As New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer continues his investigations into the practices used by major labels to get their music played on radio stations, one major radio group has fired a programme director over allegations of station staff improperly accepting gifts from record labels.
According to the New York Times, Entercom Communications have fired **Dave
Universal**, programme director on their pop music station in
Buffalo, over allegations he accepted travel packages and gifts from record label executives that contravened their strict codes of practice. A spokesman for the group wouldn't comment on the specifics of the sacking, except to say: "We have policies in place that prohibit Entercom employees from accepting gifts that exceed $25 in value, not just from record companies, but all vendors that we work with."
Mr.
Universal defended his actions, telling the paper. "I did nothing that Entercom was not 100 percent aware of, or approved of, the entire time I was there. I was allowed to do whatever
I had to do to foster relationships."
Both radio stations and radio promotion companies have been on guard ever since Spitzer announced his intention to investigate the radio promotions industry, subpoenaing accounts and email exchanges from most of the major labels. While the infamous days when record labels would hand radio presenters cash in brown envelopes to play their records are long gone, Spitzer's team is investigating the use by labels of independent radio promotion agencies who pay radio stations money to receive their playlists - payments which, some argue, essentially cover up any bribing that goes on.
The radio industry has denied anything untoward takes place in those relationships, while some of the major players have pointed out they no longer accept such payments from radio promotion agencies. However the decline in such payments has led some to allege that certain radio promoters have now returned to bribing methods of old to secure their artists radio play. Spitzer is yet to comment on his investigations, though Mr Universal's sacking will keep those involved in radio promotions on both sides of the equation very much on edge.