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| Before news breaks, it must bend... and that’s where we come in. |
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KiKi B. Jones Now Brand Mgr., WAMO/Pittsburgh
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| Audacy Pittsburgh has elevated KiKi B. Jones to Brand Manager of Urban WAMO 107.3. She will continue to host the midday show weekdays from 10am-4pm ET.
"I've had the privilege of knowing KiKi for over 10 years and have watched her continue to grow," said Skip Dillard, Audacy VP of Rhythmic AC and Throwback Formats. "I'm so happy for her elevation, and can't wait to see her lead the station into its next evolution."
Jones is a Pittsburgh native with over 25 years of broadcast experience. She literally grew up in the hallways of WAMO, following in the footsteps of her father, former WAMO personality "Sly Jock," who holds the distinction of being the first DJ to play Hip Hop on commercial radio. He also hosted mornings on WAMO (106 Jamz) and WAMO-AM 860.
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| Jones' career also includes the former 106 Jamz, as well as WERQ (92Q)/Baltimore, WKYS/DC, and former Cumulus Urban AC WNBM (Radio 103.9)/New York. She joined WAMO in 2021 as the host of What's Good In Your Hood, which is still heard Wednesdays at 2pm ET and Thursdays at 9:20am ET during the What's Good In Your Hood Recap with Larry Richert on sister station KDKA Newsradio.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead WAMO 107.3, a station with such a rich history and deep connection to Pittsburgh," Jones said. "Radio has taken me on an amazing journey. Still, there's something especially meaningful about stepping into this role in my hometown and helping shape the future of a brand that means so much to our community. I'm excited to build on WAMO's legacy, develop our talent, strengthen our connection with our listeners and continue creating opportunities for our city to hear and see itself reflected through WAMO. I'm thankful to Audacy for trusting me with this next chapter, and ready to get to work."
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Cane & Sabrina Wake Up Long Island's Wolf
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| After a weekend of teasing "something new was coming," Connoisseur Country WWWF (103.1 The Wolf)/Long Island confirmed the launch of a new morning show, Cane & Sabrina, starting tomorrow, Sept. 10. The formal announcement came at 7am Tuesday on the heels of a "History Of New York Radio" promo and teaser sweeps from Scott Shannon.
The new show pairs New York market veterans Cane Peterson and "Sabrina From Queens" Sergio. Peterson spent the past four years at Press Communications Classic Hits WWZY (107.1 The Boss)/Monmouth-Ocean, the former radio home of Wolf PD Robby Bridges. Peterson's lengthy NYC radio resume also includes WNYL (ALT 92.3), WNEW, Z100, and the late WXRK (92.3 K-Rock), along with stints at VH1 and SiriusXM.
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| Sergio, a.k.a. "Sabrina From Queens," has been doing afternoons on Audacy's New York’s Country 94.7 HD2 (WXBK-HD2) since January 2022, along with her other role as Sr. Activation Coordinator for Audacy New York. In addition to her new Wolf morning co-host role, Sergio will also serve as APD.
"The opportunity to create a Country radio morning show in one of the largest media markets in the country requires talent who are compelling, edgy, relatable, have a point of view and are completely connected to both the market and the format," said Bridges. "I have no doubt Cane and Sabrina are that combination."
"We are extremely excited to bring a new local morning show to Long Island," said Keith Dakin, Connoisseur SVP of Programming. "Bringing Cane back to New York and pairing him with the rising star Sabrina is a perfect match. Our goal is for The Wolf to be more than just Long Island's Country station -- we want to deliver a morning show that is deeply connected to the community, reflects what people are talking about as they sit on the LIE, and gives listeners a reason to start their day with us."
With the addition of Cane and Sabrina to mornings, Compass Media's Big D & Bubba moves from mornings to Saturday mornings, Compass Media's Carsen is hosting middays, Bridges moves from middays to afternoons, and Blitz remains at night. A more in-depth version of this story is posted at RAMP247.com.
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| • iHeartMedia has tapped 14-year company veteran Ben Marcotte as Program Director of Active Rock KIOZ (Rock 105.3 FM) and Classic Rock 101.5 KGB FM/San Diego, effective immediately.
Marcotte earns the transfer and awesome market upgrade from his current role as SVP of Programming for iHeart Indianapolis and St. Louis, notably programming WFBQ (Q95) & WOLT (Indy 103.3)/Indianapolis.
Marcotte earlier served as the inaugural PD of iHeartMedia Alternative KFOO (ALT 102.9) & KJAQ (96.5 Jack FM)/Seattle, and Radio 102.3 (KKRZ-HD2)/Portland, preceded by three years with iHeart Spokane, WA, where he was APD of Country KIIX (Kix 96.1) and AC KISC (Kiss 98.1) and the night jock on Hot AC KCDA.
In his new San Diego role, Marcotte reports to EVP of Programming Gene Romano, who commented, "Ben's broad background in rock makes him a perfect fit. He's always curious and creative on how to keep up with listener's always evolving tastes. He'll bring some full volume fun with him to the west coast!"
"This felt like one of those opportunities you don't overthink," said Marcotte. "Two legendary stations, incredible teams, and a chance to do great radio in San Diego. Excited to get started." Transmit your best wishes directly to Ben at BenMarcotte@iHeartMedia.com.
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| • Rick Thomas has been back in Hawaii for what feels like 20 minutes, but he certainly hit Oahu running... While simultaneously dodging several hurricanes, Malama Media Group's newly minted SVP of Programming wasted no time in revitalizing two Honolulu FM signals.
Entering Labor Day weekend, Classic Hits KKOL repositioned itself as KOOL 107.9, "Hawaii's Greatest Hits," returning to its former "KOOL" identity. "At some point prior to the sale to Malama Media, the name was changed to Decades 107.9," Thomas notes. "The audience still called it 'KOOL,' but the Decades product needed to be reimagined for optimum success. KOOL 107.9 will be locally programmed, proudly serving our Honolulu community with an uptempo mix of favorite songs and a generous dose of feel-good vibes." KOOL 107.9 is voiced by the legendary Joe Cipriano and produced by Luis "Speedy Jr." Gonzalez.
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| The reimagining continues down the hall on Country 97.5 KHCM. Under the station's former owners, KHCM was using Westwood One's satellite format. Thomas recently re-launched KHCM with a live and local approach to today's Country music and he says the station immediately began growing in rating share.
"It was important to us at Malama Media Group that contemporary Country artists like Ella Langley, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs, as well as red-hot up-and-comers like Hudson Westbrook, have a home in Honolulu on a radio station that connects them with our local audiences," Thomas said. "97-5 KHCM also leans into the listeners' desire for longer blocks of music in a row with our 'Commercial-Free' approach, providing long music sweeps at several key times every day." 97-5 KHCM is voiced by Scott Fisher and produced by Luis "Speedy Jr." Gonzalez.
Thomas adds, "With both newly elevated brands, the next layer is finding the right personalities to connect with and serve Hawaii's unique local audience." In other words... stay tuned!
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Blanco Makes Denver Radio History
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| Yesterday we reported that KSE Radio Ventures' Hot AC KIMN (Mix 100)/Denver had introduced a new morning team -- Nina Blanco, who had been doing afternoon drive, and Josh Griesemer, a veteran of the station's previous Jeremy, Katy & Josh morning show.
Today, KSE noted that Blanco, a two-time Colorado Broadcasters Association (CBA) Awards of Excellence winner for "Best Afternoon Show" in 2024 & '25, now becomes "the first Hispanic female to lead a morning show on a major commercial FM station in the Denver market." The release goes on to point out that "Denver's Hispanic and Latino community represents 28 percent of the city's population, yet no Hispanic woman has ever led a morning show on one of the major commercial FM stations. That changes now. Blanco's appointment is a landmark moment for Denver broadcasting and a powerful signal to the next generation of Latina media professionals across the country."
"Nina Blanco is exactly the kind of talent who defines a radio station's identity -- gifted, relatable, and deeply connected to this city. We are proud to make history together," said Joel Clary, VP/GM, KSE Radio. Mix 100 PD Big Rob added, "Nina was built for mornings. The morning show is the heartbeat of a radio station -- and Nina's heart has always been in this building, in this city, and in service to our listeners."
Blanco remarked, "I grew up listening to voices on the radio that sounded like mine, and some that didn't. Both shaped me. But I always dreamed of being in that seat, doing it my way, for a city I love with everything I have. Denver is home. Mix 100 is family. If a little girl anywhere in Colorado turns on the radio in the morning, hears me, and thinks, 'I could do that,' then this is already everything."
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Pros On The Loose: Eddie Volkman
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| RAMP hears Connoisseur Media is undergoing a round of restructuring. Among those adversely affected is longtime Chicago radio pro Eddie Volkman, who exits mornings on Connoisseur Media's suburban Chicago Classic Pop WSSR (The 9-6-7)/Joliet after a seven-year run.
Volkman posted news of his departure to social media, stating, "Hey, anyone who might've currently been listening to me on The 967, today was my last day with the company, and I am another unfortunate casualty of the radio industry. Luckily, Thanks for all the love and I'm gonna turn off my 3 AM alarm for a little bit!"
Volkman is best known for his nearly 30 years in mornings on B96/Chicago as half of the Eddie & Jobo morning show. Volkman and ex-partner Joe Bohannon went on to do mornings on CBS Radio Classic Hits WJMK (104.3 K-Hits) until Dec. 2012. Sadly, Bohannon passed away last November.
Volkman joined then Alpha Media-owned WSSR as PD/morning co-host in April 2019 after a two-year stint in mornings at Matrix Broadcasting's suburban Chicago Classic Rock WFXF (103.9 The Fox)/Dundee, IL. WSSR rebranded from Hot AC to Classic Pop as "The 9-6-7" in March of this year.
• If you or a colleague has also been affected by these cuts and would like your information shared with the industry, please email Kevin@RAMP247.com.
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BFOA Awards Two Broadcasting Scholarships
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| The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) announced the two recipients of its inaugural Scholarship Fund: Nathaniel Bradley, a Sports Communications junior at Marquette University, and Inoa Manfredy, a junior at Boston University studying Communications and Political Science.
The BFOA Scholarship program was created to provide financial assistance to qualified college students who are studying broadcasting, can demonstrate financial need, have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher, and awards $10,000 to each recipient for college tuition.
"This initiative reflects the BFOA's growing commitment to strengthening the future of the radio and television industries by investing directly in the next generation of broadcasters," said Tim McCarthy, President of the Broadcasters Foundation. "We could not be happier with our first two recipients, both of whom received glowing recommendations from their professors. Nathaniel and Inoa exemplify the caliber of communications students we want to attract to broadcast radio and television."
For decades, the BFOA has provided critical financial assistance to professionals in radio and television facing severe hardship due to debilitating illness or tragedies. By extending its support to college students, the BFOA is helping to ensure that broadcasting continues to attract talented, creative, and passionate individuals at a time of rapid technological and industry transformation.
For more information about the Broadcasters Foundation of America, email info@thebfoa.org or call 212-373-8250.
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Benztown Produces Four 9/11 Tributes
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| With the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001 happening this Friday, our friends at Benztown have thoughtfully created four original audio tributes commemorating this solemn date in our history.
Written and produced specifically for radio, the four pieces offer stations a meaningful way to remember the lives lost, honor the heroes and first responders, and reflect on a day that forever changed America.
The tributes were written by Thomas Green, produced by Royce Stevenson, and voiced by MJ Bloch and Darren Silva. The pieces were a true team effort, created with care and respect to help stations commemorate the 25th anniversary with their listeners.
Benztown is making all four tributes available at no cost to radio stations across the country, regardless of whether or not they are Benztown clients or affiliates. The four tributes are available to download HERE for stations to use as part of their 9/11 programming.
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| • Cumulus Actually Utilizing GREG FM 24/7 Content -- After soft-launching last month to safeguard their ability to recant, Cumulus Media Albuquerque is mostly confident in announcing that 24/7 content from the YEA Media Group and Greg Beharrell-fueled GREG FM format will now power KDRF (103.3 eD FM).
When asked for comment, Cumulus Albuquerque VP/Market Manager, Jeff Berry said, "I spoke with several of Greg's former colleagues, and they all told me, 'You will be truly fortunate if you can get him to do any work for you.'" Berry added, "Greg is one-of-a-kind, and we're grateful for that."
The "Greg" in GREG FM, Greg Beharrell, commented, "I can't tell you how happy I was to receive this news because happiness is a subjective concept that is not quantifiably measurable."
Contact Scott Kerr at Scott@YeaMediaGroup.com for details on launching your own GREG FM, or using GREG FM 24/7 content to power your station.... or don't contact Scott, but know that your lack of action will likely get back to Greg, at which point he'll emit an exasperated huff.
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| • Compass Media Networks announces its18th season covering the NFL with an extensive slate of broadcast coverage of Sunday NFL Doubleheaders, coast-to-coast coverage of the Dallas Cowboys, and exclusive audio coverage of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Compass NFL broadcast team includes former All-Pros Brian Baldinger, Steve Beuerlein, Tiki Barber and Kirk Morrison, along with veteran play-by-play broadcasters Chris Carrino, Ted Emrich, Jason Horowitz and Josh Lewin. Studio Hosts include Jerry Recco, Tim Cates, Zach Gelb, and Steve DeSaegher.
Week 1 coverage begins this Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1pm ET with the Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans, followed at 4pm ET with the Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles. The complete Compass Media NFL schedule is posted HERE.
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