One of the most on-target pieces of advice for radio we’ve seen in some time comes from Tom Webster at Edison Research. Writing for the company’s blog The Infinite Dial, Webster says that even in the midst of major layoffs across the broadcast industry, there are five “must hire” positions that every radio station needs right now. Among the savvy suggestions: A “minister of localism” and a “downloadable media czar.” Radio station management with an eye to future success in our rapidly changing media environment would do well to consider Webster’s timely tips and start your search for these five people today. Click on www.infinitedial.com and scroll down to “The Five People Radio Stations Need To Hire” to read his full report.

The Dave Ramsey Show marks a milestone this week as the independently syndicated daily talk show blows past affiliate number 400 with the addition of WPTF/Raleigh and WSJS/Winston-Salem. The achievement is testament not only to Ramsey’s considerable talents as a talk host, but also to the tireless tenacity of his Nashville-based staff who have quietly built a major media empire since the program first launched seven years ago. “It wasn’t very long ago that 400 affiliates seemed a long way off,” said company veteran and EVP Bill Hampton. “I’m happy for Dave and really proud of how hard our team has worked for this milestone.” Along with his daily radio show Ramsey also hosts a nightly prime-time television program on FOX Business Network and is the bestselling author of The Total Money Makeover, Financial Peace, and More Than Enough.

KTLK/Los Angeles revamps its Monday-Friday lineup extending Ron Reagan’s daily show for an additional hour from 3-6pm, and moving Richard Green’s Hollywood Clout from it’s current 2am slot to a 9pm nightly start … Veteran talk host Peter Weissbach returns to KVI/Seattle for a daily 5-6pm weeknight show beginning Feb. 9 … Former WHAM/Rochester sports reporter Gene Battaglia lands a new gig at crosstown Entercom Sports/Talker WROC … Rebuilding Together, a non-profit organization working to preserve affordable home ownership in America, is partnering with syndicated home improvement talkers The Carey Brothers for the 14th annual “Kickoff To Rebuild” event in conjunction with the NFL and Superbowl XLIII. On The House co-hosts James Carey and Rebecca Cole will broadcast live on site today, along with more than 1000 volunteers and a slew of NFL stars donating their time for a daylong blitz of free home repairs for residents in need in West Tampa.

Want to work at one of America’s legendary News/Talk radio stations? NTS MediaOnline has learned that KGO/San Francisco is seeking an experienced marketing pro. Do you have seriously mad skills at publicity, special events, advertising and sales-marketing? Do you have a resume that demonstrates a record of major success at stations in highly competitive markets? Strong writing and verbal skills are a must for this primo major market gig where you’ll work alongside some of the best in the business of News/Talk radio. Show ‘em what you got by sending a cover letter and your resume to: Human Resources, KGO Radio, 900 Front Street, San Francisco, CA, 94111.

This quartet of KDKA/Pittsburgh Steelers fans brought their “terrible towels” to Tampa this week hoping for a big win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. In all KDKA will have broadcast nearly 30 hours of live programming from Tampa Bay by game time on Sunday, much of it produced and anchored by (l-r) KDKA Assistant PD P.J. Kumanchik, Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn, and KDKA morning hosts John Shumway and Larry Richert. By the way, while much of the hoopla surrounds TV’s coverage of Super Bowl 43, Westwood One reports it has signed up more than 625 radio affiliates that will carry Sunday’s game from Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is at 6pm (ET).

That’s the opinion of FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell (pictured) in a speech to The Media Institute this week in which he said any return of the repealed rule would likely not be called the Fairness Doctrine. “That’s just Marketing 101,” he said. “If your brand is controversial, make it a new brand.” In a report on McDowell’s speech filed by John Eggerton for Multichannel News, McDowell warned the audience a resurrection of the doctrine could be “woven into the fabric of policy initiatives with names like localism, diversity, or network neutrality.” The Republican Commissioner also said a stealth version could already be making its way through the FCC via so-called community advisory boards designed to help determine stations’ local programming. McDowell said those boards are fine if they’re voluntary, but warned that if they’re required, as the FCC has proposed, the policy would be “akin to re-imposition of the Doctrine.” Read more at www.multichannel.com.

It’s January and in the City of Brotherly Love that means chilly weather and hot wings, as WIP/Philadelphia presents its 17th annual “Wing Bowl.” Tomorrow’s sold-out event at Philly’s Wachovia Center boasts that Wing Bowl 17 has “gone back to the neighborhoods” with an “all amateur event, no professional eaters allowed!” Twenty-seven contestants with names like “Pot Pie The Sailor Man,” “Da Disposal,” and “The Acidic Jew” will compete for the grand prize — a 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman. As always, Wing Bowl will also feature the infamous “Wingettes” (pictured), one of which will take home a new Harley Davidson 883 Sportster for being chosen “Wingette Of The Year.” Proceeds from this year’s contest will go to the Philadelphia Police Foundation. More info and pictures from past Wing Bowls can be found at www.610wip.com.

Talk Radio Network syndicated host Erich “Mancow” Muller adds new affiliates WAMT/Orlando, WTDA/Columbus, OH WDJA/West Palm Beach and WJFN/Brandon, MS. TRN is also now offering a re-feed of Mancow’s daily show from noon-2pm (ET) as an option for stations looking to replace The Radio Factor with Bill O’Reilly which ceases production next month … NTS MediaOnline Today wishes a speedy recovery to WSB/Atlanta morning host Scott Slade who underwent surgery to repair a serious leg break suffered from a fall while carrying feed to his horses. Send your get well wishes to Slade at www.wsbradio.com … Veteran affiliations pro Stacey Cohen takes on affiliate relations duties for the syndicated Leslie Marshall Show. Reach Stacey at Cohen Creative at go4it@roadrunner.com. And look for Marshall to appear tomorrow (1/30) on FOX News Channel’s Your World WIth Neil Cavuto at 4pm (ET).

Journal Broadcasting’s Milwaukee News/Talk flagship has inked newly extended deals with afternoon Green House host Jonathan Green and midday host Charlie Sykes. Terms of the deals were not disclosed, but comments by both Green and Sykes indicate they’re long-term agreements. “This agreement takes me beyond a normal retirement date for me,” said Green, who celebrates his 40th year in Milwaukee radio this year — most of those spent at WTMJ. “I’m glad they want to keep me.” Sykes, who joined WTMJ in 1992 said, “The length of this deal shows that I’m in it for the long haul and I appreciate WTMJ’s willingness to make this sort of long-term commitment. The next few years are going to be fascinating for Talk radio and I’m glad I’m going to be behind the microphone to talk about them.”