Who is Air America? Part III

Who is Air America? Part III
and where are they?
Part I, Part II

[gpapa's comments in brackets]

From UrbanRadioLive.com

UrbanTalk
Atlanta Radio Venture to Back Liberal Hosts
By Atlanta Journal and Constitution
Feb 21, 2003, 06:00

An Atlantan has been hired to create liberal talk radio programs for syndication, but analysts and others see a challenge in attempting to rival a conservative radio icon such as Rush Limbaugh.

Jon Sinton, a 48-year-old former radio consultant from Cobb County, is chief executive officer of a venture called AnShell Media, a $10 million start-up funded by investors led by Chicago venture capitalists Sheldon and Anita Drobny.

Sinton, a self-described "proud liberal," said AnShell also is trying to counterbalance the heavily conservative bent of talk radio. "The marketplace demands equalization," he said.

Though news reports on Monday emphasized the Drobnys' ties to the Democratic Party, Sinton said "our investors are enterprise-savvy investors. They are not political donors. They expect a return on investment."

That could prove tough. Talk radio's success over the past decade has hinged heavily on conservative hosts such as Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and G. Gordon Liddy, fueling the appetites of targeted middle-aged white males. Since syndication became common in the early 1990s, left-leaning hosts such as former Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower and former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo have failed.

"It sounds like they're putting this network on for all the wrong reasons," said Eric Seidel, a former WGST-AM program director. "The successful talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity were selected for their entertainment abilities first. Liberals seem to take themselves too seriously."

Michael Harrison, editor of Talkers magazine, a radio trade publication, said AnShell could succeed if it finds a couple of truly entertaining radio hosts but, by definition, being liberal makes it hard to attract a big audience.

"The average liberal does not walk around carrying a liberal card in their pocket," Harrison said. "The average conservative is much more likely to have group identity. Plus, liberals are less likely to identify with demagoguery, which is what radio hosts do. They sit on a platform and claim to have the answers to all the world's problems."

According to a recent Talkers magazine poll, 22 percent of talk-show listeners are Republican while only 14 percent are Democrat. Fifty-one percent call themselves independent, and 9 percent are Libertarian.

Sinton said that major markets such as Atlanta will be hard to crack. Atlanta has two major non-sports talk stations -- WGST-AM (640) and WSB-AM (750). Both are dominated by conservative-leaning hosts such as Limbaugh at WGST and Hannity at WSB.

"I don't have any intention of talking to the right-wing talk stations," Sinton said. "I'll be targeting underperforming stations in any market. I wouldn't use WGST or WSB as affiliates because they're already successful at what they do."

Even the weak-signaled Talk 1340 (WALR-AM), which has Michael Savage and Don Imus, isn't showing much enthusiasm.

"I'm not convinced liberal talk radio can work in this market," said Mike Rose, 1340 station manager and afternoon talk show host. "I think this is going to flop miserably."

And the idea that a station could blend conservative and liberal talk doesn't hold much promise, Sinton said. "In music, it would be like Z93 playing Ja Rule in between Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin."

Sinton, who moved to metro Atlanta in 1980, was a radio consultant for 20 years and worked with Atlanta stations such as 96rock (WKLS-FM) and Star 94 (WSTR-FM). Most recently, Sinton was president of SpectraSite Broadcast Group, a Cary, N.C.-based company that purchases radio towers and real estate.

Sinton was recommended for his new position by Mike Malloy, a liberal talk show host who used to be on WSB-AM in the early 1990s and later a major AM station in Chicago.

Malloy, who still lives in Atlanta, is currently syndicated in 15 smaller markets via another liberal talk show group called i.e. Radio America Network, a Detroit firm backed by the United Auto Workers. The group has had a hard time breaking into big cities.

Sinton said he has no personalities signed yet but hopes to have something to offer radio stations by the fourth quarter.

The only name Sinton has revealed so far as a potential host is Al Franken, former "Saturday Night Live" writer and performer with two best-selling political satire books, including "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot."

Franken could not be reached for comment.

Air America co-founder Sheldon Drobny responds
The Church of Critical Thinking January 20, 2005 [a look into the liberal mindset]

Last week, I wrote an article about Air America Radio, and its relationship with its advertisers and audience. I wrote that I can't listen to Air America anymore because the commercial breaks have come to resemble my Spam folder, with constant ads for hair-loss treatments, sexual performance enhancers, get rich quick schemes, and other ads that make claims hovering between ludicrous and dangerous. For a radio station that rails against the political right for lying, and claims to contrast that with truth and honesty, I found it unacceptable that they accept advertising from companies that seem to think I'm stupid, gullible, and willing to throw my money at anyone who makes any wild claim. Eventually, it got to me enough that I could no longer stand listening to Air America Radio.

When it comes to potential advertisers, Drobny says "I don't really like big corporations in general," adding for example "I wouldn't advocate Archer Daniels Midland." Drobny added that he wants to attract "first class" companies to advertise on Air America Radio. "We want good companies."

But intermediately, he says, "Survival is the first instinct, and we need to survive."

I appreciate that Mr. Drobny took the time to contact me about my concerns. He said he would pass the details of our conversation along to John Sinton, Air America's President "and a solid guy," adding "you and I are on the same page."

Well, okay. I'll tune in again in three months - and occasionally between now and then - to see how things have changed.

If Air America Radio features quality content and has sponsors with integrity, I'm happy to show my support for the station by patronizing its sponsors. Just as long as they don't patronize me.

Comments [just a few to add a little flavor]

Posted by: abacus on January 21, 2005
Drobny is either on a suicide mission, or a genious in the making.

It is beyond me that a 'struggling' network can demean the very advertisers that may have pulled them out of a potential bankruptcy, only in the hope of attracting "first class" companies to advertise on Air America Radio.

I personally would have waited for the odd "good company" to knock on the door before calling the current advertisers "gone".

And your opinion, David, "wait and see" speaks volumes. I now fully subscribe to the typical conservative charge that liberals simply do not care who they shit on, as long as eventually their message gets out.

Posted by: TC@LeatherPenguin on January 25, 2005
The biggest problem Air America has is that whatever advertising they currently run doesn't come close to paying their bills. They exist entirely through private investors and Clear Channel experimenting with "progressive" talk on underperforming stations they own in smaller radio markets. If the experiment is declared a bust and Clear Channel pulls the plug, no more Air America.

Posted by: Jon on January 26, 2005
For frequently asked questions about God go to http://www.400monkeys.com/God/index.html its got all the answers

Posted by: iggy topo on February 11, 2005
For quite a while, our local Air America affiliate ran ads from a downtown hot dog cart. Mind you, they are damn fine hot dogs, and the Hot Dog King and Weenie Queen are damn fine people, and I frequented their cart even before they advertised on a station that pretty much represents my political views, but it really made me wonder if the business model for Air America could possibly work for any length of time. A hot dog cart! It's as if Chico Marx were buying ads!

American RealPolitik April 11, 2004 - April 17, 2004 Archives
April 15, 2004
Posted by Gregory Markle
More Comments from Air America [a long but good read]

Well, the low-brows over at Air America have dropped the level of discourse on yesterday's station closings to petty insults and finger pointing. While I don't find it surprising on the surface, one really has to marvel at the lack of professionalism and editorial guidance in evidence. Rather than stick to their initial press release which was tactfully written...another written piece has surfaced on their site entitled "The Sludge Report" (here's a PDF copy if they come to their senses and delink this trash - *** Update *** It's been removed from the original site...what a surprise!) in which they take cheap shots at Matt Drudge for simply reporting the known facts. The piece also takes great pains, and very painful ones, to make cheap puns using station owner Arthur Liu's last name (quick note, when making puns using a name one should only rely on a single pronunciation.)

Funny how if a conservative had made the same puns these same individuals would have screamed bloody murder that it was an insult to Liu's ethnic background.

This Liu-ser was ripping off our boss Evan Cohen big time (he can't do that, that's our job). Evan found out about it and he stopped payment on a check to keep Liu-cifer from ripping him off even more. You can touch Evan for the occasional meal or drinks but a million bucks is crossing the line. And if we ever get low on cash, we can always call Barbra Streisand. Or any of the Baldwins. Except Stephen.

Lovely how they manage to say they aren't low on cash and hint at who should pony up and help them out at the same time! How could Liu be "ripping off" anybody? There's a contract. The contract stated the costs and Cohen signed it. If Liu isn't living up to his end of the contract (facilities aren't what was promised, etc.) then say so...don't resort to trash talking. If Liu is living up to his end of the contract and the problem is that for whatever reasons Cohen has decided that the costs are too high...I'd have to say that he has bad timing. That is a decision best made before one signs a contract. Any failure to evaluate facilities for their suitability prior to signing the contract is simply not Liu's problem and Air America's management should realize that. As I haven't seen the actual contract I can't make statements concerning their agreements vis-á-vis equipment availability and maintenance but I'd have to feel that Air America's failure to post even their security deposit on time, if true, should trump any other considerations.

All we as observers ask is that Air America tells us WHY they've supposedly failed to put up their security deposit and pay their bills instead of going all sixth-grade on people. Instead they brand Drudge as a "habitual liar"...for what? He linked their announcement, drew some quotes from a Chicago Tribune article, and linked The Smoking Gun's presentation of Air America's filing with the New York State Supreme Court. How does this amount to "lies"? Do they object to his characterization of the situation as appearing to be a "serious cash-flow problem"? Well, at this point, the only person who has made any statements as to events prior to the closings is Arthur Liu who claims that a check bounced and payments have not been made on time. What ARE we supposed to believe when the only reply from Air America to that so far has been reminiscent of the Monty Python "Argument Clinic" sketch.

You're being "ripped off"? How exactly? Tell us, we're all ears. So far on Air America's side I've seen a memo basically saying "no we didn't" and a hateful, invective-filled commentary. Air America hasn't given their reasons for not making payments on time (which they haven't actually denied) and until they do I'll continue to base my opinion on the facts as presented. Those facts state that Air America is poorly managed, staffed by people with an infantile sense of humor, and that if they HAD good reasons to not pay Liu they would at least have made some statement to that effect.

Their legal filing claims that Liu failed to follow the arbitration clause in their contract by shutting their simulcast down which I find to be a rather interesting claim seeing that Air America then also failed to utilize the same process before stopping payments for which they were contractually obligated. Nice attempt by these Liunatics to find a Liuphole but I doubt their claims of stationatory rape have any basis. Sorry, I just couldn't resist!

Air America Radio isn't dead, we're in court and we're going to slam Liu's head in a car door. Another metaphor.

A metaphor for what? The only "metaphor" I take from that line is that Air America is staffed by people who not only are terrible punsters but also can't form a cogent simile. Finger pointing, slander, accusations, slurs, and violent allusions...yet no statement simply explaining why Air America hasn't paid it's bills. Is this indicative of the nature of their programming? If so, I'll pass on the thought of installing RealPlayer (ick!) and giving them a listen!

At least a bit more info has come from some sources over at Air America:

According to Goodfriend, the dispute centers on the Los Angeles station during the period after Air America had begun leasing airtime in early February, but before the network actually launched in late March. During those months, he charged, KBLA was broadcasting Spanish-language programming provided by Multicultural.

Goodfriend said he learned last week that Liu and Multicultural had been "double-dipping," selling that same airtime to others. As a result, he said, the network declined to make scheduled payments for KBLA unless Multicultural agreed to credit Air America for the extra money Multicultural made. Air America did not bounce any checks, he said.

Ooookay. So why exactly did Air America sign a contract purchasing airtime for a span of time where they had no programming? In my opinion, Liu basically did them a favor by not allowing the frequency to lie dormant during the interim where they were not providing programming. From my (albeit limited) radio experience this is standard operating procedure...and I experienced a vaguely similar situation at a local FM simulcast that I did some voice work for at one time. One company purchased airtime and was unable to fill it...so we sold it again to another company rather than go dead air or go to short repeat looped programming (this was 15 years ago and the station did not have anything even approaching the full automation capabilities available with just a standard PC these days.)

[For more thoughts on the Air-A scandals visit the blogs on the right. The pic is from Brainster's Blog.]

Where are the who's in Air America?
[Some more clues]

Air America
Air America Radio
641 Sixth Avenue
4th Floor
New York, NY 10011
1-212-871-8100
Email / Contact via website

Jon Sinton
Biography & Genealogy Master Index (BGMI)
Name: Sinton, Jon B.
Birth - Death: 1954-
Source Citation:
Who's Who in Advertising. First edition, 1990-1991. Wilmette, IL: Marquis Who's Who, 1989. (WhoAdv 1)

[No home phone number listed for Jon or John Sinton in Georgia]

[only listing for Sinton in Ga. is as follows]
2000 Phone and Address Directory
Name: GINGER J SINTON
Address: 1052 DOWNING CT NE
City: MARIETTA
State: GA
Zip: 30068-4220
Phone Number: (770) 565-8719

2002 Phone and Address Directory
Name: Sinton Ginger J
Address: 1052 Downing Ct Ne
City: Marietta
State: GA
Zip Code - Suffix: 30068-4220
Phone Number: 770-565-8719

Sinton, Ginger J
1052 Downing Ct Ne
Marietta, GA 30068-4220
(770) 565-8719

Thomas Embrescia, Investor
Mr. Embrescia has spent most of his career owning and managing radio and television properties throughout the United States. Mr. Embrescia's company Second Generation Television built and owned Fox Television affiliates in the Midwest and South. Mr. Embrescia is also a partner in Media One Group, which owns and operates radio stations throughout the United States.

In addition to broadcasting activities, Mr. Embrescia is the co-owner and Chairman of Sports Marketing, Inc., a sports network which has marketed the broadcasting rights to professional sports teams. Tom is a partner in radio Direct Response, a .com marketer representing such companies as Priceline.com. Tom is also Chairman and owner of Partners, LLC, a direct marketing company.

Mr. Embrescia is on the board of directors of ACME Communications, the owned and operated arm of the Warner Brothers Television Network with 12 television stations across the country.

Radio Ink - The Voice of Radio Revolution
5/20/02) Media One Group Buys WJTN And WWSE In Jamestown, NY.
Subject to FCC approval, James Broadcasting Company Inc. has sold radio stations WJTN-AM 1240 and WWSE-FM 93.3 in Jamestown, NY, to Media One Group LLC for $5.9 million.

The president and managing member of the Cleveland-based Media One Group, James Embrescia, said in his announcement that "I would like to pay tribute to the great tradition of these radio stations' communicty service fostered by the late Si Goldman and his son, Michael Goldman. The WJTN/WWSE staff has set a high standard of broadcasting professionalism, which we intend to maintain; and no changes are expected."

WJTN-AM operates at 500 watts daytime/1 kilowatt night-time with a format of News/Talk, Sports and Soft Adult Contemporary music. WWSE-FM "Mix 93.3" operates with 26.5 kilowatts and a format of Hot Adult contemporary music.

Ownership of Media One Group LLC consists of James Embrescia, Thomas Embrescia and Lee Zapis, all of Cleveland. President of the selling company is Michael Goldman of Jamestown. The broker is Ray H. Rosenblum of Pittsburgh.

Hiram House Resident Summer Camping & Day Camps - Quarterly Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 3 Summer/Fall 2003
The “Double H Ranch” was dedicated on May 31st.
Benefactors for the gala included:
Chris & James Embrescia
Judy & Thomas Embrescia

Embrescia, James T Sr
90 Ridgecreek Trl,
Chagrin Falls, OH ZipCode
(440) 248-7117

Embrescia, Jas Jr
5711 Cumberland Dr,
Cleveland, OH ZipCode
(216) 663-6314

2002 Phone and Address Directory
Embrescia Thomas 405 Vista Cir North Olmsted OH 44070-5748 440-979-1482

Embrescia, Thomas J
140 Flyway Dr,
Johns Island, SC ZipCode
(843) 768-6817

Embrescia, Thos
405 Vista Cir,
Westlake, OH ZipCode
(440) 979-1482

RAIN -- Who's Who in Internet-Radio
Lee Zapis
Everstream, VP/Chief Operating Officer
As President of Zapis Communications, has owned and operated radio stations throughout the U.S. During his 25 year radio career he was involved in five station start-ups in Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, Atlanta, and Boston. Under Zapis’ leadership as VP and President his radio stations received many national awards including: Billboard Magazine's Black Radio Station of the Year. Lee has appeared as a panelist at the annual National Association of Broadcasters convention and served on the Arbitron Radio Advisory Council. Lee has earned a B.A. in Communications from Cleveland State University.

Transactions Granted Early Termination
Number of Early Terminations Granted Between 09/21/1998 12:00:00 AM and 09/21/1998 11:59:00 PM
Transaction Number: 19984600
Early Termination Date: 09/21/98
Acquiring Person: Chancellor Media Corporation
Acquired Person: Xenophon Zapis
Acquired Entity: Zapis Communications Corporation

1994 Phone and Address Directory
X ZAPIS 11430 CLIFTON BLVD CLEVELAND OH (216) 631-7812
XEN ZAPIS WARNERS PL JAMESTOWN NY (716) 386-5500

2000 Phone and Address Directory
XEN & LULA ZAPIS 60 SEAGATE DR NAPLES FL 34103-2402 (941) 403-7253
XEN ZAPIS WARNERS PLACE BEMUS POINT NY 14712 (716) 386-5500
XENOPHON ZAPIS 11430 CLIFTON BLVD APT 101 CLEVELAND OH 44102-1456 (216) 631-7812
XENOPHON ZAPIS 11430 CLIFTON BLVD CLEVELAND OH 44102-1456 (216) 631-1370

2002 Phone and Address Directory
Zapis Xen Warners Pl Bemus Point NY 14712 716-386-5500
Zapis Xen & Lula 60 Seagate Dr Naples FL 34103-2402 941-403-7253
Zapis Xenophon 11430 Clifton Blvd Cleveland OH 44102-1456 216-631-1370
Zapis Xenophon 11430 Clifton Blvd Apt Cleveland OH 44102-1456 216-631-7812

Zapis, Xenophon
11430 Clifton Blvd,
Cleveland, OH 44102-1456
(216) 631-7812

Charities Bureau Registry Search
Office of New York State Attorney General

Charities Glossary
Registration Status (indicates if the organization is compliant with New York State filing requirements)
DELINQUENT
Delinquent organizations have failed to submit annual filings on time to the Charities Bureau and are in violation of New York State law. Pursuant to Article 7-A of the Executive Law, if a 7A or Dual registrant is delinquent, its registration to solicit contributions (including grants) from New York State sources (including without limitation residents, foundations, corporations and government agencies) is no longer in effect.
UP TO DATE
Up to date organizations are current in their annual filings with the Charities Bureau or owe an annual filing but were granted an extension. Confirmation of registration status does not constitute approval of and/or endorsement by the Attorney General of any organization or the accuracy and/or completeness of the information contained in any report filed with the Charities Bureau.

SEARCH RESULTS SELECTION
Organization Name: GLORIA WISE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
Registration Type: DUAL
Registration Status: UP TO DATE [as of 08/23/2005]
Last Annual Filing Received, Fiscal Year Ending: 6/30/2004
Federal ID No. (EIN): 13-3287608
NY State Reg. No.: 03-78-28
County: BRONX
Address:
950 BAYCHESTER AVE
BRONX, NY 10475-1703 [Phone: (718) 379-2830]

SEARCH RESULTS SELECTION
Organization Name: GLORIA WISE BARTOW AVENUE CORP
Registration Type: DUAL
Registration Status: DELINQUENT
Last Annual Filing Received, Fiscal Year Ending: 6/30/2002
Federal ID No. (EIN): 32-0012725
NY State Reg. No.: 07-24-29
County: BRONX
Address:
950 BAYCHESTER AVENUE
BRONX, NY 10475

SEARCH RESULTS SELECTION
Organization Name: GLORIA WISE COMMUNITY CENTER
Registration Type: DUAL
Registration Status: DELINQUENT
Last Annual Filing Received, Fiscal Year Ending: 6/30/2002
Federal ID No. (EIN): 32-0012728
NY State Reg. No.: 07-24-31
County: BRONX
Address:
950 BAYCHESTER AVENUE
BRONX, NY 10475

SEARCH RESULTS SELECTION
Organization Name: GLORIA WISE SENIOR SERVICES CORP
Registration Type: DUAL
Registration Status: DELINQUENT
Last Annual Filing Received, Fiscal Year Ending: 6/30/2002
Federal ID No. (EIN): 32-0012724
NY State Reg. No.: 07-24-32
County: BRONX
Address:
950 BAYCHESTER AVENUE
BRONX, NY 10475

Supreme Court of the State of New York County of New York
Summons filed May 24, 2005
05107278 [In .pdf format]
Multicultural Radio Broadcasting, Inc., Plaintiff,
v.
Radio Free America, Inc., d/b/a Air America Radio, Piquant, LLC, Evan Cohen, Rex Sorenson, Doug Kreeger, Jon Sinton, Terry Kelly, Mary Kelly, Anita Drobny, Sheldon Drobny, Thomas Embrescia, Mike Papantonio, Peter Durst, Norman Wain, Sandy Koshkin, Barbara Levin and Rob Glaser, Defendents.

Vendor Listing by NAICS Categories > Manufacturing
Alameda County's Official Web Site
Biospacific
4240 Hollis St # 290
EMERYVILLE, 94608-3533
Sandy Koshkin (510) 652 - 6155

Koshkin, Sandy
5 Ascot Ct,
Oakland, CA 94611-2524
(510) 531-9003

Koshkin, Sandy
13788 Hansel Ave,
Truckee, CA 96161-6274
(530) 587-9184

2002 Phone and Address Directory
Name: Wain Norman & Nina
Address: 13265 Provence Dr
City: West Palm Beach
State: FL
Zip Code - Suffix: 33410-1458
Phone Number: 561-630-8585

Wain, Norman
13265 Provence Dr,
Palm Bch Gdns, FL 33410-1458
(561) 630-8585

Visit Who is Air America? Part I, Part II

WOWEE!! thanks gpapa ,a treasure trove, Eliot "Ness" Spitzer appears to be willing to let his political future go up in smoke, y'know,can't help but think he's protecting someone,or at least slow-walking until they've cobbled together their best "deal"

The April 2004 press release is one for the history books - Scam America is attacking Multicultural's Liu, while defending Cohen:

"This Liu-ser was ripping off our boss Evan Cohen big time (he can't do that, that's our job). Evan found out about it and he stopped payment on a check to keep Liu-cifer from ripping him off even more. You can touch Evan for the occasional meal or drinks"

Funny how that continued until they dropped Cohen, and then, in Stalinesque fashion, it was Cohen IMMEDIATELY became Liu-cifer.

What a transparent sham. And what scum.

$875,000 in taxpayer money went to Air ScAmerica and the old media won't even touch this story? When Rush announced his addiction to painkillers because of back surgery, the old media was on this story every night. BTW, the nastyass Randi Rhodes is addicted to nicotine. Does everybody know that? And the ScAmerica loving Keith Olbermann is also a nicotine addict.

"Nicotine is Also a Drug":
http://cigarettesmokingkills.com/reasonswhy.html

WRKO's Pundit Review show from Sunday night is online at http://www.punditreview.com

featuring Brian "Radio Equalizer" Maloney

"The second story doesn't fit the MSM agenda so they choose to ignore it. We are of course speaking about the Air America financial scandal that has been kept alive only by the outstanding blog journalism of The Radio Equalizer Brian Maloney and Michelle Malkin. A special bonus, Brian was able to break the news on our show that Michael Graham of ABC Radio in Washington DC was fired for alleged anti-Islamic comments."

______________
News and views about Boston and New England Radio:

http://www.livejournal.com/community/boston_radio

They claim Air America is on 70 stations nationwide, which is slightly true. Their only two "marketable" shows are Al Franken and Jerry Springer. They count any station that carries just the one show as an AA station. They're playing it pretty cheeky with the numbers if you ask me. Of course they did that with their finances from the start.

They take a single selected demographic rating in one market, overate it's importance and try to claim it proves the country loves AA.

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