» McConnell Exits ABC Radio Networks After a long and highly successful 19-year career at ABCRN, SVP/Programming John McConnell is leaving his post to pursue other options and several projects that McConnell tells NTS Aircheck Today are, "already in the works." As to his immediate plans after he leaves at the end of the day tomorrow (10/24) McConnell says his primary focus will be to "complete my third run of the New York City Marathon on November 2." During his tenure at the network McConnell oversaw programming for ABC Music Radio, ABC News Radio, ABC Talk Radio and, until 2006, the ESPN Radio Network. Prior to joining the network in New York, McConnell was News Director and Operations Manager at legendary News/Talker KGO/San Francisco. You can reach the veteran broadcaster HERE.

» Feedback On Fairness Doctrine: In response to yesterday's report that Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) hopes that a new Democratic administration and congress will bring about a return of the repealed Fairness Doctrine, 38-year broadcast exec TJ Lambert writes, "We are a business, not a group of businessmen who must do the bidding of Congress at their whim. We deliver for our communities everyday because we care, not because it is mandated by a partisan congress currently in the majority. KKOB GM Milt McConnell and PD Pat Frisch are two of the most highly regarded broadcasters and community leaders in Albuquerque and the entire state. They work hard everyday to deliver a fair and balanced view of things as they are, not as the good Senator wishes they would be." We'll have more feedback on this issue in tomorrow's NTS Aircheck Today. Your comments are welcome HERE.

» Mancow Returns To Windy City Airwaves: It's been over two years since the now Talk Radio Network-syndicated host has been heard fulltime in his hometown, but that changes next week when Erich "Mancow" Muller slides into a new 9-11am slot on Citadel News/Talker WLS/Chicago replacing current mid-morning host Jerry Agar. The Chicago Tribune reports today that Mancow will be paired with another recent addition to the WLS staff, former WBBM/Chicago news anchor Pat Cassidy, for at least next week's worth of shows. The weekday WLS show will be a local-only program, separate from Mancow's daily TRN syndicated morning show.

» Barack Obama Named "Marketer Of The Year": At the recent Association of National Advertisers annual conference held in Orlando, the Democratic presidential hopeful was named as Advertising Age's "Marketer of the Year" for 2008. Obama, who has gone from a relative unknown to a household name, beat out runner's up Apple and Zappos.com on the short list of this year's winners that was rounded out by Nike, Coors and Republican presidential candidate John McCain. Speaking to Ad Age about Obama's win this year Rodale VP/Marketing Solutions Angus Macauley said, "I honestly look at Obama's campaign and I look at it as something that we can all learn from as marketers."

» Scott Clark Is Steppin' Out: The anchor of WABC-TV/New York's Eyewitness News has been named as the new host of the syndicated Steppin' Out Radio, the 12-step radio show featuring real people and real stories of addiction and recovery. Clark comes aboard as the station moves to new flagship outlet WEPN (1050 ESPN Radio)/New York where the show will air every Saturday night at midnight beginning on November 1.