Dawn Wells

Dawn Wells, the actress who played Mary Ann on the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” has been hired by MeTV, the Chicago-based network for classic TV, as its first “marketing ambassador.”

In addition to serving as on-camera host for “The Summer of Me,” the network’s upcoming primetime lineup, Wells will appear in commercials and print ads, participate in special events and make personal appearances around the country to promote MeTV, according to an announcement Wednesday by Weigel Broadcasting, the network’s parent company. Continue reading →

Vocalo studio

Although they’re still competitors, the Chicago area’s two public radio broadcasters have agreed to a “creative collaboration” aimed at increasing audiences for both.

Calling it a win for “everyone who loves public radio,” Chicago Public Media (parent company of WBEZ FM 91.5 and Vocalo) and College of DuPage’s WDCB FM 90.9 this week announced a long-term agreement for WDCB to simulcast its jazz and eclectic music format on WRTE FM 90.7. It formalizes an arrangement that’s been in place since late last year. Before that, Chicago Public Media had been using WRTE to simulcast the programming of Vocalo. Continue reading →

Michael Ferro

Robservations on the media beat:

Pressure is mounting for Tribune Publishing chairman Michael Ferro to negotiate with Gannett on its unsolicited offer to acquire the company. But Tribune continues to push back, calling Gannett’s campaign “misleading and disingenuous,” adding: “Gannett has no path to control for Tribune Publishing and their tactics clearly demonstrate a desperate and opportunistic attempt to steal the company.” On Monday Gannett went directly to Tribune shareholders and urged them to withhold support for Ferro’s slate of board members at the annual meeting June 2. Said Gannett CEO Robert Dickey: “We intend to give Tribune stockholders the opportunity to send a clear message to the Tribune board that its lack of engagement with our board and management team regarding our highly compelling, premium offer for $12.25 per share in cash is unacceptable.” Also on Monday, Reuters reported that Oaktree Capital Group, Tribune's second largest shareholder, was pressing Ferro to “actively engage with Gannett and other potential buyers to seek a higher price.” Continue reading →

Splash (May 1, 2016)

Readers of the Chicago Tribune got their first glimpse of Splash over the weekend. At least subscribers who live in certain neighborhoods did.

Sunday marked the first edition of Splash since the glossy lifestyle, celebrity and fashion magazine was acquired last month by Tribune Publishing from Wrapports, parent company of the Sun-Times. It had been a Sunday insert in the Sun-Times since its inception in 2012. Continue reading →