News Bites for June 22…
…“The Bud And Broadway Show” has signed a new deal with syndicator Oceanic Tradewinds. The CMA and ACM award-winning show, formerly handled by SuiteRadio, is currently hosted by Jerry Broadway along with new co-host Mitch English, Becca Walls and T. Wall. “I have always felt that we could be the biggest and most successful national country show because of the superior entertainment value we consistently deliver,” Broadway says. “We already have 20-plus ecstatically happy affiliates. Thankfully, we are getting more backing now.” Oceanic Tradewinds CEO Gary Bernstein adds, “The current program has set a new bar in country radio for truly fun mornings. When every single content break is so uniquely funny and fresh, it makes it very easy to see why there is so much passion for this program.”
…The Alabama Broadcasters Association Education Foundation has established new $50,000 scholarship endowments at Alabama State University and the University of North Alabama. Since 2019, ABA has established similar scholarships at the University of Alabama, the University of South Alabama and Troy University. Each scholarship is provided to Alabama residents who have achieved at least third-year or junior status and working toward broadcast-related degrees.
…New Generation Radio’s VirtualJock.com, which provides stations with air talent and programming services, has added Broadway Media CHR “Mix 105.1” KUDD Salt Lake City as an affiliate, bringing its total to 75 stations. VirtualJock.com air talent Corinna will handle middays for Mix. “The fact that we can have such amazing talent personalized for our station, it was a no-brainer,” Mix Program Director Jonathan Watkins says.
…Cumulus Media country station KIIM Tucson will host “This Bar Loves Toby Keith: A Fundraiser for the Toby Keith Foundation” June 23 at Tucson restaurant/bar Whiskey Roads and live music club The Maverick. From open to close at both locations, 20% of all food sales with go to the Toby Keith Foundation to help children with pediatric cancer and their families, while KIIM air personalities will appear at each location that evening. “We got the news that Toby Keith has been fighting stomach cancer since the fall, and we wanted to see if we could turn some bad news into some good news for his children’s charities,” KIIM Program Director and Afternoon Drive Personality Buzz Jackson says. “We thank our listeners and the community for coming out for a fun evening and for helping kids in the process.”
…ESPN Cleveland and Good Karma Brands is celebrating the future opening of their new studios with its inaugural Block Party June 23. The event will feature live music, games, food, participation from all three Cleveland professional sports teams and live broadcasts from ESPN Cleveland/WKNR (850) hosts. Proceeds will benefit Muttley Crue Rescue, which rescues, cares for and re-homes neglected, abused and/or homeless dogs. “The block party is going to be great opportunity for fans, partners and teammates to get together after a long two years,” ESPN Clevleand host Tony Rizzo says.
…Sounds Profitable, in partnership with Edison Research, will release the results of comprehensive study profiling podcast creators in America on Tuesday, June 28 at 1pm EDT. Tom Webster, the former Edison Senior VP who is now a Partner at Sounds Profitable, will present the results of the study in a live online event. The Creators 2022 is the first iteration of a study that will track trends and changes in the podcast creator space annually. “Much of the research in the podcast space up to this point has been related to listening, so The Creators will fill a gap in industry knowledge about those who create podcasts,” Edison said in a release. Register for the presentation HERE.
…Audacy has been named to LinkedIn’s inaugural Top Companies 2022: Media and Entertainment list. The list ranks the 25 best companies to grow a career in the industry, aiming to provide a go-to resource for professionals at every stage of their career journeys. “At Audacy, we strive to not only help propel the audio industry forward but cultivate an organization full of team members who lead that charge,” said Susan Larkin, Chief Operating Officer, Audacy. “We’re honored to have been recognized by LinkedIn on their list spotlighting media and entertainment companies and sit alongside some of our industry’s best innovators, champions and influencers. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.” To compile the list, LinkedIn looked at data across seven pillars of career progression: ability to advance, skills growth, company stability, external opportunity, company affinity, gender diversity and educational background. View a full list of this year’s winners HERE.
