iHM Memo Rallies Staff, Reorganization Hearing Delayed

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, December 6, 2018 | 10:57pm CT

iHeartMedia Chairman/CEO Bob Pittman and President, COO and CFO Rich Bressler have sent a memo to its employees in advance of the company's emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on how to interpret press and public reaction to the company's restructuring. In the memo, they write, "there continues to be a lot of press around our restructuring so we wanted to send you an update to give you some perspective on it." They went on to cite a number of facts to bolster the company's image. These included:

• Being "the number one audio company in America" with "greater reach than any media property in the U.S., including Facebook and Google," or abount 91% of Americans each month
• An audience "twice the size of the next radio competitor and seven times their size in digital audience" and twice the "social footprint" of Netflix
• "The number one commercial podcasting company by a wide margin"
• "A consumer master brand that stands alone in the audio space"
• "A unique position on smart speakers"
• "The only audio company that has a significant presence on Youtube and Snapchat"
• Data analytics, programmatic, and attribution tools equal to digital players

The memo concluded, "When you hear that people are interested in iHeartMedia in any form, take it as a compliment. It's validation of our strong operating business and the unique position we have in the media business, and how our value increases once we have fixed our debt issues. We are truly a one of a kind company, and let's never forget that we've gotten here through hard work and great thinking from you and everyone else on our team."

In related news, a stipulation submitted to U.S. Bankruptcy Court reveals that iHM and major creditor Wilmington Savings Fund Society are still working out iHM's emergence from Chapter 11. As a result, the hearing date for the reorganization plan was moved from December 11 to a future unspecified date.

Urban One Dallas Realigns Three-Station Lineup Urban One Urban One Dallas has announced a programming realignment across its three-station Dallas-Fort Worth cluster, including new and returning personalities at KBFB (97.9 The Beat) and KKDA (K104) and a new music direction for 105.7 KRNB. At 97.9 The Beat, Radio Hall of Famer Rickey More

Study: Broad Ad Reach Key to Driving Brand Growth Cumulus Media | Westwood One New marketing research suggests advertisers looking for long-term growth should focus on reaching a broad audience rather than concentrating heavily on consumers who are already in the market to buy. The findings are highlighted in a new Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group analysis from Pierre More

Mary Louise Kelly Stepping Down as NPR Host Mary Louise Kelly (photo credit: Mike Morgan, NPR) Mary Louise Kelly is stepping down as co-host of NPR's "All Things Considered" and host of the network's "Sources & Methods" podcast after more than eight years in the ATC anchor chair. The week of November 2 will be Kelly's final week as co-host of "All Things Considered," while she will sign off from More

Billy Brown Returns to WKWS as Morning Host Billy Brown Billy Brown has returned to WKWS-FM (Superstar Country 96.1 KWS) in Charleston, WV, as morning host. The move marks a return to the station for Brown, who previously spent five years at WKWS from 2017 through 2022. Most recently, he was part of the on-air lineup at crosstown WQBE. "I'm really glad to More

Radio Ads Reach Consumers Ready to Act Katz Radio Consumers influenced by radio advertising are more likely to be planning purchases and activities across several high-value categories than consumers influenced by advertising overall, according to a new analysis from Katz Radio Group. For its latest "Sound Answers" report, Katz More

Hubbard Launches 'Bull Classics' in Seattle KPNW-FM-HD2 (Bull Classics)/Seattle Hubbard | Media That Connects has launched "Bull Classics," a new Classic Country format airing on KKNW-AM (1150) and KPNW-FM-HD2 (98.9) in Seattle. The format features Country favorites from artists including George Strait, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Shania Twain and Toby More