TV news director departures shake up market
Three of Indianapolis’ four local TV news providers—WTHR-TV Channel 13, WISH-TV Channel 8 and WRTV-TV Channel 6—are looking for news directors.
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News director Finch out at Channel 6
Two of the four Indianapolis television stations are without news directors after WRTV-TV Channel 6 parted ways with industry veteran Kevin Finch, less than two years after hiring him.
Pacers TV ratings on the rise
The team’s first game was the most-watched opening night game since 2007.
Out-of-the-way telecom company to branch into Indy
Smithville Telephone, headquartered in Ellettsville, near Bloomington, is the state’s largest independently owned phone company. Its Smithville Digital division, which provides fiber-optic communications to businesses, hospitals and schools in 17 Indiana counties, mostly in the south, has quietly been growing on the periphery of Indianapolis.
St. Elmo to be featured on cable television show
“Drinking Made Easy” traveled to Indianapolis to sample several of the city’s hotspots and their cocktails. The episode airs Wednesday night on cable network AXS TV.
Lottery manager ramping up advertising budget
The Hoosier Lottery’s new manager plans to launch a branding campaign in the spring as part of a business plan that calls for a significantly larger advertising budget. That could be good news for Indiana ad agencies.
Sportswriter Moran to lead IU journalism center
The National Sports Journalism Center was launched in Indianapolis in 2009 by former Indianapolis Star editor Tim Franklin. It offers the nation's first master's degree in sports journalism.
Startup answers call for better phone bank
Noblesville-based VolunteerYourVoice is setting out to revolutionize phone banks with a Web app that allows advocacy groups to manage virtual campaigns, getting instant results from calls volunteers make through their home computers.
ExactTarget buys interactive marketing firms for $116M
The newly public tech company said it paid $95.5 million for Atlanta-based Pardot LLC and $21 million for Indianapolis-based iGoDigital.
Microsoft, Chase fuel ad shop’s growth spurt
Thanks to blossoming relationships with corporate behemoths like Microsoft and JPMorgan Chase, local ad agency Bradley and Montgomery is making plans to double its 50-employee work force.
Communications firm Metronet plants flag in Indy area
The Evansville company plans to install more than 200 miles of fiber-optic lines in Franklin.
Emmis’ quarterly profit rises on sale of station
Much of Emmis’ profit stemmed from the Aug. 23 sale of KXOS-FM in Los Angeles for $85.5 million, from which the company reported a gain from discontinued operations of $32.8 million.
WFMS property fetches $625,000 bid in county tax sale
Suburban New Orleans investment firm National Tax Asset Fund LLC placed the bid during the Marion County tax sale that ended Friday. WFMS parent Cumulus Media Inc. owns the property and owes more than $80,000 in back taxes.
Mourdock, Donnelly spend $615,000 on new campaign ads
The Indiana Senate battle has quickly become the most expensive the state has seen. Spending by the campaigns has topped about $10 million, and outside groups also are pouring in cash.
Resurgent Pacers see lift in ticket sales
The Indiana Pacers continued scoring long after last season ended in the second round of the NBA playoffs. The Pacers sales staff hit high-water marks during the off-season that the franchise hasn’t seen in five years. And with almost four weeks until the regular-season home opener Nov. 3, the Pacers are shooting for more.
IndyCar execs say distractions mask progress
IndyCar Series officials insist the open-wheel circuit is on the right track despite a drop in its television ratings, tepid attendance and persistent rumors that it will be sold and its CEO will be fired.
Gregg’s media consultant specializes in off-beat ads
Virginia-based strategist has been involved in high-profile races across the country.
Ivy Tech battles enrollment dip by promoting its lower tuition
This summer, Ivy Tech Community College rolled out a nearly $1 million marketing campaign that stressed the school’s affordability versus other higher education options. The message appears to have hit home. What looked like an impending 15-percent reduction in fall enrollment ended up at just under 5 percent.
Longtime WRTV news anchor Trahan leaving station
Grace Trahan, who has anchored the Indianapolis TV station’s weekday morning and noon newscasts for the past 14 years, said she was resigning to spend more time with her family.
Tippecanoe Co. to put crime info at public’s fingertips
Crime activity and information on people taken to jail or being released will soon be available to the public through a new app being developed for the Tippecanoe County sheriff’s office.