Rick Dees does mornings in L.A. on new station

[BillboardBoy]

From All Access:

Country KZLA Gives Way To Movin Format; Rick Dees To Do Mornings


EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS and DEES ENTERTAINMENT have announced the launch of MOVIN 93.9, "The Mix That Makes You Move," and former KIIS-FM/LOS ANGELES morning legend RICK DEES will do morning drive. The format change replaces the longtime Country format of KZLA. This leaves both NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES without Country stations.

"We’re overjoyed that RICK DEES will be joining EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS and Movin 93.9,” said Emmis Communications VP/Programming.Jimmy Steal. "RICK’s passion for LOS ANGELES’ morning radio is legendary and his live & local show is a perfect fit for MOVIN 93.9. We can’t wait for him to start! He’s the perfect compliment to this exciting new format."

"EMMIS is the perfect fit," said RICK DEES. "I’ve been presented with many opportunities, and the new Movin 93.9 gets me excited like I’ve never been before! We will have an All-Star team ready to deliver a great morning show for SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA."

Emmis VP/Radio Division VAL MAKI said, "This is one of the most exciting opportunities we’ve seen in any radio market. The potential audience has told us that they want something new and fun. The combination of this music and RICK DEES make this the perfect answer to the needs of the marketplace. We are privileged to launch this station and I applaud the entire team."

[tico]

There had been rumors for years that Emmis would flip KZLA. I just didn't think it would happen. But it's also nice to have Rick on the air again in L.A.

[John77]

It's great to have Rick in L.A... it's awful that one of my favorite stations (KZLA) had to be dimantled to get him back... This only gets me even more mad at Clear Channel for getting rid of Dees in the first place and sticking Ryan in there.

[johnm1120]

What format is Movin 93.9 gonna be? Is that a Jack format?

[StephL]

It will be Rhythmic Pop Contemporary. Wonder if that is the end of the Weekly Top 40 with Ricardo Diaz?

[EvanJ]

KZLA is now KMVN.

[reception]

Click on the SELECT CHART drop down menu to select your desired Weekly Top 40 Chart: Hit Radio, Hot Adult, and Con Sabor

Beginning with last week's chart, his Con Sabor countdown was not listed on Rick's site. I couldn't find it on the KXOL Latino 96.3 site. Did Rick discontinue the Con Sabor countdown? Did KXOL drop the show now that Rick is back on L.A. radio on another station?

[reception]

ALL ACCESS EXCLUSIVE: RICK DEES AND JIMMY STEAL INTERVIEW

DATELINE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2006 - It's the day before legendary LOS ANGELES morning star RICK DEES rides again! He should be "chillaxing" before his debut on EMMIS Rhythmic AC KMVN (MOVIN 93.9), but DEES kindly took time to answer some exclusive questions for ALL ACCESS.

Also, giving up his time on SUNDAY was EMMIS VP/Programming JIMMY STEAL. Involved in the flip of Country KZLA to MOVIN 93.9, he's doing a hands-on job as its PD. Already PD at sister Top 40/Rhythmic KPWR (POWER 106) and its highly rated BIG BOY's NEIGHBORHOOD morning show. Our thanks to them both for their personal time and candid responses.

What's gone through your mind during this absence from live, morning radio?
Simple! I couldn't wait to get back on the radio. In fact I even went over to the studio today for a while. No one was at the station. I sat alone at the microphone for about a half hour and just thought over and over "I am ready. I just can't wait."

With the extra time off, except for your hosting duties for "The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown" is your already excellent golf game any better? Ready to challenge Tiger, yet?
My golf game? Well, honestly, I don't even know what that game is any more. In my extra time, I'm working out a lot.

Any big surprises in store like some morning co-hosts to play off of?
Yes, PATTY "LONG LEGS" LOPEZ is my new co-host. Wait until you hear her. She's funny, beautiful and talented. Everything you could want.

You've kicked off your first show with an interview from JACK NICHOLSON. Will you have other big names on the air on a regular basis?
Yes, a lot of big surprises coming in the days ahead. First of all a JACK NICHOLSON interview. He's never done an interview like this. What a thrill.

You had a fabulous relationship with Paul Joseph for many years, and Clarence Barnes is Exec Producer of "The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown". Who is going to produce your show at MOVIN 93.9?
PAUL JOSEPH, I love. He's fantastic and has gone on to produce great TV specials and TV shows. Our new Executive Producer is TOMMY OWEN, not (CLEAR CHANNEL SVPP) TOM OWENS, who has made every show he's ever worked with #1. He's currently been producing PAUL & YOUNG RON at BIG 105.9 in MIAMI right now. He's fabulous.

Will the show be different or very familiar sounding to the seasoned DEES listener?
The show will be different. It's the same me, but it will be upgraded and I've been spending a lot of time on it. The biggest difference is that it's a local radio show. Along with all the fun and the guests and music, it will be the small things like the time and the temperature, and that local flavor will make the difference between us and a syndicated morning show.

Will you be active in the community making appearances, doing charity events, etc?
I have done this for a while, and I'm hard wired to do and that's what we're gonna do. We're going to have a great time, and think of the listener and what they would appreciate every day. I am 110% for that. Yes, I will be making appearances. Charity events, absolutely. Showing up to see listeners at events and even in our parking lot? Absolutely! I will be doing everything that a beginner in radio would do. I'm in last place I don't' wanna stay there!

Besides ratings, what do you consider to be your biggest challenges in this comeback after being gone since February 2004 from L.A. morning radio?
The biggest challenges are in L.A. there are so many great radio companies and programmers and people who do the research, so cutting through the clutter will be our biggest challenge, and we've come up with several ways to do that and they will be a pleasant surprise to EMMIS. Our other challenges will be taken as they come. We're going to go in there every day and just feel like this is just a fun show to go to and do.

Describe what a typical Rick Dees listener at Movin 93.9 will be like. Female, and ...
Well the listeners will be female and male. Age aside, it's going to appeal to those who like this new mix of music. You go to the HISTORY CHANNEL you get history , the FOOD CHANNEL food, you come to MOVIN 93.9 and you're gonna move.

Once your show gets established, do you have any plans to try a run at TV again?
TV? I am just not sure. The only thing I am sure of, I just love radio. And doing this morning radio show and making it a winner is what I care about most at this very moment.

And now, JIMMY STEAL:

What's it like working with such a legendary radio personality like RICK, so far? Are you adding in a co-host or other personalities on his show? And, who will produce Rick's show?
I'm learning a lot from Rick, he is a master broadcaster! He inspires with his actions and anecdotes from the many successes throughout his career! Patricia Lopez from LATV will be Rick's sidekick and she is extraordinary!

Give me your overall impression of the initial reaction from listeners to the announcement that Dees was coming aboard?
It was honestly beyond my expectations, I knew RICKs return would be big, but didn't realize just how big! Above and beyond RICK's obvious entertaining content, the sound of his voice is such a comfort zone for the millions of people who have listened to RICK through the years here in LA. Everybody is rooting for him!

What's been listener reaction in general to Movin 93.9?
It has been tremendous, anecdotally, and in our research.

What are your expectations for Dees in terms of audience growth and reaction from his core fans, and hopefully new fans?
Our expectations are to become a market leader.

With more morning show competition today than ever in Los Angeles, how do you plan to market Rick Dees to achieve dominance?
We have already begun on TV and outdoor. Stay tuned for our EMMIS creative promotional flair from DIANNA JASON for RICK on the new MOVIN 93.9!

What stations are being targeted by Movin 93.9? While sharing many of the more mass appeal Rythmic currents, some call it a more mature version of KIIS-FM. Your thoughts?
A lot of people are calling us a lot of things! LOL! We like creating talk! I think more than anything else we will just be called successful.

Are you going to integrate elements of Dees' show into other dayparts, and other dayparts into Dees' show like with promos, and live/recorded drop-ins, to make this a cohesive effort, instead of it being "Rick Dees and then the rest of Movin 93.9"?
Yes, I remember when I first arrived at POWER 106, BIG BOY said OMIGOD you've turned POWER into BIG BOY RADIO! That seemed to have worked out pretty well. Although admittedly one big difference in the strategic for the two stations is POWER had an already established music position, and with the NEW MOVIN 93.9 we are establishing a new position and a new home for a legendary morning show simultaneously.

How soon will other personalities be added to Movin 93.9? Have any been hired? Can you share any names?
Now that RICK's morning show lineup has been finalized I will be focusing on the remaining MOVIN 93.9 airshifts.

Roll forward a year from now -- in a perfect world, where to you see Dees and Moving 93.9?
A station brand well on it's way to becoming as iconic in L.A. as RICK DEES already is. I feel with our strategic plan, creativity, the one of a kind RICK DEES, and help from GUY ZAPOLEON & ALAN BURNS, that this success is inevitable.

How important is Dees' success to the station itself?
RICK is very important. The ability to launch with an ambassador as potent as RICK DEES is such a huge blessing for us all!

Anything else you want to add in that I've not touched on, please, feel free!
Opportunities like this come maybe once in a lifetime. To have two unsurpassed morning franchises like BIG BOY's NEIGHBORHOOD and RICK DEES IN THE MORNING here is such a privilege and a pleasure! It's much more fun to be here at EMMIS making a little radio history than to be somewhere else watching these two incredible morning franchises making history from the outside!

The amount of resumes and airchecks from our competitors that began with "Please don't tell anyone I'm sending this because I'll lose my job, but...." has absolutely blown us away, and if that's any indication of the chord we've struck here locally, wowzers!!! We have fun here everyday at EMMIS/L.A. and I truly believe our passion, commitment, and teamwork can actually be felt through the speakers in our products! (EMMIS RADIO VP, EMMIS/L.A. SVP/Market Mgr.) VAL MAKI and (EMMIS RADIO President) RICK CUMMINGS understand this and we never, ever, take that feeling for granted!

[reception]

Dees Returns To L.A. On Monday (9/25)

RICK DEES will return to LOS ANGELES radio on MONDAY (9/25) at 5a on EMMIS Rhythmic AC KMVN (MOVIN 93.9)/L.A. DEES' return to radio was previously reported in AUGUST when EMMIS announced that then-Country KZLA was being replaced by the Rhythmic AC format as KMVN (NET NEWS 8/17).

"The initial response to RICK’s return has blown us all away!" said EMMIS VP/Programming JIMMY STEAL. "And I think RICK is just as excited to be back as the audience is to have him back on the air."

"I've never been more excited. EMMIS has created the ultimate dream team. Let's light this candle," said RICK DEES.

Additionally, KMVN will begin airing the "RICK DEES WEEKLY TOP 40" on SUNDAY mornings.

[algogocom]

Hello, thank you for your good advice, now I come to realize it.
And happy to come here to share the experience with you guys.
Rgds,

www.algogo.com
Camera,Cellphone,MP3/MP4,Electronics store

[mst3k]

algogocom said:

Hello, thank you for your good advice, now I come to realize it.
  And happy to come here to share the experience with you guys.
   Rgds,

www.algogo.com
Camera,Cellphone,MP3/MP4,Electronics store

LOL... if this is an attempt at spam, it may be the least effective ever.

If not, then welcome to the boards.

[John77]

I guess this fomulaic station is not "Movin" very well!!! :)

KMVN-FM Emmis Rhythmic AC 1.9 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.2

[John77]

And it gets WORSE!!!

KMVN-FM Emmis Rhythmic AC 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.2 0.7

Yes folks, that's 34th in the market!!!

[johnnywest]

john77 said:

And it gets WORSE!!!

KMVN-FM     Emmis     Rhythmic AC     1.7     1.8     1.7     1.2     0.7

Yes folks, that's 34th in the market!!!

Poor Rick!

[BillboardBoy]

(November 27, 2006) When the Summer ’06 Arbitron was released, all eyes were on 93.9/fm and the return of Rick Dees to morning drive. The survey period didn’t cover Rick’s arrival but at least a third of the Summer book reflected the station’s format change. Last August, KZLA suddenly dropped Country. Emmis Communications moved their station to a format called “Movin’” with the branding line, “The Mix That Makes You Move.” The Emmis folk spent more than a month establishing the music before re-introducing Rick to the mornings. Rick started on September 25, five days after the start of the Fall ’06 Arbitrend. The Phase 1 Arbitrend saw the station drop from a 1.2 to 0.7. The complete results of the Fall book will be released in January.

Mark Shannon O'Neill is a partner and co-founder of R.O.I. Media Solutions in Los Angeles (www.roims.com and http://www.ppmnews.com). Mark’s partner is Doyle Rose, a former Emmis executive who has been instrumental in the return of Dees. Mark offered a his perspective on 93.9/fm:
Consider that the station has to turn over almost 100% of its cume. So, 300,000 cume – how much of that is “new” vs “old” with the couple of hundred diaries placed in demo so far?
For some reason, changes like this seem to take longer to show up in L.A. ratings than in a lot of other markets (like New York). While the station, Dees and everyone involved would have loved to have seen a huge spike in the first monthly trend, all of us know better than to expect that.

I don’t want to make a direct comparison with La Raza or Latino 96.3 because I believe that those two stations were different situations with certainly different targets than this one, but they are the two most recent changes to which you can compare.

When Renan moved over, he had just left Univision under some very high profile, acrimonious and even bizarre circumstances and walked across the street with his audience. (Dees, by comparison, had been off the air for two years.) There was a lot of “Renan moves to La Raza” coverage where with Movin’ it seemed that most of the press was “KZLA is gone” rather than “Movin’ is here.” Renan showed up on KLAX in March of 2004. That showed up right away – in the first month – with movement 12+ and in demo, in AMD and Total Week. You saw it right away. It took about three months to fully appreciate the impact of the move.

On the other hand, Latino 96.3 was the most recent format change success story. The station was uniquely positioned with their potential audience and hit the mark dead on. Younger target audience, voracious samplers of “the next new thing,” huge, tightly knit word of mouth community. First monthly trend, they dropped from 19th to 24th. It took another three months for “traction” and it was six monthly trends after the switch where they moved from 8th to 2nd. #1 12+ the following month.

Eight months to be an overnight success. This is the first monthly trend for Movin’ – still too early to make any kind of realistic assessment.
Movin’ doesn’t have its full compliment of personalities on the air yet. They are still promoting the music position and have not yet started to feature Dees. The LA Times feature was only significant Dees exposure.

Second hand info that it’s just starting to get traction in the callout.

As Drudge would write: Developing.

[John77]

billboardboy said:

Mark Shannon O'Neill is a partner and co-founder of R.O.I. Media Solutions in Los Angeles (www.roims.com and http://www.ppmnews.com). Mark’s partner is Doyle Rose, a former Emmis executive who has been instrumental in the return of Dees. Mark offered a his perspective on 93.9/fm:
Consider that the station has to turn over almost 100% of its cume. So, 300,000 cume – how much of that is “new” vs “old” with the couple of hundred diaries placed in demo so far?
For some reason, changes like this seem to take longer to show up in L.A. ratings than in a lot of other markets (like New York).

Hmmmm.... yet JACK FM here in L.A. went from a 1.7 to a 3.0 or something like that in it's first book... I smell a rat!!!

[Marv]

That STILL doesn't explain why 93.1 JACK-FM here in LA soared to #1 in adults 25-54 IMMEDIATELY (it's STILL there!!!), while its NYC sister station was essentially DOA, and still is.

[John77]

marv said:

That STILL doesn't explain why 93.1 JACK-FM here in LA soared to #1 in adults 25-54 IMMEDIATELY (it's STILL there!!!), while its NYC sister station was essentially DOA, and still is.

There are a lot of theories as to why JACK FM (KCBS 93.1) works in L.A., but not in NYC... As Arrow 93.1, there was a decent following here in L.A. prior to the Jack takeover, but there were not a ton of people that probably had them as their P1 station... the ratings had been steadily sliding - something that's very common among Classic Rock type stations that refuse to embrace any new music...

As for the NYC JACK failure, I'm thinking that there was a station that had a pretty good following (they had fairly steady, though unspectacular ratings) and that there was a listener backlash... I'm also not sure how well that JACK station was researched, but I've seen people on some of the NYC radio boards who say that it wasn't a well put-together station and that it was doomed from the start...

Judging from the KCBS playlist, and knowing the L.A. market and it's history very well, it seems to me that the people who set the station up REALLY did their homework in choosing their GOLD... and the imaging is hip enough to attract people that may not necessarily like all of KCBS's music... I think those 2 things more than anything - good planning and imaging more than anything else have made JACK popular here in L.A...

Movin' seems to fall in the same boat as NYC's JACK FM... poorly planned, poorly researched and forgettable imaging... 

[Edf85]

I really like the music Movin plays. It's upbeat, classic nostalgia jams. Take a look at an hour looks like: web.yes.com/station/KMVN

[John77]

edf85 said:

I really like the music Movin plays.  It's upbeat, classic nostalgia jams.  Take a look at an hour looks like: web.yes.com/station/KMVN

And it's all been BEATEN to death in this market... NO currents... you can't survive in this market with NO currents unless you have some great imaging/promotion or a Heritage... this station has none of those unless you want to call "the Dees" a heritage...