RadioInsight

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A Tale Of Two Launches

Posted: 13 Oct 2016 01:01 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/blog/blogs/...-two-launches/


Lances Line is now The Hotline, intending to create

a direct link to radios decision makers on the issues facing the industry.√ó

Two format changes took place this week in the South Bend market. Midwest
Family Broadcasting launched CHR Live 99.9 WQLQ Benton Harbor MI following
a weekend of stunting with television theme songs. Across town Artistic
Media Partners broke off the simulcast of Classic Hits The Stream to debut
Classic Rock Rock 97.7 WYXX Goshen.

WQLQs launch was the closest to having a fully fledged station ready at
birth weve had in years. Unlike most launches that go for the jockless
10,000 song commercial-free debut, Live 99.9 had a clear plan of attack
against Artistics U93 92.9 WNDV. Unlike most format changes that are kept
secret until the second it goes live, WQLQ announced its intention a week
ahead of time and had a massive local press push ahead of the debut. This
gave the company time to get its advertisers on board and to shift the
audience of the former Country format to its 97.5 Y-Country WYTZ
Bridgman/Benton Harbor.

Even the time of the launch was strategic. By debuting a format that is
promoting itself as being heavy on new music, Live 99.9 debuted on Tuesday
at 12:00pm as WNDV was in its hourly retro show. This led to the new CHR
giving its heavily promoted launch to debut up against an hour of music
from the 1990s and early 2000s. A local night jock and promotions for the
new syndicated morning show set to debut next week were both in place right
away as was a fully functioning station website (albeit without any
reference to the new airstaffers) and app.

Contrast that to WYXX. The flip came out of the blue with no promotion or
marketing. It took three days for the company to even acknowledge the flip
took place following an inquiry. The only way you would know it happened is
if you happened to stumble upon a Facebook page that has not been promoted
anywhere and has a whopping 4 likes. The website for the former format
still promotes the 97.7 signal. How do you expect the audience to want to
find you if youre not marketing the station?
Addendum: I was informed that WYXX has launched an extensive billboard
campaign, which will help immenselyÂ*with the target audience the station is
attempting to reach,Â*but my other points about lack of promotion digitally
and on-air stand.

Which station is more primed for success? Both stations are filling
potential niches in the market as WNDV was a very adult leaning CHR filling
both the Top 40 and Hot AC holes in the market with no competition for
years and WYXX became the markets first Classic Rock station since 2012.
Both signals have deficiencies in the market with 99.9 transmitting from
north of the city in Michigan and 97.7 being a Class A rimshot whose 60 dBU
contour cuts through South Bend itself. But having a completely strategy in
place will give Live 99.9 the chance to make a quick impact, while WYXX
just sits there hoping people find it.



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iHeartMedia Chicago Names New Night Hosts For WEBG & WKSC

Posted: 13 Oct 2016 10:19 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/blog/headli...for-webg-wksc/



iHeartMedia has named new night hosts at Country Big 95.5 WEBG and CHR
103.5 Kiss-FM WKSC Chicago.

Eric Zachary, who had been hosting nights (and more recently filling in
afternoons) at WEBG will move across the hall to the night slot at WKSC.
Zachary had also been hosting weekends at WKSC during his time at WEBG. He
replaces Rufio in the 6-11pm timeslot.

His move to Kiss-FM will clear the Big 95.5 night shift for Emily Bermann.
Bermann has been with WEBG since soon after its launch as Promotions
Director. Prior to coming to Chicago she worked for the companys Nashville
cluster as Digital/Promotions Assistant and midday host at Alt 98.3
WNRQ-HD2. The addition of Bermann completes the revamp of the WEBG lineup
that saw Alabama join Mason Remy in mornings and Brooke Taylor join the
station from US 93.3 WBTU Fort Wayne for afternoons.



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Michael Czarnecki Promoted To WRKO PD

Posted: 13 Oct 2016 10:02 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/blog/headli...ed-to-wrko-pd/



Entercom News/Talk 680 WRKO Boston has promoted Michael Czarnecki to
Program Director.

Czarnecki joined WRKO as OM/APD in September 2015. He previously has
programmed iHeartMedia Country Kix 100.9 WRNX Springfield MA and Bicoastal
Media CHR 107.5 Kiss-FM KIFS Medford OR. He has also worked as a part-time
on-air host at WAAF, WFNX, and WBMX in Boston.

Entercom has announced that Michael Czarnecki has been elevated to program
director of WRKO in Boston. He assumes the role after spending the last 15
months as assistant program director and operations manager of the heritage
news and talk station. Previously he was assistant program director at
iHeart Medias WHYN-FM and WRNX-FM in Springfield, MA. Hes also held on-air
and programming positions in Boston, Hartford, Medford, OR and Manchester,
NH.

Im absolutely thrilled, said Czarnecki. Its been an honor and a privilege
to be a part of revitalizing the heritage brand that is WRKO, and this is
just the beginning. Special thank you to Phil Zachary, and to Entercom, for
having faith in me, and giving me the guidance and tools needed to get here.

Entercom Boston VP/Market Manager Phil Zachary said the timing isnt
coincidental noting, Michael tweaked the stations line-up and groomed our
entire air staff to be at peak performance for this election cycle. Were
now reaping the benefits of his coaching and vision as new cume flocks to
WRKO every day. This promotion is well deserved and overdue.

Czarnecki grew up in Connecticut and has spent most of his career in and
around the Boston area. The promotion is effective immediately.



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Sean Ross: Does Radio *Need* To Tell Its Own Story To Consumers?

Posted: 13 Oct 2016 09:15 AM PDT
http://blogtrans.megatrax.com/radio-...ory-consumers/