That’s the word from reporter David Wilkerson in a glowing report on the 24/7 Sports radio network by MarketWatch.com. “ESPN Radio is suffering the same problems that plague radio and TV stations across the country as local auto dealers are unable to advertise as much as they could before the worldwide economic downturn,” writes Wilkerson. “But at the national level, the situation is different.” While ESPN Radio and it’s cable television big brother saw young males gravitate toward news and info channels during last fall’s presidential election, network sales exec Sean Bratches tells MarketWatch “they’re returning en masse” and generating strong ratings for ESPN’s branded shows like Mike and Mike In The Morning and The Herd with Colin Cowherd. Bratches also cites online streaming of ESPN Radio, podcasts and downloads as a key component of the network’s success, offering national advertisers “a unique proposition” with reach across multiple platforms. Search “ESPN Radio” at www.marketwatch.com to read the full story.

The San Francisco-based start-up has caused a major buzz with its service, used by people from average Joe’s to celebrities to post personal updates, observations and even breaking news stories using 140 characters or less. Published reports say Twitter is taking its first steps into online advertising by selling sponsorship of a designated “Executive Tweets” site to Microsoft Corp. The ExecTweets page, which features a collection of posts written by corporate executives, is reportedly being operated by ad firm Federated Media and features branding from Microsoft. Its the first sign that the start-up company may be trying to focus on finding ways to monetize the hot, new techno-fad that’s added the word “tweets” to the lexicon of regular users and the media.

Texas Governor Rick Perry will moderate the first stop on Salem Radio Network’s previously announced Obama: The First 100 Days Tour. The April 27th event will be held in conjunction with Salem News/Talk KSKY/Dallas and feature SRN hosts Mike Gallagher, Michael Medved and Hugh Hewitt … Weststar TalkRadio Network’s Kim Komando Show adds KNEW/San Francisco as the long running weekly show’s latest affiliate. Komando (pictured) airs on a reported 465 stations nationwide … WHEN/Syracuse picks up Citadel Media’s Imus In The Morning beginning April 13. The I-Man also moves from WYAY/Atlanta to crosstown talker WCFO on that same date … KSTP/Minneapolis midday host Bob Davis has exited the Hubbard Broadcasting News/Talker. A new program will reportedly debut on the station tomorrow (4/9)

OK, so Harold is still hangin’ at White Castle, but his buddy Kumar — a.k.a. actor Kal Penn — has accepted a new gig working for the Obama administration in DC. In his new job Penn will reportedly serve in the White House Office of Public Liason as the point person for Asian-American and Pacific Islander groups. Penn actively campaigned for Obama on college campuses in 2008 where he was welcomed as an instant celebrity from his infamous role as the pot-smoking, girl crazy, White Castle burger addict Kumar Patel. Penn was most recently seen as a regular on FOX TV’s House, but his character committed suicide in a recent episode, effectively allowing the actor to take a break from Hollywood to pursue his political ambitions. 

Meanwhile, west coast Talk media figure Peter B. Collins, who recently shuttered his regionally syndicated daily Talk radio show, is also moving to the world of politics. According to the Sacramento Bee Collins will be a “messaging and communications consultant” for the upcoming gubernatorial campaign of current California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi. It’s not Collins’ first foray into the political arena. He previously worked on the campaigns of now Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and with former California Republican Congressman Pete McCloskey who famously switched to the Democratic party in 2007 citing his disagreement with GOP leadership.

Shown broadcasting live from “Radio Row” at this week’s NCAA Final Four game held in Detroit are FOX Sports Radio host Sean Farnham, special guest host Seth Greenberg, and Indiana University Men’s Basketball head coach Tom Crean.