PRPD News for Programmers

Newspaper Website Visits Up

2012-02-02T15:18:00.000-05:00

More people are visiting newspaper websites and are staying longer than a year ago, according to a new study by the Newspaper Association of America. Visits in the fourth quarter of 2011 averaged more than 111 million monthly unique visitors; that's an increase of some 6 million. Fishbowl NY reports: In addition, a comparison of newspaper website usage data year-over-year for the

MRC Withdraws PPM Accreditation in Five Markets

2012-02-01T14:28:00.002-05:00

The Media Research Council has withdrawn accreditation of PPM in five of the 14 markets previously approved. A release on the Arbitron site states: Arbitron has been informed by the MRC that it has withdrawn the accreditation of the monthly AQH radio ratings data produced by the PPM service in five markets: Cleveland, Portland OR, Riverside-San Bernardino, Salt Lake City-Ogden-Provo, and

WTMD Gets Flirtatious in Ad Campaign

2012-01-31T16:01:00.002-05:00

WTMD has unveiled a new advertising campaign, which the station says take their inspiration from "another industry." This from the WTMD website: "We think they’re fun and intriguing. For folks who see them who may not be listeners, they let them know WTMD is all about great music. They were created by Planit, one of Baltimore’s leading branding and advertising agencies, which was named

PBMA Now PMBA

2012-01-31T15:42:00.001-05:00

The Public BroadcastingManagement Association (PBMA) is now the Public Media Business Association (PMBA), and has a new website. "The new PBMA is now more effectively positioned to serve the business needs of public media,” said PMBA Board Chair Tom Livingston. “Our new PMBA staff has done an outstanding job of transforming PMBA into an organization that will help our member stations

Localore Lead Producers Chosen

2012-01-30T14:29:00.001-05:00

AIR has announced the lead producers selected for Localore, which was rolled out at the PRPD conference in Baltimore last September. The producer-station teams are: Jennifer Brandel, WBEZ-FM, Chicago, Ill.; Anayansi Diaz-Cortes, KCRW-FM, Los Angeles, Calif.; Julia Kumari Drapkin, KVNF-FM, Paonia, Colo.; Ken Eklund, Twin Cities Public Television, Minneapolis, Minn.; Delaney Hall, KUT-FM,

Ramsey: Does Public Radio Need to Change?

2012-01-27T10:44:00.001-05:00

Mark Ramsey suggests it may be time to change what local public radio stations do, their relationship to NPR and how money flows into and through the system. In today's blog post, Ramsey suggests there is a need for increased public service by stations, and not just over the air. He writes: "In every market NPR can be heard but a local public radio station can be experienced. And that is

Facebook Comments Grist for Reporters?

2012-01-27T09:24:00.001-05:00

Are comments on Facebook pages fair game to be used by journalists in their stories without permission? That's the question posed by Michigan Radio News Director Vince Duffy in an essay on the Radio Television Digital News Association website. He asks: "... how would you like to see any of the comments you leave on your friend’s Facebook page show up the next day on the front page of the

NPR Labs Designs New Booster

2012-01-26T14:48:00.000-05:00

NPR Labs and KUOW, Seattle, are collaborating on a new type of FM+HD booster system. It would make it easier for stations to use both FM analog and FM HD Radio boosters to improve coverage. Radio World quotes NPR Labs Senior Technologist John Kean: “This study is intended to put an end to the questions about the optimal design of FM boosters. In the past, engineers have had no hard

KPCC Hires Former LA Times Editor

2012-01-25T10:21:00.001-05:00

KPCC, the news and information public radio station in Los Angeles, has reached out to the newspaper industry for a new VP to oversee content. See the station's story on the hiring. Southern California Public Radio President Bill Davis Tuesday announced KPCC has hired former Los Angeles Times Editor Russ Stanton as vice president of content, responsible for the station's broadcasts,

Tablet Ownership Grew at Holidays

2012-01-24T09:35:00.000-05:00

Does it seem like many more people are using tablet computers and e-readers these days? Well, many more are, thanks to the recent holiday season. A new study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, tablet/e-reader ownership doubled. The say: "The share of adults in the United States who own tablet computers nearly doubled from 10% to 19% between mid-December and early

KCRW & KUSC on IHeartRadio

2012-01-23T17:34:00.000-05:00

LA public stations KCRW and KUSC are joining Clear Channel's online IHeartRadio service. All news/info WNYC, is the only public station on that platform. KCRW offers a mix of NPR news/talk and alternative music while KUSC is an all-classical station. Allaccess.com quotes: "KCRW is always looking for exciting partnership opportunities knowing that even among hundreds of radio stations,

Bill Kling Talks Leadership

2012-01-20T09:43:00.001-05:00

The New York Times recently carried a lengthy interview with Bill Kling, president emeritus of APM, on the topic of leadership. Excerpts follow: Q. What do you consider the most important leadership lessons you’ve learned? A. Let me start by answering the question this way: I don’t think that there is one formula for leadership. There are cheerleaders who are really good at

Radiolab Changing How Radio Sounds?

2012-01-18T11:09:00.000-05:00

The Atlantic today posted a piece about Radiolab, the innovative program created/hosted by Jad Abrmard (who opened last September's PRPD Conference in Baltimore) and Robert Krulwich. The magazine says: "Nothing on the dial sounds quite like WNYC's Radiolab. Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich's science-heavy show foregrounds complex and fascinating production values as well as buddy-comedy

Vanity Fair Article Details NPR Battles

2012-01-18T09:18:00.000-05:00

This is how a Vanity Fair article titled, National Public Rodeo, begins: When most people hear “NPR,” they think Cokie Roberts, Nina Totenberg, Robert Siegel, and for some on the far right, all that is wrong with the mainstream liberal media. But beneath the veneer of the "Minnesota nice," a simmering battle has been waged, and in the balance hangs NPR’s future and perhaps even its soul—as

WAMU Purchase 2 Signals in Maryland

2012-01-14T13:38:00.001-05:00

Bluegrass Country will now be broadcast in Frederick and Hagerstown, Maryland with the purchase of translators in each market from Family Radio. WAMU, Washington, created bluegrasscountry.org when the station went all news and information. Inside Radio also reports that the stream : "...also airs at 105.5 FM from a Bethesda, MD translator, giving it coverage in the Washington area. WAMU

Digital PDs - new trend?

2012-01-14T13:15:00.002-05:00

While not yet common practice in public radio, Inside Radio notes the commercial trend to having a Digital PD alongside the radio PD. In an article entitled "Growing Place for Digital PDs", they say the trend began at Clear Channel Radio (which yesterday re-branded as Clear Channel Media and Entertainment) and has spread to many other clusters. The job description now includes overseeing all

This American Life vs Apple

2012-01-13T18:49:00.002-05:00

This past weekend This American Life featured Mike Daisey's story of his trip to the Apple Factory in China. Mike Daisey is a self-described "worshipper in the cult of Mac." However when he traveled to China to find out how the gear he loved was made, what he learned was shocking and disturbing. Ira and his team did some serious fact checking and largely confirm his account. Perhaps not by

School Official Complains About CT Station

2012-01-13T15:36:00.000-05:00

A Connecticut school board official has complained to the FCC that public radio station leader endorsed candidates in a recent election. All Access writes that Region 1 Assistant Superintendent Diane Goncalves complained to the FCC that Marshall Miles, president of Tri-State Public Communications -- WHDD in Sharon -- "... made specific endorsements of certain candidates for local office on

Station Websites Growth Down a Bit

2012-01-12T14:07:00.001-05:00

Recent research shows that the number of people visiting websites of local radio stations is down slightly from a year ago.The Media Audit National Radio Format report says 17.6 percent of U.S. adults have visited a local radio station website in the past month. That is down from 17.7 percent a year ago.The current figures represent more than 25.5 million unique monthly website visitors across 80

The Current Called 'Intriguing'

2012-01-12T13:00:00.001-05:00

Sean Ross, in writing his "Intriguing Stations of 2011" blog entry, included Minnesota Public Radio's KCMP (The Current) in Minneapolis. He wrote: "Very much a “back to the future” move as Alternative in the Twin Cities cheerfully became the property of a non-comm with a long playlist, low spin-count, and a large, eclectic gold library (with the balancing factor of format veteran Jim

Josephson Monologue Recalls Life in Radio

2012-01-12T09:33:00.000-05:00

Radio veteran Larry Josephson is recounting his life in radio in a monologue to be presented later this month in New York City. He writes: "I will debut a live monologue, An Inconvenient Jew: My Life In Radio, at the Cornelia Street Café in Greenwich Village on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. The performance is dedicated to Spalding Gray, my friend, mentor and model; with a large debt to Joe Frank, the

New Funding Plan Hurts Small Minnesota Stations

2012-01-11T12:48:00.001-05:00

Changes in how the legislature provides some funding to public radio stations means smaller stations in Minnesota receive less money, but Minnesota Public Radio receives more. According to an article on minnpost.com, changes made last July caused the problems. It explains: "The change requires the association of small radio stations across the state, known as AMPERS, to compete with one another

APM & Slacker Partner

2012-01-10T17:22:00.000-05:00

American Public Media (APM) is making two of it hottest properties available to users of Slacker Radio. APM President and CEO John McTaggart announced that Marketplace and the programming of its Trip A KCMP -- the Current -- is now on Slacker for free. "We’re proud to work with Slacker and offer some of our most popular programming via Slacker Personal Radio," said McTaggart. "Marketplace

Ford Adds NPR App to Dashboard

2012-01-10T10:52:00.002-05:00

NPR and Ford made news at the Consumer Electronics Show yesterday, announcing the network's app will be available in the car company's Internet-enabled vehicles. It utilizes voice commands to summon NPR programs and individual stations. Drivers are guided through its use by none other than Carl Kasell who says: "Hi, this is Carl Kasell, I'm here to help you get the most out of your NPR

The Connected Car: Gadget of 2012

2012-01-09T11:50:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Tim Eby at KWMU St. Louis Public Radio for the heads up on this CNET video about the growing connectivity of your car. And, don't forget Wednesday's PRPD Members-Only webinar "The Road Head: In-Car Media" with Larry Rosin of Edison Research. Register now if you already haven't.

Neisler New PD at KUT

2012-01-05T14:25:00.000-05:00

Keith Neisler started today as the new program director at KUT in Austin, TX. Neisler previously served as PD at KMFA and before that was assistant general manager and chief content officer at WEKU in Lexington, KY. He previously held positions including station manager at KIOS in Omaha, NE and operations manager at Classical KNVO, also in Omaha. He has served on NPR’s Station Advocacy Advisory

Sirius XM Grew in 2011

2012-01-05T10:00:00.004-05:00

Sirius XM Radio CEO Mel Karmazin yesterday said the company added 1.7 million subscribers in 2011. At the Global Entertainment Media & Telecommunications Conference, Karmazin said this was the best year for growth since Sirius and XM merged. The satellite service now has 21.9 million subscribers, according to Karmazin. See The Hollywood Reporter's full story.

AIR and NPR Announce New Freelance Rates

2012-01-04T19:51:00.004-05:00

With the start of 2012, the rates that NPR pays to outside freelancers and station based producers increased by 7.5%. Negotiated with AIR (the Association of Independents in Radio), the new standard rates are posted on the AIR website. A memo from Margaret Low Smith, Interim SVP of NPR News also states: ...we're developing a dedicated resource space on NPR.org. Freelancers will be able to find

CBC's McLean Recognized

2012-01-03T18:34:00.002-05:00

Stuart McLean, host of CBC Radio program The Vinyl Cafe, is one of the current recipients of the Order of Canada, one of that country's highest honors bestowed upon one of its citizens. McLean was honored for lifetime of achievement in communications. PRX's John Barth blogged about McLean's recognition: "We’re not sure if we’ll have to give a snappy PRX salute the next time we see Stuart,

Growing Radio Bilingue 'Fills a Crucial Gap'

2012-01-03T13:29:00.001-05:00

At 30-years-old, Radio Bilingue is growing and continuing to make its mark as the nation’s only public, non-commercial Spanish-language radio network. An Associated Press article provides an update on the network that has seven stations in California, some 100 affiliates across the country and five new stations along the U.S.-Mexico border. Radio Bilingue reaches about 500,000 Latino

Romney: Big Bird has to Pay His Own Way

2011-12-29T09:44:00.002-05:00

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney likes public media, but just doesn't like how its funded. On the campaign trail in Clinton, IA yesterday, the former Massachusetts governor is quoted by ABC news: “You might say, ‘I like the National Endowment for the Arts.’ I do. I like PBS. We subsidize PBS. Look, I’m going to stop that. I’m going to say, ‘PBS is going to have to have

Twitter Dictionary Clarifies Things

2011-12-29T09:22:00.002-05:00

It may take more than 140 characters, but the social media site All Twitter created a "dictionary" to help everyone sort out the lexicon of Twitter and, as they say, "... tweet with confidence, @mention frequently, and sift through your followers and friends without getting them mixed up." It explains, #hashtags, RT (retweets) and helps you recognize your Tweeps. What it doesn't do is tell

Survey Offers Insights into NPR Listeners

2011-12-28T17:02:00.003-05:00

GfK MRI’s Survey of the American Consumer gained some insights in to NPR listeners, including their outlooks about television. A story by Inside Radio says the survey found: NPR listeners are 50 percent more likely to think of radio as the “most trusted media”; They are also 30% more likely to say radio keeps them informed and up-to-date; NPR listeners watch less TV than the average American

Arbitron Warns Against Apples & Oranges

2011-12-20T10:30:00.001-05:00

Arbitron is telling clients and advertisers to be cautious about how they compare data. Inside Radio reports that in a recent memo, Arbitron's CEO Bill Kerr and Executive Vice President and COO Sean Creamer “strongly advise” against making direct comparisons of self-reported audience estimates from Internet music services to Arbitron’s radio estimates in any market. The memo comes as the

Walrus Issues NPR Weekend Program Study

2011-12-19T13:51:00.000-05:00

Walrus Research has just issued a report on NPR Weekend Programs. Being of greatest use for programmers, Walrus has provided the report first to PRPD in hopes of generating feedback and conversations regarding the findings. So, PRPD friends, how about making comments, asking questions here? To view the report, CLICK HERE then click the Comments link to be part of the conversation.. Or, if

Study Weighs Pros/Cons of Internet

2011-12-15T15:24:00.000-05:00

“We believe that America is at a major digital turning point. Simply, we find tremendous benefits in online technology, but we also pay a personal price for those benefits. The question is: how high a price are we willing to pay?” That's Jeffrey I. Cole, director of the Center for the Digital Future, at the University of California's Annenberg Center talking about a decade of studies about

News Merger Brings Newspaper & Radio Together

2011-12-15T12:19:00.001-05:00

A new news-gathering/sharing model that includes public radio seems to be emerging in the south. Jeff Sonderman at Poynter blogs about the so called "medical school model" emerging as the news staff of Georgia Public Broadcasting and the one from The Macon Telegraph move into a spaced shared with students and professors at Mercer University. The media meld is made possible in part thanks to a

Pandora Touts Gains

2011-12-13T14:23:00.001-05:00

In a news release today, Pandora announced its November 2011 listenership results, posting Average Quarter Hour (AQH) gains in each of the top 10 radio markets in the country. The release says: Pandora posted 13 to 25 percent AQH listening increases in each market with the biggest AQH gain of 25 percent occurring in the New York metro survey area. In November, among adults 18-34 in

Looking Back on Argo Project

2011-12-12T16:19:00.001-05:00

Argo, NPR's $3 million project to help member stations become more digital, is almost at an end and the Nieman Journalism Lab takes a look at what has happened and what might or might not continue happening. Andrew Phelps writes: As the project winds down this month, stations seem to have found the experience valuable — valuable enough that 10 of 12 are trying to keep their blogs alive (

NPR Hires StateImpact Director

2011-12-09T10:10:00.001-05:00

Lynette Clemetson will lead StateImpact, the local-national collaboration between NPR and station groups reporting on state government. Clemetson joins the project on January 17. She is currently Director of Content Strategy at Pew Center on the States. Clemetson will direct the StateImpact team at NPR, which serves as a central resource to support the work of partner station groups in

Rachel Martin Temp Sunday Host

2011-12-09T09:31:00.001-05:00

The Huffington Post reports that NPR National Security Correspondent Rachel Martin will be the temporary host of Weekend Edition Sunday while regular host Audie Cornish is assigned to All Things Considered next year. Cornish is on ATC while regular host Michele Norris is stepping aside in 2012 because her husband has joined President Barack Obama's re-election campaign.

What public radio personalities look like based on voice

2011-12-08T17:33:00.004-05:00

This is from Justin Kaufmann's WBEZ blog "Punching Up The News" for Dec. 06, 2011 "Yesterday, a colleague sent me a link to a California-based artist's blog post called "How the NPR Voices Look (In My Head)." In the post, he gives us his sketch interpretation of famed NPR personalities .... "

PRX & Knight Collaborate to Drive Innovation

2011-12-08T10:15:00.001-05:00

PRX and the James L. Knight Foundation have created the Public Media Accelerator to provide funding and expertise to people and organizations with "... innovative ideas for increasing the impact of public service media." The project will be launched and operated by PRX, and is supported by a $2.5 million grant from Knight. A news release about the accelerator explains: Modeled on

Public Media & Peacock Network Collaborate

2011-12-07T11:11:00.001-05:00

A new public/private news agreement is being forged. The LA Times reports that 10 NBC-owned television stations across the nation will team with nonprofit news outlets in an attempt to beef up their enterprise and analytical reporting. NBC affiliates in Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia will work with work with KPCC public radio, the Chicago Reporter and WHYY public radio and

FCC's Copps Stepping Down

2011-12-07T09:50:00.001-05:00

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, a Democrat, yesterday announced his resignation at the end of the year. President Obama has nominated, Jessica Rosenworcel, a former Senate Commerce Committee aid, to replace Copps. The Hill says: An outspoken advocate for net neutrality, Copps has also taken the commission to task for not doing enough to promote diversity in the media and telecom

Garrison changes his mind ....

2011-12-05T18:22:00.002-05:00

"Prairie Home Companion" host changes mind about ending show in 2013 Garrison Keillor is rethinking his previously announced plan to retire from his longtime "A Prairie Home Companion" radio broadcast in 2013. "He doesn't have any specific plans to retire," spokesman David O'Neill said. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) This is good news. For perspective, Alistair Cooke continued to do

Community Conversation Tips Offered

2011-12-02T11:18:00.001-05:00

Aaron Leavy of the Harwood Institute recently discussed community conversations and using public knowledge to guide decisions. The highlights include: Define your community. Be open to argument. The goal is a conversation, not just question asking. Remember the importance of feedback. Good locations are inviting and approachable. Here are the details.

NPR Makes Changes in A.M. Newscast

2011-12-01T12:59:00.001-05:00

This from Robert Garcia, executive producer, NPR Newscast: After a year and a half handling our morning-drive, top-of-the-hour newscasts, Craig Windham will be transitioning into a spot-reporter/fill-in anchor role, Monday through Thursday. Paul Brown will take the reins as AM drive top-of-the-hour anchor, Monday through Friday. Dave Mattingly will become an anchor/spot-reporter taking over

Vogelzang to Head Maine Public Broadcasting

2011-11-30T11:08:00.001-05:00

Mark Vogelzang has been named president and CEO of The Maine Public Broadcasting Network starting in January. He replaces Jim Dowe, who has headed MPBN as president and CEO since 2006. Dowe announced last spring that he intended to retire at the end of the year. Vogelzang, 56, was president of Vermont Public Radio for 16 years, from 1993 to 2009. He served on NPR's board of directors

APM Buys Spot.Us

2011-11-29T17:24:00.001-05:00

Spot.Us, the community funding website, is now part of APM's Public Insight Network (PIN). APM announced the purchase of Spot.us today. A news release from APM said, "The combination lays the foundation for a networked approach to sourcing and funding high-quality journalism that will help newsrooms and journalists gather the resources and insights they need to do great reporting." Joaquin

Meyer Leaving NPR

2011-11-29T14:44:00.001-05:00

It was announced today that NPR’s Executive Editor for News Dick Meyer is leaving NPR Dec. 9 to take a new position as executive producer for BBC News, America. A memo from NPR's Margaret Low Smith and Kinsey Wilson said: "Those of you who have worked with Dick know that he is a rare force: at once an eloquent defender of the most cherished journalistic values and a champion of change

Mama Jazz Passes

2011-11-29T13:48:00.001-05:00

Jazz and public radio lost a unique voice recently. Former WMUB-FM jazz host Phyllis “Mama Jazz” Campbell died Saturday in Eaton, OH. She was 89. Mama Jazz was a WMUB-FM (Miami University) host for 29 years. She started in 1979 doing a two-hour weekly show that grew into a four-hour, five-days-a-week show in 1984. The show ended in 2008, when WMUB-FM dropped jazz in favor of evening news

Lawmaker Wants Allianz Underwriting pulled

2011-11-28T14:14:00.001-05:00

Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is pushing legislation that would allow Holocaust survivors to sue the German insurance company Allianz AG, is also driving a letter-writing campaign aimed at blocking the insurer from advertising with any U.S. media until it pays off all Holocaust survivors’ life insurance claims. During World War II, Allianz insured concentration camp facilities and

Listeners on TuneIn Can Now Donate

2011-11-23T10:45:00.001-05:00

An Internet service that allows people to listen to radio stations around the world -- including public radio stations -- is making it possible for listeners to support those non-profit stations. TuneIn, today announced the launch of TuneIn Donate, and KQED in San Francisco, is the first to pilot the new feature available on iPhones, iPod Touches, iPads and Android smartphones. Based on the

Yout Too Can Be a PD. Here's How ...

2011-11-23T10:32:00.001-05:00

Angela Perelli of the Randy Lane Company consulting firm offers 10 tips to those who want to be program directors. Writing for Radio Ink, Perelli says: If you are in the programming side of the business and have a desire to advance and become a program director, here are ten ways you can get an edge over others trying to aspire to become programmers. Above all, do not be afraid to tell your

The Limited Vision of the News Gurus

2011-11-22T15:46:00.002-05:00

An essay in the current issue of the Columbia Journalism Review by Dean Starkman offers an incisive analysis of the much publisized and often quoted ruminations of journalism thinkers Jeff Jarvis, Clay Shirky, Dan Gillmor, John Paton, and others. He says their ideas form what he calls the future-of-news (FON) consensus."According to this consensus, the future points stoward a network-driven

MEGS Makes a Better Morning Edition

2011-11-16T16:52:00.001-05:00

The latest Morning Edition® Grad School was last weekend in Las Vegas. An offering of PRPD's Local News Initiative, it was the 17th time that MEGSsm trainers convened a workshop with a small number of hosts and program directors to discuss the techniques that make for a great Morning Edition®, and by extension, a great sounding radio station. Tanya Ott of WBHM in Birmingham was among the

'Wait, Wait' to be on TV

2011-11-16T15:20:00.001-05:00

NPR is partnering with BBC America to bring Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, to television. A “2011 Year in Review” special will be aired Friday, Dec. 23, 8 pm ET/PT. The year-end special will also broadcast on NPR stations on that weekend. The special will be produced by BBC AMERICA, NPR, and Chauncey Street Productions, with Albie Hecht and Doug Berman serving as executive producers. Host

NPR Offers 'Infinite Player'

2011-11-15T14:52:00.001-05:00

This is how NPR describes its latest digital development, the Infinite Player: It's dead simple: you press a button and it plays. First you hear the latest NPR newscast. That's followed by stories we think you'll like from NPR's three main focus areas, news, arts and life

CBS to Beat the Drum for Local

2011-11-15T11:24:00.001-05:00

Inside Radio reports that CBS Radio plans to increase local programming by its 129 stations. They quote CBS President of Programming Greg Strassell as saying: “The drum we’re beating is to step up efforts to be a great local radio station. That may require some reinvention and rethinking and trying new ideas.” Strassel also said CBS wants its stations to be "plugged into the community,"

Music Streaming Hits the Road with MOG

2011-11-15T11:13:00.001-05:00

This from today's The New York Times on the latest in music listening on the go: Here are some of the problems with listening to music in your car (which is otherwise awesome): 1. Commercial radio is just awful. 2. Your own music can get tiresome. 3. Satellite radio is good, but it also has its limits. The article goes on to review MOG, what the Times calls the 'world's first in-car

Technology Drives Changes, Layoffs at CNN

2011-11-14T12:58:00.001-05:00

CNN today announced at least 50 positions are being eliminated at various locations. The news network cites changes in the company's "work processes" as the cause for the layoffs. Officials say the decision to reduce staff comes after a three-year review of all departments. A memo to staff also cites changing technology as one of the causes, especially cameras. The memo from CNN's Senior VP

Newspaper Veteran Talks Digital

2011-11-14T12:07:00.001-05:00

The New York Times' media writer David Carr says this about John Paton: The second-largest newspaper chain in America is now being run by someone who thinks that print is, if not exactly dead, dying a lot faster than anyone thought. That chain -- Journal Register and MediaNews -- focuses on farming out all but ad sales and editorial departments and opting for the dimes of online

Anatomy of a Scoop

2011-11-09T16:25:00.002-05:00

Along with NPR, a number of News and Information public radio stations around the country are stepping up efforts to do more high impact, enterprise, and investigative reporting. High impact reporting and producing can amplify the local stations position in the community. Today on the Poynter Web site, Al Tompkins examines a case in point. He starts this way: This is a story about the value of

North Country and WAMC Make a Deal

2011-11-09T09:42:00.003-05:00

A dust-up between two New York state public radio stations over a spot on the dial has come to an amicable end. The Albany Times Union explains that North Country Public Radio has, for several decades, occupied the the 91.7 frequency in the Adirondack Mountain resort village of Lake Placid. But, in 2007, WAMC, based in Albany, petitioned the FCC for the frequency. The newspaper typified the

Harmon Retiring from Public Radio Capital

2011-11-03T10:58:00.003-04:00

Public Radio Capital announced that Susan Harmon, the organization’s managing director and co-founder, will retire from her position at the end of the year.The PRC board of directors has announced that Ken Ikeda, co-managing director of Public Media Company, has been named co-managing director of PRC effective in January. Ikeda will continue in his current role with PMC in addition to serving as

AIR & Zeega Partner on Localore

2011-11-02T09:33:00.002-04:00

AIR -- the Association of Independents in Radio, Inc. -- is collaborating with Zeega on Localore, the recently launched initiative advancing new media journalism and storytelling. Zeega, an open-source HTML5 platform for creating interactive documentaries was the winner of the 2011 Knight News Challenge. It grew out of AIR’s MQ2, a 2008 CPB-funded initiative that laid groundwork for Localore.

PHC Sound Effects Pro Dies

2011-10-31T15:47:00.003-04:00

Tom Keith, the man behind the many sounds of A Prairie Home Companion, died at his home in St. Paul Sunday. He was 64. Keith provided sound effects and character voices for the show. He performed with Garrison Keillor since 1976, when Keillor hosted an early version of MPR's Morning Show. Keith worked as a board operator but began appearing more and more in skits Keillor produced for the

WQXR Stages Beethoven Month

2011-10-31T14:10:00.003-04:00

The New York Times reports on WQXR's "Beethoven Awareness Month" and is using graphics like the ones by Shepard Fairey the artist who created the iconic "Hope" poster of Barac Obama. The Times says: "'The campaign, now under way, is for WQXR, 105.9 FM, one of three stations operated by New York Public Radio, along with WNYC AM and FM. The campaign promotes November as “Beethoven Awareness

Still Time to Register for MEGS Workshop

2011-10-25T13:07:00.001-04:00

Now is the time to enroll in the MEGS Workshop at KNPR in Las Vegas November 12. There is still room for a limited number of stations. Register now or get more information. More than just Morning Edition, MEGS principles can be applied to all news programming and station-produced journalism. Bring your ATC, Midday or Weekend teams for an opportunity to take your sound to the next level. Over

NPR's Norris Steps Aside Temporarily

2011-10-24T13:17:00.003-04:00

NPR All Things Considered host Michele Norris has announced she has to take a hiatus from her position for more than a year to avoid a conflict of interest. Her husband, Broderick Johnson, just accepted a post with the Obama campaign.She is not leaving NPR. Norris will continue to report and produce projects for the network.In a message to the NPR staff, Norris said:"I need to share some news and

WNYC & Clear Channel Collaborate

2011-10-18T10:47:00.003-04:00

Clear Channel Radio, yesterday announced the launch of WNYC News & Conversation on iHeartRadio, its free digital radio service. The new channel will feature programming from WNYC, including "The Brian Lehrer Show," "The Leonard Lopate Show," and "The Takeaway." "One of Clear Channel's strategies is to be wherever our listeners are with the programming they want and expect," said John Hogan,

Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson Honored by College

2011-10-18T10:15:00.003-04:00

NPR foreign correspondent Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson was named the 59th recipient of the Lovejoy Award from Colby College in Waterville, ME Sunday night.The award is give to recognize courageous journalism, and is given in memory of Colby graduate Elijah Parish Lovejoy, who was killed in 1837 for condemning slavery.Colby President William D. Adams praised Nelson as an "undaunted chronicler of wars

Cadillac Adding HD

2011-10-14T11:07:00.003-04:00

Starting with its 2013 models, Cadillac will include HD radio on its cars' dashboards.With Cadillac's addition of HD, 20 automotive brands have HD technology available as a factory installed feature including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, MINI USA, Rolls-Royce, Scion, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

KCSN Gets Boost from Music Stars

2011-10-13T13:39:00.003-04:00

Why is the LA Times asking: "So what's suddenly so compelling about KCSN-FM (88.5), a tiny station on the Cal State Northridge campus that doesn't even register an Arbitron rating?" Because its current fund drive is getting support from the likes of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, U2, Mick Jagger, Coldplay and Sheryl Crow. These musicians and others are making donations to help the station

'30 Under 30' Sought

2011-10-13T09:52:00.002-04:00

The best and the brightest ... and youngest are being sought by Edison Research.More accurately, the research organization is looking for "the next generation of radio": 30 radio pros under the age of 30."The Edison website explains:"In 2007 and 2008, Edison Research sent out its first call for “30 Under 30,” the most promising and accomplishing young broadcasters, representing the next

Spear Joins WFAE

2011-10-12T10:43:00.003-04:00

Dale Spear is the new director of content and programming at WFAE in Charlotte, NC. He starts his new duties Nov. 1."Dale brings to us his vast experience in developing content for public radio. This comes at a time when we're adapting to many new technologies such as smart phones, social networks, Internet radio and more," said Roger Sarow, president and general manager. "At the center of all of

Olson Joins Vehicle Donation Services

2011-10-11T13:28:00.003-04:00

Twyla Olson has joined Car Talk Vehicle Donation Services as director of business development. She previously worked as American Public Media. She was a station relations representative on the national distribution team since 2004.“It’s a pleasure to welcome her to our team and the timing couldn’t be better," said Car Talk Vehicle Donation Services CEO Mark Jones. "We’re growing and we’ve

'Cesspool of Sin' As Fund Drive Pitch

2011-10-11T13:02:00.006-04:00

Talk about making lemonade out of lemons ...Though this is more like making a fund drive pitch out of a legislator's slam of one public radio station's hometown.Last month, North Carolina state Sen. Jim Forrester referred to Asheville, NC as "a cesspool of sin" during a newspaper interview. The newspaper went on to report that “if he was a homosexual, he’d ‘target’ North Carolina to practice

Long Time WVTF Host Passes

2011-10-11T10:58:00.002-04:00