The Baysider
Report: Bubba radio now down to earth
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Now that he’s re-established himself as a leader in the terrestrial radio market following a very public firing from Clear Channel Communications in 2004, the shock jock known as Bubba the Love Sponge Clem could be ending his time with Sirius Satellite Radio as part of Howard Stern’s network, according to unconfirmed street chatter.
“Official channels” aren’t much help either. Elise Brown, a publicist for Clem, had no comment on his future with Sirius.
“You can quote me on that,” she said.
Hillary Schupf, a spokeswoman for Sirius, said the company can’t comment on contract issues. Clem is nearing the end of a one-year renewal signed last December, the same time he announced his return to local airwaves.
Clem joined the Sirius lineup in 2005 after a $755,000 indecency fine from the Federal Communications Commission ended his tenure as the morning host at WXTB in Tampa, known as 98 Rock. Clem’s racy show content, however, seemed a better fit for satellite radio, which is not under FCC jurisdiction, and he watched his career expand nationally as Stern’s lead-out show on weekdays.
That success led to Clem’s return to terrestrial radio last January when he signed with WHPT in Tampa, a station owned by Cox Radio known as “The Bone.” By May, Clem was leading in major demographics in the Tampa market, according to Arbitron, including wins over the MJ Morning Show on WFLZ, a longtime leader in morning radio programming.
Clem’s show is now syndicated to Jacksonville, and reports are that the Bubba Radio Network could expand into additional cities, including Philadelphia. Stay tuned.
— Michael Hinman
THE CUPCAKE RUNNETH OVER: Former PR practitioner Nicole Rogers Longo and her business partner and husband, Doug Longo, have found sweet profits in gourmet gooey goodness.
The Cupcake Spot, their niche bakery on South Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa has been open a little more than 10 months and profitable for more than half.
Those earnings are financing an expansion across the Bay to the heart of downtown St. Pete at 405 Central Ave. Soon, scents of baking “Butterscotch Babies” or “Swirly Temple” cupcakes will waft in the breeze downtown. The business is in the permitting process. Building owners were looking for a convenience store or grocery tenant. But owners were concerned it wasn’t a good fit, Rogers Longo said. The Cupcake Spot got a favorable lease and an option to buy.
Building owners are bordering on ecstatic, she said.
The gourmet cupcake craze has seen a lot of recent ink and TV time.
“Oprah” and “Ellen” feature their favorites, and a “Saturday Night Live” digital short has paid homage to what Rogers calls the product’s whimsical, festive nature.
“People are wanting comfort foods and sweet indulgences,” Rogers said.
Wedding and corporate business is expanding. Tech Data Corp. (NYSE: TECD) ordered 350 for a sales rally this week. Advertising and pharmaceutical reps are frequent clients and use the nostalgic treats — at $2.75 each — for sales calls.
The Clearwater Downtown Partnership wooed the business heavily, Rogers said. But St. Petersburg has been the focus, for now. The entrepreneurs envision five local stores, including one in Sarasota.
— Alexis Muellner
FLIGHT PLAN REVERSAL?: Noah Lagos, airport director at St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport, made an impassioned plea to USA3000 Airlines executives this week. He flew to New York Tuesday to meet with the embattled airline to convince officials to reenter the Tampa Bay market.
When the airline ceased operations at PIE on Aug. 18, the airport lost one third of its passengers. It provided nonstop flights to Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Now Fort Myers is its only Florida destination.
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