Search – Page 51 – Indianapolis Business Journal

Home » Search

Articles

A&E: Searching for fair art

August 11, 2008

Most weeks, I use a pretty traditional definition of arts and entertainment when I decide what to review in this column. But that’s most weeks. This time, after a day-opening day-at the Indiana State Fair, I’m going to broaden my criteria a bit. Looked at with open eyes, the Indiana State Fair is one massive piece of performance art, with thousands of artists participating (most of them unknowingly). The kids in their band uniforms trying to pretend sweat isn’t pouring…

Marketing veteran Ray Compton unveils Webcasting venture at State Fair

August 4, 2008

Local radio icons Big John Gillis and Jeff Pibeon will be broadcasting live this year from the Indiana State Fair. But
you won’t find their show on any radio station. Gillis and Pigeon have been hired by locally based Compton Strategies to create
audio-only, Internet-based shows for area events, companies and entertainment venues.

A&E: Musical milestone reconsidered at the IRT

June 2, 2008

At the beginning of this IRT season, Peter Amster directed “Our Town,” in which a knowing narrator gave a worldly perspective to the follies and joys of a young couple in love. As the season closer at the IRT, Peter Amster directs “The Fantasticks,” in which a knowing narrator gives worldly perspective to the follies and joys of a young couple in love. This time, there’s music. I don’t say this to trivialize either production. Rather, these additional levels are…

Former WTHR manager Pegram lands in Florida

May 20, 2008

Rich Pegram, who suddenly left as general manager of WTHR-TV Channel 13 in November, has joined a Tampa, Fla., television station as vice president and general manager. The Tampa station, WFTS-TV Channel 28, is owned by Cincinnati-based The E.W. Scripps Co. WTHR is owned by the Wolfe family of Columbus, Ohio. “His trophy case is […]

NFL owners lobby in advance of big vote

May 20, 2008

ATLANTA – The streets of Atlanta’s Buckhead district were quiet late last night, but the atmosphere inside the Ritz-Carlton was like a New Year’s Eve party. The 32 NFL team owners met and mingled mostly behind closed doors, but the entourages spilled into the lobby and bar area as officials from Indianapolis, Houston and Phoenix […]

Saints owner buys Emmis station in New Orleans

May 5, 2008

Emmis Communications Corp. today said it has signed an agreement to sell Fox affiliate WVUE-TV in New Orleans for $41 million to Louisiana Media Co. LLC, which is principally owned by Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints. After-tax proceeds are expected to be about $35.5 million, Emmis officials said. In addition, Emmis will […]

Legislators tackle range of business-related measures:

March 24, 2008

Property tax reform took center stage during the just-completed session of the Indiana General Assembly. But lawmakers also grappled with a host of other measures with business implications. A roundup appears below. ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT One of the session’s most divisive issues-whether to penalize companies that hire illegal immigrants-died during the waning hours. Under the legislation, introduced by Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, companies could have had their business licenses suspended, or revoked after three instances. The Senate and House passed…

VIEWPOINT: Indianapolis’ utility acne syndrome

March 24, 2008

It took decades of turning a blind eye to get here: Indianapolis has draped itself in utility poles. Walk, ride, jog or drive to any major street in Indianapolis, with the exceptions of a few designated boulevards, streets and avenues. Take a mental picture of where you are. Now, with Photoshop in your mind, remove the web of utility poles and wires from that picture and quickly open your eyes. We’re visually strangled by them. Few streets are exempt from…

IU players threaten boycott

February 22, 2008

CBS Sports this morning is reporting that Indiana University men’s basketball players are threatening to boycott the remainder of the season if coach Kelvin Sampson is forced out. Quoting unidentified sources, CBS Sports reported that players and IU Athletic Director…

Speedway shows popular on Joost Web network

February 4, 2008

Shows provided by IMS Productions, the video production arm of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, are among the top draws for Joost, a high-profile Internet provider of television content launched last October.

New WTHR general manager: No budget cuts

January 18, 2008

WTHR-TV Channel 13’s new General Manager Jim Tellus promises to continue outspending the market’s other local stations when it comes to news gathering and hopes to help the station retain its title as the No. 1 local TV news channel. With WISH-TV Channel 8 coming up in the ratings, new anchors making their mark at […]

Burn foundation targeting campus fire deaths: Federal grant will help carry DVD’s message to thousands of colleges

January 7, 2008

A local not-for-profit has received a $1 million grant to help keep college kids safe from fires, some of which are set as pranks. The People’s Burn Foundation will begin pilot testing a DVD video on fire prevention and mail a final version to nearly 5,000 colleges and 38,000 fire departments, starting in April. The video was funded largely by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It’s the latest in a string of grants received…

Cumulus is keeping format change a secret: Emmis and Radio One continue transitions

December 24, 2007

Several central Indiana radio stations will ring in 2008 with new formats and on-air talent, and new marketing campaigns bellowing the changes to listeners and advertisers. One station is keeping its plans secret, fearful of an industry domino effect if its strategy leaks out. There’s plenty at stake. Listener ratings for the first quarter of 2008 will be watched closely, local media buyers said, and could affect spending later in the year. A t l a n t a -…

WFYI-TV adds digital channels

December 3, 2007

WFYI-TV Channel 20 has quietly launched two public television channels, but a third station that’s about to launch should
pack the biggest punch. The Indiana Channel will feature an all-local lineup, including extensive live coverage of the Indiana
General Assembly, judicial proceedings, and arts and cultural programming.

Castroneves barn storms TV ratings

November 29, 2007

Indy Racing League driver Helio Castroneves wasn’t the only winner during Tuesday’s Dancing with the Stars finale. The two-hour show posted an overnight 23 rating, with a 32 share, making WRTV-TV Channel 6 the most-watched ABC affiliate in the country, according to New York-based Nielsen Media Research. The show’s ratings were higher than any other […]

WXIN to simulcast morning news on WTTV

November 26, 2007

Starting Jan. 2, the morning newscast on WXIN-TV Channel 59 will be simulcast on its sister station, WTTV-TV Channel 4. While other central Indiana affiliates offer a blended local and national morning newscast, WXIN is the only station to offer an all-local weekday news show. The local “Fox 59 Morning News” airs from 6 a.m. […]

VIEWPOINT: Do you offer uncommon customer service?

November 26, 2007

I was recently in a grocery store and had an enlightening experience about customer service. While I was waiting in line to check out, the clerk, who did her job with competence and precision, asked the elderly gentleman in front of me whether there was anything in his cart he needed help lifting. He said “no” and the transaction continued. The young man who was bagging the groceries asked the elderly customer the same question. Again, the man declined, but…

WISH-TV launches YouTube channel

November 13, 2007

WISH-TV Channel 8 today launched a dedicated channel on the growing Internet site YouTube.com., which is owned by Google Inc. and has become the Web’s biggest video search engine. WISH’s parent company, Rhode Island-based Lin TV Corp., made the same move for its stations in Grand Rapids, Mich.; New Haven, Conn.; and Providence, R.I. Lin […]

New tourism ads paying off for city: Ten-second promotions attracting more visitors

November 12, 2007

When Indianapolis promoters were deciding what to do to lure leisure travelers to the city over summer break, they decided being short and to the point was the way to go. So, the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association partnered with eight area attractions to produce extremely brief television and radio travel commercials. The resulting ad campaign was wellfunded-with a budget $240,000 more than the previous year-and produced stellar results, including more awareness of Indianapolis attractions, more nights spent in Indianapolis,…

WTHR general manager departure a stunner