Radio-Info to change hands

Radio-Info.com has been owned and operated by Diana and Rick Fleming as a tribute to their late son Doug. Doug Fleming founded the site’s message boards in 1999 and operated them until his tragic death in 2005. His parents soon turned the site into one of the business’ popular Internet stops to read what some of the popular and respected writers have to say.

The Flemings have now chosen to retire and while their In3media. Inc will continue to monitor the popular Radio-Info message boards, the headquarters at 65 East Wacker Place in Chicago will merge with that of Talkers. Talkers is owned by Talk Media, Inc. and is based in Springfield, Massachusetts. The formal move is expected to take place August 19th.

Robert Feder says it’s unclear what will happen to the staff of 30 who worked under Diana Fleming at the Chicago offices, but it is expected that some of them will be needed to maintain the message boards. However, many of the format and sales newsletters, including NewsTalk Edge and others, cease today. Tom Taylor is expected to be around at least a little while and Sean Ross announced that he will be taking a break and returning in September.

Rick Fleming, meanwhile, is retiring as executive vice president and CFO of USG Corporation, a move which led to the decision to merge the online trade. Fleming also serves as vice president and treasurer of the Museum of Broadcast Communications which we visited a few weeks ago.