Angie’s List business model faces new heat
At least two investor lawsuits note that the company now generates the vast majority of its revenue from the service providers it's paying members to review.
Chris O'Malley
Articles
Local advertising agency boosts work force
Willow Marketing hires eight people following a brutal period of downsizing for most agencies, nearly doubling its staff.
Longtime city hall reporter latest to leave Star
The Denver Post has snagged Jon Murray, who will join the ranks of more than a dozen Indianapolis Star newsroom staffers to depart in the last year.
Investors seek payoff from Indiana oil wells that big players ignore
Indiana is experiencing a mini oil-boom, thanks to some big producers, but some small, private investors are also in on the game, through Indianapolis-based Midwest Energy Partners, formed four years ago by former CountryMark executive Bill Herrick.
Fishers to get Christian station as radio format grows in Indy
Elkhart powerhouse WFRN-FM will transmit its Christian music and educational programming via a broadcast tower and version tailored specifically for the Fishers area.
Emmis fine-tuning FM radio app for automobiles
The Indianapolis broadcasting company is in talks with automakers to marry its NextRadio app to car dashboards, creating a two-way conversation between listeners and stations.
First salvo fired in possible TV ad war on gay marriage
Conservative-leaning Advance America has spent $20,600 for spots on WISH-TV and WTHR-TV, according to station records. Otherwise, supporters and opponents are keeping their powder dry for a possible November referendum.
Podcasting allows DJs to carry on, without a radio station
Longtime disc jockeys Jason Hammer and Nigel Laskowski are free from the corporate overlords of modern radio, these days operating their own podcast after having lost their full-time on-air gigs.
Emmis turns profit despite sluggish radio revenue growth
The Indy-based media firm held steady despite headwinds in radio advertising sales. Its publishing division, which includes Indianapolis Monthly, provided a welcome boost.
After football, weather coverage dominates local TV
The weekend’s snow storm and cold blast dominated local media attention, with stations trying to find new ways to provide winter weather coverage.
Car guy falls in love with Tesla after visiting new local dealership—and taking a drive
The new electric-powered Tesla Model S corners a lot like a Lamborghini and has more than twice the range of a Nissan Leaf.
Ex-Star reporter lands Carmel consulting deal
Carmel reporter Dan McFeely quit the layoff-prone Indianapolis Star in November to become a consultant to Carmel’s Department of Economic Development. Records show the deal could be lucrative for the 15-year Star veteran, with the potential to earn up to $99,000 a year.
Movie shot in Indiana headed for theaters
Indiana isn’t exactly one of Hollywood’s top locations for filming, but the state landed an upcoming film despite its lack of filmmaker incentives or exotic scenery.
Indianapolis-based hedge funds subject to market forces, too
Five years after the crash, the luster of hedge funds isn’t what it used to be.
Battle erupts over relic near old airport terminal
The Indianapolis Airport Authority has sued oil giant BP over its alleged refusal to continue making $187,872 annual payments on a long-term lease for a service station.
Indy Eleven soccer games to be locally televised this spring
WNDY-TV Channel 23 will broadcast the club’s inaugural campaign. One of its challenges will be to field a team of announcers who can provide authoritative play-by-play.
Angie’s List hit with shareholder suit
The complaint charges the company and executives with misrepresenting the strength of the Indy-based firm’s business model, financial performance and future prospects.
WRTV co-anchor spot up for grabs with Kooi departure
Jenna Kooi has decided to hang up the earpiece after initially taking maternity leave. The station has not yet named a replacement.
New book from ad agency vet offers restaurants food for thought
Veteran ad-agency man Charlie Hopper of Young & Laramore is starting to sound a little like comedian George Carlin. Did you ever notice how restaurants rely on tired ideas more than any other major advertiser? Hopper asks in his new book, “Selling Eating.”