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Kassy Dillon Joins Fox News Originals

BNM Staff
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Kassy Dillon has announced she has joined Fox News as a member of the Fox News Originals division.

Dillon joins the cable outlet after working as the News Editor of Jewish News Syndicate. She also founded Lone Conservative, a digital outlet targeted towards giving conservative college students a politically like-minded community. The platform was created in 2016 while she was a student at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. Dillon left the publication in 2021 after serving as its President for five years.

“Can’t wait to get started reporting and making video content,” Dillon said in a tweet announcing the move.

Dillon also previously worked as a “opinion journalist and political commentator” who focused on foreign policy at The Daily Wire.

Fox News Originals is the digital reporting and visual storytelling wing of the network. All Fox News Originals are published exclusively on FoxNews.com.

Twitter Referral Traffic Dips For News Outlets

BNM Staff
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Twitter has proven to be a volatile social media platform for news outlets, and now there’s tangible proof of that.

According to analysis from Similarweb, news websites saw an average decrease of 12% in referral traffic from Twitter in December of last year, compared to November. The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, CNN, BBC, and Yahoo were in a group that saw traffic from Twitter decrease by 10-18% in the month. People magazine’s referrals dropped 46%, according to the data analytics company.

Two publishers, however, did see their traffic increase from Twitter referrals. Both The New York Post and Fox News saw traffic growth from the social media platform. Both companies are owned by billionaire Rupert Murdoch, with the Post falling under News Corp’s supervision and Fox News operating under the Fox Corp umbrella.

One publisher claimed the decrease isn’t concerning because Twitter has “never been a major part” of that company’s web traffic strategy, but did question it’s future purpose in the overall structure of the organization.

“The big, scary, existential question is, will social media continue to be a traffic source for a news organization? Or will it become just a storytelling platform or just a marketing platform?” Betsy Reed, U.S. Editor of The Guardian, told Digiday.

The main driver of decreased referrals, a different publisher told Digiday, is the removal of Twitter Moments from the platform in December. The service allowed outlets to compile and highlight content on the platform around larger news events.

The fluctuation in website referrals does not seem to be a deal breaker for media companies. Earlier this week, a report from Sara Fischer of Axios detailed how sports, news, and entertainment outlets are still partnering with the Elon Musk-owned social media platform, even though some of its journalists are still banned.

Jimmy Powers to Receive The Mark Chernoff Award at the 2023 BSM Summit

Jason Barrett
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Jimmy Powers to Receive The Mark Chernoff Award at the 2023 BSM Summit

As a former programmer turned consultant, I pay more attention than most to those who lead brands, manage talent, and create consistent success. When you look across the country at the hundreds of stations delivering sports radio content, and analyze who operates at a high level, there’s maybe ten to twenty who are changing the game, and others who are rising and hoping to become a bigger part of the conversation.

What makes this annual award special in addition to having Mark Chernoff’s name on it, is that it’s voted on by eighteen industry heavyweights. These are folks tasked with overseeing radio companies, major networks, and having exceptional track records of broadcasting success. So when they vote and an individual earns an honor, it means a little more.

If you’re in the business and follow sports radio, then you’re aware of Mark Chernoff’s accomplishments as a program director. He was one of the true architects and consistent winners, and his ability to excel as a sports radio manager has influenced and shaped many careers. Mark graciously agreed to be part of our awards ceremony a few years ago when I approached him with the idea in New York City. I’m thrilled to share that although he doesn’t attend many industry conferences on the west coast, he will be with us at the 2023 BSM Summit in Los Angeles for the ceremony.

Which brings me to this year’s winner.

It is my honor to congratulate the leader of 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, Jimmy Powers. Jimmy received the most votes from our industry panel to become our third recipient of the Mark Chernoff Award. He follows Rick Radzik of 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, and Mitch Rosen of 670 The Score in Chicago. Jimmy will be in attendance at the Summit to pick up the award, and will take part in a program director panel at the show. Further details on that to be shared next week.

“It’s such a great honor not only to be mentioned in the same breath with Mark Chernoff, but to receive the ‘Mark Chernoff Award’ is really, really cool” shared 97.1 The Ticket Program Director Jimmy Powers. “With so many great program directors across the country who are deserving of this award, I truly appreciate the recognition.”

Since late 2009, Powers has led the Detroit sports radio station to unmatched local success. Brought in to build upon what was created by the late great Tom Bigby, he’s helped The Ticket become one of the format’s best examples of success. The station has consistently dominated the Male 25-54 demo, while also becoming a ratings force with Persons 12+ and Adults 25-54.

“Jimmy has done an amazing job over the years running 97.1 the Ticket,” said legendary sports radio programmer Mark Chernoff. “He knows how to work with talent, and maintain balance while managing relationships with the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons, which is not an easy job. The ratings remain high, and the Ticket continues to be one of America’s top sports stations, which reflects the great work Jimmy has done as the station’s program director.”

In addition to delivering double digit shares, quarterly ratings wins, and presenting a star studded lineup and Michigan’s top sports franchises, The Ticket has taken home plenty of hardware too. The station has won the Marconi award for best sports station in 2016 and 2022. And now, they can add the 2023 Mark Chernoff Award to their trophy case.

“2022 was another big year for The Ticket, and many in Detroit deserve credit for the brand’s consistent success, but none more so than their exceptional brand leader, Jimmy Powers,” added BSM President Jason Barrett. “Jimmy has been a staple of consistency, guiding one of the crown jewels of sports radio, managing top personalities, important play by play partnerships, and helping the brand generate large revenues. I’m thrilled that our industry voters took notice of the fantastic work Jimmy has done and look forward to celebrating his career and accomplishments in Los Angeles this March.”

Bill Maher Rips Social Media, Says TikTok Rots Kids’ Brains

BNM Staff
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HBO host Bill Maher criticized public schools and blamed social media for destroying children’s lives. “The Real Time” host appeared on the “Club Random” podcast with fellow comedian Sebastian Maniscalco. 

According to Fox News Digital, the comedian is seen complaining about the quality of his children’s education. He said often, kids aren’t leaving school with basic reading skills. 

“Maybe they can do math; they have calculators for that,” Maher said. “They can’t tell you what 8 x 7 is; we had to learn on a times table. It was just something we did.”

Maher said when he was young, there were real consequences for not leaving school with a fundamental understanding of the basics.

“We were afraid if we didn’t do well, that there would be terrible repercussions like getting left back,” he said. “Nowadays, they would never use that term, by the way. You would be accused of stigmatizing people. 

Maher added that social media, particularly TikTok, has rotted children’s brains. He said even if you take your child’s phone away, it will be almost impossible to keep them offline.

“When that kid goes to school, others have phones,” he said. 

Clay Travis, Buck Sexton Discuss Informing The Public in an Age of Misinformation

BNM Staff
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Clay Travis, Buck Sexton Discuss Informing The Public in an Age of Misinformation

Talk show hosts know they must consume as much content as possible, even if it means reading something they disagree with.

A recent Washington Post op-ed titled “We are overcounting COVID deaths and hospitalizations. That’s a problem” captured the attention of the nationally syndicated “Clay & Buck” Show.

On Wednesday, the duo discussed challenges in combating misinformation and the effort it takes to keep an audience informed daily.

“I think there are a lot of people that are super busy and trust the New York Times or CNN to tell them what matters,” said co-host Clay Travis. “You and I, when we make the argument that they are overcounting COVID deaths, we understand the totality of the argument.”

Travis stated that part of the preparation process is understanding what the other side is talking about.  

“You and I both read the enemy’s broadsheets,” Buck Sexton said. “I read the New York Times; I read CNN; I must be aware of what they’re saying. But they were constantly calling out, as part of the campaign to suppress the misinformation, they would say there people were talking about hydroxychloroquine, or look like they were saying there’s some federal scheme.”

Sexton said certain pundits are backtracking on their original accusations of misinformation now that the mainstream media is involved with reporting on COVID-19 overcounting.

“They use the brand association of the New York Times or CNN or MSNBC as a badge of honor and they trust that they are smarter than everybody else,” said Travis. 

Veritone Names Seth Greenberg, Fleming Meng to Executive Roles

BNM Staff
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Veritone Names Seth Greenberg, Fleming Meng to Executive Roles

Veritone has new leadership as Seth Greenberg takes over as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer and Fleming Meng is the new Chief Information Officer (h/t Podcast News Daily). 

The two appointments come on the heels of company co-founder Ryan Steelberg taking over Veritone’s CEO/President role on Jan. 1. 

“I’m excited to join Veritone at such a transformational time for the company,” Greenberg remarked. 

“Several things drew me to Veritone, most notably the team’s passion for innovation and the opportunity to help commercialize game-changing technology and truly impact the many markets in which it operates – from media, entertainment, and sports, to government and more.”

Greenberg brings more than 20 years of expertise to his new position at the company. Since 2015, he has worked with technology startup founders, general partners of venture and private equity firms and their teams.

Meanwhile, Meng has been a senior IT executive with two decades of technology leadership background, primarily at Fortune 500 companies across various enterprises, including technology, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and distribution. 

“I am thrilled with the prospect of leading a team of collaborative, talented individuals focused on pushing Veritone’s AI technology, security, and innovation roadmap forward,” said Meng. 

“These are exciting times for the company, and I believe that we are on the right path toward transforming the current and future markets we serve.”

Nick Khan: Vince McMahon Played WWE Hiatus Smart

BSM Staff
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Nick Khan is now the sole CEO of the WWE after Stephanie McMahon announced her exit from the company. McMahon’s exit followed the news that Vince McMahon would return to oversee the exploration of either a sale or merger of the company.

On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Khan said that even while McMahon was away from WWE, he never considered himself the boss.

“My thought has always been there’s only one boss at WWE and it ain’t me,” he told Simmons. “Vince is the creator and founder of the company. He’s also the controlling shareholder, which as you know, that’s not a work term. That’s a legal term of art. So I think it was always my point of view or Stephanie’s point of view that at some point he would come back. I think the way that he played it was smart, Bill, in that he went away for five or six months — which the audience seems to like that — and then he came back and took control back of his company.”

Vince McMahon exited the WWE power structure five months ago amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and the revelation that he used company money to cover up those allegations.

When asked if he is worried that McMahon’s return could turn off business partners or fans, Khan pointed out that so far, that hasn’t happened. He wonders if there is really a strong feeling amongst the public about McMahon being back involved with the company at all.

“Sometimes I think it’s just a three mile radius of LA thing. The ‘Hey, step down and you have to be punished for it’.”

Nick Khan says he made it a point to visit Vince monthly during his hiatus. Those were not business visits. He said that he, Stephanie McMahon, and Triple H had total control during that time.

Bill Simmons pressed Khan, wondering if it bothered McMahon that wrestling fans seemed very happy with the WWE product without his involvement. Simmons reasoned that when anyone builds a creative product for as long as Vince McMahon built the WWE, there is a part of that person that wants to know the product cannot survive without him.

“To me, I never got a sense from him of any sort of bitterness or anything like that,” Khan said. “He seemed, through the first month of his hiatus, thrilled.”

Since Vince McMahon’s return, Nick Khan says he has not expressed any concerns about decisions made in his absence and he has largely still been hands off with the creative side of the business. His sole focus is finding the right business relationship to secure WWE’s future. He added that it is not a responsibility that McMahon is taking on alone.

“I’m involved in it. Triple H is involved in it. The board is obviously involved in it, Triple H being on the board, as I have the good fortune of being as well. We’ll see how it plays out. It should not be a lengthy process.”

Khan did address two rumors floating around Vince McMahon’s return and the power structure of WWE. He said that any rumor that a deal had been done with Saudi Arabia to sell the company was “100 percent fake. 100 percent made up.”

Simmons also asked him about the relationship between Vince and his daughter Stephanie McMahon after she announced her resignation as co-CEO. Khan said that both he and Stephanie always assumed it was likely Vince would return to lead the company. Anything beyond that, he isn’t interested in commenting on.

“It’s important to anyone listening to this, if you’re going to join a family business and you’re not part of the family, stay out of the family business part. That’s rule number one.”

Chris Crawford Elevated to APD at WSB

BNM Staff
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Chris Crawford Elevated to APD at WSB

Chris Crawford has been promoted to the role of Assistant Program Director at Atlanta news/talk station 95.5 WSB.

“I’m excited Chris will be part of the WSB programming leadership team,” said WSB Director of Branding and Programming Ken Charles. “His passion for the product and station will help WSB continue to be the market leader for news and entertaining talk.”

Crawford joined the station in June of last year after working as Operations Manager of Orlando news/talk station WDBO. WSB — like WDBO — is owned by Cox Media Group.

“I could not be more thrilled to be given the opportunity to be the Assistant Program Director at 95.5 WSB. To be able to work at a station of this magnitude alongside the likes of Ken Charles is a radio dream job,” added Crawford.

“I never imagined I would be in this position when I arrived here in June, but I’m incredibly excited and motivated to take on this role.”

Stephen A. Smith Details How Kobe Bryant Handled Criticism

BSM Staff
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We are approaching the three-year anniversary of the untimely and tragic death of former NBA legend Kobe Bryant, and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reminisced about the former Laker during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show Wednesday.

While promoting his book, Straight Shooter, Smith shined a light on his relationship with the five-time champion, saying he knew if he received a phone call from Bryant, the resulting conversation was likely to be contentious.

“Kobe scared the living shit out of me,” Smith said. “Kobe was a savant. You did not know more basketball than Kobe Bryant. So when Kobe called you — I can quote him for you right now. Voicemail: ‘You know who this is, motherf—er. Get your ass up, pick up the f—ing phone and call me back. That bullshit you just said. And don’t keep me waiting for so long, either. Your ass better not go on the air and say some more shit before you talk to me.’ That was Kobe. I would say something along the lines of ‘I don’t like the way he’s playing. It’s selfish basketball…I don’t like this decision.'”

Smith continued by commenting on Bryant rebutting that he would only play “selfish basketball” when the players around him weren’t playing up to their potential, before then saying Bryant was open to criticizing coaches if Smith was critical of the 18-time All-Star.

“‘He don’t know what the f— he’s doing, Steve. He don’t know what the f— he’s doing, so you don’t know what the f— you’re talking about, Stephen A. So you’re gonna bring up all that shit you’re talking about me, but you didn’t bring up that.'”

Smith then concluded by saying Bryant would tell him “I don’t know why I love your ass. I really, really, don’t. But I love you.”

Mad Dog To Stephen A. Smith: ‘Can We Move On From This Stupid Book?’

BSM Staff
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Mad Dog To Stephen A. Smith: ‘Can We Move On From This Stupid Book?’

Stephen A. Smith is a busy man this week as he hits the interview circuit to promote his new memoir Straight Shooter. Some of those interview obligations have taken the First Take host away from the ESPN show that made him a star. His friend and part-time partner Chris “Mad Dog” Russo wants to make sure Smith has his priorities straight.

“Your meal ticket is here, in that chair,” he said on Wednesday’s edition of First Take. “Your meal ticket is not on these radio shows; not on these TV shows. How dare you miss openings of shows to do radio or TV interviews!”

The segment was clearly done tongue-in-cheek as both men smiled through the interaction, but Mad Dog let Smith have it. He said that he was already sick of the book.

“Enough already! You’ve made a fortune. We get it! The book’s not bad! We can move on! Can we move on from this stupid book? I’ve had enough of Straight Shooter!”

Molly Qerim and Marcus Spears laughed as they looked on. Qerim even added that she hoped Dave Roberts, ESPN’s head of NBA and studio production, who oversees First Take, was watching.

After Mad Dog’s rant was over, Smith had a chance to fire back. He stayed calm and simply pointed out that while Russo may be sick of the promotional tour for the book, he is feeding the beast.

“Where am I appearing on today? You said you’re tired of the book, but you’re talking to me at 4 o’clock.”

Smith and Russo will likely continue the theatrical tete-a-tete on Wednesday afternoon on SiriusXM channel 84.

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