Sports radio talk-show hosts Ben Higgins and Steve Woods, along with producer Paul Reindl, have received three-year contract extensions to continue the “Ben & Woods” show through 2024 on KWFN 97.3-FM The Fan, operated by Philadelphia-based Audacy.
The “Ben & Woods” show airs during the 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekday slot. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Ben &Woods” debuted on former crosstown sports talk outlet XPRS “The Mighty 1090 in March 2018. In 2019, XPRS, operated by Broadcast Company of the America, lost its signal lease with the Mexican transmission tower owners and the company closed its doors in April.
In June 2019, “Ben & Woods” joined KWFN-FM, the San Diego Padres’ English-language flagship station as part of a five-year deal that began with the 2017 season.
Times of San Diego asked Higgins, Woods and Reindl for their thoughts on why “Ben and Woods” has resonated with listeners.
“In regards to our success, I really don’t know,” said Woods. “I can tell you that we genuinely love each other and have a blast every day, and it’s cut through with the audience. They’re everything to us. We’re so happy to continue our journey here at 97.3 The Fan.”
Woods, a veteran morning radio host with an expansive knowledge of all things radio, has been heard the past decade on a number of San Diego stations with a variety of music formats. Previous to his pairing with Higgins, Woods was with Chris Cantore on KBZT-FM from October 2015 to early 2017.
“I’ve done a lot of sports radio in my life but have never worked with such a creative co-host and producer,” said Higgins. “Woods brings an amazing energy to the show every day and Paul’s quick trigger with funny sound drops is a real differentiator for us.”
Higgins, a graduate of Torrey Pines High School (class of 1993), has hosted several radio talk shows on several local stations covering both sports and current events, in addition to his duties as sports director for 10News KGTV-TV since 2002. He began his broadcasting career in 1997.
“It’s tough to pinpoint why our show has resonated with our listeners so well over the last three years,” said Reindl. “All I know is that every morning, we try to be our authentic selves. We are giant Padres fans and just like to talk about our favorite team. After the football team left for LA, San Diego officially became a baseball town, and all we want to do is provide our listeners with the best coverage of the Padres. I think that’s been a huge key to our success.”
Audacy operates five stations in San Diego, including KWFN 97.3-FM, KBZT 94.9-FM, KYXY 96.5-FM, KSON 103.7-FM and KXSN Sunny 98.1-FM. The company’s name changed from Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM) in March of this year.
Crowe PR’s New Client is #HalfTheStory
San Diego-based Crowe PR has announced its new client is #HalfTheStory, a digital wellness nonprofit that promotes authentic storytelling and healthy digital habits for young people.
Crowe PR said it will provide the organization with public relations services to help generate awareness. In addition, Crowe PR founder and CEO Anna Crowe has joined the board of directors of #HalfTheStory.
#HalfTheStory was founded in 2016 by Larissa May after battling depression and her own complex relationship with technology. She co-founded the annual Global Day of Unplugging, a 24-hour respite from technology, to be held this year on Aug. 7.
#HalfTheStory also recently launched a new, science-back program called “Social Media U,” a four-week course for schools to help kids take back their relationships with technology.
“At #HalfTheStory, our work is deeply rooted in storytelling and rewriting the rules for a better digital world,” said May. “Through our partnership with Crowe PR and Anna, we have a unique opportunity to expand our reach and impact, rewrite the rules for the future of digital wellbeing and share the untold stories of the next generation.”
“The past year only increased our reliance on technology and the struggle to maintain a healthy balance between our on-screen and off-screen lives can be difficult, particularly for young people,” said Crowe. “We have an opportunity to help the next generation be smarter and more intentional with their use of social media and technology, and #HalfTheStory is tackling this challenge in a progressive and powerful way. Crowe PR is honored to help #HalfTheStory accomplish their mission to help today’s youth foster healthier relationships with technology.”
Crowe PR, with offices in San Diego and New York, specializes in consumer products, hospitality and healthcare technology with a focus on health and wellness, outdoor and sustainable brands.
Political Ads Kept Local TV Revenues Afloat During Pandemic
Record-setting political advertising spending in 2020 saved the day and helped local TV stations survive last year’s revenue loss resulting from the pandemic-driven economic shutdown.
According to a recent report from BIA Advisory Services, a consulting firm based in Chantilly, VA, over-the-air revenues for local TV stations reached $18.3 billion last year, with another $1.4 billion coming from digital revenues to total $19.7 billion. That marks a 7.6 percent increase over a combined $18.3 billion in 2019.
A statement from BIA said, “Political advertising alone accounted for $4.4 billion in 2020 to deliver a softer landing to an otherwise negatively impacted industry.”
Core advertising, defined as OTA revenue minus political advertising, was down 23.1 percent in 2020, said BIA.
“This past year demonstrated that local television stations are doing the right thing by continue to strengthen their digital and multi-media sales efforts,” said Mark Fratrik, senior VP and chief economist at BIA. The consulting firm specializes in providing local market advertising intelligence, including data-centered insights, analysis, strategic consulting and valuation services.
For the reminder of 2021, in addition to automotive advertising, traditionally the largest single local source, BIA is expecting sizable percentage increases from other economic sectors, including consumer lending and mortgage (45 percent), clothing stores (45 percent), auto and direct property insurance (33 percent) and direct health and medical insurance carriers (29 percent).
IABC Presents Webinar on Financial Communications
The International Association of Business Communicators San Diego chapter will host “Financial Communications Basics,” a free webinar from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, June 24. Networking begins at 4:45 p.m.
Topics will include how to read a financial statement, simplify complex financial topics, work with investor relations and security analysts and comply with SEC rules
Speaker will be Bob Varettoni, communications director for the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation in New York. Previously, he directed financial communications at Verizon for nearly two decades. He served as Verizon’s chief financial spokesperson and led communications efforts on such issues as mergers and acquisitions, corporate taxes, executive compensation and accounting changes.
Varettoni also has partnered with investor relations on investor-analyst communications and production of the company’s annual report. He served for several years as treasurer of the IABC Northern New Jersey chapter.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.
