A handful of news and opinion-focused cable channels are vigorously fighting to pull in more viewers looking for their news fix. But by far the most significant chunk of television watchers still turn to the networks' nightly newscasts for their daily news summary.
It's getting crowded at the top. In an unusual turn of events, three radio stations tied for first place in the key 25- to 54-year-old demo in the October Arbitron ratings book released Wednesday. Two of Bonneville International's stations, hot adult contemporary WTMX-FM (101.9) and classic hits WDRV-FM (97.1), tied for the No. 1 slot with Clear Channel Radio Chicago's urban contemporary station WVAZ-FM (102.7).
It’s getting crowded at the top. In an unusual turn of events, three radio stations tied for first place in the key 25- to 54-year-old demo in the October Arbitron ratings book released Wednesday. Two of Bonneville International’s stations, hot adult contemporary WTMX-FM (101.9) and classic hits WDRV-FM (97.1), tied for the No. 1 slot with Clear
Something about the thrill of victory invariably makes those who experience it want more. That has certainly been the case with the folks at WBBM-AM (780), which found itself last winter in first place in the Arbitron ratings in the key 25- to 54-year-old demo.
Two months into his new job as general manager of WFLD-Channel 32, Michael Renda is pursuing a simple management philosophy. "It's all about putting good people in the right places," Renda said.
Tom Hudson, co-anchor and managing editor of First Business Network's nationally-syndicated "First Business" is leaving the program after an eight-year stint to take a job with PBS' longstanding "Nightly Business Report." First Business Network is a subsidiary of Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting.
"You & Me This Morning" launched quietly on Monday on Weigel Broadcasting's WCIU-Channel 26. And that's just the way Weigel Executive Vice President Neal Sabin wanted it -- until the staff attached to this attempt at crafting an innovative local morning show has a chance to work out some of the inevitable start-up kinks.
Most airlines have been busy much of the last year slashing capacity in response to a sharp downturn in air travel. Low-fare behemoth Southwest Airlines has cut flights, too. But several months ago, Southwest apparently decided it was time to stand up and take a leadership role within the beaten-down aviation industry.
The Chicago White Sox organization is expanding its business operations beyond baseball. The South Side team said Monday it has launched Silver Chalice Ventures. SCV’s first off-shoot is Silver Chalice New Media, a digital-focused division that will work with a range of clients beyond the White Sox to create and implement new media assets online and via mobile platforms.
In a move that could not have been viewed as good news in United Airlines world headquarters here, Southwest Airlines late last week said it soon will launch a significant expansion of service at Denver International Airport, where United has long been the dominant carrier.
Lewis Lazare: Jay Leno's new prime-time talk show started out big in the ratings in Chicago, but what a difference a few weeks makes. From the impressive 13.8 rating in the Chicago market the night it debuted on WMAQ-Channel 5 in September, Leno's numbers have plummeted.
The New York Times will be the first client of a news-gathering venture called the Chicago News Cooperative, which aims to provide Chicago-focused public service journalism and commentary on the Web, in print and over the airwaves.
Former Sun-Times media columnist Robert Feder is joining Vocalo.org, an arm of Chicago public radio station WBEZ-FM (91.5).
Lewis Lazare: Mention the words "cars" and "advertising" in the same breath, and most people's eyes start to glaze over fast. Cars rarely are the most fascinating or innovative category in the advertising world, though the Modernista shop in Boston did try to do some interesting things with the Cadillac brand. But now that account is in review, and, probably wisely, Modernista won't be pitching to retain it.
Lewis Lazare: Selling beer isn't as easy as it used to be. Both Anheuser-Busch and Chicago-based MillerCoors are scrambling to find new -- and effective -- advertising concepts for their respective Bud Light and Miller Lite brands.
Lewis Lazare: Tom, Dick & Harry/ Chicago has added a new creative director, Thomas Richie, whose resume includes a stint as founding partner and creative director at Hadrian's Wall/Chicago, the hugely creative agency that was sold and rebranded as Zig/Chicago a while ago.
Lewis Lazare: These days, Roland Martin is quite busy with his burgeoning career as journalist, TV and radio pundit, author and speaker. He is seen regularly on a number of CNN news programs including "Anderson Cooper 36," "Lou Dobbs Tonight" and "The Situation Room." He is also a senior analyst for the "Tom Joyner Morning Show," on radio. And late last month, he debuted the weekly "Washington Watch with Roland Martin" on TV One, a cable channel targeting African Americans that reaches nearly 50 million American households.
Lewis Lazare: Don't tell Mike Fowler to throw in the towel. No way. The Chicago market manager for Citadel Broadcasting and its WLS-AM (890) outlet isn't about to concede anything -- yet -- in the battle for ratings dominance in the news/talk radio category.
The resurgent Chicago Blackhawks and the iconic Chicago Bears have inked a marketing partnership that will include a series of TV commercials featuring players from the two teams vowing their support for each other.
Comcast SportsNet Chicago unveils a new ad campaign from Jacobson Rost/Chicago tonight during Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks telecasts.
Southwest Airlines gave a strong indication Tuesday that it expects a rebound in domestic air travel to accelerate in the spring. Beginning March 14, the low-fare behemoth will add 21 departures for 20 destinations to Chicago's Midway Airport schedule.
Judy Hsu, co-anchor of ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7's morning show, gave birth at 4:09 a.m. Tuesday to a baby boy, Alexander James, in a car parked along the Eisenhower Expressway.
Teatro ZinZanni has found an entertainment formula that works -- at least on the West Coast.
Lew Lazare: With all the Southern charm and true grit she could muster, Susan Credle blew in to the Windy City last week to face what surely will be the greatest challenge of her nearly quarter-century-long career in advertising. Credle, 45, is Leo Burnett/Chicago's new chief creative officer.
