Indiana RadioWatch: June 21, 2018
Central
E.W. Scripps' ABC affiliate WRTV-TV (Channel 6, Indianapolis) 5pm local news producer Chris Slaby will become the Assistant News Director at WAND-TV in Decatur, Illinois. Mr. Slaby begins in Illinois in July.
Westcentral
DLC Media owner Dave Crooks checks in with IRW:
It’s been one year since DLC Media, Inc. opened a new Radio Center at 111 West National in Downtown Brazil. In late January 2017, Dave Crooks, President and General Manager purchased 3 radio stations from Emmis Communications and 1 from Midwest Communications as part of a major shake-up in the Terre Haute radio market. Crooks already owned WAXI-FM 104.9 (Rockville) as well as WAMW-AM 1580, 95.9 (adding 101.3 in July) & WAMW-FM 107.9 (Washington) and WAKO AM 910 & 99.3 & WAK0-FM 103.1 (Lawrenceville, IL).
Crooks moved WZJK-FM 105.5 (West Terre Haute) to his Parke County studios. He purchased a former retail store in the heart of Downtown Brazil and created new studios and offices for WFNB-FM 92.7 (Brazil), WAMB-AM 1130, 106.9 & 99.5 (Brazil) and WVIG-FM 95.9 (Seelyville). Crooks says his new Brazil Radio Center is one of the nicest broadcast facilities you’ll find anywhere in Indiana. “All of our stations look and sound great. We are making progress. However, I’ll admit it’s not easy taking over 4 stations with zero billing.” DLC Media recently became a Nielsen Metro and County by County Subscriber in Indiana and Illinois. He believes his market share is growing rapidly especially in the Terre Haute Metro. Crooks says having long-time Terre Haute Radio Announcer Barry Kent as Operations Manager and host of his WVIG Classic Country station morning show as a big asset. Earlier this year, former Midwest Communications News Director Frank Rush joined DLC Media’s Terre Haute area stations as News Anchor for all 5 Metro stations. Jim Osborn is the Operations Manager for WAXI and WZJK. Jade Scott recently became the Digital Director after working at WTHI-TV. In Terre Haute, former Local Sales Manager Kandee Cook is now the new Traffic Director, and part-time Marketing Representative.
Crooks added: “Like many broadcasters, my biggest challenge is finding a sales manager and additional sales people. I’ve been trying to do it all and it’s time to add more staff”. Crooks is currently airing radio and digital advertisements promoting a Job Fair this Monday June 25 from 4pm to 7pm at his Radio Center in Brazil. He reports he’s already getting good feedback and hopes to find the additional talent he needs to complete his staffing.
He hopes to find a Sales Manager, at least two additional sales people, and he may hire up to 3 announcers to help the localization of his new stations. “The Brazil community hasn’t had a local radio presence in over 20 years. When you take radio stations out of community, it takes time to rebuild the localization that was lost”. Crooks is currently running his entire Terre Haute Cluster of five stations from two locations with 10 staff members. He has an additional 12 staff members operating his Washington/Lawrenceville stations. “I now own and operate 9 radio stations on 14 frequencies in a single TV market. I think my plan to compete in this market is solid. We just need to keep getting better every day.”
Crooks will accept resumes and cover letters during the Open House or you can email him at dlc@dlcmediainc.com - To learn more about DLC Media’s 9 Radio Stations visit dlcmediainc.com
Southcentral
Indiana University Professor Emeritus R. (Robert) LeRoy Bannerman died last Wednesday, at age 97. Professor Bannerman taught broadcast education and authored several books, including "Norman Corwin and Radio: The Golden Years."
Southwest
Wendell Hudson passed away Monday afternoon at his home. Mr. Hudson was only 53. He began his career at WBIW (1340am, Bedford) as an on-air announcer. He later became News Director for WAOV (1450am, Vincennes). After that, he moved onto television, serving as Assignment Editor at WTWO-TV (Channel 2, Terre Haute) and most recently in Evansville, as a producer for WEHT-TV/WTVW-TV, where your editor once met him while touring the broadcasting facility. Friends may visit from Noon until 4:00pm this Friday June 22 at Boone Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Ave., Evansville, IN 47715, followed by a Celebration of Life at 4:00pm.
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch
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