Industry News

When the newest FCC Commissioner, Nathan Simington, who will appear September 23 at the Hispanic Radio Conference, first took a gander at the initial draft of the Commission’s “MD Docket No. 21-190,” he had concerns.

The first version of the “Assessment and Collection of Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2021” also raised the ire of many broadcast media companies, which argued that any increase in fees paid was unacceptable given the fiscal challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought.

The Commission has listened, and responded accordingly.

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It was the combination of pandemic isolation and the sound of cicadas that made me do it. I called a globe-trotting friend to whom I had not spoken since he and I dodged cicadas together in 2004.

I began with a question: “Quick! Where were you living 17 years ago?” He replied, “Can you give me a Zip code?”

It sure was fun catching up — and the success of that call led me to another, and another and another.

While it hasn’t been 17 years since I’d spoken to many friends, I must admit I wasn’t the best during the pandemic at calling people.

Fifteen months is a long time to be silent. Coming out of home isolation can be especially challenging for the introverts among us who gain energy from solitude and may have anxiety just thinking about returning to offices and in-person meetings.

Most of my calls have been returned by now, and it’s been highly rewarding. That’s why I’m telling you. Life is all about relationships; and while you may see what somebody is up to on social media or can find out some facts with an email, it’s not the same as a real conversation via phone or a face-to face get-together.

What has this got to do with radio?

We are all so busy at our stations that too many of us neglect personal and professional development and growth.

From a personal perspective, our friends ground us, they help us navigate the long winding road of life. If you’ve got pals who will tell you the truth — especially about yourself — admit your good fortune and take advantage of this resource that’s worth more than money. Living in your own echo chamber can lead to self-deception, loneliness and depression.

From a career perspective, it’s your network of former workmates, acquaintances, advisors and true radio friends who will be there — when you need professional guidance and assistance, when you are ready to grow your career in your next job.

Choosing the next career move in radio has always been challenging. Worse, terminations can be unexpected, swift and merciless. Gone are the days of long severance payouts. Even what we believe are solid contracts can be challenged, sometimes ending in reduced settlement payments.

Keep up your business relationships — not just with your peers at your station or office, but with consultants, vendors, concert/music promoters, and the people in other departments of your company. If you don’t, you can’t expect much when you’re in need. Relationships require active participation.

Career counselors will unanimously inform you that your network is the most important aspect of a successful job search.

As it happens, I’ve lost a number of friends in the last two years. There’s nothing like a few funerals to remind a person of their own mortality. It also dawned on me that I had not recently thanked people who have meant so much to me in my own career. Without being hired, mentored and remembered, I would not have gone far.

Over the years I’ve found that the folks who’ve had a positive impact on my life and career appreciate hearing from me. And there’s nothing like a personal phone call or an in-person visit to renew that connection.

Read more Promo Power columns.

The post Take Time to Renew Relationships appeared first on Radio World.

U.S. financial markets finished the day on a downbeat note, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipping 64.03 to 35,341.47 and Nasdaq declining by 53.78, to 14,988.08.

For broadcast media companies, trading was mixed, with iHeartMedia among the climbers. The nation’s top audio media company saw its shares jump by 18 cents to $24.46.

Also up: Salem Media Group, with its shares rising 10 cents to $3.01.

For Audacy, it was another downbeat trading session despite a glowing report from Wells Fargo Securities that includes a $7 target price for AUD.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Nexstar Media Group CBS affiliate faces a small financial penalty for its apparent failure to submit its quarterly TV issues/programs lists to the FCC in a timely manner.

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It’s been an active August for Al Shuldiner, the FCC’s Audio Division Chief.

Notices of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture are piling up, and they largely involve tardy licensees who didn’t submit their license renewal applications by the due date.

The latest NAL involves a pair of FM translators in Tennessee.

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The owner of 10 radio stations and TV operations “News Channel Nebraska” and “Telemundo Nebraska” is celebrating a rare achievement — a placement on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America.

Earning the honor is the Mike Flood–helmed Flood Communications.

Out of the 5,000 fastest-growing companies in the United States, 32 are from Nebraska.

The bigger takeaway: it is the only broadcast media company in the U.S. to make the latest list.

Flood Communications’ unique business mission is to serve two distinct audiences that it believes are frequently overlooked: rural consumers and Hispanics.

Not too many people may be familiar with Groveton, Tex. It’s on the southern tip of Davy Crockett National Forest, some two hours north of central Houston.

It also happens to be the home of a Class A FM, and North Texas Radio Group is readying to welcome it into its family.

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Cox Media Group’s broadcast television advertising rep firm CoxReps has appointed a new President.

It’s the individual who has served as COO since 2019, and in her new role will be asked to build on the “positive momentum” she is spearheading within the organization to strengthen operations and “strategically evolve” the business.

Rising to the role is Ann Hailer, who CMG Executive Chairman Steve Pruett says “exemplifies the leadership, collaboration and resilience” that are the company’s hallmarks.

“She is a respected, passionate and committed leader who is laser focused on bring the best out of her people to deliver exemplary customer service and outperform the competition,” Pruett said. “Over the years, Ann has played a critical role in positioning CoxReps for success by embracing disruption and championing innovation. I am excited to see how the future unfolds under her leadership.”

Hailer has spent most of her career with CMG, serving in various sales, management, and key leadership roles with increasing responsibility throughout her tenure. Prior to serving as COO, she was SVP/Director of Sales.

“My journey at CoxReps continues to evolve and this is the exciting beginning of a new chapter,” Hailer said. “The media industry is more diverse and competitive than ever and I’m incredibly honored to take on this role and lead the amazing CoxReps team during such an extraordinary time. I look forward to further strengthening our business, driving success for our premiere station group clients, and providing the most advanced solutions to agencies and advertisers in the local media space.”

Speaker maker KRK, known for those yellow woofers, is expanding its headphones line with the KNS 6402 (shown) and KNS 8402.

Both models are of the closed back, circumaural design. Earpads, headpads and cable are replaceable. The KNS8402 has an inline volume control. Both ship with, adapter, soft bag and anti-microbial cleaning cloth.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

According to KRK, the KNS 6402 ($99) has acoustic cellular foam pads and provides up to 26 dBA of isolation with a 122 dB maximum SPL rating and a frequency response of 10 Hz–22 kHz. The KNS 8402 ($149) features memory foam pads with premium leatherette covers for greater comfort during long hours of listening and work. The KNS 8402 headphones provide up to 30 dBA of isolation to block out even more external noise and feature a slightly higher SPL with a 124 dB maximum SPL rating and a frequency response of 5 Hz–23 kHz.

Send your new equipment news to radioworld@futurenet.com.

Info: www.krkmusic.com

The post KRK Expands Headphones Line appeared first on Radio World.

Andrea Cummis will be the next president of the Society of Broadcast Engineers, the first woman to hold that office.

SBE announced the results of its 2021 election for its national board of directors.

Cummis, CBT, CTO, is the chief technical officer of PBS39 WLVT(TV), in Bethlehem, Pa. and a member of SBE Chapter 15 in New York City.

She was unopposed in the election and will take office on Oct. 11. Cummis succeeds Wayne Pecena, who served two terms and remains on the board as immediate past president. (A list of all past presidents appears below.)

Others who will serve one-year terms as officers are Ted Hand as vice president, Kevin Trueblood as secretary and Jason Ornellas as treasurer.

Elected to two-year terms on the board of directors are Zhulieta Ibisheva, Jeff Juniet, Charles “Ched” Keiler, Geary S. Morrill, David Ratener and Dan Whealy.

Now going into their second year of current terms are Stephen Brown, Roswell Clark, Kirk Harnack, Thomas McGinley, Shane Toven and Fred Willard.

[Related: “Online Resources Blossom at SBE,” a 2020 Q&A with Wayne Pecena]

Cummis has more than two decades of experience in engineering, operations and new technology, and has worked in television, radio and new media.

She has been involved in many facets of media engineering, according to her LinkedIn bio, including space planning, staff planning and hiring, systems design and installation of production, post-production and on-air facilities, capital and operating budget creation and management, new technology research, staff training, asset management systems, transcoding for VOD and IPTV.

She is the owner of AC Video Solutions, a systems design and integration firm, and has worked with or for organizations such as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, WTV, WNET New York Public Media, Vantage Technology Consulting Group, RadiantGrid Technologies, Total RF Productions and USA Networks, among others.

She holds degrees in electrical engineering and in law and technology, and has an MBA as well.

The society’s National Meeting and Awards Presentation will be held Oct. 11 during in Las Vegas during the NAB Show.

Andrea Cummis 2021-

Wayne Pecena 2019-2021

Jim Leifer 2017-2019

Jerry Massey 2015-2017

Joe Snelson 2013-2015

Ralph Hogan 2011-2013

Vincent Lopez 2009-2011

Barry Thomas 2007-2009

Christopher H. Scherer 2005-2007

Raymond C. Benedict 2003-2005

Troy D. Pennington 2001-2003

James “Andy” Butler 1999-2001

Edward J. Miller 1997-1999

Terrence M. Baun 1995-1997

Charles W. Kelly Jr. 1993-1995

Richard Farquhar 1991-1993

Bradley Dick 1989-1991

Jack McKain 1987-1989

Richard Rudman 1985-1987

Roger Johnson 1984-1985

Doyle Thompson, Sr. 1983-1984

Ron Arendall 1981-1983

Robert Jones 1979-1981

James Hurley 1978-1979

Robert Wehrman   1977-1978

Glen Lahman   1975-1977

James Wulliman 1973-1975

Robert Flanders 1971-1973

Lewis Wetzel 1970-1971

Al Chismark   1968-1970

Charles Hallinan 1966-1968

John Battison, P.E. 1965-1966

The post SBE Elects Andrea Cummis as Next President appeared first on Radio World.