Tom Martino
Encyclopedia
Tom Martino is a consumer advocate
and American
talk radio
host. His nationally syndicated show "The Troubleshooter Show" airs from KHOW
, based in Denver, Colorado
. His show format focuses on callers who give him specific complaints about businesses, however he also provides business advice to listeners. Martino investigates the complaints by contacting the other party in disputes when possible; he then gives advice and solicits comments from callers. The show began over 30 years ago and was syndicated nationally around 2001. Martino claims that over the years, he has recovered millions of dollars in cash, merchandise, and services for consumers who contact him.
Martino operates the "Troubleshooter Referral List," a list of businesses endorsed by him. In order to be a member of the Referral List, a business must pay a fee ($3,000 per listing) and agree to a code of ethics
, including an agreement to abide by Martino’s decision in the case of a dispute with a consumer. A business can pay to have Martino personally endorse their product or service on air for around $120 per 30 second spot during prime time radio listening. Critics point out that Tom Martino's status as a consumer advocate is directly compromised by the large amounts of money he receives for his endorsement. Martino's website has a lengthy disclaimer
stating that he is not liable for the quality of service received from the companies he endorses.
Martino is known for his bold style. If he believes a businessperson is acting unethically, he does not hesitate to call that person a liar or a cheat on air. If he believes a business is failing to respond to his investigation, he sometimes broadcasts the business’s phone number and encourages listeners to contact the business.
Martino also reports for Fox Broadcasting Company
affiliate KDVR
in Denver. Before KDVR, he spent 18 years at CBS
station KCNC, also in Denver. He started his television career at several stations in the Eastern United States.
Martino's career began at the Catskill Daily Mail, a newspaper in his native New York
, where he wrote a consumer-oriented column. In 1976, he began working in radio and television. He continued to write columns for the Rocky Mountain News
, but now writes columns only for his own website.
Martino operates Liberty Bell Telecom, a telecommunications company, casting suspicion on recommendations and referrals he may make within the telecommunications industry. He is also a real estate developer and a private pilot.
Martino has announced he will be hosting a new television show on KDVR
later this year.
On April 24, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion affirming the dismissal of a libel suit brought against Martino by an Oregon watercraft dealer. A customer of the dealer had called Martino's show to describe the problems she had with a personal watercraft that she bought from the dealer, and in the course of the on-the-air conversation, Martino said "they're just lying to you." The dealer sued Martino for libel and interference with business relations. The federal district court in Portland granted Martino's anti-SLAPP motion, dismissed the dealer's case, and awarded attorney fees to Martino against the dealer. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court, saying that Martino's statement was a statement of opinion protected by the First Amendment. Gardner v. Martino, Ninth Circuit No. 06-35437 (April 24, 2009).
On September 2, 2011, Tom Martino filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Consumer protection
Consumer protection laws designed to ensure fair trade competition and the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. The laws are designed to prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors and may provide additional...
and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
host. His nationally syndicated show "The Troubleshooter Show" airs from KHOW
KHOW
KHOW is a radio station broadcasting a talk radio format to the Denver-Boulder, USA area. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications and features programing from Westwood One, Premiere Radio Networks and ABC Radio....
, based in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. His show format focuses on callers who give him specific complaints about businesses, however he also provides business advice to listeners. Martino investigates the complaints by contacting the other party in disputes when possible; he then gives advice and solicits comments from callers. The show began over 30 years ago and was syndicated nationally around 2001. Martino claims that over the years, he has recovered millions of dollars in cash, merchandise, and services for consumers who contact him.
Martino operates the "Troubleshooter Referral List," a list of businesses endorsed by him. In order to be a member of the Referral List, a business must pay a fee ($3,000 per listing) and agree to a code of ethics
Ethical code
An ethical code is adopted by an organization in an attempt to assist those in the organization called upon to make a decision understand the difference between 'right' and 'wrong' and to apply this understanding to their decision...
, including an agreement to abide by Martino’s decision in the case of a dispute with a consumer. A business can pay to have Martino personally endorse their product or service on air for around $120 per 30 second spot during prime time radio listening. Critics point out that Tom Martino's status as a consumer advocate is directly compromised by the large amounts of money he receives for his endorsement. Martino's website has a lengthy disclaimer
Disclaimer
A disclaimer is generally any statement intended to specify or delimit the scope of rights and obligations that may be exercised and enforced by parties in a legally recognized relationship...
stating that he is not liable for the quality of service received from the companies he endorses.
Martino is known for his bold style. If he believes a businessperson is acting unethically, he does not hesitate to call that person a liar or a cheat on air. If he believes a business is failing to respond to his investigation, he sometimes broadcasts the business’s phone number and encourages listeners to contact the business.
Martino also reports for Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
affiliate KDVR
KDVR
KDVR, , is the Fox-affiliated television station serving the Denver, Colorado designated market area. The station is owned by Local TV LLC, the media arm of private equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners, under a local marketing agreement with Tribune-owned CW affiliate KWGN . Its transmitter is...
in Denver. Before KDVR, he spent 18 years at CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
station KCNC, also in Denver. He started his television career at several stations in the Eastern United States.
Martino's career began at the Catskill Daily Mail, a newspaper in his native New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he wrote a consumer-oriented column. In 1976, he began working in radio and television. He continued to write columns for the Rocky Mountain News
Rocky Mountain News
The Rocky Mountain News was a daily newspaper published in Denver, Colorado, United States from April 23, 1859, until February 27, 2009. It was owned by the E. W. Scripps Company from 1926 until its closing. As of March 2006, the Monday-Friday circulation was 255,427...
, but now writes columns only for his own website.
Martino operates Liberty Bell Telecom, a telecommunications company, casting suspicion on recommendations and referrals he may make within the telecommunications industry. He is also a real estate developer and a private pilot.
Martino has announced he will be hosting a new television show on KDVR
KDVR
KDVR, , is the Fox-affiliated television station serving the Denver, Colorado designated market area. The station is owned by Local TV LLC, the media arm of private equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners, under a local marketing agreement with Tribune-owned CW affiliate KWGN . Its transmitter is...
later this year.
On April 24, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion affirming the dismissal of a libel suit brought against Martino by an Oregon watercraft dealer. A customer of the dealer had called Martino's show to describe the problems she had with a personal watercraft that she bought from the dealer, and in the course of the on-the-air conversation, Martino said "they're just lying to you." The dealer sued Martino for libel and interference with business relations. The federal district court in Portland granted Martino's anti-SLAPP motion, dismissed the dealer's case, and awarded attorney fees to Martino against the dealer. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court, saying that Martino's statement was a statement of opinion protected by the First Amendment. Gardner v. Martino, Ninth Circuit No. 06-35437 (April 24, 2009).
On September 2, 2011, Tom Martino filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.