Media Savvy: Davey D back atop rap radio in capital (Mark Williams fired KFBK Followup)

Mark Williams fallout: The decision by KFBK (1530 AM) to oust conservative talk-show host Mark Williams in favor of moderate Bruce Maiman has angered many of Williams' fans.

Griffin & Reed Eye Care, which pays for on-air media endorsements (including Williams') for its lasik eye surgery, has pulled all advertisements from KFBK.

"Our relationship with the personalities that help us with our advertising is something we take very seriously," writes Brad Mitchell, Griffin & Reed's chief operating officer, in an e-mail. "… I'm sure the absence of our money on KFBK won't be felt too much, but hopefully the position will."

And a Granite Bay organization called Marine Moms & Military Families, which has held many events supporting the troops in Iraq and protesting Cindy Sheehan's opposition to the war, is banning KFBK from covering future events.

"We take (Williams' firing) as a personal attack and lack of support against our military men and women and their families," reads a letter sent to KFBK boss Jeff Holden by the group's leaders, Michelle Souza and Deborah Johns.

Add Williams: Meanwhile, the recently silenced talking head had a rough day Thursday.

First, Williams was scheduled to appear as a guest on Neil Cavuto's show on Fox News Channel at 1 p.m. But at the last minute, he was bumped by "somebody more famous than me," Williams says.

Then, at 3 p.m., he was scheduled to appear on lefty Christine Craft's show on KSAC (1240 AM) to talk about his firing.

Maybe this week will be better for Williams. He says he'll fill in for vacationing hosts at stations in San Francisco, San Diego and Washington, D.C.

Part of an email from Melanie Morgan:

Friends,

Last night I updated you on the decision by KFBK 1530 AM/Clear Channel to move away from their "conservative" reputation, including the firing of a pro-troop/pro-military talk show host, a man who has been a hero to our cause - Mark Williams.

We have several updates for you that you need to hear about.

1) KFBK has now posted online the biography of the man who has been hired to replace Mark Williams. His name is Mr. Bruce Maiman and he announced on the airwaves that he is a "liberal" who is also anti-war. He is also apparently a relative of one of the sales executives at KFBK, which might explain how he got his job.

You MUST read the biography KFBK has posted on this Mr. Maiman. It is insulting to see the kind of crass approach they have taken in their efforts to rebrand their station and shed their long-established conservative pedigree. This was the station that launched the "Rush Limbaugh Show," and now they dump a pro-troop advocate for a man with this as his bio:

http://www.kfbk.com/pages/maiman.html

2) The news media has begun covering the growing backlash as outraged listeners and sponsors have bombarded the station with phone calls and emails of protest. Read this report from the Sacramento Bee:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

See post above for report

Radio and Records website lists just the station's overall number.

Before Williams arrived at the station in 2000 KFBK was in trouble and had lost their top-slot. The nightime show was a disaster and losing audience share left and right.

The station brought in Williams, the ratings rebounded and KFBK is now strongly #1-rated. That tells you this isn't about ratings, but about something else.

Here are the Sacramento Radio Ratings - KFBK/Williams: #1

Here is the contact information that Melanie Morgan of Move America Forward emailed out - as part of their efforts.

1) FIRST: Send an email to these people and let them know you are saddened by the news that Mark Williams has been fired and replaced with an anti-war liberal. I've also included the email addresses for 2 reporters covering this issue - include them on the same emails. We need them to hear our voices!

jeffholden@clearchannel.com
markpmays@clearchannel.com
apeterson@radioandrecords.com
smcmanis@sacbee.com

2) SECOND: Place a telephone call to Jeff Holden, the KFBK Program Director who FIRED Mark Williams, and politely and calmly state that you are calling to have your name added to those who are disappointed with the decision by KFBK to fire pro-military talk show host, Mark Williams.

The number to call: (916) 576-2223

We need for them to be besieged with phone calls. So, please, if the line is busy when you call, try back a few minutes later.

3) THIRD: Please also send a FAX and let the management at KFBK know how thoroughly displeased you are to see this station switch from being a proud sponsor of our troops and their mission, and becoming a mouthpiece for an anti-war, left-wing agenda.

The FAX number is: (916) 921-5555

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

*Please forward this to 5 other people you know who support our troops and their missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every night the Mark Williams Show was broadcast over the Internet to units in Iraq and Afghanistan - where Mark had a lot of admirers. Many nights, Mark would sign off for the evening by sending out a message of support - complete with music and voices of Americans expressing their love for our troops - as a morale boost to all those who were listening over the Internet and serving in the war for freedom.

These troops have now lost their voice in Sacramento, and they've lost a radio program that they could count on to be there for them when the other media outlets had them feeling so down and discouraged.

If you have a pro-troop email list or website - could you please pass on this information?

Thank you!

Melanie Morgan
Chairman, Move America Forward
http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org

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