The New 93Q Wins CMA Award for Major Market Station of the Year 2018

Houston Country Music Station – KKBQ-FM – Wins Country Music Association Award for Major Market Station of the Year

HOUSTON – (October 15, 2018) – KKBQ-FM, The New 93Q, was named Major Market Station of the Year by the Country Music Association (CMA).

The station was informed of the win by a personal phone call from country superstar, Jason Aldean. The award will be presented at the 52 nd annual CMA Awards show, airing live on Wednesday, November 14 th on ABC TV at 7pm CST.

"It’s a tremendous honor to receive this distinguished award,” says Cox Media Group Houston VP and Market Manager, Mark Krieschen. "The CMA award is a true reflection of the KKBQ team’s dedication to our on-air product, the local communities we serve, our advertisers, employees and the country music industry."

This is the third consecutive CMA win for The New 93Q in this category – which stipulates that a station can only be eligible every other year. Previously, the station won Major Market Station of the Year in 2014 and 2016.

The CMA Awards Show annually recognizes outstanding achievement in the industry of country music. Nominees and winners are determined by the more than 7,400 industry professional members of the Country Music Association, which when established in 1958, became the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music.

“Our third CMA Major Market Station of the Year Award. That is just surreal,” says Cox Media Group Houston Director of Operations Johnny Chiang. “This award belongs to our listeners, who drive us every day to serve our local community in the best way possible.”
The CMA is the station’s second major honor in 2018. Just last month, The New 93Q received the prestigious Marconi Award for Legendary Station of the Year by the National Association of Broadcasters.

About Cox Media Group
Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company. The company’s operations include broadcast television stations, radio stations, daily newspapers and non-daily publications. Additionally, Cox Media Group operates the National Advertising Platform businesses of CoxReps, Gamut and Videa: and offers a full suite of local and regional advertising services through its Local Solutions and Ideabar businesses. For more information about Cox Media Group, please visit www.coxmediagroup.com.


(This post taken from a release sent to me by Cox Media Group Houston)

Darby Douglas gets a new grandson

Former KHOU 11 traffic anchor Darby Douglas is doing his annual Facebook Christmas countdown, but this week, he gets an early gift.

Little Charles was born Thursday at 12:36am. He came in at 6 lbs., 2 oz. and is 18 inches long.

Douglas reports mom and baby are both fine!


(Thanks Robin!)

Foti Kallergis leaves abc13 KTRK for PR role

Emmy Award-Winning TV Journalist Foti Kallergis Signs Off to Join Etched Communication
Kallergis will oversee media and digital strategies at the award-winning, Houston-based PR firm

HOUSTON–(Oct. 11, 2018)– ABC-13 (Disney) TV Journalist Foti Kallergis is signing-off after nearly 15 years of news reporting to join one of Houston’s most diverse and growing public relations agency, Etched Communication.

“It’s been a wild ride, and I’m thrilled to start a new chapter with a group of outstanding professionals,” said Kallergis. “The Etched team is beyond talented. They have a unique approach on this ever-evolving industry. I embrace their diverse perspectives, and I look forward to adding my experience.”

In his new role as VP of group accounts, Kallergis will help oversee efforts for Etched clients including the Houston Housing Authority, Houston Habitat for Humanity and AND1. He will oversee broadcast, print and digital strategies that drive engagement, change perceptions and build brands.

“We are gaining not only a valuable asset to our team, but a really incredible person,” said Etched Communication CEO and Founder Toni Harrison. “At Etched Communication, we pride ourselves with having a diverse group of people who know Houston and are woven into the fabric of our great city. Foti is one of those people, and I think our clients will be extremely happy to have Foti on their team too.”

Kallergis joined the ABC-13 (Disney) team in September of 2013. He’s been awarded with two Emmy Awards and 13 Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Awards. Weeks ago, he was nominated for two more Emmy Awards for his live coverage of Hurricane Harvey and his human interest series on “The Forgotten People,” a group of former slaves in the mountains of Ecuador.

“ABC-13 has been my dream job. I grew up watching Dave Ward and Marvin Zindler,” Kallergis said. “Being a member of their news team was a big deal for me personally. I’m extremely proud of my accomplishments there, and I will forever cherish the relationships and true friendships I gained.”

Kallergis has been a TV journalist since 2005. He’s worked for other Texas stations including KFDM-TV in Beaumont, FOX 7 News Austin (News Corp.) and KVUE-TV (Austin). Kallergis’ last day at ABC-13 will be Oct. 12.

ABOUT ETCHED COMMUNICATION:
Etched Communication, is a creative, integrated and award-winning communication agency with the encompassing expertise of a global firm and the personal interaction and tailored approach of a boutique agency. Armed with a flexible approach, matchless expertise and endless curiosity and ingenuity, Etched strategically creates and executes comprehensive strategies that not only demand recognition, but etch a lasting impact. Connect with Etched Communication on LinkedIn or @etchedaffect on Instagram, Twitter
and Facebook.

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by Etched Communication.)

Hottest Houston social media stars September 2018

I didn't issue an August report since there were so many vacations going on, so let's get back to it for September.

Share Rocket gives us data on how each Houston TV station and the corresponding air staff members performed on Facebook and Twitter.

Share Rocket is, "a social media ratings and audience solution providing media companies an easy way to quantify their social media equity, benchmark against peers and turn social market intelligence into insights that drive social success."

The numbers are pulled from station usage on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using Share Rocket's "Share" measurement.

First we are looking at every Houston media company in the Share Rocket database and top personalities. Then I am looking at the top 5 on air staff members at each station in order of channel number.

RELATED
- Texas TV news and radio job moves September 2018
- The TV News bloopers of September 2018

Houston Media

1. abc13 KTRK
2. FOX 26 KRIV
3. KHOU 11
4. KPRC 2
5. Houston Chronicle
6. 47 Telemundo
7. 45 Univision
8. Houston Press
9. Houston's 39
10. CultureMap Houston

Top 5 individuals

1. Eduardo Rodríguez (Yusnaby Pérez) - 47 Telemundo
2. Tim Heller - abc13 KTRK
3. Mark Berman - FOX 26 KRIV
4. Greg Groogan - FOX 26 KRIV
5. Stephen Morgan - FOX 26 KRIV

KPRC 2

1. Adam Wexler
2. Dominique Sachse
3. Jennifer Reyna
4. Justin Stapleton
5. Britta Merwin

KHOU 11

1. Brandi Smith
2. David Paul
3. Chita Craft
4. Brooks Garner
5. Bill Bishop (Managing Editor)

abc 13 KTRK

1. Tim Heller
2. Erica Simon
3. Samica Knight
4. Mayra Moreno
5. Katherine Whaley

FOX 26 KRIV

1. Mark Berman
2. Greg Groogan
3. Stephen Morgan
4. Ivory Hecker
5. Kaitlin Monte

Univision 45 KXLN

1. Albert Martínez
2. Marcela Perez Barros
3. Marlene Guzman
4. Karina Yapor
5. Deysy Rios

Telemundo 47 KTMD

1. Eduardo Rodríguez (Yusnaby Pérez)
2. Ubaldo Martínez
3. Carlos A. Robles
4. Antonio Hernández
5. Augusto Bernal

Houston Chronicle

1. John McClain
2. Brian T. Smith
3. Joseph Duarte
4. Brent Zwerneman
5. Evan Mintz

DISCLAIMER: The top five Houston Chronicle staffers are listed at the bottom. I did not include KIAH 39 because it does not have five full-time on-air employees to make up the list. No Houston radio stations are listed in the Share Rocket database.

Houston Rockets broadcast team gets new addition

New reporter Michelle Margaux will serve as in-game reporter for Houston Rockets game broadcasts joining Bill Worrell and Craig Ackerman (play-by-play announcers), Matt Bullard and Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler (analysts) on the AT&T SportsNet broadcasts

AT&T SportsNet SM -Southwest announced today the broadcast schedule for the Houston Rockets 2018-19 season.

AT&T SportsNet, the official TV home of the Houston Rockets will produce and televise 70 regular season games. Houston Rockets regular season coverage on AT&T SportsNet tips off October 17 against Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans. The network broadcasts will include both pre-game and post-game shows.

Bill Worrell and Craig Ackerman will return to share duties as the play-by-play announcers, as well as Matt Bullard and Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler as analysts on the AT&T SportsNet broadcasts. Kevin Eschenfelder will serve as the host of both pre-game and post-game shows.

Joining Kevin on the pre-game and post-game shows as an analyst is Houston Rockets legend Calvin Murphy. This year’s broadcast team will have a new addition, Michelle Margaux, who will serve as the in-game reporter for all home and away Houston Rockets game broadcasts this season. Margaux comes to AT&T SportsNet from FOX Sports Sun, where she spent the past year as reporter and host.

Starting on October 17th , AT&T SportsNet will continue the behind-the-scenes show, Rockets All Access.

This weekly show will air on Wednesdays before the pre-game show or at 6pm on Wednesday nights when there is no game. The show will allow fans to see the behind-the-scenes stories and personalities of their favorite players, coaches and front office staff.

Note: Territorial restrictions apply. Subject to blackouts.

For a complete Houston Rockets broadcast schedule for the 2018-19 season go to https://southwest-
attsn.att.com/rockets/schedule/

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by AT&T SportsNet)

Erica Simon is pregnant

abc13 KTRK weekend morning anchor Erica Simon announces pregnancy

Rising abc13 KTRK star anchor Erica Simon has been getting lots of attention lately.

The newly minted weekend morning anchor just got some press in the Chron about 'freeing' her freckles sans TV makeup off the air to show her natural beauty.

Now the Dallas native is revealing something else...she's pregnant with a girl!

"Y’all. I officially have the pregnant lady waddle," she posted on Facebook last week.

I like what Simon is doing on social media. She uses multiple versions of a cartoon avatar of herself in posts. Good idea. Don't think I've seen any TV news types do this before.

Back to the subject at hand, Simon was 20 weeks pregnant as of last week.

Greg Bailey returns to KTRK...again

abc13 KTRK sports anchor Greg Bailey returns to work after broken bones and sling

Poor Greg Bailey.

The abc13 KTRK sports anchor has had a spell of bad luck as of late.

He just returned today after a second bad injury complete with a new sling as you can see in the photo below.

"After recovering from surgery I fell and broke bones in my shoulder," Bailey posted on Facebook. "Bummer! (Painful, too.) Thank you for all the great wishes! Back for the Astros and Texans."

A reader alerted me a few days ago that Bailey was missing in action again. Based on his lack of social media posting, I would guess he went missing in mid-September.

In July, channel 13's Bailey had to stay home due to a bad back.

He returned in August.

Leigh Frillici signs off from KPRC 2

Well, after Hurricane Harvey and an Astros World Series win, Leigh Frillici picked one wild news year to return to Houston TV news, and this weekend she signs off from KPRC 2.

Frillici returned to the Houston airwaves with KPRC in July of 2017.

"I just finished up my freelance gig at Ch 2 this week," Frillici posted on Facebook. "What a tremendous run! Loved getting to work with this talented team."

As I blogged way back then, Frillici left her reporting job at KHOU 11 in 2012 to spend more time with her two young children.

Prior to joining channel 2, Frillici did some freelance work for WTNH New Haven, Connecticut.

Texas Radio Hall of Fame rings

Houston radio legend Sam Malone (current AM 1070 The Answer, former 104.1 KRBE) was in the 2017 induction class of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.

Move over sports champions, Malone has revealed the new ring he received as a result of the big honor.

On his morning KNTH radio show, Malone talked Texas Radio Hall of Fame Operations Manager Josh Holstead (aka Rowdy Yates) and Super Bowl ring designer Fred Cuellar from Diamond Cutters International about the new piece.

RELATED
Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 inductees

The #TVNews bloopers of September 2018

RELATED
Texas TV news and radio job moves September 2018