[RadioInsight] Erik Scott Smith Joins 100.3 The Bull's Morning Bullpen

[RadioInsight via rec.radio.broadcasting Admin]

RadioInsight

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Erik Scott Smith Joins 100.3 The Bull's Morning Bullpen

Posted: 26 Oct 2021 11:17 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214508/erik-scott-smith-joins-100-3-the-bulls-morning-bullpen/


Audacy Country 100.3 The Bull KILT-FM Houston has announced the addition of
Erik Scott Smith as co-host of the Morning Bullpen alongside George Lindsay
and Monica Mo Lunsford.

Smith joins KILT-FM from Meruelo Media Rock 95.5 KLOS Los Angeles, where he
spent the past thirteen years as Executive Producer and co-host of the
Heidi Frank show.

He fills the opening created by the departure of Cowboy Dave Bayless in
July after twelve years at the station.

Audacy welcomes Erik Scott Smith as morning show co-host for 100.3 The Bull
(KILT-FM) in Houston. Beginning October 27, Smith will join “The Morning
Bullpen” with co-hosts George and Mo. “The Morning Bullpen” airs weekdays
from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. CT.

“I’m beyond excited for Erik to join George and Mo in the Morning Bullpen,”
said Sarah Frazier, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy
Houston. “Erik’s longtime radio experience coupled with his positive
attitude, energy, character and innovation will add so much to the morning
commute Houstonians make every day and we look forward to adding him to our
weekday programming.”

“There’s one thing that I’ve already learned about Texas everyone is SO
nice here,” said Smith. “I am ready and anxious to join the talented,
dedicated team at The Bull. I already feel at home because of the
incredible folks at Audacy and can’t wait to crack the mic with talented
hosts like George and Mo. It’s really an honor for me.”

Prior to joining Audacy, Erik Scott Smith had been a personality and
executive producer of “The Heidi Frank Show,” in Los Angeles for over 13
years. He also has experience as a film actor, musician and co-host of the
FOX pop-culture television show “Dish Nation.”


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Audacy Shuffles Miami Sports Programming As Local Emphasis Shifts To WQAM

Posted: 26 Oct 2021 11:02 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214496/audacy-shuffles-miami-sports-programming-as-local-emphasis-shifts-to-wqam-betql-to-790-waxy/


Audacy realigned the programming at its two Sports stations in Miami today.

560 The Joe WQAM Miami has rebranded as AM 560 Sports assuming the local
programming, while 790 The Ticket WAXY South Miami moves to Sports Betting
programming utilizing Audacys BetQL Network.

Longtime morning host Joe Rose continues at WQAM. WAXY midday host Jonathan
Zaslow moves to 560 from 10am to 2pm replacing CBS Sports Radios Bill
Reiter and Jim Rome. Marc Hochman and Channing Crowder remain in afternoons
from 2-6pm. WQAM also carries Miami Dolphins football, Florida Panthers
hockey and University of Miami sports.

At 790 The Ticket WAXY, Brendan Tobin and LeRoy Hoard remain in mornings
with BetQL Daily from 10am-12pm and Jim Rome 12-3pm. Hochman and Crowder
will now be joined in progress at 3pm, while the full show airs on WQAM.
WAXY continues as home of the NBAs Miami Heat.

The changes negate the moves made in August 2019 that consolidated most of
the local programming on 790 The Ticket. In the September 2021 Nielsen
Audio ratings both WQAM and WAXY held 0.7 shares, while iHeartMedias Fox
Sports 940 WINZ had a 0.2 share.

Effective immediately, 560 The Joe (WQAM-AM) will rebrand as AM 560 Sports
WQAM and boast a new weekday lineup, including the addition of local host
Jonathan Zaslow to middays. Zaslow had previously hosted middays for sister
station 790 The Ticket. The station will also add programming from CBS
Sports Radio.

AM 560 Sports WQAM

6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET: Joe Rose Zach Krantz

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET: Jonathan Zaslow

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET: “Hochman Crowder”

6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ET: Local specialty shows and Florida Panthers, NFL
games or University of Miami basketball play-by-play

11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. ET: “JR Sports Brief”

2:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. ET: Amy Lawrence

Additionally, AM 790 The Ticket (WAXY-AM) will also debut a new weekday
programming lineup, effective immediately. The station will see the
addition of “BetQL Network” and CBS Sports Radio programming including “The
Jim Rome Show.”

790 The Ticket

6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET: “Tobin Leroy”

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET: “BetQL Daily”

12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET: Jim Rome

3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET: “Hochman Crowder” simulcast

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET: “You Better You Bet”

7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ET: Miami Heat play-by-play or “BetMGM Tonight”

11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. ET: “JR Sports Brief”

2:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. ET: Amy Lawrence


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WURV Adds Kobe As Morning Host

Posted: 26 Oct 2021 10:53 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214502/wurv-adds-kobe-as-morning-host/


SummitMedia Hot AC 103.7 Your Variety WURV Richmond has hired 94.1 The Zone
WZNE Rochester NY PD/afternoon host Cory Kobe Fargo as morning host.

Kobe had joined WZNE in August 2020 as afternoon host and rose to Program
Director in November. He previously has served as PD/afternoon host for
iHeartMedia CHR “Hot 107.9” WWHT Syracuse, and PD of Cox CHRs 95.1 WAPE
Jacksonville and “Power 100.1” WPUP Athens GA, iHeartMedia CHR “Wild 95.5”
WLDI West Palm Beach, and Apex Media CHR “B92.5” WIHB Charleston SC along
with APD and on-air roles at “B94” and “100.7 Star” in Pittsburgh and
on-air at WPXY Rochester.

Jackson Scott had been filling in on mornings since the departure of former
PD/morning host Melissa Chase for Audacys Mix 96.5 KHMX Houston in May.
Scott, who previously served as APD/MD/afternoon host at Audacy CHR Q94
WRVQ Richmond, continue to host afternoons at Townsquare Media CHR Fun 107
WFHN New Bedford MA.

SummitMedia today announced the hiring of Anthony “Kobe” Fargo for mornings
on Hot AC WURV (103.7 Your Variety)/Richmond. Kobe will air weekday
mornings from 6 to 10am. Fargo joins SummitMedia from Stephens Media in
Rochester, New York, where he served as PD/Digital Content at WZNE (94.1
The Zone).

“My family and I are thrilled for this next chapter in my career. I’m a
firm believer in content being the ultimate currency in our industry, and I
can’t wait to have the opportunity to wake up RVA ever morning,” said Fargo.

Fargo spent five years with iHeartMedia in Syracuse, where he hosted the
number one-rated afternoon drive show and was syndicated on weekends on
over 25 iHeart stations nationwide. He also had a stint with Cox Media
Group in Jacksonville FL, as afternoon personality and program director.
Off the air, Fargo has broadcasted from the Grammys, hosted NFL Superbowl
parties, started a clothing company and DJ’d events for NBC’s “The Voice.”

“Kobe has a rich and diverse radio background, perfectly matched with our
core demo,” said Dave Symonds, OM of SummitMedia Richmond. “Our entire team
is already excited to welcome Kobe and all of Richmond is next!”



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What Radio Station Sounds Better Than Ever?

Posted: 26 Oct 2021 10:00 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/214326/what-radio-station-sounds-better-than-ever/


Today’s radio dial is dominated by heritage brands. Shortly before the
pandemic, I looked at a page of radio ratings from a 1984 radio directory
and found that anywhere from 30% to 50% of those station brands were still
available in their market with a similar format. But how do those stations
compare with their histories? Are there any heritage stations that could be
said to be doing their best work in 2021?

Some heritage stations have scored their highest-ever numbers recently.
Ratings expert Chris Huff cites Adult R&B WBLS New York; CHR WXXL (XL106.7)
Orlando, Fla.; Classic Hits KODJ Salt Lake City; AC WDEF Chattanooga,
Tenn.; Rhythmic AC XHRM San Diego; and Classic Rockers WHJY Providence,
R.I., and KFXJ Wichita, Kan. 

The battles have been easier for older-leaning formats. Huff has as often
been reporting record-low numbers for long-running CHRs over the last year.
Alternative KITS San Francisco found its Live 105 heritage daunting enough
to become Alt 105.3. Last week, it moved on altogether after 35 years.

With great call letters come great responsibility. For any broadcaster,
merely being on the air now poses major challenges. Can any station do its
best work in this time of cutbacks? Or when radio doesn’t exert the same
cultural control? When radio staffs are rarely the six best jocks in the
market or even in the market? Can a radio station ever be its best self
again? At this moment, we need them to be, but is it a reasonable
expectation?

Last year, with the industry reeling from cutbacks even before COVID hit, I
had asked Facebook friends what stations were doing great radio. This time
I poised a harder question: “What long-running radio station is sounding
better than ever now?” But, I added, “I’d also accept ‘as great as ever.’” 

There was, as you would expect, skepticism about that task. “Quite a few
heritage stations have held up very well over the years. That said, I
honestly can’t think of one that sounds better now than during their
heyday,” said consultant and rock radio veteran Marty Bender. “No station
that is not fully staffed has the ability to sound as good as its former
self,” wrote Alan Sells. 

But Ross on Radio readers also had at least 75 candidates that met one or
both criteria. Many were the same stations cited 18 months ago. And at
least a few, like Heritage Rock WMMR Philadelphia, probably the most
mentioned station, were indeed fully staffed. Reader Justin Rugnetta
praised its “perfect balance between all rock formats, be it Mainstream,
Active, Alternative or Triple-A.” 

True Tone Media Group’s Andy Cahn named WMMR, then added sister WDHA
Morristown, N.J.; WPLR New Haven, Conn.; KSHE St. Louis; WRIF Detroit; and
a half dozen others. “The old R&R Mainstream Rock panel, essentially.” He
also cited WHJY and WDVE Pittsburgh as “unique among iHeart stations left
alone and local with very little national programming.” 

In Active Rock, “KISW Seattle still shoots and scores,” said Brew Michaels.
Don McCullen’s long multi-format list included the less-often-shouted-out
KILO Colorado Springs. Market veteran Jonathan L praised KUPD Phoenix.

Triple-A “WXRT Chicago, KBCO Denver, KINK Portland, and many more,” got the
nod from Arista’s Nick Petropoulos. McCullen noted KBCO’s ability to
persevere despite listener-supported non-comm competition. 

Alternative stations often have the hardest time competing with the echoes
of 1993, or 1983. “I love how [XETRA-FM San Diego] 91X is reverent of its
past while still sounding current,” wrote Aaron Michelson. “In an era where
Mainstream Rock and Alternative are [allegedly] dead, both WMMR and [WWDC
Washington] DC101 are proving everyone wrong. Best-in-class morning shows,
real personalities throughout the day, and solid music selection,” said
Connoisseur Media’s Keith Dakin.

Memphis radio veteran Melvin Jones cited recently profiled Adult R&B outlet
WDIA Memphis. That station’s afternoon host, Earle Augustus, cited several
format brethren, including WBLS, WVAZ (V103) Chicago, WVEE (V103) Atlanta,
WDAS Philadelphia, and WHUR Washington. Voiceover veteran Pat Garrett cited
WALR Atlanta. 

“Absolutely agree about WBLS,” wrote New York radio veteran Wayne Mayo,
citing its use of first-generation Hip-Hop as well as “continuing to play
offense even when you don’t have direct format competition.”

Augustus’s list also included Adult CHR KSTP (KS95) Minneapolis. There were
several mentions of KS95, including Hall Communications’ VP/programming Bob
Walker who wrote, “They’ve done a great job of not allowing heritage to
become baggage.” Similarly formatted sister station WKRQ (Q102) Cincinnati
“is killing the game in pop and Hot AC. They know exactly who they are and
they express it live and locally,” says Warner SVP promotion Dave Dyer.

“WCBS-FM New York rarely plays a record that does not excite me,” wrote A&R
veteran Brian Chin. John Clay goes for sister KRTH (K-Earth 101) Los
Angeles. “There’s a reason they continue to be top-rated in such a
competitive diverse market.”

McCullen’s list also includes Christian AC KLTY Dallas, profiled last year
after seizing the market lead, as well as national superstation K-Love and
its sister Air 1. The latter is a good example of a long-running brand that
has received its most traction in recent years since emphasizing praise and
worship music. Gene Savage names heritage Country WSM-AM Nashville and
Country Insider’s Brian Mansfield seconds.

Most readers didn’t weigh into the issue of “as good as ever” vs. “better
than ever.” In some ways, it’s like a sports dynasty. If a team is winning
now, the “favorite season” question becomes a fun but non-binding
discussion among fans. The best stations are those such as WBLS, K-Earth,
WXKS-FM (Kiss 108) Boston, or KMJQ (Majic 102) Houston that had multiple
great periods, some of them decades apart.

There are stations that certainly mean more to me than they did in earlier
heydays. In some cases, it’s because I couldn’t hear them much in a
pre-streaming era. They include KLTY, WMMR, and the latter’s oft-praised
Triple-A rival WXPN. I did hear then-CHR WKRQ and still-CHRs WIXX Green
Bay, Wis., and WKRZ Wilkes-Barre, Pa., over the years. In the early ‘90s, I
thought they were too adult. Now I appreciate them, perhaps because I’m too
adult.

I am willing to name two stations that are doing their best work now. One
is Classic Hits KOLA Riverside, Calif. That station was automated CHR when
I first encountered it. Now, it’s both a market and format leader that has
driven the modernization of the Classic Hits format, however you may feel
about it.

I’m also with the handful of readers who cited WLTW (Lite FM) New York.
Many of the personality ACs of the ‘80s have long constricted. Lite’s Soft
AC format grew into a more foreground station that continues to drive the
format sonically. It has also been on a continual upward arc — I might have
given it “better than ever” at any time over most of the last 25 years. 

Those are just a handful of the stations readers cited. Can you name a
long-running radio station that lives up to its heritage? Or exceeds it?
Please leave a comment.


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President Biden Nominates Jessica Rosenworcel As FCC Chair; Gig Sohn As
Commissioner

Posted: 26 Oct 2021 09:21 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214499/president-biden-nominates-jessica-rosenworcel-as-fcc-chair-gig-sohn-as-commissioner/


President Biden has nominated acting FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel to a new
term, where she will continue to serve as Chair of the Commission.
Rosenworcel has served as an FCC Commissioner since 2012 and as acting
Chair since the start of 2021. Prior to joining the agency, she served as
Senior Communications Counsel for the United States Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, under the leadership of Senator John
D. Rockefeller IV and Senator Daniel Inouye.

Biden has also nominated Gigi Sohn to fill the vacant fifth seat on the
commission. From 2013-2016, Gigi served as Counselor to Former FCC Chairman
Tom Wheeler, and from 2001-2013 was Co-Founder and CEO of communications
and technology policy advocacy organization Public Knowledge and Project
Specialist in the Ford Foundation’s Media, Arts and Culture unit and
Executive Director of the Media Access Project. If she is confirmed, Gigi
would be the first openly LGBTIQ+ Commissioner in the history of the FCC.

Today, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate the following
individuals to serve in key roles:

Jessica Rosenworcel, Nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Communications
Commission
Gigi Sohn, Nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission
Alan Davidson, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Communications and
Information at the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, Department of Commerce
Kathi Vidal, Nominee for Under Secretary for Intellectual Property and
Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at the Department of
Commerce
Laurel Blatchford, Nominee for Controller of the Office of Federal
Financial Management at the Office of Management and Budget


President Biden has also designated Rosenworcel as Chair of the Federal
Communications Commission. She is the first woman in history to serve in
this capacity.

Jessica Rosenworcel, Nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Communications
Commission

Jessica Rosenworcel presently serves as Chair of the Federal Communications
Commission, where she previously served as a Commissioner since 2012.
During her time at the agency, she has worked to promote greater
opportunity, accessibility, and affordability in our communications
services in order to ensure that all Americans get a fair shot at 21st
century success. From fighting to protect an open internet, to ensuring
broadband access for students caught in the Homework Gap through the FCC’s
Emergency Connectivity Fund, to making sure that households struggling to
afford internet service stay connected through the Emergency Broadband
Benefit program, she has been a champion for connectivity for all. She is a
leader in spectrum policy, developing new ways to support wireless services
from Wi-Fi to video and the Internet of Things. She has fought to combat
illegal robocalls and enhance consumer protections in our
telecommunications policies.

Prior to joining the agency, she served as Senior Communications Counsel
for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, under the leadership of Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and
Senator Daniel Inouye. Before entering public service, Jessica practiced
communications law. She is a native of Hartford, Connecticut and a graduate
of Wesleyan University and New York University School of Law. She lives
with her family in Washington, DC.

Gigi Sohn, Nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission

Gigi B. Sohn is a Distinguished Fellow at the Georgetown Law Institute for
Technology Law Policy and a Benton Senior Fellow and Public Advocate. Gigi
is one of the nation’s leading public advocates for open, affordable, and
democratic communications networks. For over thirty years, Gigi has worked
to defend and preserve the fundamental competition and innovation policies
that have made broadband Internet access more ubiquitous, competitive,
affordable, open, and protective of user privacy. If she is confirmed, Gigi
would be the first openly LGBTIQ+ Commissioner in the history of the FCC.

From 2013-2016, Gigi served as Counselor to Former FCC Chairman Tom
Wheeler, and from 2001-2013 was Co-Founder and CEO of Public Knowledge, a
leading communications and technology policy advocacy organization serving
the interests of consumers. She was previously a Project Specialist in the
Ford Foundation’s Media, Arts and Culture unit and Executive Director of
the Media Access Project, a communications public interest law firm. Gigi
holds a B.S. in Broadcasting and Film, Summa Cum Laude, from the Boston
University College of Communication and a J.D. from the University of
Pennsylvania Law School.

Alan Davidson, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Communications and
Information at the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, Department of Commerce

Alan Davidson is an Internet policy expert with over 20 years of experience
as an executive, public interest advocate, technologist, and attorney. He
is currently a Senior Advisor at the Mozilla Foundation, a global nonprofit
that promotes openness, innovation, and participation on the Internet. He
was previously Mozilla’s Vice President of Global Policy, Trust and
Security, where he led public policy and privacy teams promoting an open
Internet and a healthy web. Alan served in the Obama-Biden Administration
as the first Director of Digital Economy at the U.S. Department of
Commerce. He started Google’s public policy office in Washington, D.C.,
leading government relations and policy in North and South America for
seven years until 2012.

Alan has been a long-time leader in the Internet nonprofit community,
serving as Director of New America’s Open Technology Institute where he
worked to promote equitable broadband access and adoption. As Associate
Director of the Center for Democracy and Technology, where he is currently
a Board Member, Alan was an advocate for civil liberties and human rights
online in some of the earliest Internet policy debates. Alan currently
resides with his family in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He is a graduate of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Yale Law School, and is a
member of the District of Columbia Bar.

Kathi Vidal, Nominee for Under Secretary for Intellectual Property and
Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at the Department of
Commerce

Katherine (“Kathi”) Vidal is one of the leading intellectual property
lawyers in the country and has held key leadership and management roles in
international law firms. Currently, she is the managing partner of Winston
Strawn’s Silicon Valley Office. Nationally recognized for leading
high-profile patent disputes, her experience covers a myriad of complex
technologies from semiconductors and software to medical devices and
consumer products. Kathi has received numerous accolades for her
work—including being inducted as a Fellow by Litigation Counsel of America,
a trial lawyer honorary society. Kathi represents both plaintiffs and
defendants in U.S. district courts, the International Trade Commission, and
at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). Kathi is registered to
practice before the PTO and prosecuted many patent applications early in
her career. Kathi also advises on IP policies for standard setting
organizations, trademark and copyright matters, and on strategies for
worldwide patent disputes including advising on national security, policy
and related issues. Kathi is also a recognized thought leader on difficult
issues confronting the legal profession and intellectual property law, and
has been active in the Sedona Conference, the Leahy Institute of Advanced
Patent Studies, and the Federal Judicial Conference. She is also a Fellow
of the Federal Circuit Bar Association.

Kathi is a recognized leader in diversity and women’s issues. She is one of
four law firm advisory board members for ChIPs, a non-profit organization
committed to advancing women at the intersection of law, technology, and
regulatory policy. She founded the Next Gen initiative and actively
advocates for training and opportunities for junior lawyers. She is also a
member of Winston Strawn’s Executive Committee and Diversity. At her prior
firm, Fish Richardson, Kathi was the Litigation Chair and sat on the
firm’s management committee. She has a strong technical background, having
practiced in industry for five years at General Electric and Lockheed
Martin in circuit, systems, software and artificial intelligence. She
received her Bachelors and Masters in Electrical Engineering and completed
the GE Edison Engineering three-year leadership program. Kathi’s father
was a career Navy Senior Chief Officer and her grandparents were scientists
at the National Institutes of Health after serving in the Navy.

Laurel Blatchford, Nominee for Controller of the Office of Federal
Financial Management at the Office of Management and Budget

Laurel currently is a Managing Director at Blue Meridian Partners, a
nonprofit and pioneering philanthropic model that invests in economic and
social mobility nationwide. In this capacity, she sources new philanthropic
investment opportunities, leads due diligence on Blue Meridian investees,
and manages relationships with current investees. She is also spearheading
Blue Meridian’s investments in policy tools, solutions, and supports that
create economic mobility. Prior to joining Blue Meridian, Laurel was
President of Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., a national affordable
housing and community development intermediary. She was responsible for
leading Enterprise’s work in 12 local markets across the United States, and
as well as groundbreaking initiatives focused on addressing housing
insecurity, climate change, and connecting people to opportunity. She also
led Enterprise’s advisory work in local communities in partnership with
federal, state and local government partners.

In the Obama-Biden Administration, Laurel served as Chief of Staff of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2009-2013 and served as
executive director of the Hurricane Sandy Task Force, guiding the
implementation of disaster resilience funding across New York and New
Jersey. Prior to joining the Obama-Biden Administration, she held several
leadership roles in the administration of New York City Mayor Michael
Bloomberg between 2002-2008.

She currently serves the board of the National Housing Conference, as a
member of the Advisory Board for the American Flood Coalition, and was a
member of the agency review team for HUD and the Federal Housing Finance
Agency (FHFA) during the Biden-Harris presidential transition. Laurel holds
an MPP from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a BA in
Anthropology/Sociology from Williams College. She lives with her family in
Washington DC.


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Good Karma Appoints New Market Managers In Chicago & Madison

Posted: 26 Oct 2021 07:08 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214494/good-karma-appoints-new-market-managers-in-chicago-madison/


Good Karma Brands has announced new Market Manager appointments in two of
its markets.

Keith Williams will move from Madison WI to Chicago to oversee Sports ESPN
1000 WMVP. Williams has been with the company since 1999 and has spent time
overseeing the companys stations in Cleveland, Madison and ESPNs digital in
Washington/Baltimore. He fills the opening created by Mike Thomas departure
for Audacy Boston earlier this month.

Succeeding Williams in Madison will be Tom Olson. Olson began with the
company as an intern in 2011 and has spent time working in the companys
wireless stores, Milwaukee cluster, and since April as Director of Sales
and Marketing in Madison.

Good Karma Brands (GKB) and ESPN 1000 are excited to name Keith Williams as
the station’s new Market Manager, beginning on November 1, 2021. As Market
Manager, Williams will be responsible for overseeing the station’s sales,
marketing and content strategy and execution.

Keith Williams, Vice President and partner at Good Karma Brands is a
twenty-two-year veteran of the company and has spent time managing five of
its markets over the course of his career, in addition to his
responsibilities within the Good Karma Brands’ Home Office.

“I’m thrilled to join the team at ESPN 1000 and work with the talented
group of teammates and loyal partners we have in Chicago,” said Williams.
“I’m looking forward to furthering Good Karma’s track record as a
best-in-class operator of world class brands to ESPN Chicago and can’t wait
to get started.”

Williams joined Good Karma Brands in 1999 and has since held many
leadership roles across the organization, as General Manager of ESPN
Cleveland, General Manager of ESPN Madison, management of the company’s Mid
Atlantic ESPN digital markets, and most recently, Market Manager of ESPN
Madison. He has played an instrumental role in the company’s growth over
the last twenty-two years and will bring new leadership strategies and
vision to the ESPN Chicago team.

-

Good Karma Brands (GKB) and ESPN Madison are excited to announce Tom Olson
as the new Market Manager of ESPN Madison, effective November 1, 2021. As
Market Manager, Olson will be responsible for overseeing the station’s
sales, marketing and content strategy and execution. Olson steps into this
role as Keith Williams, Vice President and current ESPN Madison Market
Manager, segues to ESPN 1000 in Chicago.

Tom Olson has held a variety of roles throughout his career at Good Karma
Brands, including managing the company’s business development team, and
most recently as the Director of Sales Marketing at ESPN Madison.

“I’m excited to lead one of Good Karma Brands’ heritage markets,” said Tom
Olson, new Market Manager of ESPN Madison. “Madison is an incredible sports
town, and Im looking forward to working with our talented team, as well as
local businesses and marketing partners as we build on our years of serving
the passionate sports fans.

“Tom is an exemplary model of a Good Karma Brands teammate who embodies our
six core values,” said Keith Williams, ESPN 1000 Market Manager. “His
experience in developing teammates, passion for the organization, and
commitment to the community make him an ideal candidate for the role.”

Tom began his career with Good Karma Brands in 2011 as an intern and
quickly ascended to the leadership team. He is involved in various
organizations and committees, including SHARP Literacy’s Board of
Directors, Young Professionals Board where he served as President, and a
member of the Diversity Inclusion Committee.


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The Verge: Amazon is building a Clubhouse competitor that turns hosts into
DJs

Posted: 26 Oct 2021 06:59 AM PDT
https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/26/22744585/amazon-project-mic-launch-live-audio-app



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Patriot Debuts In Maine

Posted: 26 Oct 2021 06:54 AM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214488/patriot-debuts-in-maine/


Bennett Radio Group has launched Conservative Talk The Patriot on 780
WEZR/98.3 W252DS Rumford and 1450 WPNO/96.9 W245CQ South Paris ME.

The Patriot is featuring WLOB Portlands Ray Richardson Show in mornings
plus syndicated talkers Dan Bongino, Dave Ramsey, Ben Shapiro, Michael
Knowles, and Mark Levin.

WEZR and WPNO had been part of a trimulcast with Classic Hits 1240
WIGY/95.7 W239ET/105.5 W288CW Lewiston.


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Ralphie Aversa Joins 107.1 The Boss

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 03:37 PM PDT
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214476/ralphie-aversa-joins-107-1-the-boss/


Press Communications Classic Rock 107.1 The Boss WWZY Long Branch/99.7 WBHX
Tuckerton NJ has announced the addition of Ralphie Aversa to the airstaff.

Aversa, currently serves as a digital host for USA Today and will continue
in that role, while adding weekends and fill-in shifts at WWZY/WBHX. Aversa
hosted nights and late nights at Cumulus Hot AC 95.5 WPLJ New York from
2012 to 2019 and previously worked at WBHT Scranton and WWHT Syracuse.
During his time with WPLJ, Aversa also tracked shifts at WBHT, WPRO-FM
Providence, and WQGN-FM Groton CT. He later tracked shifts for current
WWZY/WBHX PD/morning host Robby Bridges at Country WOKQ Portsmouth NH.

Tri state area radio vet Ralphie Aversa joins Press Communications’ Classic
Rock WWZY/WBHX 1071 The Boss Monmouth-Ocean for part time on air work and
swing shifts effective this weekend.

Aversa is no stranger to the area having been heard on WPLJ-FM for six
years as night host during its run as a Hot AC. He has also anchored nights
in Providence, Wilkes Barre and New London. Currently, Ralphie is the host
of USA TODAYs Entertain This! on USA TODAY Network, a position he
continues.

1071 The Boss PD Robby Bridges commented “Ralphie is a 21st century super
jock: he’s plugged in with great content on air, on socials and digital.
He’s a pro and fun to listen to every time he’s before a mic. I’m thrilled
to work with him again and have him join our outstanding on air team!”

Aversa added “Im really thankful to Robby Bridges for bringing me aboard
1071 The Boss. I love working with Robby because hes a programmer who looks
to elevate his colleagues and create a sound for the station thats both big
and local. Looking forward to chatting with friends new and old down the
Shore. Thank you Robby and Press Communications!

Bridges and Aversa previously worked together at both WPLJ and at country
WOKQ/Portsmouth