Infinity Takes "Free FM" Case To Advertisers

Free FM

INFINITY's JOEL HOLLANDER and ROB BARNETT took their case for "FREE FM" to advertisers in a webcast on WEDNESDAY (11/2), with HOLLANDER proclaiming initial success getting advertisers who previously avoided HOWARD STERN to buy on the new shows, including the CALIFORNIA LOTTERY. BARNETT confirmed previous reports that the new shows, unlike STERN's, will be streamed online, and that despite the publicity surrounding the "FREE FM" launch, the company remains committed to music formats.

Meanwhile, reacting to the company's "FREE FM" promotion and the discontent over his promotion of his move to SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO and criticism of HOLLANDER, STERN, on THURSDAY's show, noted that "they have sold the final days of my show for a record number of dollars... they're obsessed with me, the industry's obsessed with me." STERN, still seething over INFINITY's purchase of all the ads in ADVERTISING AGE for the new format and inclusion of a shot at STERN's "fart jokes," warned HOLLANDER that if he doesn't want STERN to talk about him, "don't egg me on... you're taking out a full page ad telling me I suck." 

Later, STERN became incensed again when bleeped while mentioning how "if I wanted to rip DAVID LEE ROTH, I could." The edit was ordered by an unnamed person producer GARY DELL'ABATE described as a "new guy" from corporate who will work on the new format, but not WFAN-A/NEW YORK OM MARK CHERNOFF, who ALL ACCESS identified before the formal announcement of the format flip as part of the management of the new format (CHERNOFF will reportedly be programming WXRK/NEW YORK). STERN said that he had received a letter from HOLLANDER instructing him not to do an "infomercial" for SIRIUS, not to mention HOLLANDER, and asking for an explanation of the disposition of money from STERN's E! ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION shows,but noted that it did not instruct him that ROTH is off limits.

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