Air America Radio press release on relaunch of network

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

The Good News: More RFK and Papantonio, plus the addition of Ariana Huffington, and finally an effort at promotion
The Bad: Lionel. Lionel and Lionel

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NEW OWNERSHIP "RELAUNCHES" AIR AMERICA RADIO

WITH NEW WEBSITE, LINEUP, LOOK & SLOGAN

Network begins "I'm an Air American!" campaign with Paul Newman ad. AAR Hosts interview 30+ Headliners for Official ReLaunch on May 21-22, including: Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Richardson -- as well as Steinem, Sorensen, Newman, Nader, Stephanopoulos, Spitzer, Bloomberg, Waxman. Nancy Scola hired as chief blogger.
NEW YORK – May 17, 2007– Air America Radio today released a new website and ad campaign in conjunction with the official "ReLaunch" of Air America 2.0 on Monday May 21. All 12 Air America hosts starting on the 21st will air some 30+ taped interviews with prominent headliners (see list below) who discuss their thoughts on the Iraq war, campaign finance reform and the ’08 election, among other topics.

"The completely redesigned website will give Air America listeners another platform to participate in the progressive movement through an interactive blog where they can read and give commentary on topical issues of the day," said Mark Green, the new president of Air America; the site will also be easier to navigate with updated information about AAR shows and talent.

The network's hosts will begin to regularly blog on the 21st ReLaunch, along with Nancy Scola, who has been chosen as Air America's chief blogger. Nancy Scola is a Brooklyn-based blogger and writer who has served as a congressional aide and a presidential campaign staffer; she writes widely online, on everything from the latest in technology policy to the rebuilding of New Orleans.

The network also kicked off a new “I'm an Air American!” ad campaign in various radio trade publications, featuring the actor Paul Newman, as well as a series of talent-based ads beginning with Lionel, who joins the network from 9a-12p.

The two new weekday shows include "Lionel" and "The Air Americans" hosted by veteran Mark Riley, with correspondents Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Mike Papantonio, David Bender and Laura Flanders, airing at 8p-12a weeknights. The new weekend shows include "Seder on Sunday" from 4-7p Sunday and "7 Days in America" 6-7p Saturdays, a week-in-review show with Arianna Huffington, Mark Green, Bob Kerrey and Bob Shrum.

"This new phase in Air America's three year history has three goals," concluded Green. "First, we’ve created an even stronger lineup based on proven veterans, like Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann, Rachel Maddow, and The Young Turks. Second, we’ve rebuilt the website to create a community and conversation that becomes the go-to progressive bulletin board and social network in the country. And third, we’re asking all progressive patriots interested in talk radio to become 'Air Americans.' The critical mass of 30 headliners kicking off Air America 2.0 is the kind of news and views that we'll be offering for years to come and that no other radio or TV network now provides."

Air America Radio is the national progressive entertainment talk radio network. It is broadcast on 64 stations nationwide and on XM satellite and can be heard via live Internet streaming on www.airamericaradio.com.

[Sydnie]

1. Bob Shrum??

You've got to be kidding me, right?

I would stick an "I'm an Air American" sticker on my car though.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

2. ugh

I overlooked that. Why not bring in Zell Miller while they're at it?

[DancingBear]

3. What unadulterated crap

Richardson?

Stephanopoulos?

Shrum?

I can hardly wait for Donna Brazille to join up.

This is mainstream garbage, and about as cutting edge as a butter knife.

I'm sure with this line-up of "hard hitters" anyone out of the Democratic mainstream will be persona non grata from now on, and criticism of said party will be verboten.

Check out Nova M - that's where Seder and Rhodes will land up once they realize the kiss-ass pablum they are swimming in.

What a shame.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

4. yet, oddly enough, Nader's on there

Guess it's personal friendship w/ Green letting one non-DLC exception through

[DancingBear]

5. I'm sure they'll reign him in

Probably marginalize him in some type of consumer crusader slot or some crap like that.

No way in hell he tells the truth.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

7. And what the hell is Bloomberg doing on there?

He's a fuckin' Republican

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Yep.

:(

[sam sarrha]

6. dont forget Ed Shultz........!!!! i only get AAR on XM

[msongs]

9. their local affiliate still goes off the air at sundown LOL big deal nt

[northofdenali]

10. I know there'll be a lot of griping about the mixed lineup.

Especially here! (Of course, we DU'ers would gripe if handed a totally liberal government in all branchesl- we'd find SOMETHING...)

I can see the strategy though. In order to stay on the air, you must have two things going for you - listeners and advertisers. Just in order to have a LIBERAL radio network, I'm willing to put up with some mainstreamers and -gulp- even a RINO or two, if it brings in the necessary revenue to stay on and bring us some real people.

Flame away friends, but reality is reality - they have to have the money to stay on the air, and it wasn't forthcoming with the all-liberal lineup they previously had.

I'll proudly put a sticker on my car.