Steve Cochran Goes Full Time, Brandmeier Shifts To Virtual FM In Massive WGN Makeover

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 21ST, 2013 –– Beginning September 3rd, it'll be deja vu all over again as WGN returns Steve Cochran to its morning lineup and former hosts Kathy & Judy join for a new Saturday morning show. According to The Chicago Tribune, other moves include Jonathon Brandmeier, who joined WGN two years ago, being moved to a new virtual FM station (wgnfm.com) while the station searches for an FM frequency to purchase. Also in the mix includes longtime Chicago radio and TV vet Bob Sirott who, along with his wife Marianne Murciano, will likely take over the noon to 3 p.m. slot. Overnight host and regular fill-in, Bill Leff, is reported to be taking over 9 a.m. to noon. Garry Meier will remain in afternoon drive from 3 to 7 p.m., but is reportedly going to be joined by a co-host, according to de Castro. WGN Radio is also set to unveil a new slogan calling itself “Chicago’s Very Own,” shelving the “Voice of Chicago.” Reportedly, the future plan for an FM signal will build gradually online and hopes to lure a number of other major Chicago air personalities. Local buzz has Steve Dahl's name being mentioned, among others. Look for Pete McMurray to figure into both current AM and future FM lineup.

Will The Internet Become Radios' Next Farm League? [VIDEO]

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 21ST, 2013 –– "The media landscape, particularly with radio, has changed a heck of a lot ... Part of that is that there's less and less choice on the radio," says WSJ Digit's host, Simon Constable to his guest, CCME's President of Digital, Brian Lakamp. There to discuss the future of radio, Lakamp says its iHeart Radio app "gives listeners a new channel to access us." He adds "we're more than towers and transmitters, we're not about a single channel of distribution; we're about brand connection to consumers and digital is a way to do that..." Constable laments that big radio is now being dominated on talk radio by relatively fewer acts. Lakamp counters this by bringing up CCME's recent partnership with Spreaker, a European startup. "What they essentially produce is a microphone app that allows the everyday man to become a broadcaster." Lakamp admits that not everyone can be a smashing success at it, but he refers to past creations such as Wordpress and publishing tools that came our for written word and YouTube for video. Lakamp says what we're providing through Spreaker is a vehicle where great content creators can emerge. WATCH VIDEO HERE

Heather Cohen Named 'Woman Of The Year' By Talkers Magazine

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 21ST, 2013 –– Heather Cohen, EVP of The Weiss Agency, has been voted by the Talker's magazine editorial board as its 2013 recipient of the "Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Talk Radio by a Woman." Cohen, who joined with Eric Weiss' Weiss Agency in 2007, arrived from Greenstone Media. Prior to Greenstone, Cohen served as as APD at New York's WOR where she was responsible for the station’s local and national on-air content, programs, and production. She also served as Executive Producer for WOR’s long-running Joan Hamburg Show. Talker's publisher Michael Harrison states, "If anyone deserves this award recognizing an individual woman for not just her personal accomplishments in talk radio - but her contributions to the industry as well - then the selection of Heather Cohen is the quintessential choice.  She is a marvelous broadcaster and her personal career achievements as a producer, APD and corporate programming executive speak for themselves. Cohen will be presented theaward during a special ceremony during a Talkers event in LA this October.

MOTION: Jim Watkins Returns To TRN

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 21ST, 2013 –– TRN Syndications, Ltd. has engaged long-time national affiliate consultant Jim Watkins, to spearhead several new projects within TRN and to assist in the growth of the existing affiliate base of the multiple TRN networks and many radio stars that TRN syndicates. Watkins will oversee new business development and growth-strategy projects for the TRN Networks that distributes: Andrea Tantaros, Jerry Doyle, Rusty Humphries, Erich “Mancow” Muller, Monica Crowley, America’s Morning News, Michio Kaku, Louie Anderson, Roy Masters and America’s Radio News Network, and a complete weekend lineup of a variety of talk programming. CEO Mark Masters said “ “As the country ramps up into the mid-term elections, Talk Radio has never been more vital to facilitating the national debate. Jim really understands the vitality of Talk Radio better than most people in the industry today.” Watkins previously programmed News Talk stations for Clear Channel, as well as South-Florida based Meridian Broadcasting, and also served as producer for some of the top air talent in the country, including Michael Savage, Mike Gallagher, Barry Farber, and others.

K-Earth's Christina Kelley Wins Paying TV Gig In Voiceover Competition

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 21ST, 2013 –– K-EARTH L.A.'s nightime host Christina Kelley, is the winner of the NBC4 Audition Contest held at this year's That's VoiceOver. According to Don Bartlett's laradio.com, there were 30 contestants in the 2nd round and 6 in the final round. She told Bartlett, “We were each coached for several minutes by working pros and then we read live on the DGA stage in front of a panel of judges and a live audience before the winner was announced live.” The grand prize is a paying promo job at NBC4 Los Angeles, a Neumann TLM 102 studio mic, and agency representation with TGMD. She says Vanessa Gilbert is now her agent. "I'm over the moon,” said Christina.

Benztown Named Among Fastest Growing Companies In America By Inc. Magazine

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 21ST, 2013 –– Benztown announced that Inc. magazine has named the company one of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies. Benztown was notified of their placement on this prestigious list earlier today. Benztown increased sales 438% since the start of 2010, placing it at number 985 on the list of 5,000. The Inc. 5000 is an exclusive annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, ranked according to percentage revenue growth rate over a three-year period. Companies must have generated at least $100,000 in revenue in 2009 and at least $2 million in 2012 to qualify for the listing. They must also be U.S. based, privately held, independent and for-profit. The Inc. 5000 was harder to get into this year than ever in its 32-year history. Benztown was co-founded in 2008 by L.A.-based President, Dave “Chachi” Denes, 37, a radio producer and former program director of KBIG/MYfm in Los Angeles, and German audio producers and composers Andreas Sannemann, 34, Benztown CEO, and Oliver Klenk, 38, Head of Production and Composition for Benztown. Benztown currently has 1,900 radio station affiliates on six continents, with nearly 1,200 of them using Benztown’s industry-leading technology and proprietary web-based imaging solution, “Benztown Branding”.

RADIO DAY SURVEY: Guess The Celebrity Listeners Want To See In Twerking Video

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 21ST, 2013 –– In honor of National Radio Day, Clear Channel conducted a random sample of more than 1,000 of its iHeartRadio’s Active Listeners. Among its questions included who should play Kate Middleton in a biopic. Anne Hathaway (right), while not a runaway choice, topped (no pun intended) the list. She edged out Kate Beckinsale in a close second. They also asked who should star in 'Sharnado 2.' Not surprisingly, Nicolas Cage and Vin Diesel topped the list with Samuel Jackson coming in 3rd. Sylvester Stallone was at the bottom with--OUCH-- just 4%.But guess who they wanted to see make a twerking video? Selena Gomez? Lady Gaga? Yup, both of them, but coming in atop the list was none other than Carrie Underwood. And with Labor Day just around the corner, whom do you suppose listeners would like to have provide some entertainment for their backyard barbeque? Looks like this poll had lots of country fans as Tim McGraw topped the list with nearly a third of the vote. CHECK OUT ALL VOTES HERE

Popular Scottish Host, Suzie McGuire Too Ill To Take Stand On Charge Of Assaulting Husband With Shoe

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 21ST, 2013 –– Just read the headline and you'll understand why this story is of interest. As Jockline Daily reported last month, one of Glasgow Scotland's most popular host, Clyde 1 FM's Suzie McQuire, has been in the news following allegations that she assaulted her husband with a shoe. According to The Herald Scotland, yesterday she was set to stand trial, but was a no-show with her attorney saying she was too ill to attend. McQuire was accused of assaulting Derek Mitchell in their home last December. Allegedly she struck him and knocked him down a flight of stairs, repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on his head and body and repeatedly struck him with various household items. She also faces a charge of placing her husband in a state of fear by repeatedly shouting at him in a threatening and aggressive manner, pursuing him up a fight of stairs and forcing open a bathroom door. The case has been continued until next week for investigations to be made to see when Ms McGuire will be fit to stand trial.

Timberlake & NSYNC Set To Reunite VMA's - [NY POST]

Dr. Oz Runs To Help Following Runaway Cab Accident In New York - [NY DAILY NEWS]

Dr. Luke In Talks To Be 'Idol's 3rd Judge - [US]

Ashton Kutcher Is TV's Highest Paid TV Comedy Star - [ENTERTAINMENTWISE]

Al Jazeera America Dropped By AT&T U-Verse - [EW]

Dick Clark Productions Names New EVP - [DEADLINE]

Ed Sheeran Joins Christina Aguileras' Team On 'The Voice' - [ZAP 2 IT]

Courtney Stodden Joins UK's 'Celebrity Big Brother' - [E]

The Callings' Alex Band Credits His Unborn Child For Saving His Life In Beating - [GOSSIP COP]

PETA Wants Seaworld Out Of 'Anchorman 2' - [ECORAZZI]

TRAILERS WE LOVE: 'The Counselor' With Brad Pitt - [INDIEWIRE]

Jesse, Amanda & Pike Go Big In Fargo

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 20TH, 2013 –– Following more teases than a '60's hair salon, 98.7, formerly known as Q98, announced its new name and format (Big 98.7 Today’s Hit Music Without All the Rap), plus its new morning show, Jesse and Amanda with Pike (right). 98.7 former rock format moves up to 105.1 and will be called Q105.1. John Halvorson (Jesse James), Amanda Scheid (Amanda Lea) and Taylor Peterson (Pike) had previously worked at Froggy 99.9. According to inforum.com, the trio began the day by being named North Dakota’s best morning show and top community service team by the North Dakota Broadcasters Association. This announcement following lots of moving parts going back to April when 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.

D.L. Hughley Making Autobiographical Show for FX

Show To Revolve Around Him As An Unapologetically Honest Family Man And Radio Host

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 20TH, 2013 –– It's been a pretty productive few weeks for Comedian/Actor/Radio host D.L. Hughley. Following the recent news of his upcoming syndicated radio show on Reach Media, word now has it that FX is developing an autobiographical comedy starring Hughley. In a release it says the show will be based on Hughley’s life experiences and revolves around him as an unapologetically honest family man and radio host. According to Deadline, Hughley, one of The Original Kings Of Comedy, will co-write the script for the FX project with Sivert Glarum and Michael Jamin (Brickleberry). The three will produce with 3 Arts’ Michael Rotenberg and Dave Becky for FX Prods. Hughley, who previously co-created/toplined the sitcom The Hughleys that ran for four seasons on ABC and UPN, is with ICM Partners; Glarum and Jamin are with UTA. And where will Hughley broadcast his radio show? Reportedly, Reach has wanted him to move to its studios in Dallas. Sources, however, tell Jockline Daily that he'll likely have studios in both New York, LA and Dallas.

MOTION: CBS Radio Names Daniel Kearney As SVP/Market Manager LA; Steve Carver Moves To Tampa Cluster; Cox Media Appoints Rob Babin As Its VP/Market Manager In Miami

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 20TH, 2013 –– CBS Radio has been named Daniel Kearney as Senior Vice President and Market Manager for CBS Radio Los Angeles. Stations include 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). Daniel was most recently Vice President and Market Manager for Cox Media Group in Miami (2012-2013). –––––––––In the same release, it was announced that Steve Carver will assume the role of Senior Vice President/Market Manager, CBS Radio Tampa. Steve was Vice President and General Manager of CBS RADIO’s WBBM-AM in Chicago (1993-98); WOGL in Philadelphia (1989-93) and also served as General Sales Manager of WCBS-FM in New York. ––––––––––––– On the heels of Kearney's move to LA, Cox Media Group (CMG) Miami quickly named radio industry veteran Rob Babin (right) as its new VP and Market Manager effective immediately. He'll oversee 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,Ó said CMGÕs Executive VP of Radio Kim Guthrie. Babin most recently was Vice President of Sales for Cox's Atlanta stations which include News/Talk WSB, one of the top 10 billing stations in the country.

HUH? Talker Rhodes Says Very Few People Know Who Rush Limbaugh Is

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 20TH, 2013 –– Apparently, an estimated 20 million listeners each week to Rush Limbaugh's syndicated show isn't enough to prove his popularity for fellow syndicated talker Randi Rhodes (left). Weighing in on Limbaugh's recent suggestion that he's "too famous" to moderate a debate of Republican presidential candidates and his presence would "overshadow" the event, Rhodes said on a recent show: "I got news for you. Very few people in this country know who he is and that is the dirty little secret. You've got about 60 million people who are going to vote and they don't know who he is. Young people don't know who he is, OK? People who don't listen to talk radio don't know who he is. There's 3 million viewers on any given day on Fox News, no one outside of those 3 million people know who he is. It's ridiculous! He's so famous, he's so famous that he can't, uh, he can't possibly, you know, be a moderator ... I make absolutely no bones about what I do for a living. I don't think I'm famous! I never thought I was famous, not even when I was semi-famous did I ever even contemplate or process that, OK? I never thought that! I just thought I have a job I really like to do and some people that appreciate what I do and that's great. Isn't that something? LISTEN TO NEWSBUSTERS AUDIO

Lincoln Financial Goes From Smooth To Easy 98.1 San Diego

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 20TH, 2013 –– Lincoln Financial Media announced the debut of 'Easy 98.1 FM in San Diego. In a release, SVP/GM Rick Jackson said "We certainly believe San Diego is ready for a full-fledged adult contemporary station ... some of the music you'll hear hasn't been played on radio in years. PD Mike Vasquez adds: "We will be the station you'll turn to when you're in the mood to take it easy. Easy 98.1 FM's on-air line-up includes: Greg Cook (5 a.m.-10 a.m.), Mike Vasquez (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), Dawne Davis (3 p.m.-8 p.m.), Maria Lopez (8 p.m.-midnight) and Kelly Danek's traffic during both the morning and afternoon commutes.

Star 102.5 Des Moines' Ken & Colleen Hitch 26 At State Fair

Wedding Prizes Included Tickets On Sky Glider, Corn Dogs, Cheese Curds And Beer

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 20TH, 2013 –– Twenty-six couples were married at the Iowa State Fair Friday morning (August 16) as part of Ken & Colleen in the Morning's "State Fair-y Tale Wedding" on STAR 102.5 (KSTZ- FM) in Des Moines, IA. The wedding was officiated by the show's Producer Kurt, who is an online ordained minister. The State Fair Queen was there to present the couples a "Fair-ymoon" prize package that included tickets on the sky glider, midway tickets, corn dogs, cheese curds and beer. ÊIt is believed to be the first "mass wedding" in the history of the nation's oldest state fair. LISTEN HERE -- WATCH HERE

CONDOLENCES: Popular Waterloo Host, Paul Michaels, Dies Unexpectedly

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 20TH, 2013 –– Local radio icon, Paul Michaels, was found dead at home Monday. Michaels, real name David Eggleston, was just 65. According the wcfcourier.com, 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 had 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. One of his fellow staffers told Jockline Daily, Michaels had just come off a heck of a weekend having participated in its 'Football Fantasy' event. Yesterday, after Michaels had not shown up for work, which we were told was 'very much unlike Michaels,' they contacted authorities. Michaels was also known as an avid Iowa Hawkeyes supporter and fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Dick Van Dyke Offers Up Burnt Jag REAL CHEAP

THE MOUTH, AUGUST 20TH, 2013 –– Perhaps not your typical Jockline Daily post, but we doubt there's a radio show alive who's not discussing the potentially fatal car fire yesterday involving beloved TV/film star, Dick Van Dyke. Reportedly, a passerby claimed to have pulled Van Dyke from the car thinking he had fainted, but staying true to his character, Van Dyke later posted on his twitter page "Used Jag For sale REAL CHEAP." CHIP's got a call yesterday at around 2 p.m. of a report involving a burning vehicle on the 101's eastbound right shoulder. Lanes were closed temporarily. According to the incident report, he may not have been aware his car was on fire before the rescue.

Lady Gaga To Open VMA's With 'Applause' Performance - [ZAP 2 IT]

Demi Lovato Joins 'Glee' For Beatles' Episode - [THR]

Lady Antebellum Teams With Stevie Nicks For CMT's 'Crossroads' - [TV GUIDE]

UH OH: David Arquette Admits He's Drinking Again - [TODAY]

Hacker Says Facebook Ignored Bug Until He Used It On Zuckerberg - [YAHOO]

Disney Star, Lee Thompson, Found Dead From Apparent Suicide - [NEW.COM.AU]

Police Looking Into Suicide At Olivia Newton John Florida Pool By Unknown Male - [GOSSIP EXTRA]

'Butler' Director Daniels Interested In Sammy Davis Biopic - [SHOWBIZ 411]

Master Chef's Wallace Gets Into Brawl With Man Who Fondled His Girlfriend - [DAILY MAIL]

The Hulk Wants Chris Hemsworth To Play Him In Film - [US]

Star Trek's Takei To Lead Giant Chicken Dance During Cincinnati Oktoberfest - [WASHINGTON POST]

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