Using the new Steve Harvey show as a hook, Radio One and new mostly talk station 102.5 (Grown up radio) hosted a party for him at the Ritz Carlton downtown Thursday evening. This was targeted for clients and sales folks. (Roddy was there!). Harvey was stuck on a tarmac at a NY area airport so he didn't make it. But Radio One CEO and prez Alfred Liggins was there and so was Rev. Al Sharpton. Liggins, who I've only interviewed by phone in the past, remembered me from my days at the Wall Street Journal. We had a very brief conversation that was pleasant enough until I asked about Mary Catherine Sneed, the former Atlanta COO. He suddenly stiffened and coincidentally or not, diverted his attention to someone else. Not that you'd expect him to give me the real skinny on that situation. And you have to give Radio One credit in this market--they introduced the first hip hop station in town, the first FM gospel, the first black-oriented talk station and brought back smooth jazz. And they've provided both Cox and Infinity strong competition for African American listeners.
Sharpton was naturally exuberant and quotable both to me and on stage. The man, whether you agree with his politics or not, is entertaining.
Radio One has combined sales staff for both 102.5 and Praise 97.5 and brought in folks dressed as Batman and Robin, ketchup and mustard and something else (Do you remember Roddy?) to bring home the point that couples can work. My guess is 102.5 by itself only pulls in around $3 million while Praise brings in significantly more cash-- probably more than $10 million a year. It's very possible if the Harvey/Dyson/Shartpon/Baisden daytime powerhouse (with SiMan as the local voice) can bring in a decent-sized crowd, they can pull in a lot more cash. Even with a relatively weak signal at 102.5, Harvey will likely take at least a noticeable chunk from the Tom Joyner till at Kiss.
Sharpton was naturally exuberant and quotable both to me and on stage. The man, whether you agree with his politics or not, is entertaining.
Radio One has combined sales staff for both 102.5 and Praise 97.5 and brought in folks dressed as Batman and Robin, ketchup and mustard and something else (Do you remember Roddy?) to bring home the point that couples can work. My guess is 102.5 by itself only pulls in around $3 million while Praise brings in significantly more cash-- probably more than $10 million a year. It's very possible if the Harvey/Dyson/Shartpon/Baisden daytime powerhouse (with SiMan as the local voice) can bring in a decent-sized crowd, they can pull in a lot more cash. Even with a relatively weak signal at 102.5, Harvey will likely take at least a noticeable chunk from the Tom Joyner till at Kiss.