White House Press Secretary Gets His Wish - Receives Radio From ABC News Radio White House Correspondent Ann Compton

White House Press Secretary Gets His Wish - Receives Radio From ABC News Radio White House Correspondent Ann Compton

WASHINGTON, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- During his daily briefing to the White House Press Corps yesterday, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs noted that he did not have a radio. Steve Jones, Vice President and General Manager of ABC News Radio, decided to rectify that situation by having White House Correspondent Ann Compton deliver a brand new radio to Gibbs today.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090305/DA79628-a)
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090305/DA79628-b)

Following is a transcript of Gibbs' remarks on March 4, 2009 and the letter from Jones to Gibbs that accompanied the radio:

MR. GIBBS: It may be counterproductive. (Laughter.) I'll give you
that. Look, are there days in which I just turn my television off?
Yes. (Laughter.) I wish I had a radio -- maybe I should just hook my
iPod up.

* * * *

Dear Mr. Gibbs,

We heard you say yesterday that you don't have a radio so we are
very pleased to send you one. You can join the 235 million people
weekly that listen to the radio, according to the National
Association of Broadcasters.

And, 74-million of these listeners each week hear programming
created by my team at ABC News Radio, featuring the wonderful Ann
Compton!

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and present some
other data about the radio listening habits of Americans so that you
can factor our medium in to your broader media outreach.

Warmest regards,

Steve

Compton noted that Gibbs stood up from behind his West Wing desk and grinned as he accepted the sleek desktop radio emblazoned with the ABC News Radio logo. He was particularly impressed by the statistics that ABC News Radio reaches 74 million listeners and the overall reach of the radio industry. Donning the ABC News Radio baseball cap that was also delivered and accepting a second cap for his son Ethan, Gibbs thanked Compton. He then pondered whether at today's briefing he will tell reporters he has no car and no college fund for his son.

A veteran of ABC News for 36 years, Compton has now covered seven presidential administrations for the network.

About ABC News Radio

ABC News Radio is America's largest commercial radio news organization delivering daily newscasts and breaking news coverage to more than 2,400 affiliates nationwide and reaches approximately 74 million people each week on approximately 2,400 radio stations. ABC News Radio also produces ABC Sports Radio and ABC Entertainment Radio, along with programs for satellite radio and digital distribution. ABC News Radio is distributed to radio stations by the ABC Radio Networks. ABC Radio Networks has nearly 4,400 affiliate radio stations reaching nearly 105 million people age 12 and over each week.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090305/DA79628-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090305/DA79628-b
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN11,12
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: ABC News Radio

CONTACT: Natalie Raabe of ABC News Radio, +1-212-456-2418; or Louis
Adams of ABC Radio Networks, +1-972-448-3150, for ABC News Radio

Web Site: http://www.abcradio.com/

-------
Profile: intent