Industry News

Fred Weinberg and friend in a photo from LinkedIn.

Broadcaster Fred Weinberg has died at age 69.

The CEO of USA Radio Networks passed away on Thursday, according to his obituary, which described him as one of the industry’s “more colorful” owners.

He or his company owned or operated stations in Oklahoma, Nevada, Texas, Arizona and Minnesota. He purchased USA Radio Networks in 2018; the company produces and syndicates radio programming.

Born in New Mexico, Weinberg grew up in Illinois, where he flew with the Civil Air Patrol and worked as a stringer for the Peoria Journal Star. According to the obituary he got involved with WCBU, the campus radio station at Bradley University, and became station manager.

His friend Janet Bro, COO of USA, wrote in an email that Weinberg’s father was dean of engineering at Bradley University and fired his son from the position of station manager, saying he should go buy his own station. “So he did and never looked back.”

According to his obituary, “He took a detour from broadcasting in 1975 for careers at the Penny Press Peoria Newspaper, EF Hutton and ownership of Three Worlds Disco. He tried his hand in the oil business and did a stint with ABC TV before deciding to get back into the business he loved: radio. Fred also published the Penny Press Nevada, a conservative weekly online newspaper, and worked with the Nevada Republican Party in his spare time.”

The obituary recalls that Weinberg “stood up for the rights of small station owners. One of his proudest moments was successfully defending a lawsuit from Arbitron.”

The post Fred Weinberg Dies, Was CEO of USA Radio appeared first on Radio World.

Sanford Williams

At the FCC, Sanford Williams will take a senior leadership position in the Office of Managing Director as its deputy managing director.

He most recently was director of the commission’s Office of Communications Business Opportunities.

Succeeding him in the latter role is Joy Ragsdale, who currently is field counsel in the Enforcement Bureau.

The announcement was made by FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. She said both have put in years of service at the commission.

Joy Ragsdale

As head of OCBO, Williams “spearheaded work to promote digital empowerment, inclusion, equity and diversity in the tech sector.”

At the Enforcement Bureau, Joy Ragsdale worked with field agents on various investigations including broadcast station operations, EAS regulation and pirate radio.

Williams will also continue as a special advisor to Rosenworcel.

The post Williams, Ragsdale Promoted at FCC appeared first on Radio World.

NEW YORK – Some 149 radio/audio spots and campaigns made it to the finals of the 30th anniversary Radio Mercury Awards.

This year marks the first time all categories were open to all languages. The submissions were created by advertising agencies, brands, production companies, radio stations and digital companies.

The 2021 finalists range from regional to large advertising agencies and radio stations, as well as national and local advertisers from categories including automotive, consumer packaged goods, entertainment, government services, healthcare, insurance, nonprofits, quick-serve restaurants, telecommunications, travel and hospitality. Entries were judged on their creativity, originality, execution and effective communication of a brand’s message.

“This year’s Radio Mercury Awards is celebrating the work that came through in 2021 and acknowledging the Awards’ 30-year history,” said BBDO Atlanta Chief Creative Officer Robin Fitzgerald and chief judge for the 2021 Radio Mercury Awards. “It was great to hear the amazing work, and I can’t wait to celebrate the winners in November.”

In addition to Chief Judge Fitzgerald, the final round judging panel included John Berman, executive creative director, R/GA NY; Nathalie Brown, executive creative director, VMLY&R NY, Bianca Guimaraes, partner and executive creative director, Mischief NY; Paul Johnson, freelance copywriter and creative director, NY; Derrick Ogilvie, vice president and creative director, BBDO Atlanta; Alejandro Ortiz, executive creative director, Campbell Ewald Detroit/NY and Sherman Winfield, executive creative director, VMLY&R Atlanta.

Event sponsors for this year’s awards include Audacy, iHeartMedia, Nielsen Audio, Sound and Fury and World Wide Wadio. Dedicated sponsors are Cherry Creek Media, Oink Ink Radio, Triton Digital, and Xperi along with general sponsors CBS News Radio, Forcht Broadcasting, Miller Kaplan and Neuhoff Media.

The Radio Mercury Awards winners will be presented at 6 p.m. ET on November 17 during a virtual ceremony. For more information about the event, log onto www.radiomercuryawards.com.

 

Creative Radio Campaign: Agency/Production Company/Advertiser/Radio Station or Group

How to Quit (Podcasts)
Tobacco Free Florida
Alma

NOT Like Lutefisk, Premium Cocktails, Discover Lunch
Norseman Brewing Company
Alpha Media

Barbershop Quartet
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide

Self Empowerment for Pets
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide

The Thing About
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide

Truckless Ads
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide

“For You:” Meemaw + Dog Years +Homebody
Motel 6
Barkley

DAYS OF OUR EYES
Urban Optics
Bryan Broadcasting

Finger Lakes Top 10 Campaign
Cayuga Radio Group/Finger Lakes Top 10
Cayuga Radio Group

Eat A Hotdog
Kayem Foods, Inc.
Connelly Partners

Ward and Mabel Series
Joey’s Auto Shop
Des Moines Radio Group

Deserve Radio
Dr. Pepper
Deutsch LA

Talkin’ Trees
Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce
Eagle Creative

Boston Lager/Wicked Hazy
Samuel Adams
Goodby Silverstein & Partners

Smith’s Liquor_Uncommonly Good Campaign-3 Spots 7-30-21
Smith’s Liquor Gallery
Haugo Broadcasting

When All You Can Food Is Think About
Postmates
Mother in LA

Apts.com Radio Renters Campaign
Apartments.com
RPA

DIY Dave
One Choice Mechanical
SummitMedia

Ask Your Neighbors: Look Around, Ice Breakers, Hints
GEICO
The Martin Agency

Obvious News: Babies, Clothes, Soft Talkers
GEICO
The Martin Agency

Home is Where the Bugs Aren’t
Orkin
The Richards Group

Motel 6 2020 Radio Campaign
Motel 6
The Richards Group

Speed Campaign
iHeartRadio
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Creative Radio Spot for a Cause: Agency/Production Company/Advertiser

Absurd Reality
Change the Ref
Alma

How to Quit (80s Music)
Tobacco Free Florida
Alma

How to Quit (Podcasts)
Tobacco Free Florida
Alma

How to Play Soccer
The Aspen Institute’s Project Play
Arnold Worldwide

How to Play Tennis
The Aspen Institute’s Project Play
Arnold Worldwide

Fireman
Commence Sense Media
Goodby Silverstein & Partners

SH*T
Colon Cancer Coalition
LERMA/

Tiger Bone Wine Truth
Big Cat Rescue
PPK

Worst Shark Attack Ever
Animal Welfare Institute (AWI)
PPK

Whatever Gets You Talking
Seize the Awkward
The Ad Council and Droga5

Curiosity
The Ad Council
Wordsworth+Booth

Creative Radio Spot: Agency/Production Company/Advertiser

Old McDonald
BOGS Footwear
AMBH

Daa Tadaa: Birthdaaa
Progressive Insurance
Arnold Worldwide

Dog Years
Motel 6
Barkley

Easy
GA Lottery
BBDO Atlanta

Snicker Satisfies: Autotune
Mars Chocolate North America
BBDO NY

Snicker Satisfies: Commercial Free
Mars Chocolate North America
BBDO NY

Rapid Reconsideration
Ways 2 Go – Denver Regional Council of Governments
Cactus

Meditations
PetSafe
Chemistry

Mindfulness
PetSafe
Chemistry

Sorry about 2020
PetSafe
Chemistry

Thanks But No Thanks
Kayem Foods, Inc.
Connelly Partners

Minimalist Home
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Copper Giants

BOAT :45
Dr. Pepper
Deutsch LA

Evenin’ With Steven
California Milk Processor Board
Gallegos United

Locked it In
Liberty Mutual
Goodby Silverstein & Partners

It’s Not Weird
Milton Sleep Company
Greatest Common Factory

Jeep Earth Odyssey
Stellantis
Highdive Advertising

Sewer Clog
Same Day
Love Communications

Car Dealership
Postmates
Mother in LA

Dating App
Postmates
Mother in LA

Home Improvement
Postmates
Mother in LA

Promo Radio Show
Postmates
Mother in LA

Competitive Couple
Jeopardy!
Oink Ink Radio

Pat’s Other Jobs
Wheel of Fortune
Oink Ink Radio

Game for Excitement – Nebraska
Minnesota Lottery
Periscope

Excited Mom
Witte Museum
Plot Twist Creativity

Finnish Lessons
NoDoz
Preston Spire

Super50X Big Squeeze
New Jersey Lottery
PureRED

Unusual Voice
Doody Calls
Push Button Creative Audio

Switch & Save Radio: Burgers
Farmers Insurance
RPA

Pop
North Texas Tollway Authority
The Integer Group

Ask Your Neighbors: Look Around
GEICO
The Martin Agency

Obvious News: Soft Talkers
GEICO
The Martin Agency

Family Table
Orkin
The Richards Group

Motel 6 Feet Apart
Motel 6
The Richards Group

Pets Welcome
Motel 6
The Richards Group

Creative Radio Spot: Insightful Voice

Dog Years
Motel 6
Barkley

Homebody
Motel 6
Barkley

Meemaw
Motel 6
Barkley

More Lines
Comcast NBCUniversal
Burrell Communications

Muleta
Covered California
Casanova//McCann

Car Dealership
Postmates
Mother in LA

Car Repair
Postmates
Mother in LA

Promo Radio Show
Postmates
Mother in LA

Creative Radio Spot: Radio Station or Group

Disco Colonoscopy
Kansas Medical Clinic
Alpha Media

Billionaires in Space
Cooper Systems
Audacy

Budweiser Select
Anheuser-Busch
Audacy

A Man & His Dog
Stark Brewery
Binnie Media

Dry Eyes
Urban Optics
Bryan Broadcasting

The Legend of Hidden River Cave
Hidden River Cave
Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation

Disc Replay
Disc Replay
CUMULUS MEDIA

BALLWASH.COM VALENTINE’S DAY 2020
Ballsy
CUMULUS MEDIA Atlanta

The B Word
Oxendine Law Firm
CUMULUS MEDIA Atlanta

Taste Buds
Chocolate Boutique
Forever Media, Inc.

Barn Dance
Dr. Anne Aesthetics
Hubbard Broadcasting-myTalk 107.1

Horror House Haunt
Party at Trav’s
Hubbard Radio Cincinnati

Throwback Caffeine Attack
Mr. Coffee Bean
Magic Broadcasting

POS
Golden Rule
Majestic Communications

Gluten Free
Primo’s Pizza
River Radio

Hearing Loss
Merit Hearing
SummitMedia

Avocado
Schweid & Sons
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Bones
iHeartRadio
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Chinchilla
Absolute Roofing
The Studio at iHeartMedia

The Chair
Absolute Roofing
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Creative Spot for a Cause: Radio Station or Group

Roofs for Vets
Lon Smith Roofing
Audacy

Adventures of Lifeguard
Jacksonville Radio
Jacksonville Radio

Live, Laugh, Love
Yellow Medicine County Human Services
Lakeland Broadcasting

Black Voices of Humboldt County #2
In-House PSA
Lost Coast Communications, Inc.

Awkward Silence
NAMI of Southwest Missouri
SummitMedia

Creative Use of Nonbroadcast Audio

Pedigree Doghouse
Pedigree
BBDO NY

Bedtime Stories
Walmart
FCB Chicago

Beyond 28
Golden State Warriors
Goodby Silverstein & Partners

Podfast
BNY Mellon
Havas New York

The Lady Bod Podcast
St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Hubbard Radio Cincinnati

Radio Recliner
Bridge Senior Living
Luckie

AHAttorneys at LAHAw
Coca-Cola
Preacher

Public RAHAdio
Coca-Cola
Preacher

Blanked Out
iHeartRadio
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Creative Use of Songs/Music (Original or Repurposed)

Le Period Weeks and Bladder Leaks
Poise
FCB Chicago

Red and Yellow Waltz
Poise
FCB Chicago

Sometimes
Pittsburgh Guitars
Garrison Hughes

Beyond 28
Golden State Warriors
Goodby Silverstein & Partners

Family Table
Orkin
The Richards Group

Chinchilla
Absolute Roofing
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Distracted
iHeartRadio
The Studio at iHeartMedia

Feels Like Home
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
VMLY&R/Six Course, Inc.

Integrated Brand Campaign with Radio/Audio

Grand Introduction
Motel 6
Barkley

Pedigree Doghouse
Pedigree
BBDO NY

Don’t Go Viral Campaign
Medical University of South Carolina
Chernoff Newman

We’re Calling the Shots, We’re Bedmakers, It’s Not Weird.
Milton Sleep Company
Greatest Common Factory

When All You Can Food Is Think About
Postmates
Mother in LA

Can I Get An AHA
Coca-Cola
Preacher

Puppets Campaign
North Texas Tollway Authority
The Integer Group

Purpose-Driven Spot or Campaign: Agency/Production Company/Advertiser/Radio Station or Group

Black History Month on WVKL
United Negro College Fund
Audacy

Coping 19
CDC and The Ad Council
Audacy

More Lines
Comcast NBCUniversal
Burrell Communications

Better
CUMULUS MEDIA, iHeartMedia and Audacy Radio Stations
CUMULUS MEDIA

Freedom Day Fun Facts
WTKS FM
CUMULUS MEDIA

More Than That with Gia Peppers
GM, Kroger and P&G
dentsu

Extra Dedications
Extra Gum, Mars Inc.
Energy BBDO

Widen the Screen
P&G
Katz Media Group

Widen the Screen
P&G
Katz Media Group

OT Solid Waste – Toilet Paper
Otter Tail County Solid Waste
Leighton Broadcasting

#StopGunViolence
RL
LERMA/

Bingo Recovery
Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance
Preston Spire

Giving a Voice to American Small Businesses
American Express
Studio Resonate

P&G Widen The Screen
Procter & Gamble
Townsquare Media/WKXW-FM

Radio Station or Group Promotional Spot or Campaign

Bring a Player to School
MECU Credit Union
Audacy

Thank a Teacher Giveaway
Kaiser Permanente
Audacy

Michael Ray Up Close and Personal
KKBQ
Cox Media Group

Rolling Stones Tickets
KGLK
Cox Media Group

We Don’t Want To See Your Face
CUMULUS MEDIA/KQRS
CUMULUS MEDIA

We Will Rock You Sing Along
WDRV FM Radio
Hubbard Radio Chicago

Black Excellence
iHeartMedia
iHeartMedia

Vote
Fieldview Broadcasting
KWBG

What is the biggest takeaway from the latest Spot Ten Cable report from Media Monitors?

There is very little fluctuation from last week, based on the play count of paid advertisements tracked by the iHeartMedia-owned company. And, that’s a good sign for spot cable that long-term activity is alive and well.

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There aren’t much week-to-week changes among the top paid advertisers using spot radio to reach consumers. That’s a sign of media commitment to AMs and FMs. But, given the high number of iHeartRadio promotional spots seen, it also points to more opportunities for brands to take advantage of radio’s hyped “reach” factor.

As seen below, DuckDuckGo is a new — and active — user of Spot Radio.

Indeed has also been a brand that has embraced radio of late.

But, compared to the promotional spot plays for iHeartRadio, and a podcast at No. 10 on the report, advertisers have a way to go.

On the bright side, Lowe’s surpassed rival The Home Depot in outreach via radio for the week ending September 26, entering the Spot Ten with a No. 6 finish.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A couple of senior staff changes have been made in the FCC’s Office of Managing Director and the Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO).

Now Deputy Managing Director in the Office of the Managing Director: the person that is presently Director of the Office of Communications Business Opportunities.

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Hybrid shopping, localized travel, a focus on health and wellness, the rise of challenger brands and an increase in e-commerce in areas of higher infection, are some of the buying behaviors in the U.S. that remain in a post-pandemic era.

Here’s what this may mean for your advertising trends in 2022, courtesy of Ascential-owned research firm WARC.

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BOCA RATON, FLA. — To Newsmax viewers, he’s known as the host of a weekend cable news show. For podcast listeners, his “Newsmax Daily” offering provides a “humorous and entertaining analysis” of current news, with distribution on such platforms as iHeartRadio.

Now, Rob Carson is leveraging his podcast skills by becoming the latest individual who seeks to be heir to the Conservative Talk Radio Throne left empty by the late Rush Limbaugh.

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It’s code-name is “Project Guesthouse,” as documents filed with the FCC late last week indicate.

And, it involves the sale — rather than the surrendering of licenses to the Commission — of AM radio stations Cumulus Media no longer desires.

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The above screen grab shows the status of Marketron services as of Monday morning Sept. 25. See current status by clicking the image.

Marketron says service has been restored to all of its traffic customers, following the ransomware attack that took its platforms down the weekend before last.

Those customers now have access to all of the data that was in the platform as of Saturday morning Sept. 18.

“Some business services, such as electronic invoicing and payments remain impacted; however, customers should be able to build to conduct their traffic operations. Our teams remain focused on fully restoring all services,” Vice President of Growth Marketing Bo Bandy wrote in an email on Sept. 25.

The image above shows the Marketron service status board as of Monday morning Sept. 25.

The company has posted a series of recommendations for clients whose service has been restored.

Bandy also said Marketron has hired forensic investigators and cybersecurity firms “to stand up an entirely new network environment, a gold standard in recovery from a security perspective. With the assistance of our third-party specialists, a state-of-the-art end point detection and response tool has been deployed to the environment, which is continuously monitored around the clock by security professionals.”

The post Marketron Traffic Services Are Back Up appeared first on Radio World.