Saturday, June 9, 2007 by SDRadio.

Lincoln Financial Media Company of California part of the Lincoln Financial Group, is considering selling its broadcast operations. The company is known for its financial and insurance business. Stations in San Diego include: KSON-FM, KSON-AM, KSOQ-FM, KiFM, and KBZT-FM. KSOQ relays country KSON-FM in North County from Escondido, and KSON-AM is a brokered station at 1240 AM. FM 94/9 is a leading alternative station; and KiFM is an award winning smooth jazz station.

The company has hired Merrill Lynch & Co., to advise on a range of options including, but not limited to, divestiture strategies for the media business.

The company released to the media on Friday:

Lincoln Financial Media is a well run business unit and widely respected within the broadcast industry. As we begin our evaluation of strategic options for this business we look forward to determining a favorable course of action to benefit our key stakeholders,” said Jon A. Boscia, Chairman and CEO of Lincoln Financial Group.

“At this time there should be no assumption that this strategic review will result in any type of transaction. The company does not intend to provide updates to the strategic review process or disclose developments or potential outcomes until and unless a definitive course of action is reached.

“Lincoln makes note of its long-standing policy against commenting on rumors, inquiries or speculation regarding corporate transactions, except by public disclosure.

Lincoln Financial Media, which owns and operates three television stations, 18 radio stations, and the Lincoln Financial Sports production and syndication business; and Lincoln UK.”

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Saturday, June 9, 2007 by SDRadio.

Tracy Johnson, a thirteen year veteran at KFMB-AM and FM, leaves for Mass 2 One Media LLC. Known as M2O’, the company is a leading on-air, online, on-location marketing solutions company specializing in media.

Tracy is considered one of America’s leading programmers, and his departure may seem to be a major surprise to many in industry observers and fans of the station.

Tracy writes that “I’ve loved every minute of working with (KFMB President) Ed
Trimble, the Meyer family (owners of Midwest Television) and the incredible staff of KFMB AM & FM. As entertainment choices rapidly evolve, radio is faced with more challenges than ever before and in many cases our industry is playing catch-up. This has
created an opportunity, and M2O has the solution. ECO is a database technology solution consisting of social networking, rewards, e-mail, e-commerce, research, station streaming, mobile text messaging and various other forms of listener engagement. It’s a complete package of applications for on-line, on-location, on-air and on-the-go (text).”

As a programmer, Tracy helped to bring the Star brand to San Diego and brought Jeff and Jer back to the 100.7 spot. For years, Star 100.7 was one of the most listened to and top billing radio stations in the San Diegomarket, beating rivals and earning the admiration of co-workers and other stations in town. Tracy’s mark on radio continues today as the Star brand continues on a different station — and with the Jeff and Jer Showgram.

M2O President and CEO Reg Johns said, “Tracy is the most practical and creative programmer I’ve ever met. In his years at Q106, Star 100.7 and Jack-FM, I have watched Tracy bring innovation to the marketplace and succeed. He has a unique ability to simplify the steps needed to realize giant visions. His track record of reaching #1 with so many different stations in one market speaks for itself. With Tracy’s experience, guidance and direction, we believe ECO will revolutionize media’s online presence.”

Working closely with cluster / group clients in Los Angeles (Clear Channel), San Diego (KFMB stations), and in Canada (entire Rogers group), M2O’s technology has driven results in record levels of participation, with dramatically increased TSL, page views and incremental revenue.

Tracy said about the future of ECO, “It’s the most exciting innovation I’ve seen in years. Our partnership with the Triton Media Group will expand our affiliate base and provide a national sales platform to drive station revenue.”

Triton Media Group, LLC (“Triton”) COO Mike Agovino stressed the impact of ECO, “In the past year, we’ve met with hundreds of broadcasters to discuss radio’s future. Those meetings, and thousands of hours of technical research and development have resulted in ECO. Now, by entering a partnership with a single accountable source, stations and groups are able to greatly reduce their workload, increase listener engagement and monitor all activity in real time. ECO makes it simple for the listener with products that interact seamlessly and deliver tremendous sales opportunities.”

Mass 2 One Media is based in Leucadia, near Encintas/Carslbad.

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Saturday, June 9, 2007 by SDRadio.

Former San Diego TV Newscaster and radio host Bree Walker is slated to purchase Cindy Sheehan’s five-acre parcel of land in Crawford, Texas. The land is about seven miles from President George W. Bush’s ranch in central Texas.

Walker, best known for her TV anchor days at NBC 7/39 has been a weekend host at Los Angeles’ progressive talker, KTLK-AM.

Bree told BradBlog that she intends to keep the property “as a ground for freedom and peace.” She is also considering erecting a memorial there for troops killed in Iraq.

The price for the land is believed to be about $87,000.

Her talk show can be heard on 1150 KTLK-AM in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon from 2 to 4.

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