CBS radio-label confab

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE, COMMON GOAL: CBS Radio topper Dan Mason and a number of senior programmers including KROQ’s Kevin Weatherly met with label reps yesterday at the company's New York offices in what the principals described as “productive meetings” about working together more closely to increase music discovery, RAMP reports. Columbia's Jon Borris, accompanied by the label's up-and-coming Rita Ora, acknowledged Weatherly for stepping up and opening the door for Ora's single, "R.I.P." "As Kevin embraced the single,” Borris noted, “others within the chain felt more comfortable too, and Michael Martin and Tim Rainey were very early champions. What we've seen in these markets and others is a significant airplay-to-sales correlation." Azoff Music's Richard Palmese added, "The power of radio has never been greater. CBS Radio has been instrumental in breaking so many of our artists. The airplay is everything and the power rotation is really special." On the heels of the confab, CBS Radio expects to announce several new programming initiatives intended to bring fans closer to their favorite artists. (10/18a)