Tag Archives: WSB radio

Cox Radio

Posted on by 
by Kadisha S. Phillips
Cox Media Group Logo

Courtesy of coxmediagroup.com

6205 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
Phone: 678.645.0000 | Fax: 678/645.5002

Overview

Formerly known as Cox Radio, the radio division of Cox Media Group  is ranked the 5th among all radio media companies in the United States.  Spanning over 20 markets, boasting 86 radio stations; 15 AM and 71 FM CMG’s portfolio provides listeners with a variety of that ranges from Hawaiian to Classic Rock to Country.

The combined weekly listenership of all of CMG’s 86 radio stations is more than 18 million. [1]

Financials

In 2011, Cox Media Group’s radio division reported a revenue of $350 million. Below is a break down of CMG’s radio station properties and their total revenues for 2011:

Courtesy of adage.com

With all other divisions included, CMG’s total revenue for 2011 was $1.7 billion.

The Parent company of Cox Media Group, Cox Enterprises is ranked 8th among all U.S media companies with a 2011 reported revenue of $11.99 billion; a 1.5% increase from 2010. [2]

 

 

 

Key Executives

President of Cox Media Group, Doug Franklin has been an employee of Cox since1977. He joined as “a door-to-door circulation solicitor for Dayton Newspapers, Inc.” In January 1996, he became the chief operating officer of Cox Ohio Publishing; president and chief executive officer in 2004 and president of Cox Media Group in March 2011. Under Franklin’s leadership CMG is looking to focus on larger markets in order to create a heightened impact by using cross-media collaboration. [3] [4]

 

Michael J. Joseph is an Executive Vice President at Cox Media Group. Joseph is responsible for all Cox Media Group radio and television stations in Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky. The radio stations that Joseph oversee include WQNU-FM, WRKA-FM, WSFR-FM and WVEZ-FM of Louisville, Kentucky and WHIO-AM/FM,  WHKO-FM and WZLR-FM of Dayton, Ohio. [3]

 

In July 2012 Kim Guthrie became the Senior Vice President of Radio for Cox Media Group. Under the group’s strategic new leadership plan, Guthrie now oversees all radio markets. In 2012 Guthrie was honored in Radio Ink Magazine’s as one of the “Most influential Women in Radio,” for the second year in a row. Under her leadership, many stations and personalities have been nominated for and won awards for their programming excellence and more. [5]

*Note: images courtesy of coxmediagroup.com

 

WSB AM/FM Atlanta, Georgia (@WSBradio)

Courtesy of captainherb.net

WSB 750 AM/95.5FM was the very first radio station to broadcast in Atlanta, Georgia. Purchased by Cox Enterprises founder Governor James M. Cox of Ohio, WSB is Cox Media Group’s flagship radio station. With both frequencies garnishing top rankings in revenue among all CMG radio stations, WSB 750 AM especially carries some of the most popular News/Talk shows in the country. [6]

In 2011, WSB AM reported a revenue increase of 12.5% at $27 million. WSB FM made a slight decrease in earnings at $15.7 million. [2]

Shows:

The Clark Howard Show 

Courtesy of clarkhoward.com

A 2007 Georgia Radio Hall of Fame inductee, Clark Howard is a financial guru. For decades he has aimed to help Americans save money and has done so through his nationally syndicated radio show– The Clark Howard Show. The show originally broadcasts from WSB AM 750 and can be heard on 200 different radio stations every day or online as a podcast. [7]

On the 29th of November, 2012 Clark Howard and WSB Radio, a COX Media Group Radio Station, kicked off their 22nd annual Christmas Kids season. Christmas Kids is a partnership with the Georgia Dept. of Family & Child Services that helps fulfill the Christmas wish-list of every foster child in Georgia. Running from Thursday November 29th to Sunday December 9th, on six different days The Clark Howard broadcast team will set up for 5 hours at a Wal-Mart and encourage customers to purchase presents that foster children have requested. In 2011, 4500 donations were made. [8][9]

The Neal Boortz Show

Courtesy of www.liberty910.com

Hosted by The Talkmaster Neal Boortz, The Neal Boortz Show has been broadcasting on NewsTalk 750 WSB for the past 19 years. Boasting nearly 6 million weekly listeners on 230 radio stations, Boortz’s claims that his show is “your daily dose of insensitivity training.” Each day from 8:30 AM – 1 PM Boortz discusses topics mainly on politics. This year Boortz was a finalist for the 2012 National Association of Broadcasters Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year Award. [10]

In 2012, Boortz announced that he will be retiring in January 2013. After he retires, Boortz will hand over the torch to Republican Presidential frontrunner Hermain Cain. In an interview: “He may be “The Talk-Master,” but Neal’s listeners know I’m the ‘The Dean of the University of Common Sense,” said Cain in an interview. [11] [12]

The Rush Limbaugh Show (@RushLimbaugh)

Courtesy of hohumproductions.com

Syndicated by Premiere Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Program garnishes 20 million listeners per week on nearly 600 radio stations. Additionally, it is the top-rated radio show on air and moved to Cox Media Group’s WSB 750 AM in October of 2012. In this acquisition, The Clark Howard Show was bumped from the daily lineup as its biggest audience is online. Currently The Rush Limbaugh Program can be heard daily from 12 Noon to 3 PM EST. [13] [14]

The News/Talk WSB 750 AM line-up:

Courtesy of wsb.radio.com

Recent Events

September 2012

Courtesy of 123people.com

In September 2012 Cox Media Group announced that in January 2013, Belinda’s Atlanta Lifestyles will debut on 750 WSB AM. Somewhat similar to the “Pinterest, Martha Stewart or the Oprah brand,” Belinda’s Atlanta Lifestyles will be a show about every-day things such as picking a summer camp or where to go to dinner for your anniversary.

Skelton is currently the Executive Producer of The Neal Boortz Show and has been working for WSB Radio for almost two decades. Her show comes just as Boortz plans to retire and although it will not replace The Neal Boortz Show, Belinda’s Atlanta Lifestyles brings an exciting twist to WSB Radio’s current lineup.Skelton notes that Boortz may even make a guest appearance or two on the show. 

Belinda’s Atlanta Lifestyles will broadcast on Saturdays from 1 PM to 3 PM following Boortz’s retirement in mid/late January. [15]

November 2012

Courtesy of epltalk.com

In mid-November, Cox Media Group brought America’s No. 1 sports-radio network to Orlando, Florida on WBDO 580 AM. On November 12th, ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) began to broadcast on this station, moving WDBO’s News/Talk programming to WDBO FM 96.5. Not only did Mike and Mike in the Morning (6 AM to 10 AM EST), The Herd with Colin Cowherd (10 AM – 1 PM) and SVP & Russillo (1 PM -4 PM) debut on 580 AM but the most up to date local news coverage will be available on the station and www.ESPNOrlando.com.

Coverage of special sports events will become a part of programming in a partnership between ESPN 580-AM and ESPN Wide World of Sports including “the BCS (with a full slate of regular season college football); the USGA’s U.S. Open; the 2014 FIFA World Cup; and the Open Championship.” [16] [17] [18]

November 2012

Courtesy of abcnews.go.com

In a combined donation of $75,000 Cox Media Group radio stations in Long Island and Connecticut along with Cox Reps in New York, gave aid to those who suffered from SuperStorm Sandy. Star 99.9 and WPLR FM in Connecticut partnered with Fairfield County’s Child and Family Services to support a relief fund to help the agency regain all losses due to to the storm. In Long Island, Island Harvest received aid from 102.3 WBAB and 106.1 WBLI for their programs that help feed those who are in need.

Cox Enterprises and the James M. Cox Foundation also gave to those in need by donating $100,000 cash to the American Red Cross. [19]

 

Sources

  1. About Cox Media Group, http://www.coxmediagroup.com/about/
  2. AdAge Top Media Companies Publication, http://adage.com/datacenter/mediatrees2012.php#41
  3. About Cox Media Group Leadership, http://www.coxmediagroup.com/about/ourleadership/
  4. Cox Media Selling 25 Radio Stations, http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/legal-and-management/cox-media-selling-25-radio-stations-as-part-1007633152.story
  5. Cox Media Group Purchases News Stations in Jacksonville, Tulsa http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cox-media-group-purchases-new-tv-stations-in-jacksonville-tulsa-realigns-its-broadcast-media-portfolio-163190416.html
  6. WSB Radio History Website, www.wsbhistory.com
  7. Clark Howard Website, www.clarkhoward.com
  8. Clark Howard and WSB Radio Kick Off Christmas Kids Today http://www.examiner.com/article/clark-howard-and-wsb-radio-kick-off-christmas-kids-today-for-the-2012-season,
  9. Clark Howard Christmas Kids Website www.clarkhoward.com/christmaskids
  10. Neal Boortz Website, http://www.boortz.com/
  11. WGST Expected to Dump News/Talk http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2012/09/wgst-expected-to-dump-newstalk.html
  12. Neal Boortz to Retire, http://www.examiner.com/article/radio-talk-show-host-neal-boortz-to-retire-herman-cain-chosen-to-take-over
  13. Rush Limbaugh Website, www.rushlimbaugh.com
  14. Rush Limbaugh Moving to WSB, http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/110738/rush-limbaugh-moving-in-atlanta-from-wgst-to-wsb
  15. Neal Boortz Producer Gets Her Own WSB Weekend Radio Show http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2012/10/05/belinda-skelton-neal-boortzs-producer-gets-her-own-wsb-weekend-radio-show/?cxntfid=blogs_radio_tv_talk
  16. ESPN Radio Returns to Orlando, http://www.coxmediagroup.com/news/cmg-press-releases/espn-radio-returns-orlando-debuts-nov-12/nSYbh/
  17. ESPN Radio Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN_Radio
  18. WDBO Launches ESPN Radio in Orlando, http://rbr.com/wdbo-launches-espn-radio-in-orlando/
  19. Cox Media Donates to 75k Sandy Relief, http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/63542/cox-media-donates-75k-to-sandy-relief

 

 

Cox Media Group

Posted on by 
by Tyler Limpert

Cox Media Group is a company within Cox Enterprises which also owns and operates the national advertising firm Cox Rep. and the national marketing company Valpak.  Cox Enterprises was founded in 1898 in Dayton, Ohio by the founder, James Middleton Cox when he purchased Dayton Evening News. Cox was so successful with the newspaper that he eventually became Ohio’s first three-term Governer and the presidential nominee in 1920. The Cox Media Group was founded over a century later in December of 2008 when Cox Enterprises combined Cox Radio, Cox Newspaper and Cox Television. Out of the 15 stations Cox Media Group owns and operates, only two were started by the group,WHIO-TV in Dayton, Ohio and WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia.  [1],[2]

2011 Metrics

  • Revenue = $1.7 Billion
  • Television Stations = 15
  • Television Viewer Reach = 30+ Million
  • Local Cable Channels = 1
  • Television Markets = 11
  • Local Cable Channels = 1
  • Page Views for Television Website = 996 million
  • Employees = 9,000 [3]
Mission Statement

Building on the foundation and talents of our core, we are transforming CMG into a digital media company by creating scalable content and advertising services businesses. And we will accomplish this with speed, passion and courage. [4]

Top Competitors

 Recent News

With the rise in audience approval of homegrown developed entertainment in the past few years and it’s expected hike in fall of 2012, Cox Media Group made sure they wouldn’t miss out on the new trend by taking up a one-third stake in RightThisMinute (along with Scripps and Raycom). The show airs during primetime on the local news channels owned by Cox Media Group all over the nation and includes viral videos with commentary from the cast. The show has a quirky 60 minutes vibe and has a log line of “Videos First, Before They Go Viral”. The show’s website also offers an option where viral videos can be sent to you by email (finally we don’t have to keep responding to that annoying coworkers emails to find the coolest viral videos!). The show which premiered in 2011 has been a success ever since and was a great investment by Cox Media Group. The show’s video content is available online at RightThisMinute.com, but to get the full episodes you need to be subscribed to a Cox, Scripps or Raycom Broadcasting network. Below is a promotional video for the show and is a good representation of the kind of informative entertainment Cox Media Group likes to provide it’s customers. [6],[7]

OCTOBER

October 3rd, 2012 Cox Media Group announces its plans to start a state-wide news operation in Georgia. The Georgia News Station powered by Cox Media Group will be replacing the the current Statewide News Network which will be filling out it’s duties until it retires at the end of the year. Cox Media Group has a long history in Georgia news and already owns WSB radio, WSB TV and the Atlanta Constitution. The headquarters for The Georgia News Station will be within the WSB radio facilities in Atlanta, GA. This integration of Cox Media Group resources combines more than 150 daily news reporters knowledge and sends it to the entire state of georgia in an easily digestible format.[8]

NOVEMBER

Dayton,Ohio
On November, 13th Cox Media Group Ohio, located in Dayton announced it will be accepting an award for it’s philanthropic contributions to the surrounding community. The award will be presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Greater Dayton Region Chapter. It is a huge honor for WHIO-TV, WHIO radio and the Dayton Daily News especially since the entire Cox name grew out of Dayton, Ohio. The Cox Media Group Ohio Market Vice President Julia Wallace is accepting the award.[9]


Cox Media Group Ohio is very proud of it’s roots as the start of Cox Enterprises. In this promotional video you can see CMGO’s involvement with the surrounding community and how important Dayton’s success is to the group.

Hurricane Sandy
After Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast in early November, Cox Enterprises decided to put on their philanthropy boots. On November 12th in partnership with the John M. Cox Foundation , Cox Enterprises made a cash donation to the American Red Cross of $100,000 to be put towards the Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts. Cox Communications also helped out the American Red Cross by running ads and public service announcements online about the relief effort. Cox Media Group followed up this donation with a $75,000 donation towards Sandy relief efforts. [10]

DECEMBER

On December, 4th 2012 Cox Media Group closed it’s deal with Newport Television Stations in Jacksonville, Florida and Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Cox Media Group President Doug Franklin recently commented on the deal closing in a statement release “Countless hours of hard work have taken place over the last few months to prepare for today, and I want to thank everyone at CMG and these stations involved who made today a reality”. Through the deal Cox Media Group acquired WAWS (FOX Affiliate) and WTEV-TV (CBS Affiliate) in Jacksonville, Florida and KOKI (FOX Affiliate) and KMYT-TV (MyNetworkTV Affiliate) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jim Zerwekh the Vice President and General Manager of WAWS and WTEV-TV only had good things to say about the deal too “The Action News Team is thrilled to be joining the Cox Media Group Family with their proven 100-plus year record of producing journalism excellence and commitment to the local community…This opportunity is a big win for our team, our city and our customers.” Even Holly Allen the Vice President and General manager at KOKI and KMYT had positive things to say, stating that her team in Tulsa is “thrilled to be joining a company that not only has deep historic roots in the news business, but also is continually looking toward the future.” The positive feedback from both sides of the deal shows how good the Cox reputation really is and how important this deal can be for Jacksonville and Tulsa. [11]

Conclusion

In conclusion Cox Media Group has had a very busy quarter and has invested time and money into bettering the local communities that they service throughout the nation. There philanthropic nature has existed long before these past few months and in return Cox Media Group Ohio, the birthplace of Cox Enterprises, was awarded a very prestige’s award.  Cox Media Groups philanthropy goes beyond Dayton, Ohio which could easily be seen by their contribution to the Red Cross after the devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought the east coast. You can also see how important the local communities are to Cox Media Group in Atlanta. When the State of Georgia realized they were losing their Statewide News Network by the end of 2012 they looked to Cox Media Group to fill the gap and Cox Media Group answered that call. Cox Media Group is a great example of a company that understands how important it can be in contributing to the growth of the United States one community at a time. With revenue in the billions you wouldn’t think a company would be so giving, especially in a world where high-profiting companies are seen as the bad guy. Cox Media Group gives a good name to big business.

 References

Cox Media Group Logo Image taken from-http://www.coxmediagroup.com/about/
Cox Media Group Video taken from-http://www.youtube.com/user/CoxMediaGroup?feature=watch
Cox Media Group Ohio Promo-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkYn90plYUU
RightThisMinute Promo- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpSNYp-SHgY
1.http://www.coxmediagroup.com/about/
2.http://www.cmgohio.com/?q=direction
3.http://www.coxmediagroup.com/about/
4.http://www.coxmediagroup.com/about/
5.http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/competition.Cox_Media_Group_Inc.43d9201c0129306b.html
6.http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/489055-Station_Groups_Spin_Wheel_on_Homespun_Shows.php
7.http://www.rightthisminute.com/about
8.http://www.coxmediagroup.com/news/cmg-press-releases/cox-media-group-create-georgia-news-service/nSTQd/
9. http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/local/cox-media-group-ohio-honored-for-philanthropy/nS5Qy/
10.http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cox-enterprises-donates-100000-to-american-red-cross-for-hurricane-sandy-victims-2012-11-12
11. http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/cox-media-group-closes-on-purchase-of-newport-stations_b71843