RadioInsight Exclusive: Murfin Media’s “The Rock of Kansas” has been forced to drop its name following a Cease & Desist letter from Audacy due to KQRC Kansas City’s trademark of the slogan “The Rock of Kansas City”.
Murfin Media debuted the brand on a network of stations across the state of Kansas in March including 94.9 KIND-FM Elk City/Independence, 97.7 KSNP Burlington, 105.5 KKOY-FM Chanute, 1340 KSEK/107.9 K300DE Pittsburg, and 1550 KWLE Winfield. In sampling the station this morning all imaging had been removed with midday host Nycki Pace calling the station “Today’s Classic Rock Station” in her breaks. Later on afternoon host had been identifying the stations as “The Dawg“, which has been the branding used by 97.7 KSNP prior to March.
Audacy has held the trademark on “The Rock of Kansas City” for “98.9 The Rock” KQRC Kansas City since 2000. Pace, who previously worked at KQRC from until being let go in a round of cuts last year said as part of a longer Facebook post, “The handful of people behind this with Audacy KC are petty and I won’t hide that. I’m just sorry Audacy has ruined a lot of hard work and effort that everyone on our staff put into the station. For that, I apologize. I hate that my being associated with these cowards affected innocent people. One of my bosses actually said – ‘I think they don’t want people hearing your voice in Kansas City at all, still.’ God love him. So today, Audacy Kansas City (and unfortunately 98.9 The Rock) you’re my problem. Audacy taking the time to present a legal issue with The Rock of Kansas (that you can barely hear in city limits) is a joke and honestly embarrassing.”
Niether Audacy or Murfin Media responded to our inquiries for comment.
