Idaho Radio News Etc.

KCIX/Mix 106 finally weaned itself from the Clear Channel out-of-market voicetrackers — a year after the station moved from CC to Peak Broadcasting. Former afternoon host Joe Boxer has been VT’ing — but he’s been replaced by APD “Lucas.” The show is live from 7p-12a.

Ada County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Andrea Dearden tells Idaho Radio News that “two to three people” called Ada County Dispatch with tips or information regarding the “stolen” Black Kia. They were told that there was no stolen car, and to contact the radio station.

Boise Police spokesperson Lynn Hightower said she was warned by someone with KCIX – and let dispatch supervisors know about the stunt Thursday morning shortly after the stunt began. She says very minimal staff time was spent. “Other than a couple more follow up conversations involving myself, I’m not aware of any time spent by this department on this subject,” she said.

UPDATE:Hightower wanted to note that her department often gets a heads up from radio stations doing promotions that could have some public impact – including gas giveaways, downtown events, etc. “I really do appreciate when stations think of those potential public impacts and call the department.”

KCIX/Mix 106 is giving away a Black Kia Sportage from Nampa Kia. Sound familiar? That’s the same make, color and model of a vehicle supposedly stolen from morning co-host Kate McGwire’s driveway. The station will make one listener very happy with the $17k car – but in the process may have done severe damage to the trust earned by McGwire and co-host Mike Kasper over the past several years on the air in the Boise market.

Thursday morning, McGwire went on the air and told the listening audience that she was warming up her car in her driveway, when someone stole it. She spent the day recounting the experience – telling people how awful she felt. Listeners called with condolences. A friend even brought her flowers.

The next day, things progressed further – with a supposed ransom note on her dog, and a box full of belongings from the car left at her home. Even an electronic voice of the supposed thief. Listeners were scared – and called in to warn her to call the cops.

Then the kicker: the manager with Nampa Kia called to say that anyone who found the supposedly stolen car would get to keep it. Ahhh… the jig was up. This isn’t Kate telling a tale from her personal life as she’s done so many times before — it’s Kate telling a fairytale made up in a promotions meeting. Did it it create buzz? Wow — it sure did. Will someone be excited to win the car? Yes. But at what cost?

Kate told industry site Bitboard last year that “anyone can copy our games and stunts, but no one can copy being me.” That is generally true. But there’s one person who can — that’s Kate. She copied herself with a made up story, and in the process broke trust with members of her audience. Oddly, if this had happened on April Fools’ Day – she might have been given a pass. Waiting two days and telling a very believable story at the very least cost her show goodwill.

Several people have said on this site that they don’t see the big deal. I’ll concede the point. Maybe it’s not a big deal. However, when the “joke” is victimizing a woman – it’s playing around with a very sensitive nerve.

Thomas: “The problem is once you know someone will just make up crap and say anything to keep your attention… Well its interesting if real but not if its fiction. I no longer believe anything I’ve ever heard on the show and no longer have any interest in listening.”

Ex-Fan: “There are a lot of radio stations to choose from in the Treasure Valley and this is one I won’t be listening to anymore. I don’t appreciate having my sympathy taken advantage of for a full day. And to think I DEFENDED them when everyone else was telling me it was a publicity hoax. I even lost $5 on a bet to my son. Yeah I know, I’m gullible, but just remember the story of the boy who cried wolf.”

Buster Bronco: “I don’t care for the message it sends to kids that it is OK to lie about something as long as you are getting a positive outcome at the end. The means does not justify the ends.”

Shawn King: “Everyone at Mix 106, & Nampa Kia can deny all they want, but to drag this stunt out, scaring all of us so much to worry for Kate’s safety and for what? A gimmick? A fun spot? No, rather a calculating, cruel and misleading attempt to gain more listeners for a pathetic contest.”

Stephanie Kelly: “It’s really sad when you have to resort to something like this to get ratings. What happened to the good old days when all you had to do was say that US West was blowing out the phone lines and to put a bag over your phone so dust wouldn’t get everywhere? We got all three tv stations to do a piece on that, and no little dj’s or listeners were hurt in the making of that program.”

One more word about credibility. I lost some here. I fell for a stunt. I trusted a source that in hindsight thought that fooling me was OK. Fair enough – and I don’t hold ill-will. But at the end of the day, I’ll be more careful – and continue to work to get things right.

Save your sympathy. Stop looking for a stolen car. Stop trusting the people on the radio.

Kate McGwire’s car hasn’t been stolen – it’s a stunt. I’m sure it’s funny.

It’s yet another case of trying to trick the radio audience. There has to be a better way to create buzz and ratings.

KCIX/Mix 106 morning show co-host Kate McGwire is without a car today – after her loaner car went missing from her driveway. What’s worse? The car wasn’t even hers.

McGwire’s vehicle was in the shop – and she had a loaner vehicle from Nampa Kia. On the air this morning, Kate told listeners that she started her car to warm it up in the pre-dawn hours. Someone took off with the Black Kia Sportage loaner.

Call Ada County Police Dispatch at 377-6790 if you know anything about the case.

New KCIX/Mix 106 Assistant Program Director Josh “Lucas” Garber joined the station earlier this month, working under KCIX/KXLT program director Brent Carey. Carrry and Garber previously worked together at WTWR/Tower 89 in Toledo, OH. In 2006, Garber triggered a petition by members of the Asian American community by calling a Japanese restaurant and “made fun of the person who answered the phone because he or she didn’t speak English well.” Asian Communities United also said Garber made “racially insensitive remarks” according to the Toledo Blade.

Mix 106 is seeking people with an interest in a career in radio broadcasting or marketing. We are looking for interns to help complete our street team, assist in promotions, programming and help create internet content (including but not limited to video and graphics)! Will compensate with college credit. THIS IS THE WAY TO START if radio or marketing is what you want to do! Must have a valid drivers license, a clean driving record, be available 3 to 4 days a week, be reliable and come to work with a smile.

If interested please contact Assistant Program Director Josh Garber at jdgarber@peakbroadcasting.com

Animal guy Corbin Maxey was in studio with Mike & Kate… and this happened.

KCIX/Mix 106 fell back to earth after a string of strong books. The station scored a 3.5 12+ rating, its worst book since fall 2003.

KZMG/Magic 93.1 debuted new morning show “Dan Tooker in the Morning” today. During the 7am hour, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter joined Tooker, Matt Johnson and Casey Acevedo in studio. The group talked about things Tooker should do to become an official Boisean — riding the Tour Train, etc. He also talked about how he and his wife plan to retired in Boise.

Magic’s clearly trying to take an adult turn – emphasizing the play with “family friendly” sweepers. Overall, the show was engaging. Also, DanTooker.com got a “Magic” makeover.

Over on KSAS/103.3 Kiss FM – the other ‘ooker – Hooker in the Morning was giving away tickets to a Hannah Montana movie showing. The difference couldn’t have been more stark.

It looks like KZMG is trying to remake itself in the Hot AC mold. The station’s top 10 songs are more like KCIX than KSAS. But will Tooker be able to steal enough listeners from Mike & Kate, Hooker and the ether to be successful? Guess we’ll know in August…

Mix 106, KCIX, is accepting applications and resumes for the position of Radio Assistant Program Director. The ideal candidate posses skills to assist in multiple areas such as promotions, new media and website, on air and on the streets, music sheduling [sic] and problem solving. Great production and imaging skills a must!

Mix 106 has a huge following and needs someone to join the team to add to the momentum and help push forward through 2008!

This is a highly competitive market with enthusiastic and passionate players.

Pay is depending on experience.

Winning applicant will need to know how to spell “scheduling” as well.

The radio dial is sounding quite festive this Christmas eve. As I headed to services this evening – I was pleasantly surprised at the number of stations that dropped their normal formats to get in the spirit – with 100% Christmas music:

KTSY/89.5 FM
KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3
KZMG/Magic 93.1
KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River
KAYN/Boomer 100.7
KAWO/WOW Country 104.3
KBOI/News-Talk 670
KTHI/107.1 K-Hits

These stations join KXLT/107.9 Lite FM which went all-Holiday on Thanksgiving, and KDJQ-AM which went all Christmas last week.

KKGL, KCIX, KJOT, KQFC, KWEI, KDBI, KSAS are all playing some Christmas cuts along with their normal format. That’s 17 total stations from ‘AWO to ‘ZMG. They should all conspire to play Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer at the same time. Now THAT would be funny.

About the only stations I could find that hadn’t adjusted formats were KSRV/96.1 Bob FM and The X.

Here’s a look at what Boise-area stations are doing to help the community this year. The Idaho State Broadcasters Association notes that in 2005 (the most recent year available), Idaho radio stations took in $2.1 in fundraising donations (along with $20 million in PSA value).

KTSY – The station is holding a Christmas concert at the Nampa Civic Center on December 19th, featuring local artists. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy which will go to Nampa’s Salvation Army. Details

KIZN – The annual Keep Kids Warm event is taking several approaches to help pay for heating costs for area families. Schools are competing to raise funds – with the school that raises the most getting a concert with American Idol star Bucky Covington. The station is also teaming with Intermountain Gas, to make it easy for folks to add money to their bill to donate to those in need. The station will also host an on-air auction that will start December 17th. Last year, Keep Kids Warm raised $50,000. Details

KZMG – Magic 93.1 is taking part in Christmas in the Nighttime Sky (see KBOI)

KRVB – The River’s annual Concert for Cause was held Wednesday night, and featured an all-local bill headed by Curtis Stigers. The event moved to the Morrison Center and benefited the new Interfaith Sanctuary. Details. KRVB is also joining other Journal stations, KIVI, KTVB, KBCI and others in collecting toys for Toys for Tots.

KKGL – 96.9 The Eagle is helping collect gifts for children at the Idaho Youth Ranch. Details

KQFC – All this week, 97.9 KQFC’s Q Wakin’ Crew is helping collect donations for five families. Morning co-host Debi is on location at Wal-Mart and Albertsons locations around the Valley helping collect items for the families selected. Details

KWEI – The Spanish AM/FM combo is helping collect needed items for the Ronald McDonald House. The House – located near St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital – gives families of sick kids a place to stay. Details

KQXR – The X is helping collect Toys for Tots.

KSAS – Hooker in the Morning is taking Christmas wishes during the morning show and helping to fill the needs for a variety of listeners.

KAWO – WOW Country 104.3 is taking suggestions for folks who should get a free Christmas tree this holiday. Details. Also, the station is in the midst of its St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital drive.

KJOT – J-105 is helping collect Toys for Tots.

KCIX – Mix 106 is featuring twelve cute puppies and 12 kittens in need of a home for its “12 Strays of Christmas” promotion. Each of the animals is from the Canyon County Animal Shelter – and two of the ten animals featured so far have found a new home. Details

KTHI – 107.1 K-Hits is helping collect Toys for Tots.

KXLT – 107.9 Lite FM continues a tradition started long ago by KCIX/K-106 with the Home Federal Christmas Wish. Folks can stop into any Home Federal location, nominate a deserving family for a variety of needs – and Home Federal and KXLT will work to fill wishes each day through the holidays. Details

KBOI – KBOI is teaming up with several other Citadel stations for Christmas in the Nighttime Sky. The station is taking toy donations for Toys for Tots during the event this Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in Garden City. The event will feature a fireworks show, hot foods for sale and more. Santa Claus will be on hand – and donations will go to the American Heart Association.

KTIK – KTIK is taking part in Christmas in the Nighttime Sky (see KBOI).

Others? Let me know…

More talent changes at Peak Broadcasting Boise – as Brian “the Bird” exits KAWO/Wow Country 104.3. Brian started with KAWO as evening host before sliding into the AM show producer job. (He also did weekends on KTMY before the station was rebranded under the Wow Country name).

This is the third on-air staff cut at Peak in the past week.

A memo obtained by Idaho Radio News written by Peak Boise SVP Kevin Godwin says the decision to let go Melissa Dawn and Greg Williamson the day before Thanksgiving was made after “months of thought and consideration.” Godwin’s note says Dawn and Williamson are “both terrific people and this was a very difficult decision.” He also said that if “given the opportunity, would hope to have them back at Peak Broadcasting.”

KXLT’s morning show will remain in place, but the station will focus on “more music at work.” Wether this means voice trackers or no jocks at all is unknown.

Also: Along with the move to morning traffic anchor, Tobin Jeffries will no longer hold the title of program director for KXLT/107.9 Lite FM. Current KCIX/Mix 106 program director Brent Carey will take over that role, with Jeffries acting as assistant program director for Lite, as well as network operations manager for the traffic group.

To keep listeners in its clutches, KCIX/Mix 106 is giving away a variety of purses from Macys. Listeners are told to listen to clues to the four-digit code, then call in and win one of several bags.

Peak Broadcasting continues its run of great website launches – this time with the new 63kfxd.com (just plain kfxd.com works as well). The site is a bit different from the average radio site, with navigation built around the logo on the home page and a fairly simple approach inside the site. I like how the contact page lets you reach out to SVP Kevin Godwin with a direct e-mail link – and the use of vintage KFXD studio pictures, emphasizing the station’s long history.

The station is also offering its program audio online. 1033kissfm.com and mix106radio.com are the final two Peak sites left to launch on the Statioinality platform.

(Disclosure: I helped create the site’s co-branded traffic page as part of my day job.)

Two items from the “less than truthful” files tonight…

KSAS BSU Rendezvous promo “padded”
KSAS has a promo on the air that so packed for of lies it makes you laugh. It’s for the station’s SINGLE trip to see Boise State play Hawai’i on the islands. Let’s dissect:
- The promo says its the trip “money can’t buy” (unless you have $1,365 and a computer)
- It says you also get tickets to the Kiss FM exclusive Haunted World (exclusive how?)
- Notes that the trip is from the “BSU Broncos and 103.3 Kiss FM,” which – since the school has no involvement, isn’t true
- And of course they’re doing the usual trickery to make it seem like lots of people are winning, when in fact just one person will win.

KCIX and the non-exclusive exclusive show

KCIX told listeners last week that it was the only station giving away tickets to the Pat Monahan show (Monahan is the lead singer of Train). Which isn’t true – since several of the Journal stations also gave away passes. This was in error – see this.

The last time I was beating this dead horse, “Muck Raker” made a good point:

In some quarters this would be referred to as the sacrifice of long-term listener relationships at the expense of an attempt to score short-term gains. Others would call it deception, nefarious prevarication or just being cheap.

Know of a station not stretching the truth? Drop me a line.