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News/Talk Tops Nielsen 2013 Audio Formats List

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 13TH, 2013 –– Nielsen Audio has released its 'Top 10 Audio Formats' list of 2013 and heading the pack is "News/Talk Information with a 9.3% share of Persons 6+. This was followed by Pop Contemporary Hit Radio at 8.2%, Country: 7.6%, AC: 7%, Hot AC: 5.5%, Classic Hits: 5.3%, Urban AC: 5%, Sports: 4.3%, Classic Rock: 4.3%, and Regional Mexican at 3.9%. Moving to the 18-34 Demo, Pop Contemporary took the lead with 12.4%, Country: 9.1%, Rhythmic: 7.3%, AC: 6.3%, Hot AC: 6.1%, Regional Mexican: 5.6%, Urban: 5.3%, Alternative: 5%, News-Talk Information: .7% and Classic Rock at 3.6%. Contemporary Pop also led in the 25-54 demo with an 8.7%; AC & Country tied at 7.5% and News-Talk Information 4th with a 6.8%. Nielsen shows that country grew among younger listeners reaching all-time highs for 48 Nielsen PPM markets; News/Talk and Information made an impressive rebound from Fall numbers.

DONE: Cumulus Completes Acquisition of WestwoodOne

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 13TH, 2013 –– Cumulus Media Inc. announced it has completed the previously announced acquisition of WestwoodOne, Inc. formerly known as Dial Global, Inc., for $260 million in cash, consisting of approximately $45 million attributable to the equity of WWO and the retirement of $215 million of debt of WWO. Cumulus used cash on hand, including approximately $238 million in cash proceeds from the Company’s previously completed sale of 53 radio stations in 12 small and mid-sized markets in November 2013 to Townsquare Media, LLC. Although the merger was not subject to the pre-closing notification requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is conducting a review of the transaction. While Cumulus believes the merger does not raise any anti-competitive issues, it continues to voluntarily assist the DOJ with its evaluation. However, it cannot predict if the DOJ will elect to seek, or obtain, any remedies, or the effect that any remedies may have on Cumulus’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

EXECUTIVE ACTION: Greg Strassell On The Rise At CCME

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 13TH, 2013 –– Having joined Clear Channel Media & Entertainment this past May following a nine year stint with CBS Radio, Greg Strassell (shown) has now been promoted to the position of SVP of Strategic Services. Yesterday, in a company memo by Tom Poleman, he wrote: 'Throughout the year Darren Davis and I have been evaluating all the services and promotions that NPP offers to ensure that we have all our personnel and resources aligned to give Clear Channel the biggest advantage possible. So today, we're excited to add Greg Strassell to the NPP team as our new Senior Vice President of Strategic Services. Greg will oversee Programming Research, Ratings Analysis, our Brand Management Team, Talent Development, and Critical Mass Media..." On his appointment, Greg told Jockline Daily: "The entire Clear Channel Media + Entertainment team has been nothing short of phenomenal to work with since joining. Tom and Darren have shared the vision to continue to build and develop this platform of strategic resources to support our brand managers, programmers, talent, and stations. It is an incredible honor to join the NPP team and work side-by-side with industry stars like Guy Zapoleon, Dennis Clark, Gary Marince, Steve Casey, Robin Maddy and her team at Critical Mass Media.

MOTION: Elaina Joining Shawn Parr's Syndicated Show; Samantha Lane Takes PM Drive At WZZO/95.1; LA's Brian Whitman & The Morning Answer Ink New Deal; Bill Prescott Returns To KGON Portland

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 13TH, 2013 –– After arriving just short of a year ago at Space Coast's 107.1 A1A Florida where she co-hosted the Timmy & Elaina Show, Elaina just announced she'll be joining the soon to be launched Shawn Parr syndicated show on NASH Radio. The San Diego State University grad first entered radio as “The Mexican Leprechaun” on the Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw Show in San Diego. From there she was quickly scooped up for her first co-hosting gig at AIA. Check out her cool announcement via VIDEO –––––––––– Salem Comm. announced today that LA radio veteran Brian Whitman has signed a contract extension to remain part of 'The Morning Answer' on AM 870 The Answer , KRLA Los Angeles. Whitman, who has worked at KIIS-FM, KLSX-FM and KABC-AM in Los Angeles, and WABC in New York, is part of the three person team with Elisha Krauss and Ben Shapiro (shown). Both Krauss and Shapiro have also agreed to remain with Whitman in this unique three person morning show. 95.1 WZZO/Allentown, PA has named Samantha Layne as its new Afternoon Host and Promotions Director. Layne started her radio career in Cleveland, OH and since then her success has taken her to many different markets and stations including WBEB in Philadelphia. Most recently she spent the past thirteen years co-hosting Morning Drive at WODE in the Lehigh Valley. "I’d like to thank Dan Lankford, Jeff Hurley and Craig Stevens for inviting me to be a part of this legendary station," said Samantha. –––––––––––– Entercom Portland's KGON announced that radio veteran Bill Prescott will be behind the microphone once again as the station’s morning host beginning Monday, January 6th. Prescott is best known to area listeners from his eight-year run as morning driver on KUFO-FM in the 90s—but KGON was one of his first Portland radio stops when he did afternoons, and later mornings, from 1988-90. After more than a decade off the air, Prescott is excited to be returning to KGON.

Seacrest Mention Of Host's Name On Kimmel Show Stirs 'Explosion' Of Calls [VIDEO]

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 13TH, 2013 –– For anyone in radio who caught this week's visit by Ryan Seacrest on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Show, you had to love Ryan's tale of how he landed his first radio gig. Out promoting this year's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, Ryan told the story of being 15 and calling the night jock on Star 94/Atlanta. Kimmel asked Seacrest to name the jock and he replied 'Tom Sullivan.' Having left the station in 2008 after a 20 year run, Sullivan still stays busy with emceeing gigs and events around Atlanta, but Seacrest's mention of his name stirred unexpected reaction. He told The AJC's Rodney Ho: "I woke up this morning to my phone exploding," Sullivan said. "I went to see it and thought, 'Way to go Ryan!' Dude, it was awesome. It was a great surprise." Seacrest talked about how he later asked Sullivan to be his intern. As a teen, he said he was just thrilled to pull carts (that's what the tapes were called in the day) for Sullivan to use to play commercials and music. Kimmel said his entrance to radio began the same way, by calling into a station in Seattle. WATCH VIDEO HERE

Tyler Perry Talks Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage Audition With Jay Leno [VIDEO]

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 13TH, 2013 –– Movie mogul Tyler Perry is so excited about holding auditions for an upcoming project on the 2014 Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage cruise that he took it to national TV on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”. “What is this about you holding auditions on a cruise ship?” asks Leno. “Tom Joyner does this cruise every year to raise money for colleges and what was so fantastic about it is, he said this year, we’re gonna have someone be on your show. So let them come and audition. Come on the cruise and let these people audition,” Perry explains. Celebrating its fifteenth year the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage continues the Ultimate Party with a Purpose®, supporting students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities setting sail March 16th, from Miami, Florida.

War Hero Surprised By Stigall With Trip To Fantasy Camp

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 13TH, 2013 –– Add this to yet another amazing holiday feat pulled off by a radio show. Chris Stigall, morning host on the Philadelphia Phillies radio flagship station, Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, along with the Phillies and the local chapter of the USO surprised wounded warrior and hero, SFC Brian Keaton with a trip to the Phillies Phantasy Camp this morning live on the air. Stigall, shown above center with Keaton, along with his wife and two of his five kids. The Phillies tweeted the podcast of his morning's broadcast segment to their nearly 800,000 followers. CHECK OUT THE SHOW HERE

Friends, Fans Of Late Morning Host To Throw Commemorative Party

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 13TH, 2013 –– The Peak 107.1/White Plains, NY will host a tribute party to one of their biggest radio personalities, Caroline Corley, died suddenly right after finishing a show Nov. 25. According to hudsonvalley.com, the tribute event will be held at a local establishment from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17. There will be a cash bar. While there won’t be any food, several restaurants are within walking distance. “We’ll raise a glass – we’ll laugh – we’ll cry a little and we’ll remember our friend. It’s how she would have wanted it,” according to the event page created on Facebook. One Facebook user wrote on the event page, “My morning commute will never be the same. I miss hearing her voice.” Corley began her radio career at Georgia State University in Atlanta which at the time featured one of the few entirely student-run radio station in the country. Corley’s cause of death remains unknown. Her death followed another Hudson Valley host's passing , WPDH Morning Show Host Mark “Coop” Cooper, who died in August. Cooper had been with The Peak for the past nine years.

Lady Gaga & Celine Dion To Perform On Season Finale Of 'The Voice'

Lady Gaga & Celine Dion To Perform On 'The Voice' Season Finale - [IDOLATOR]

tWitch Got Hitched To 'SYTYCD' Co-Star Allison Holker - [POP WATCH]

Jeff Probst Returns For CBS' 'Survivor' Seasons 29 & 30 - [TV GUIDE]

'South Park' Takes Aim At Kanye & Kimmy - Says Kimmy Has The Body Of A 'Hobbit' - [GOSSIP COP]

HILARIOUS: Jimmy Kimmel Convinces People That Rob Ford And Others Are Time's 'Person Of The Year' - [ZAP 2 IT]

EUUUU: Hugh Hefner & Crystal Harris Pose In Jammies For Christmas Card - [US]

Oprah Reveals The 'Meeting' That Turned OWN Around - [THR]

FAR OUT: Susan Sarandon Admits To Being Stoned At Most Awards Shows Except The 'Oscars' - [DAILY MAIL]

'Hawaii Five-O Adds Tom Berenger To Cast - [INSIDE TV]

TRAILERS WE LOVE: Kurt Russell In 'The Art of The Steal' - [RED CARPET]

MOTION: CCME LA Shifts Dave Styles To 104.3 MY FM: Alex Gervasi To KIIS-FM; Booker Follows JB & Sandy At Mix 94.7 Austin

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 12TH, 2013 ––CCME L.A. announced it's moving longtime L.A. host, Dave Styles (R)104.3 MYfm to its 3-7:00 p.m. shift. In the same announcement, they reported they'll be bringing Alex Gervasi (BL) to KIIS-FM as its new on-air host for overnights and weekends. She arrives from their sister station KHFI 96.7/Austin where she currently handles middays. For the past 10 years Styles has been an on-air host at KIIS-FM, where his hosting duties included overnights and weekends. He also co-hosts a syndicated music and pop-culture show, The Hot Hits: Live From LA, which airs on over 60 stations across Australia. In addition to radio, Styles is also in the in-stadium Entertainment Host for the LA Dodgers and produces background-score music for TV. "What can I say, I'm pumped to be doing afternoons on an incredible station that has Los Angeles buzzing," said Styles. "The opportunity to continue working amongst friends I've made over my 10 years here, makes it that much sweeter." Meanwhile back in Austin, following the surprising exit of longtime morning hosts, JB & Sandy at MIX 94.7, comes word that Brad Booker (BR), most recently of KMLE/Phoenix, will be taking over the anchor duties along with Alex Franco and Sara Osbourne. "I feel like I just hit the jackpot! To have this type of opportunity is truly a blessing. Entercom is an amazing company, Austin is one of the greatest cities in America, and Mix is an outstanding radio station," said Booker. Prior to Phoenix, Booker held morning stints in Las Vegas, Houston, New Orleans and St. Louis. "We couldn’t be more excited about our new morning show and the future of Mix in 2014. Booker is a great addition to the Mix lineup. Booker, Alex and Sara will bring a new energy and excitement to mornings as well as Austin’s best music mix," said Mix 94.7 PD Cat Thomas.

TSBC 2014 Returns To Dallas - Feb. 7-8th 2014

Talentmasters and Gabe Hobbs Media have teamed again to present Talk Show Boot Camp™ 2014, a special forum that caters to both current and future stars of spoken-word. It's coming February 7 & 8th, 2014 to the all new, luxurious Omni Hotel in Downtown Dallas (above). In the days and weeks ahead, we'll bring you details of what promises to be one of our most exciting, star-studded events ever. CLICKING HERE TO REGISTER. CLICK ON GRAPHIC TO REGISTER FOR OMNI HOTEL

WORKING AGENDA:GLENN BECK UNPLUGGED • ERICA FARBER: Taking On Talk Radio's Greatest Financial Challenge • AL PETERSON: Talk From The Top; Straight Talk For Top Executives • GABE HOBBS: Talk Academy II; Featuring Cast Of Top Talent Experts • NORM PATTIZ: From WW1 to PC1... The emergence of on demand audio. • CAROLYN GILBERT: ANALYZE THIS: What's Driving Listeners To And From Talk Radio • VALERIE GELLER: 7 Essentials Of Top Shows In The Digital Age • STEVE GOLDSTEIN: Making The Most Of Social & Mobile & Local Media • AMIR FORESTER: What To Do When YOU Become The News (Crisis Management) • KIPPER MCGEE: Managing Multiple Platforms • STEVE JONES: Branding Like A Rock Star H H Building & Developing Top Shows • Choosing Topics For Broader Appeal • Screening Techniques For Better Calls & Content Plus More!

EXECUTIVE ACTION: Tim Clarke Named CMG'S New Digital Audience Director; CCME Names Rick Yacobush As Syracuse Market Manager

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 12TH, 2013 –– Cox Media Group (CMG) has named Tim Clarke (L) as its new Director of Digital Audience for Radio, effective immediately. In this role, Clarke will be the liaison between CMG’s radio and digital divisions to help drive the digital brand strategy and product development for growing audience and engagement at all CMG’s radio stations. “We have some of the more cutting edge efforts in the digital space, and it is exciting to be able to dedicate one of our best talents to that effort,” said Kim Guthrie, Executive VP of Radio. “We are evolving our super brands into the digital future, and Tim will play an instrumental role in that overall success.” Clarke was most recently Program Director for HOT 101.5 and Director of Social Media for all six CMG Tampa stations. –––––––––– CCME Syracuse announced that Rick Yacobush has been named Market Manager.
Yacobush has more than 38 years of experience in radio in the Syracuse market five years as On-Air Personality 'Rick Charles,' 15 years as an Account Manager and 18 years as a Sales Manager. He previously served the Clear Channel cluster for more than 26 years, holding a variety of roles including Account Manager, General Sales Manager and Director of Sales for WSYR, WYYY, WBBS, WWHT and WHEN.

Garth Brooks Makes Surprise Call Into Indy's Jim, Deb & Kevin Show - [AUDIO]

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 12TH, 2013 –– As shows wind down for the holidays, the last thing they expect are unexpected calls from one of music's most legendary performers. But that was the case this morning as country's iconic artist Garth Brooks called Jim, Deb & Kevin at WFMS/Indianapolis bright and early this morning, saying "It isn't a Garth Brooks Tour without a stop in Indy!" Garth also admitted to being a bit nervous about a comeback, saying there is an entire new generation of artists, not to mention surviving the tour. (Garth joked, 'This is going to be called the Wheelchair and Walker Tour!) When asked if he's a fan of any of the new generation acts, he named a few: Joe Nichols, because of his traditional sound, Jason Aldean 'brings muscle to country music,' and 'Carrie Underwood can sing anything, she has no ceiling or walls.' As for the tour, Garth says the new World Tour will kick off in the Fall 2014, locations have yet to be announced, and will span 3 years! He was dining on a breakfast of Dr. Pepper during our chat, and was funny for a 5:40 am phone call! Garth: 'Had I known we were live, I would have dressed in something nicer.' LISTEN TO AUDIO HERE

HOLY BLUE BALLS: More Holiday Programming On Tap This Season

THE MOUTH, DECEMBER 12TH, 2013 –– USRN announced that its weekly rock program, hardDrive with Lou Brutus (R), will offer radio stations two different holiday special editions of the program, one Christmas-themed episode set for broadcast the weekend prior to Christmas and a year-end episode schedule to air on the weekend between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. For the pre-Christmas Holiday weekend, the weekly 2-hour edition of hardDrive presents its annual show titled “NITEMARE B4 XMAS”. This show includes Alice in Chains, Deftones, Halestorm, Redlight King and Stone Temple Pilots. Plus the show will spotlight some off-beat holiday tunes like Jim Breuer’s “Santa Claus Ain’t Coming to Town” and Corey Taylor’s “Xma$.” A week later, the hardDrive staff will be presenting their “MIXED UP YEAR IN REVIEW..”For more details, contac Andy Denemark, USRN - andyd@unitedstations.com –––––––––––––– Over at Premiere Networks, they announced an exclusive three-hour radio special, TheBlaze: The Year in Your Ear, a comprehensive review of 2013 featuring different perspectives from the hosts and writers of TheBlaze, Glenn Beck’s news, information and entertainment network. From the government shutdown and North Korea missile threats, to the Boston Marathon bombings and the George Zimmerman trial. For more information, please visit www.PremiereRadio.com. ––––––––––– Meanwhile, 24/7 Comedy will celebrate the holiday season with special guest host Gabriel Iglesias. From December 14 through December 27, 24/7 Comedy will feature “The 12 Days of Fluffy” (for 13 days), giving listeners a peek behind the stage persona of the internationally acclaimed comedian and highlighting some of his most popular stand-up bits. His first two DVD specials “Hot & Fluffy” and “I’m Not Fat…I’m Fluffy” have sold well over one million copies. He’s also an accomplished actor, appearing in such films as the 2012 hit movie Magic Mike and the 2013 Walt Disney Pictures animated film Planes. Gabriel Iglesias signs ornaments as part of 24/7 Comedy’s “Blue Balls of Christmas” contest, where listeners can enter to win a shiny blue holiday ornament autographed by their favorite comedian.