New
BENZTOWN has partnered with SMASH PREP as the next generation music prep service’s exclusive distribution partner in the US.
SMASH PREP, "gives on-air talent something new to say about every artist and band they play, taking music authority and music selling to the next level."
In real time, SMASH PREP aggregates all digital media, news and information related to artists, and delivers to radio stations instant access to every social feed, every news story, and every platform – at a glance and all on one dashboard.
Election Day Offering
ADLARGE MEDIA and HARRIS MEDIA's QGOLIVE/CONTROL ROOM PRO audio platforms are offering a customized production music and software package for pre-election and election night coverage, ELECTION DAY, from touchscreen music system MOTION MIXES and music library BROADCAST MOTION, licensed from FOSTER KENT for U.S. syndication.
“ELECTION DAY is the music solution for election coverage,” said ADLARGE VP/Affiliate Marketing JESSICA SHERMAN. “I am thrilled to have a partner that can deliver this level of quality for such an important event and in general for News/Talk Stations. The MOTION MIXES team composed a modular set of different themes and hired the best orchestra to make the sound impressive and presidential.”
The music and custom playout software for ELECTION DAY is free to stations who fill out an online form; reach SHERMAN for more information at jessica@adlarge.com.
NATIONAL 360's KNITTING FACTORY ENTERTAINMENT has been named exclusive talent buyer for OMAHA's MAHA FESTIVAL. The 2021 edition runs WEDNESDAY through SUNDAY, JULY 28th - AUGUST 1st, throughout various locations around OMAHA.
KNITTING FACTORY ENTERTAINMENT’s OMAHA based talent buyer JAMES IRVINE will co-lead the programming alongside KFE’s DANNY GLAZIER. Irvine said in a statement, “We are beyond excited to work on Maha 2021 and build a long-lasting relationship with the organization. As an Omahan myself, it's a thrill to work on a project that means so much to the community. There's not much that can beat seeing live entertainment under the stars." more »
Rider
Voiceover and imaging specialist RIDER is back to serve as voice talent on and off camera on CBS SPORTS NETWORK's "NFL MONDAY QB" for a third season.
CBS SPORTS NETWORK Coordinating Producer ANDREW FINGER said, "RIDER was one of the main contributors on our show during his first two seasons behind the microphone. After getting to know him we made the decision to bring him out from behind the mic which instantly created an additional personality for our show and elevated it's production value to a whole new level."
RIDER said, "I grew up playing ball and I get just as excited suiting up in my show jersey each week as I did for game day way back when. Growing a simple voice over job into being a character on the show with greats like STEVE BEUERLEIN, TRENT GREEN and RICH GANNON is something I'm very proud of and equally grateful for the trust that ADAM SCHEIN and the CBS SPORTS team have put in my talent."
RIDER is represented for radio imaging by CESD's NATE ZEITZ. Hear demos at www.ridervo.com.
Tribute
BENZTOWN has created an audio tribute to Baseball Hall of Famer LOU BROCK, who died SUNDAY (9/7) at 81.
The tribute to the legendary ST. LOUIS CARDINALS base stealer was written by BILL ROYAL, produced by TOM BAKER and voiced by KENNY SMOOV.
Hear the tribute here.
Tribute
BENZTOWN is offering an audio tribute to Hall of Fame pitcher TOM SEAVER, who passed away at 75 on MONDAY (8/31).
The baseball legend was best known for his dominance as the ace of the NEW YORK METS' 1969 "miracle" world champions and also pitched for the CINCINNATI REDS, CHICAGO WHITE SOX, and BOSTON RED SOX in a career that spanned from 1967 through 1986. The three-time CY YOING AWARD winner later became a television commentator on METS telecasts and owner of a vineyard in CALISTOGA, CA.
The tribute, written and voiced by BILL ROYAL and produced by MATT ANDERSON, is available here.
VOICETRACKER HUB has opened entries for its annual Voice Tracker of the Year award. The award, open to entrants from around the world who have voice tracked within the last 12 months, comes with a $500 prize. CANADA-based MELANIE MARTIN took top honors last year.
Consultant/Author DAVID LLOYD, who voice tracks for U.K, online and DAB Easy Listening station SERENADE RADIO, said, "There’s now a new key skill in radio: mastering voice tracking. There’s doing it -- and there’s doing it well. Those who proudly boast about not being able to VT shows puzzle me. Let’s instead admire and respect those who excel.” more »
New Episodes
BENZTOWN Pres. DAVE "CHACHI" DENES' "CHACHI LOVES EVERYBODY" podcast has released two new episodes, with DENES interviewing RADIO ADVERTISING BUREAU Pres./CEO ERICA FARBER and YAMANAIR CREATIVE Founder/CEO YAMAN COSKUN.
The FARBER interview covers her TEXAS roots, family, the poor (but improving) treatment of women in radio, and her career. The COSKUN interview reveals his child-actor career, quitting iHEARTMEDIA to launch his own company, and YAMANAIR's acquisition by COMPASS MEDIA NETWORKS.
Klein
CESD TALENT voiceover client JORDANA KLEIN has picked up imaging duties for CUMULUS Top 40 KLIF-F (HOT 93.3)/DALLAS.
KLEIN is the former Imaging Dir. at BELL MEDIA Top 40 CKFM (99.9 VIRGIN RADIO)/TORONTO and imaging voice at BELL's VIRGIN RADIO stations across CANADA. Hear her demos here and contact CESD's NATE ZEITZ at (212) 477-1666 or nzeitz@cesdtalent.com.
BMG Production Music Acquires
BMG PRODUCTION MUSIC (BMGPM) has acquired production music company DYNAMIC MUSIC, bringing the label and contributing producers under its umbrella.
The deal marks an evolution of the relationship between the two entities following their global sub-publishing agreement commencing in 2018 which has seen DYNAMIC’s revenue double over the two years of representation, as well as the securing of 100+ hours of music use across global television and radio stations from some 30,000 usages.
ENTERCOM Top 40 KAMP (97.1 AMP RADIO)/LOS ANGELES Operations and Creative Director JAKE KAPLAN has added imaging duties as part of the production team at UNITED STATIONS MEDIA NETWORKS' "OPEN HOUSE PARTY." KAPLAN, the winner of the WORLDWIDE RADIO SUMMIT's 2020 Imaging/Production Award, is represented by CESD's NATE SEITZ.
UNITED STATIONS' EVP/Programming ANDY DENEMARK said, “It’s a rare day when a legendary show can be made better, but that’s what has happened to OPEN HOUSE PARTY with the addition of JAKE KAPLAN’s production. His skills have given the show a bit of an audio facelift and we love it.”
OPEN HOUSE PARTY host KANNON added, “As a lifelong fan of the show, I want the program to always sound as exciting as possible, and nobody could modernize the program better than JAKE. I am super-stoked!”
Rider
MARK RIDER has picked up imaging duties at CUMULUS Sports WGFX (104.5 THE ZONE)/NASHVILLE.
PD PAUL MASON said, "When I first learned RIDER was available in NASHVILLE I knew instantly that he was the right person to be the next voice of the 104.5 THE ZONE. His ability to adapt to various different reads and styles truly put him into and elite class."
RIDER said, "The majority of what I do is sports for NBC, CBS, FOX SPORTS NORTH, the PBR, and many pro teams including the TEXAS RANGERS and TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING, and during a time with no sports to see some growth in radio imaging is a giant win for me. So happy to be a part of NASHVILLE sports!"
RIDER is represented for radio imaging by NATE ZEITZ at CESD. Listen here.
Partners With Alpha Libraries
AUDIOWORKS LLC is partnering with ALPHA LIBRARIES FOR RADIO to make full-service, agency-quality audio production available to radio stations across the UNITED STATES.
“When I’m told listeners don’t like commercials, I throw the challenge flag,” said AUDIOWORKS LLC’s principal Copywriter and Producer CRAIG MICHAELS. “Every FEBRUARY, people tune in to THE SUPER BOWL specifically to watch the ads, because they know they’ll be entertained. Some of those spots became cultural touchstones. Our imaginative team was brought together to work with account executives and clients to do the same for radio - create spots that are as entertaining as the programming."
Matt Fogarty
Voiceover imaging and branding pro MATT FOGARTY adds three new gigs amidst COVID-19 lockdown; COX RADIO AC WEZI/JACKSONVILLE,FL; CUMULUS MEDIA’s Top 40 WLTO/LEXINGTON,KY and iHEARTRADIO’s IMAGINATE RADIO.
FOGARTY is represented by NATE ZEITZ, CESD-NYC/LA nzeitz@cesdtalent.com (212) 477-1666 and managed exclusively by HOSS MANAGEMENT GROUP, hoss@hossmgmt.com (646) 300-0037.
FUTURI MEDIA and REELWORLD have entered a strategic partnership including the launch of interactive programming platform TETHER. The turnkey product combines FUTURI's interactive programming technology with REELWORLD’s creative audio production, offering features like listener voting sessions, turnkey production with weekly delivery of new REELWORLD audio including setups, recaps, and payoffs using stations' own voiceovers, customized content, song alerts and social media platform integration, and social video accompanying all audio features.
REELWORLD's Prep+ was added to FUTURI's portfolio in 2019, and TETHER is the first collaborative endeavor for the partnership. TETHER with REELWORLD AUDIO is available for Top 40, Country, Classic Rock, and Classic Hits, with more formats to be added soon; TETHER core audience engagement features are available for all formats. more »
