While it might not be focused on local sales, the outlook for quarter three is pacing up more than 7%, according to Katz Radio Group. This follows news that National Spot Radio is up 1.4% in the second quarter with five of the six market group segments showing increases. Ad categories leading the way are domestic automotive, finance, retail and telecom says Katz President Mark Gray, who remains "very optimistic" about radio's outlook and long-term growth, according to Radio Online...
Gray's optimism stems in part from radio's expansion into online, on-demand, mobile and digital broadcasts, offering a broader ability to gain a larger share of advertising dollars in digital. While this off-cycle political year won't contribute much in the way of revenue - education, energy and the economy is making a greater contribution than usual. The hope is that those categories will make up for a down political year. Gray also sees solid gains being made across most markets and regions of the country. While not being noted in the top 10 markets where revenue gains are tepid, most of the other markets nationwide are showing stronger improvement...
Radio won't really be happy about revenue gains until local sales lead the way. Since we haven't seen that yet, local radio won't be quite as optimistic as Mark Gray...
Timeline Memories:
1897] The Count begins: A public reading of Bram Stoker's new novel "Dracula" or "The Un-Dead" is staged in London. No one played Dracula better than Bela Lugosi...
1934] New law: Congress approves the "Lindbergh Act" making kidnapping a capital offense...
1959] Number One: "Kansas City" - Wilbert Harrison...1960] "Cathy's Clown" - Everly Bros...1963] "If You Wanna Be Happy" - Jimmy Soul...1969] "Get Back" - Beatles...
1968] Released: Formerly a #1 hit for the immortal Nick Lucas in 1929, "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" is released by Tiny Tim. It will reach the top 20...
1980] Blowing its top: The Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington State explodes, leaving 57 dead or missing...
1998] Curtains: "Murphy Brown" starring Candice Bergen ends its 10-year run...
2004] Perfecto: Arizona's Randy Johnson becomes the oldest pitcher, at 40, to pitch a perfect game, against Atlanta...
R.I.P. Baseball Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, died yesterday from esophageal cancer at the age of 74. Killebrew played 22 seasons, finishing his career with 573 home runs, 11th-most in baseball history. His nickname of "Killer" was a misnomer. Killebrew lived his life and played his career as the ultimate gentleman. He started his major league career with the Washington Senators in 1954, moving with the team to Minnesota when they became the Twins in 1961. Killebrew entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Tina Fey (41), George Strait (59), Rick (Yes) Wakeman (62), Reggie Jackson (65), Albert Hammond (69), Dwayne ("Dobie Gillis") Hickman (77), Jack Whitaker (87) & Bill ("Maude") Macy (89)...
Timeline Countdown: 12 days until Memorial Day, 32 days until Fathers Day, 35 days until summer & 47 days until July 4th...
