Chuck Hillier to Join Brad "Martini" Chambers at The Standard Media Group

    NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA, January 09, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Effective immediately, longtime broadcast veteran Chuck Hillier has joined the Standard Media Group as its VP / General Manager of their 24/7 internet radio station "Martini in the Morning." This is an inevitable union of the two most prolific ambassadors for the only hot, hip alternative to the traditional, dying & decaying "Standards" format: Hillier finally unites with his longtime friend and format-competitive companion...Brad "Martini" Chambers, Founder and Chairman of The Standard Media Group LLC.

Hillier has an extensive broadcast background: Founder/Partner with Ralph Guild's Hillier, Newmark, Wechsler & Howard Radio Sales (Interep), 13 award-winning years with Jeff Smulyan's Q101 radio in Chicago, broadcast industry leadership roles at all levels, and ultimately, the creation of the unique, compelling, and advertiser-friendly format: "Smokin' Pop Standards."

Hillier becomes a colleague to Chambers, whose resume is not only extensive & impressive, but whose own personal conviction to the music is widely known and well understood. Chambers' many achievements over his 35 year programming and on-air career include programming Country powerhouse KPLX in Dallas, creating and launching Clear Channel's unique XM Satellite Radio channels, and Chambers was the guiding force behind Clear Channel's legendary KLAC. Under his PD stewardship, the station was a finalist for the NAB's Marconi Award for "Standards Station of the Year". Subsequently, Chambers created his signature "Martini in the Morning" internet property, which routinely ranks in the top 20% of all internet radio stations on the globe.

Of Hillier, Chambers remarked "I've been fortunate enough to program stations repped by Chuck, admired his successes as a broadcast executive, and fell in love with his passion for this music. Chuck is the previously missing piece that completes the Lounge Sound puzzle."

Frank, Dean, Sammy...Michael Buble, Sarah Vaughn, Dianna Krall, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Connick Jr, Bobby Darin, Lou Rawls, Steve Tyrell, Louis Prima & Keely Smith, Nancy Wilson, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Natalie Cole, BB King, These are just a few of the many artists featured exclusively on "Martini." "If it's Classic Cool or Contemporary Cool...we've got it covered" says Chambers. Also, "if it's not Cool...it's just not played," adds Hillier.

"Martini" is unique not only for its ownership of "The Lounge Sound" but in the fact that it has a live morning show, hosted each weekday by Brad, himself. Additional dayparts will soon be filled out as well. The format is available for terrestrial syndication effective immediately.

Hillier claims that the timing of this union is simply perfect: "There is an ever growing hunger for a high quality program solution to the undeniable and certain sameness found on both sides of the dial. The notion that you can have fun, enjoy the music, provide clients with a "unique selling proposition" and sell it like there is no tomorrow is as good as it gets."

He further points out that: "Owners & operators privately recognize that they can not sustain themselves by being the 4th A/C in the market, the 3rd Country station, the 4th Sports property, or some other similar-sounding version of Rock. Sadly, stations with good-signals, but an also-ran format, are toast in today's environment. If there's no budget for formal advertising or marketing...the problem is clearly compounded. You'd better have a format with buzz and a chance of viral marketing. That's exactly what The Standard Media Group offers with "Martini".

Hillier has always maintained that there are at least a third of the broadcasters in every market that are scratching their heads over how to successfully compete.

He also mentions that:

Sinatra today sells more music than he was alive. The genre remains Hotter than Hot!
That the Baby Boomers we serve represent the largest demo on the planet...and is so far
the most ignored by radio. This, despite inescapable facts that this populace represents:

1. Nearly 80 million people...about one fourth of the population
2. An earning power of nearly $2 Trillion in annual income
3. Clear control of more than $70 Trillion in wealth...70% of the total
4. Well over half of all discretionary spending
5. The most vocal, positive, passionate, responsive audience...ever

Tom Peters would say that hitting this demo is critical. "Billions are at stake".
Radio's friend, Jack Trout would point to this as an opportunity to "Differentiate or Die."
Social Analyst, John Parikahl, has long said that: "This is the low hanging fruit".

Hillier says: "If Content is King...well, then, we've cracked the code."

He asks: "What is it that The Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Victoria's Secret and Starbucks know about this great music and the positive ambiance that this sound provides? That somehow, over-the air-radio has yet to reclaim? Seriously, what do you hear in the great steakhouses, your favorite club or lounge? Behind terrific movies or the best TV commercials"?

It's amazing, says Hillier. Standard Media Group's new library mirrors those personal, cool collections of radio's greatest business-people...as well as the best and brightest of the ad community. It is a validated "Media Darling".

Hillier's Smokin' Pop Standards sound, now exclusively available on Chambers innovative, ground-breaking internet radio station..."Martini In The Morning" merges two great contemporary thoughts on an updated, exciting version of a format that deserves new legs.

Contact Info:
[email protected]
[email protected]

About The Standard Media Group

Standard Media Group is headed by former Clear Channel radio programming executive Brad Chambers. The Standard's programming is based on the music often referred to as The Great American Songbook. The Standard is NOT just another radio format. The Standard is a multi-platform, multimedia LIFESTYLE COMPANY that aggregates and delivers Adult Standard content in an Adult Contemporary package to affluent adults over a variety of distribution platforms. For further information contact us at (818) 766 7664.

Website: http://www.MartiniInTheMorning.com

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