Co-Location For 2021
Another convention is co-locating with the NAB SHOW in 2021 with the announcement that the AUDIO ENGINEERING SOCIETY (AES) will join the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS' annual convention in its delayed FALL edition OCTOBER 11-13, 2021. The AES show, which has co-located with the NAB SHOW NEW YORK for the last two years, will be held at the WESTGATE HOTEL adjacent to the NAB SHOW's home, the LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER, where the 2021 NAB SHOW will be held OCTOBER 9-13. Previously, the NAB and RAB's RADIO SHOW and the NAB's SALES AND MANAGEMENT TELEVISION EXCHANGE were co-located to coincide with the NAB SHOW, which is usually held in APRIL but was held virtually this year and moved to OCTOBER for next year. more »
New Recording Platform
RIVERSIDE.FM, which describes itself as a "video podcasting platform" allowing for local recording of lossless audio and 4K video for interviews regardless of internet connection speed, has launched from "stealth mode" with an opening round of funding totalling $2.5 million, led by investor OREN ZEEV.
“In the last decade, podcasting has gone from a niche hobby to a billion dollar industry, and the pandemic is pushing this growth to new heights,” said CEO NADAV KEYSON. “People at home are hungrier than ever for content, and creators and enterprises are rushing to deliver.”
“Video has been increasing in the demand for podcasting since we began working remotely, yet there isn’t a solution that can produce high-quality content independent of a strong internet connection,” said co-founder GIDEON KEYSON. “Many have turned to ZOOM as a quick fix, but professional podcasters need a lot more than just basic audio and video capabilities to produce compelling content. That’s where RIVERSIDE.FM comes in.”
“NADAV and GIDEON have created a product that is poised to revolutionize the way podcasters and media companies record video interviews,” said ZEEV. “The fact that, in under a year, they have created an entirely new paradigm for recording lossless audio and video, and landed customers like HILLARY CLINTON, VERIZON MEDIA and SPOTIFY, is nothing short of impressive. I am thrilled to be an early investor and look forward to their explosive growth in the coming years.”
WESTWOOD ONE has sold jingle and production music company TM STUDIOS to MAJOR TRIAD MEDIA, a company formed by TM Creative Dir.-Dir./Business Development DAVE BETHELL, TM GM/VP Creative GREG CLANCY, and former TM VP/Creative CHRIS "UK" STEVENS. Terms of the sale were undisclosed, and the deal was finalized on the 30th anniversary of the merger of TM PRODUCTIONS and CENTURY 21 PRODUCTIONS to form TM STUDIOS' predecessor TM CENTURY.
The company, based in DALLAS, will become a multinational operation with studios in DALLAS, LOS ANGELES, and the U.K., and a multi-year deal with WESTWOOD ONE for the latter to serve as exclusive barter representative. more »
Movember Is Here
MOVEMBER has arrived, and BENZTOWN is once again spearheading a radio initiative for the annual mustache-growing event to raise awareness of men's health issues. The 10th annual campaign by THE BENZTOWN BRIGADE and the MOVEMBER FOUNDATION is encouraging radio professionals to participate by growing a mustache, kicking a bad habit for a day, several weeks, or a year ("Mo Your Own Way"), or -- new for 2020 -- rallying a crew for an event ("Host a Mo-Ment").
This year, BENZTOWN will donate $50 to the MOVEMBER FOUNDATION for each new member sign-up from the radio industry, up to $1,000. The donation will help fund over 1,250 programs on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.
Individuals, shows and companies can sign up by clicking here.
Virtual Event Services
BOSTON UNIVERSITY News-Talk WBUR/BOSTON's CITYSPACE at the LAVINE BROADCAST CENTER is offering virtual event production services to corporate and non-profit organizations during the pandemic. The event space itself remains closed due to the COVID-19 crisis and has been producing virtual events since shuttering. Services available from CITYSPACE range from streaming, live interviews, breakout rooms, pre- and post-production, planning, vendor recommendations, rehearsals, and a dedicated live production team.
“The CITYSPACE team, which had been producing live events in our state-of-the-art venue, is uniquely qualified to offer this service to our community,” said WBUR Dir./Community Engagement AMY MACDONALD. “In our first year, we have established a reputation for technical know-how, top-notch audio and video equipment, communication and organizational skills.”
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.
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.
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.
Entries Open
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 (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.
