Indiana RadioWatch: August 28, 2012

From the mailbag: Where is former WPTA-TV anchorman Al Janson? He worked there in the early 1970s. If you know, please let us know.

Northeast

A correction from our last issue: WRRO (89.9fm, Edon, Ohio) is now on the air. The station broadcasts from what appears to be a new tower on OH-49, south of Edon, Ohio. The two bay antenna aims southwest. WRRO simulcasts WLYV, but maintains some separate local programming. Bryan, Ohio-based Club 1915, Inc. owns WRRO.

Several people exited Federated Media/Fort Wayne on Monday. At press time, those include COO Mark DePrez (almost 18 years with Federated Media), National Sales Manager Mary DePrez, Production Director Steve Starbrelz (this November would mark his thirty fifth year there), WMEE middayer Zack Skyler, WQHK GSM Suzee Leavell and several salesfolks.

More Federated changes: Brad Williams and Mark DePrez were COO over several Federated Media stations (Mr. Williams covered South Bend, Elkhart and Warsaw, while Mr. DePrez covered Fort Wayne and Auburn). Now, Mr. Williams is COO of Federated Media. Clint Marsh moves into Mr. Williams' GM chair at South Bend. Mr. Marsh moves up from Federated's Warsaw stations. Replacing Mr. Marsh at Warsaw is Woody Zimmerman. When "Froggy 106.7" ended in March, Mr. Zimmerman left Froggy's GM chair and became Director of Sales for the new sports-formatted "106.7 The Fan" and sister sports station "ESPN 1380."

They didn't leave on Monday, but WOWO(AM)/WOWO-FM OM Gregg Henson and APD Brian LaMartina both exit the stations. Mr. LaMartina briefly programmed ESPN sports/WKJG(AM) and FOX Sports/WFGA-FM

At WAJI (95.1fm, Fort Wayne), Jeannette Rinard exits the morning co-host chair.

Former then-"Froggy 106.7" PD/morning co-host Chuck Rowe resurfaces as APD (under PD John O'Rourke) and afternooner at WAWK(AM) and translator W238BH (1140am, 95.5fm, both Kendallville). Mr. Rowe replaces Scott Pawloski in afternoons.

Northcentral

New to nights at Douglas Road Radio's Country/WHFB-FM (99.9fm, Benton Harbor, Michigan) is Tommie Lee. He also does part time production work for the Douglas Road Radio stations.

Speaking of WHFB, there's also a 1060AM connected to those call letters. That's owned by WHFB Broadcast Associates LP, and it went silent.

Casey Jones exits as a reporter at WSJV-TV and returns to WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as a weekend sports anchor.

Eastcentral

Brent Whitlock exits as anchor/reporter at WKBV/WFMG.

Central

Jay Michaels is the new PD and afternoon guy at WRWM, replacing Marco (who left for Washington, DC and the PD chair at its WRQX). Mr. Michaels moves from Terre Haute to Indianapolis, where he last handled mornings at WMGI.

Tyson Conrady is new to the PD/MD chair, along with an airshift (4pm until 10pm) at WSVX(AM) and FM translator W243CL in Shelbyville. Mr. Conrady replaces Sean Craig, who exited.

"Mikey V" exits nights at WNOU and resurfaces in Detroit, Michigan at WDZH (98.7 AMP Radio) in nights, working again with WDZH PD (and former WNOU PD) Tim Rainey.

WRZX adds "The Hammer and Nigel Show" on both Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6pm until 10pm. Jason Hammer and Nigel take their formerly podcast show to the airwaves, though Nigel isn't a stranger to WRZX; he once handled nights there.

Mike Schram is the new morning Executive Producer at LIN Media's WISH-TV.

We remember Dale Sommers ("The Truckin' Bozo") from WLW in Cincinnati. Before that, he worked in Indiana (WXLW/Indianapolis, WJPS/Evansville and WGEE-FM/Indianapolis - what's now WRZX/X-103). Mr. Sommers was 68.

Westcentral

Crossroads Investments LLC continues their divestiture by selling WAXI-FM for $300,000 to Dave Crooks' DLC Media. Mr. Crooks requested WAXI flip formats from classic rock to Oldies, using Cumulus Media Networks' "True Oldies Channel." That format change happened in late June. Also, Mr. Crooks will move WAXI back to its former Rockville studios and will add jobs. Ed Roehling (Roehling Broadcast Services Ltd.) brokered the sale.

Southcentral

WINN (104.9fm, Columbus) flips format from Classic Hits ("104.9 The River") to Hot AC ("Win104.9"), while sister WWWY (106.1fm, North Vernon) drops its Rock format ("Y106") and takes WWWY's format ("106.1 The River"). "The River" features Todd Berryman in mornings, Mike Sullivan in middays, PD Rich Anthony in afternoons, and Scotty (Scott Michaels) at night. "WIN104.9" features PD Brad Jackson in mornings, Todd Berryman in middays and Scotty (Scott Michaels) in afternoons. Mr. Jackson returns to Indiana from KVKI in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Olivia Smiley exits as morning co-host at WKKG.

WTTS Programming Assistant Craig Shank exits and Brian Callahan replaces him along with producing the Indy Underground show, which highlights local music.

Where Are They Now? Former WBWB morning host Sam Alex exits as morning show producer and weekender at WMZQ in Washington, DC.

This Week in Indiana Radio History

Sunday 26 August: In 1873, Lee DeForest was born.

Monday 27 August: In 1993, WZBD 92.7/Berne signs on.

Tuesday 28 August: In 1989, 99.3/Van Buren signs on.

Wednesday 29 August: In 1948, 104.1/Evansville signs on, while in 1971, 92.1/Rochester signs on.

Friday 31 August: In 2006, 102.9/Huntington flipped formats from Variety Hits to Adult Standards.

Saturday 1 September: In 1928, what's now WGL 1250am signs on (at 1280am). In 1965, 103.1fm/Huntington signs on. In 1998, Fort Wayne's WHWD (1380am) flips format from Adult Standards to Sports. In 2006, there was a double Fort Wayne format change: WXTW 102.3fm/Auburn flipped from Alternative to Spanish, under new owners. Also, WYLT (103.9fm) returned to its WXKE call letters, flipping from pop CHR back to Rock as "Rock 104."

Radio Spotlight

This week, we sit down with Steve Cannon.

Name: Steve Cannon
Job Title(s): Program Director
Station(s): WJJK
Market(s): Indianapolis
Owner: Cumulus

Who were your early DJ or radio station influences? (Perhaps what lead you to "catch the radio bug."?)

I used to listen to Dr. Don Rose on WFIL and Dan Ingram on WABC. I always liked listening to the stations for the great music and the jingles.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Getting to work with some very talented individuals in our building and putting together a station that has become very successful

What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Actually being a successful program director at various stations I programmed for Clear Channel and here in Indianapolis at WJJK

What has been your most memorable moment on the air?

When I got the opportunity to have Dick Clark co-host my afternoon show in Austin, TX

What makes WJJK unique and successful?

It's a "secret" ingredient that I add to the music mix that makes it unique & successful. If I told you that, I would have to kill you.

What's the most important issue in radio today?

Getting the proper value for what we do. We need to charge more for commercials, simply put. Radio is a very valuable medium.

What's your philosophy about radio ratings?

When the ratings are great, you're a hero, when they suck, you suck too. I think people rely too much on the "ratings" aspect of the game and "demos" which has hurt a lot of great radio stations. Because some 22 year old buyer doesn't listen to your station doesn't make the station worthless.

Where do you see the radio industry five years from now?

Good question. Doing well and continuing to make a lot of money for owners.

What book have you read that has taught you the most about the radio business?

Life's experiences have taught me the radio business. When I was a radio account executive years ago, I learned to listen to what people are saying. Very important.

Employment Opportunities

White River Broadcasting in Columbus, IN is looking for an energetic, hard-working Brand Manager to also handle a daily air shift. Our ideal candidate would be an experienced self-motivator who also knows how to work in a team environment and is well-versed in all forms of modern media. We need an individual who is not afraid to hit the streets and help promote our stations. Wow us with your resume and air-check. Mail your best stuff to: John Foster, Director of Programming, P.O. Box 1789, Columbus, Indiana 47202-1789, visit fpcjobconnection.com or email it to jfoster at wcsiradio dot com. White River Broadcasting is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Wanted: GSM. Candidate must have track record of mentoring and training new account executives in broadcasting, including hiring and evaluations. Must be focused on new business generation; create, plan and execute sales strategies and incentives; achieve revenue and share of market goals. Candidate must have a proven track record in Internet, digital and NTR development. Three to five years of progressive experience in broadcasting required. Oasis Radio Group provides base salary and bonus incentive plan and benefits. Please submit your qualifications to myfuture at oasisradiogroup dot com. Attn: GSM. Oasis Radio Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

White River Broadcasting seeks someone who eats, sleeps and dreams news! We need an experienced News Director for our news/talk AM and 3 music-intensive FM's. YOU NEED TO BE INTERNET SAVY! You'll be responsible for the morning news duties, cover key meetings, and work with our afternoon news editor to provide a contemporary news product for both on-air and on-line. Our news director will enjoy as competitive salary and a great benefits package including 401(k). Did I say YOU NEED TO BE INTERNET SAVVY? Send your news philosophy, resume and demos to John Foster, Director of Programming, P.O. Box 1789, Columbus, IN 47202-1789 or better yet, e-mail everything to jobs at wcsiradio dot com. White River Broadcasting is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Eagle Tower Services, Inc., committed to continuing improvement and to being the lowest cost provider of tower services consistent with a high degree of quality, professionalism, and safety, is seeking a BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE to engage in outside sales leading to growth of our business. Our primary market is Indiana and surrounding states, specializing in AM/FM and television, but also serving customers in paging, wireless Internet and 2-way radio including commercial, utilities and government. We are a full service tower company engaged in routine maintenance, component installation and new tower construction. This is a contract commission position with generous commission and superb customer service support. The ideal candidate will have excellent knowledge of the broadcast industry throughout Indiana with excellent people skills in working with and providing excellent service to broadcast engineers and, often, station general managers. We proudly serve some of the finest names in Indiana broadcasting and wireless communications. If this is of interest, please send your resume to Terry Garrity, Eagle Tower Services, Inc., P.O. Box 387, Arcadia, IN 46030; E-MAIL: terry.garrity at eagletowerindiana dot com and feel welcome to visit our website at www.eagletowerindiana.com to learn more about what we do. Eagle Tower Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F.

Indiana Country 101.5 WKKG is looking for its next morning show co-host. If you can be yourself, have fun and relate to a thirty-something female then we would like to talk to you. If you ARE a female, even better. In addition to being part of South Central Indiana's top country morning show, you will have additional duties that include voice tracking for another station in our cluster, production, remotes and appearances. Morning show experience is a plus but not necessary. Email your best audio demo and resume to: jobs at wkkg dot com. White River Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

50,000 watt rock-based classic hits WXXC-FM (Marion-Muncie, IN) has an immediate full-time PM Drive opening. Live, in-studio daily show, some Saturdays, & remotes. Production and promotions skills a major plus. Experience with Wide Orbit Automation for Radio and Adobe Audition helpful. Familiarity with eastern & central Indiana preferred. Send mp3 aircheck (4MB max) and production sample, plus resume, to vanessa at wmri dot com. No phone calls, please. Salary in the mid-20s. WXXC-FM and Hoosier AM/FM, LLC. are EOE.

Kokomo's Variety Z92-5 is looking for a full time Afternoon Show host and Promotions Director. You will work with a full cast of great radio people. We are looking for someone who LOVES going out in the community and being with the listeners. You will do a LIVE show from 2 PM to 7 PM. We have a 2 Person Morning Show and would love for you to join the team. Send your resume and best stuff to: chriss at z925fm dot com. Please, no phone calls! Hoosier AM/FM is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

G101-3, the world's most interactive radio station, is seeking its next Afternoon Drive host. You'll voicetrack middays on our #1 A/C sister station and do live PM Drive on The G. Can you do a great show with phones, remotes and appearances, plus keep yourself plugged into our historic community? If you think you can handle creative radio in a non-corporate environment and blend in with our talented yet dysfunctional staff, either e-mail your info to rickduncan at g1013 dot com or rush your package to: Rick Duncan, Director of Prog/Ops, Whitewater Broadcasting, 2301 W. Main, Richmond, IN. 47374. All experience levels are welcome to apply. Whitewater Broadcasting is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F.

A quality multi-station cluster in a beautiful, historic small community is seeking a radio news anchor/reporter interested in informing listeners in multiple counties who depend on the stations to be their primary news source. Additionally, the candidate will have a passion to do high school sports play-by-play. Here is a chance to become an integral part of the lives of listeners by demonstrating skill and insight into their issues and interests. If you are looking for a community to call "home" while doing important work as part of a talented team of radio pros, send a package demonstrating your experience and talent in news writing, reporting, and newscast delivery as well as your play-by-play to: Rick Duncan, Director of Programming, Whitewater Broadcasting, 2301 W. Main, Richmond, IN 47374. Whitewater Broadcasting is an EOE and encourages the hiring of females and minorities.

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.

=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============

(c) 2012, Blaine E. Thompson

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