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Radio remains top ad medium — for TV stations.
Trick question: What’s television’s favorite ad option? If you said radio, you’d be spot on, according to a new report that shows more TV stations buy time on radio than on any other media. Mixpo and PromaxBDA surveyed more than 200 TV broadcasters in over 60 markets finding that radio was used by 30% of outlets.
Townsquare’s stock falls 7% in debut.
Townsquare Media today became the first radio company to go public in more than a decade as shares of the group began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TSQ.” Townsquare earlier had pegged its debut price at $14 to $16 per share, but ultimately priced the IPO at a more conservative $11 per share. Even so, by the closing bell the stock price had fallen 7%. MORE
Plante stays cozy with Denver’s KOSI.
Entercom soft AC KOSI, Denver (101.1) morning co-host Denise Plante has signed a 3 and one-half year contract renewal with the station. Known as “Denver's Disorganized Diva,” Plante will continue to work alongside Murphy Huston on the "Murphy & Denise Morning Show.” She also hosts “Colorado and Company” on Gannett’s NBC affiliate KUSA.
AP advances Vance to head of U.S. radio.
The Associated Press has a new head of U.S. radio, part of a quarter of appointments at the global news gathering and distribution service. Denise Vance is appointed head of U.S. video and radio, continuing to oversee video and audio newsgathering and production in North America. The 20-year AP vet was most recently deputy director of U.S. broadcast news.
Jay Dixon named Hot 97 program director.
Emmis urban “Hot 97” WQHT, New York has named Jay Dixon as program director of the venerable radio brand. Dixon had been interim programmer since March when he stepped in for Ebro Darden who stepped down to focus on his morning show duties. MORE
Collections get new emphasis at Clear Channel.
Selling the ad is one thing; collecting payment from the client is the other half of the radio sales equation. Looking to boost its bottom line, Clear Channel says it has put a bigger focus on collection. MORE
Acquisition advances WideOrbit into programmatic buying.
In its third acquisition in three months, WideOrbit has struck a deal to buy the Swedish advertising management software company Admeta. Used by publishers for digital programming sales, WideOrbit plans to leverage Admeta’s optimization technology to create programmatic selling systems for both broadcast and digital. MORE
Chicago translator sale clocks in at $1 million.
For the second time ever an FM translator price has reached seven digits. Chicago businessman John Bridge has filed to buy the Chicago-licensed translator W280EM at 103.9 FM from religious broadcaster CSN International for $1 million. MORE
Allstate signs on ‘Mayhem FM’ in Chicago.
Allstate is known for using radio to localize national campaigns. In its home market of Chicago, the insurer has taken localization to a more granular level by pairing a billboard with a ultra low-power radio station. MORE
Listeners requesting ’50 Shades’ ad.
Showcasing the power of radio – not to mention a bit of sexy literature – stations are apparently getting requests for a new commercial for the upcoming “50 Shades of Grey” movie. The film won’t be out until next Valentine’s Day but Universal Pictures is releasing the trailer today. MORE
Andy Dean steps away from radio show.
As talk radio struggles to find young, new voices for the format, one of the highest-profile hosts says he’s leaving the airwaves. Andy Dean will step down from his hosting duties of the syndicated “America Now” on August 8 after three years. The 33-year old is leaving to run his technology company ConnectPal full-time. MORE
ESPN sets streaming record with World Cup.
It wasn’t just Germany that won the World Cup. So did broadcasters, putting record ratings in the net, so to speak. For ESPN’s English-language audio broadcasts, the biggest draw wasn’t the finale, instead it was the U.S.-Germany matchup that brought a record-setting streaming audience. MORE
