), KAMP-FM (Top 40), KCBS-FM (Adult Hits), KROQ-FM (Alternative Rock), KRTH-FM (Classic Hits), and KTWV-FM (Adult Contemporary).

“Dan is an accomplished broadcaster and exactly the right executive to shape a new future for our iconic radio stations in Los Angeles,” said Mason.  “He has an impressive record of experience managing the operations of a multitude of different radio formats, producing noteworthy growth across all key measures.  Dan’s a fabulous addition to our organization.”

Having worked in radio for more than 20 years, Kearney has a vast knowledge of effective sales and management philosophies.  He most recently was Vice President and Market Manager for Cox Media Group in Miami (2012-2013) where he increased sales revenue by double digits, outpacing the general market’s performance.

Kearney spent close to 13 years in the nation’s ninth ranked radio market leading sales for WSB-AM (1999-2005), and later taking on General Manager responsibilities for WSB-FM and WBTS-FM (2005); WSRV-FM (2006-08) and WSB-AM (2008-09).

Current SVP/Market Manager Steve Carver will be transferring to a similar role with CBS Radio Tampa early next month, replacing Ben Hill.  Hill was serving as GM of Pamal's Gainesville, FL before he was recruited back into the CBS Radio family in October of 2010 as SVP/Market Manager of the company's five-station West Palm Beach cluster. After Palm Beach was spun off, Hill accepted a transfer to the Tampa.

In a staff memo explaining this executive transaction, EVP of Operations Scott Herman explained that Carver had recently "approached us about his desire to move east to be closer to his family, including two new grandchildren.”

Miami Radio: Cox Names Rob Babin As Market Manager

Rob Babin

Cox Media Group (CMG) Miami has named radio industry veteran Rob Babin as its new VP and Market Manager effective immediately. 

In this new role, Babin is responsible for CMG’s award-winning brands, WFLC 97.3 FM, WHQT HOT 105.1 FM, WEDR 99.1 FM, and WFEZ Easy 93.1 FM.

“We are delighted to tap into our amazing, internal leadership talent pool and have Rob step into this new executive role, overseeing our Miami operation,” said CMG’s Executive VP of Radio Kim Guthrie. 

“He has been an outstanding leader in his 12 years with CMG, both in our Orlando and Atlanta radio markets.  His strategic vision, incredible performance track record and desire to be the best make him a great fit for this opportunity.” 

Babin most recently was Vice President of Sales for CMG Atlanta’s radio stations, which includes legendary news brand News/Talk WSB, one of the top 10 billing stations in the country.

“I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with so many great people at CMG Atlanta, and I know their tradition of success will continue,” said Babin.  “Now I am thrilled to work with the phenomenal group of radio stations and talented team that make up CMG Miami!”

During the past 12 years with CMG, Rob has held General Sales Manager roles in Orlando and Atlanta’s News/Talk WSB.

Consortium Formed To Automate Sales

Today, IPG Mediabrands announced another major step toward an automated future for sales.

Six months ago, Mediabrands put a stake in the ground to deliver at least 50% of their clients' buys through automation by 2016. After months of critical conversations with the industry's most important players, a consortium of like-minded companies has been formed.

A+E Networks, AOL, Cablevision, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and Tribune share in the determination to bring the industry forward in the service of both clients and their audiences, and will work together with Magna Global to establish an industry-leading end-to-end, integrated programmatic-buying business model to drive critical automation advances across all media transactions.

The Magna Consortium will work to substantially improve the media planning and buying process, leading the way to a scalable, omni-channel marketplace. Together, the Consortium will work to deliver:

Innovative ways to drive more precise targeting and greater performance through the use of data

Exploration of opportunities to modernize and streamline media negotiations through expanded use of data and technology- based buying platforms Application of technological solutions to automate legacy buying systems and processes across traditional and digital media.

Tim Castelli

Through this alignment, IPG Mediabrands will have access to Consortium members' select media and data through Magna Global. Available inventory will include Display, Video, Mobile, Digital Out-of-Home, Radio and TV, and will include assets not previously available through automated buying systems.

"We are excited to be a charter member of Magna Consortium. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment's focus on innovation across our broadcast and digital platforms aligns perfectly with the mission of the consortium, "said Tim Castelli, President of National Sales, Marketing and Partnerships for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. "Our current technology infrastructure will not only help automate the traditional media buying process, but will also allow partners like IPG to better leverage our national scale and local activation capabilities for their clients."

NSA Reporter Greenwald Sez He Won’t Be Intimidated

Glenn Greenwald

U.S. journalist Glenn Greenwald, who has written many of the stories based on the classified documents taken by National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, said Monday (August 19th) that he'll publish with even more determination after British authorities detained his partner.

David Miranda, with whom Greenwald is in a civil union and lives with in Brazil, was detained by police Sunday at London's Heathrow Airport for nine hours under anti-terrorism legislation.

Greenwald, who reports for The Guardian newspaper in Britain, said he would "write much more aggressively than before" about government surveillance.

Speaking to reporters in Portuguese in Brazil, he said, "I'm going to publish many more things about England, as well. I have many documents about England's espionage system, and now my focus will be there, too. I think they'll regret what they've done."

The U.S. said they hadn't requested that Miranda be detained, but were tipped off by Britain about it. Miranda, a university student, was traveling home to Brazil after meeting in Germany with U.S. filmmaker Laura Poitras, who's worked with Greenwald on the NSA stories.

The Guardian said it paid for his flights, but he wasn't an employee of the newspaper, stating,

"As Glenn Greenwald's partner, he often assists him in his work. We would normally reimburse the expenses of someone aiding a reporter in such circumstances."

Greenwald told AP that Miranda was bringing back material from Poitras for stories he was working on related to the NSA and also bringing materials to her from Greenwald. The British agents confiscated Miranda's computer, Wi-Fi watch, cellphone, DVDs, memory sticks and some documents.

Ed Schultz Reclaims Daily Show On MSNBC

Ed Schultz

The Ed Show hosted by Ed Schultz is moving back to MSNBC’s weekday lineup starting Monday, August 26.

The Ed Show will air Monday – Friday at 5 p.m. ET. Hardball with Chris Matthews will continue at 7 p.m. ET. The announcement was made today by Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC.

“Chris Matthews and the Hardball team have been pulling double duty for years. This move will concentrate the ‘Hardball’ audience to one key time period and enhance the flow of our evening programming,” said Griffin. “Ed Schultz is a force of nature and an important voice to the MSNBC audience. I can’t wait to have him back on weeknights.”

The Ed Show previously aired on Saturdays and Sunday at 5 p.m. ET. MSNBC Longform will fill the 5 p.m. weekends slot starting Saturday, August 31. Hardball with Chris Matthews will continue its weekday re-air at 2 a.m. ET on MSNBC.

Al-Jazeera America Launches Today

Al-Jazeera America is launching at 3 p.m. ET today (August 20th), just seven months after buying out Al Gore's former Current TV.

The U.S. affiliate of the Qatar-based news organization has hired may U.S. broadcast journalism veterans, and will focus their programming on harder news, a contrast with the more opinionated talk that's prominent on U.S. news networks.

Kate O'Brian, the former ABC News executive who's Al-Jazeera America's president, told AP, "We're breaking in with something that we think is unique and are confident, with our guts and some research, that the American people are looking for."

Although Al-Jazeera is well-established overseas, with 70 bureaus around the world, executives have stressed that Al-Jazeera America will be geared to American audiences and tastes.

However, when it launches today, the network will only be available in less than half of U.S. homes. Two of the biggest cable networks won't be carrying it: Time Warner dropped the Current channel when it was sold and Cablevision never carried it.

However, Al-Jazeera is negotiating with both of them, and well as with other carriers, to try to get into more American homes.

Facebook Hacker Won't See Reward

A hacker who said he found a bug on Facebook demonstrated the flaw by hacking the page of CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

WSJ’s Ben Pimentel explains why he won't get rewarded under the tech company's "Bug Bounty Program.

Dick Van Dyke Escapes From Burning Jag

Dick Van Dyke is doing fine after being rescued from his burning sports car Monday on the 101 Freeway in Calabasas, according to THR.

The actor's wife, Arlene Van Dyke, tweeted a Vine video of the aftermath and wrote "He's fine thank God!!" after the incident. The legendary entertainer, 87, retweeted her post and later shared his own picture.

Used Jag for sale REAL CHEAP!! pic.twitter.com/SpQMsg3s2O
— Dick Van Dyke (@iammrvandy) August 20, 2013

The California Highway Patrol went into action at about 2 p.m. after receiving a report of a burning vehicle on the 101's eastbound right shoulder, according to the agency's incident log. A pair of off-duty nurses assisted the driver, and two eastbound lanes were closed for a short time. Van Dyke was not mentioned by name in the incident report.

According to the incident report, he may not have been aware his car was on fire before the rescue.

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R.I.P.: Minnesota Broadcast Andy Hilger Dies At 83

Andy Hilger

Central Minnesota broadcaster and businessman Andy Hilger died over the weekend.

He was 83, according to WJON.

Hilger landed a job at WJON 1240 AM in St. Cloud as a night-time disc jockey under the name “Tin Pan Andy” back in 1958.  He worked his way up and bought WJON in 1965. He later added WWJO (Stereo 98 and later 98 Country), KMXK (Mix 94.9) and KKJM.

For 40 years, Hilger wrote and produced daily editorials for WJON, often setting the community agenda on local issues of the day. He provided airtime for differing viewpoints and enjoyed stirring-up public debate on issues he believed mattered and needed more public attention.

He also built WJON Cablevision in the late 1960s, bringing cable television to the St. Cloud area.

In 1998, Hilger sold WJON, WWJO and KMXK to Regent Communications, a Cincinnati-area chain of small and medium-sized radio stations. He kept contemporary Christian station KKJM Spirit 92.9, and later donated it to the St. Cloud Diocese. He volunteered to serve as its manager for six years.

He also launched an all-Catholic AM station, K-YES AM that reached across the counties of the St. Cloud Catholic Diocese.

In 2006, Hilger was inducted into the Minnesota Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame.