News Bites for January 29...
...Audacy classic rock KGON Portland, OR (92.3) is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 1. The station launched a subsection on its website that will include a merchandise museum, photos, videos, and interviews with former talent, including Mark Thompson of the “Mark & Brian Show,” Iris Harrison, Dave Scott, and Marty Party. “It’s not every day a station turns 50, and we’re incredibly proud of what this brand means to the city of Portland,” Brand Manager Ryan Castle said in a release. “Of course, the longevity of this brand would not be possible without the generations of loyal listeners and our team members’ unwavering dedication to the classic rock format. Cheers to the next 50 years!”
...John Phillips, 12-3pm host on Cumulus Media’s “Talk Radio 790” KABC Los Angeles, is now also hosting “Fix California” with Randy Wang, weeknights from 11pm-12am on co-owned talk KSFO San Francisco (560). “It’s no secret that California needs fixing and John Phillips with Randy Wang are just the guys to lead the charge in the Bay Area,” a show description read. “They’re covering the things you care about, homelessness, crime, taxes, and more.”
...An auction of baseball cards belonging to Cumulus Media country KSCS Dallas (96.3) morning host Mark “Hawkeye” Louis raised $11,400 for Cook Children’s Medical Center of Fort Worth on Friday. Louis says the total raised from the sale of the cards, which he began collecting as a child, exceeded his expectations. The collection included 17,000 cards dating to the 1960s. “I was so excited that we passed our goal and so many card collectors participated in the auction,” Louis tells Inside Radio sister publication Country Insider. “Excited that the legacy of the collection will live on at Cook Children’s Medical Center.”
...The RAB-Borrell Benchmark Report will feature Gordon Borrell of Borrell Associates presenting findings from the annual digital report, sponsored by Marketron, which addresses digital selling growth in the radio industry. The presentation, which reveals that digital revenue increased 6.8% in 2023 and is bolstering industry growth, will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 12pm (CT). Registration information can be viewed HERE.
...Beasley Media Group expands its “Playa” format in Detroit. The “Salsa and More” presentation was launched across several of the company's HD channels in November 2023 including WMGC-HD2 Detroit. Now the station can also be heard on the Detroit-licensed FM translator W228CJ at 93.5. The signal was carrying “Podcast Radio U.S.,” which Beasley placed in four markets in September 2023.
...Westwood One syndicated host Ben Shapiro and independent rapper Tom MacDonald collaborate on a new song “Facts.” Shapiro says, “As a longtime devotee of rap, becoming a rapper was the natural next step in my career trajectory. So, when Tom asked if I wanted to collaborate on a song, I leapt at the chance. This was the moment I spent 20 years of classical violin training preparing for. For those who don't appreciate my artistic stylings, all I can say is that they didn't appreciate Bach properly in his own time, either."
...Talent agent Paul Anderson of Workhouse Media will be featured in a free webinar “How Radio Talent Can Survive and Thrive in 2024.” The session, presented by Benztown and P1 Media Group, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 1. Anderson will discuss the effects and future of AI on radio and radio talent, and help talent prepare themselves for success as the media landscape and environment quickly evolves. Registration information can be viewed HERE.