Victor Kong Named CNN Radio VP

In his new role, Kong (pictured) will manage development of new audiences, partnerships, and content for digital platforms and the network’s original audio news service to broadcast radio affiliates. He’ll be based at CNN’s Atlanta headquarters and report directly to Susan Grant, EVP/CNN News Services. Kong was most recently EVP/Sales and Business Development for Hoodiny Entertainment Group. Prior to that he served as VP of MySpace/Latin America, and before that as VP/Growth Strategy and New Media Sales for MTV Networks/Latin America. “We are excited to have Victor lead CNN Radio’s original audio news content in the media landscape,” said Grant. “He brings a dynamic skill set from his multi-media career and a proven track record building partnerships, growing audiences and integrating digital media.”

CNN

I’m not sure about the “noise” complaint — healthy public debates are raucous by their nature.  But Klein has a point about the predictability.  The radio talkers who make the rounds of cable shows rarely add a unique perspective, new information or fresh insight.  Instead, they ferociously defend whatever line their ideological camp has laid down on the issue du jour.

In fairness, some of the blame for this lies with the producers at CNNand other cable nets.  Pressed for time, and lacking creativity, they call upon the same small circle of  easy-to-book talkers (some of whom are out of work) who can be relied upon to gnash their teeth and mix it up with an equally reliable counterpart from the other side of the spectrum.  At some point, long ago, this scorpions-in-a-bottle tactic was an interesting new way to add color and verve to the discussion.  Now it’s just white noise.  There is certainly a role for radio talkers on cable tv.  But the networks need to rework both their Rolodexes, and their segment concepts.

By the way, did you hear how Dial Global host Bill Press, a former CNN talking head, reacted to Klein’s new guidance?  He went on the air and called Klein the “stupidest of all” network bosses.  Predictable.