Fwd: MEDIA BLITZ BY JOHN MOLORI, 7/14/03

["Kevin Vahey" <kvahey@tmail.com>]

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-----Original Message-----
From: Jomol3@aol.com
Subject: MEDIA BLITZ BY JOHN MOLORI, 7/14/03
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 23:59:01 EDT

MEDIA BLITZ
By John Molori

Source: Kellogg is 'Zoning' out at AM 1510

       A source at AM 1510 The Zone has told Media Blitz that Mike 
Kellogg’s
tenure as station GM will end this week.

       According to the source, the decision was made while Sporting 
News
Radio chief Chris Brennan was in town late last week.

       Kellogg, a former Sportsradio 850 WEEI sales pro, came to AM 1510 
in
2001.   He wasted no time in making his mark, bringing in Celtics 
broadcasts,
Eddie Andelman, Sean McDonough and Mike Adams.

       Adams and McDonough have since departed.   Under rumored financial 
fire
from Sporting News Radio for the lucrative contracts given to McDonough 
and
Andelman, Kellogg’s reported exit is no surprise.

       He does, however, deserve credit for putting AM 1510 on the 
sports
radio map.   He was bold and aggressive in attempting to cut into 
WEEI’s sports
radio pie.   Alas, the ratings never matched his work ethic or vision.

       Praised by the likes of Andelman and vilified by the departed 
Adams,
Kellogg’s tenure has been stormy to say the least.   When McDonough 
announced
his departure in May, it was clear that Kellogg’s plan had faltered.

       Kellogg could not be reached for comment.   If, indeed, he is 
gone, the
future of AM 1510 as a local content station is in doubt.

       Ironically, Kellogg’s possible final moves may have been his 
best.
His “Morning Press Box” crew is an improvement over Adams ill-fated 
morning
show and the “The Group” (weekdays, 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.) is much 
more lively
than McDonough’s program previously in that time slot.

       According to the source, the official announcement of Kellogg’s
departure will come on Tuesday.

Unsteady Eddie

       AM 1510’s Eddie Andelman deserves a ton of respect for remaining 
a
vital sports radio presence after three decades.   However, even a 
legend can have
a bad day.

      This past Friday, Andelman referred to Tampa Bay Devil Ray Rocco
Baldelli as Rocco “Baldini.”   WEEI’s “Big Show” producers 
cited the error on
numerous occasions that afternoon.

      In addition, Andelman featured yet another Las Vegas gambling 
expert to
discuss sports.   It is well documented that Eddie likes to plunk cash 
down on
games and horses, but there is no place for betting analysis on 
mainstream
sports radio.   It comes across as unseemly and crass.

       I’d much rather listen to a coach, player or media person talk 
sports
as opposed to some slimy hustler making money on the misfortune of 
others.

       The discussion included references to futures betting and 
arbitrizing
your way out of a bet.   Huh?   Is this a sports show or the sequel to 
"Ocean's
Eleven?"   Andelman is so much better than this.   Let’s hope his 
latest
casino creep was also his last.

Talented twosome

       Some weeks ago, it was written here that Bob Neumeier is an 
unnecessary
figure on WEEI’s “Red Sox Baseball Today” program.

       That point was magnified this past week when Steve Buckley and 
Sean
McAdam sat in for the vacationing Glenn Ordway on WEEI’s “Big 
Show.”

       Buckley and McAdam, regulars on “Red Sox Baseball Today,” were 
superb
in their drive time stint.   The four hours cruised by with some 
in-depth
analysis and solid back and forth.   Topics included Johnny Damon trade 
rumors,
Theo Epstein’s performance as GM and this week’s All-Star Game.

       On the last subject, McAdam gave a lucid reason why it is wrong 
that
this year’s game decides home field advantage in the 2003 World 
Series.

       He stated, “It means Mike Williams of Pittsburgh facing Melvin 
Mora of
Baltimore in the bottom of the ninth to decide if the Braves, A’s 
Dodgers or
Red Sox have home field advantage in the World Series.”

Headline horror

       This past week, Greg Dickerson and Larry Johnson filled in for 
Dennis
and Callahan on WEEI.   During the normally funny “Headlines” 
segment,
Dickerson read the story of an East Boston lesbian couple that was 
attacked and
brutally beaten.

       Dickerson, Johnson and Jon Meterparel began to giggle at the mere
mention of the phrase “a lesbian couple and their kids.”

       The threesome went on to discuss the serious nature of the crime 
with
Dickerson saying that the perpetrators should be “taken out of society 
for a
long time.”

       Despite this recovery, I question the motive of including this 
story in
the segment at all.   Clearly, it was an attempt to exploit the 
controversial
topic of gay parent households.

       The group's initial scoffing seemed to belie their eventual care 
and
concern for the victims.   Perhaps, in the future, such sensitive topics 
should
be left to a more sensitive program.

Cape counterpunch

       ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” is coming to The Cape Cod 
Melody Tent
this Friday.   Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough and Richard “The 
Destroyer” Hall
top the bout list in a 10-round light heavyweight match.   The card 
begins at
7:30 p.m., going live on ESPN2 at 9:00 p.m.

       Promoter Hank Tuohy has served as marketing director for several 
ESPN2
pro boxing cards.   He has also produced a weekly boxing radio show, 
“In this
Corner.”

       He states, “We promote events, not just boxing shows.   We can 
pick and
choose the best fighters for our shows.   We look forward to developing
relationships with HBO and Showtime.”

        Tuohy already has a strong bond with ESPN.   “We got an ESPN2 
show
right out of the gate because of my reputation, “ he states.   “ESPN 
enjoyed
working with us on past programs.   My sports marketing experiences have 
offered
me some great opportunities.”

       Lettterlough’s agent, Massachusetts native Mike Marley, is also 
no
stranger to media.   He was a sports columnist in Reno, Nevada and for 
the New
York Post.

       Marley also served as producer for Howard Cosell’s ABC   
“Sportsbeat”
show.   “We have total respect for Richard Hall,” says Marley of his 
fighter’
s Friday opponent.

       “This is a career crossroads fight for Julian. A victory over 
Hall can
catapult Julian to a world title shot.   Anything else and he goes to 
the end
of the line.”

Say What?

“It’s one thing to run into a burning building to save someone.   
It’s
another thing to do it just to warm up.” - ESPN’s John Anderson on 
Mike Dunleavy
becoming head coach of the LA Clippers

John Molori’s Media Blitz column is published weekly in The Boston 
Metro, The
Providence Journal, The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, The Lowell Sun and at
MethuenOnline.com.   John can be reached via E-mail at JOMOL3@aol.com.