by Anthony DiBiase

 

Address: 401 City Ave., Ste. 809
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Phone: 610-660-5610 Fax: 610-660-5620
Website: entercom.com

BACKGROUND:

Entercom Communication Corporation was founded in 1968 by Joseph M. Field, who saw great potential in the blossoming FM radio market. Since then, Entercom has grown to become own of the biggest, most profitable radio companies in the United States. While other radio companies have broken into other markets, including television and film, Entercom has always remained true to its roots and remained a radio-only company. In 1999, Entercom went public. [1]

Company Overview:
“Entercom is one of the five largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States with a nationwide portfolio in excess of 100 stations in 23 markets. Key investment highlights include:
• Pure focus on radio
• Outstanding platform with leading brands and strong clusters in top 50 markets
• Multi-year track record of industry leading financial performance
• Significant management ownership of company” [2]

Entercom Communication Corporation is the fourth largest radio company. It is publically traded on the New York Stock Exchange. It boasts over 100 stations in 23 different markets (19 states). Current stock price is $6.50 a share. [3] [4]

In 2007, Forbes magazine named Entercom one of America’s “Most Trustworthy Companies.” Local stations play a major role in their communities as Entercom provides over $100 million annually in support to charitable organizations. Entercom is a proud sponsor of the Ad Council. [2]

Every year, Entercom hosts a company wide community service day known as “Make a Difference Day.” On this day, employees give back to their community through different beneficial projects. [5]

ADMINISTRATION:

David J. Field is President and CEO. He was voted Radio Executive of the Year in 2006 by Radio Ink Magazine. Field became CEO in 1998 after serving as Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer for a number of years. From 2005 to 2007, Field was Chairman of the Radio Board for the National Association of Broadcasters.

In February 2012,  Field expressed interest in joining iHeartRadio app, saying, “If the terms are right, we are open to a deal.”  Competing Companies, Greater Media and Cumulous both recently signed with the app. [6]

 

 

FINANCES

Entercom is the fourth largest radio company. It is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2009, it boasted revenues of  $372 million. However, it struggled last quarter in terms of revenue and is expected to drop even further this upcoming quarter. [7]

In 2010, 71% of net revenue came from local ad spots sold through each individual station with only 25% coming from national advertising. It’s stock has a one out of five star rating on Motley Fool CAPS. [8]

WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND ENTERCOM?:

Entercom has syndicated some of there radio shows including “The Howie Carr Show,” originally airing on WRKO out of Boston.

In 2011, Entercom changed the format (genre) of seven of their radio stations in order to boost revenue. Recently they changed another in Kansas City (KUDL) from classical music to adult alternative.

Entercom’s greatest scandal was in 2007, when it faced a major law suit after a girl died of water intoxication from participating in KDND‘s contest, “Hold Your Wee, for a Wii.” The jury granted her family $16.57 million in 2009. [9]

Entercom has a green initiative known as 1thing. For this they have taken a “green pledge.” This pledge outlines different steps Entercom as a whole will work to better the environment, including reducing paper usage, having energy-saving lights in all their buildings, and donating $1 million in advertisement grants to three environmental companies. [10]

In April 2012, Entercom acquired KBLX in San Francisco.  The deal is pending approval from the FCC. Author, Comedian, TV and Radio personality, Steve Harvey, will host a morning show on the station. The station was formerly owned by Inner City, but was given up due to bankruptcy. Investors see this as a very smart move as KBLX will be Entercom’s fourth station in the San Francisco market, one of its largest revenue producers. [11] [12]

In 2006, Entercom purchased 15 stations from CBS Radio that were located in “slower markets.” In 2008, CBS announced that it will be selling around 50 more of its stations. Although Entercom is still expected to be one of the top bidders on various stations, no deals have been made as of yet.

In February, The Men’s Room, a radio show on KISW out of Seattle, Washington, recently donated almost $100 thousand to the VA Puget Sound Fisher House. This donation is part of The Men’s Room’s two year ongoing deal with Elysian Brewery to make a beer based off the show called “The Men’s Room Original Red” and donate a portion of its profits to aiding veterans. The total donation for the past two years is $193,547. CEO David J. Field commented about the donation saying, “This is a great example of the power of radio. Congratulations to KISW, Men’s Room Original Red and Elysian Brewing for making such a difference in their community.” [13]

In January, Entercom came to a deal with the Buffalo Bills to broadcast all of their games live beginning with the 2012 season on WGR. Entercom has held deals with the Bills before, from 1979-1989 and 1994-1997 with WBEN. This opens Entercom up to air “The Buffalo Bills Radio Network” on 19 other stations throughout New York. [11] From 1998-2011, the games were aired on 97 Rock, owned by one of Entercom’s biggest competitors, Cumulous Media. WGR also holds the rights to air Buffalo Sabres games. The station have been criticized for being too easy on the team’s management and coaches, possibly due to their partnership. Entercom has a few other major exclusive sports partnerships including San Francisco 49ers, the Boston Red Sox, and the New Orleans Saints. [14]

 

SOURCES:

[1] Entercom Press Release on Going Public. http://www.entercom.com/newsPage.php?id=30

[2] About Us Page. www.entercom.com/about.php

[3] Who Owns What? http://www.cjr.org/resources/?c=entercom

[4]New York Stock Exchange Data. http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/lcddata.html?ticker=ETM

[5] Community Day Page. http://entercom.com/communityLoad.php?proj=community&pg=index.html

[6] Entercom Open to Deal with iHeartRadio App. http://www.radioink.com/article.asp?id=2403973

[7] Motley Fool Review on why Entercom’s Financial Statements Appear worse than they Actually Are. http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2012/04/26/why-entercom-communications-earnings-are-outstandi.aspx

[8] Entercom Financial Profile on Motley Fool. http://caps.fool.com/Ticker/ETM.aspx

[9] MSNBC Coverage of Death Caused by Entercom Sweepstakes. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16614865/ns/us_news-life/t/woman-dies-after-water-drinking-contest/#.T3FUFexSSyA

[10] Entercom’s Green Initiative. http://www.entercom.com/green.php

[11] Entercom Purchases KBLX. http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2445220&spid=24698

[12] Analysis of Entercom’s Purchase of KBLX. http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2428420&spid=24698

[13] Men’s Room Original Red Donations. http://seattlebeernews.com/2012/02/elysian-mens-room-original-red-generates-193547-in-donations-to-puget-sound-fisher-house/

[14] WGR partners with the Buffalo Bills. http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/article696713.ece