Indiana RadioWatch: December 20, 2010
WPGW/Portland is one of the featured sites in the new 2011 Tower Site Calendar. The tenth annual calendar from tower guru Scott Fybush (of fybush.com/NorthEast Radio Watch/Radio Journal fame), the calendar also features a dozen more
radio and TV broadcast sites from coast to coast, including KFI/Los Angeles and Pinnacle Hill in Rochester, NY. The calendar is available for $18 postpaid at http://www.fybush.com/calendar or by mail from Scott Fybush, 92 Bonnie Brae
Ave., Rochester NY 14618. Discounts are available for bulk orders as well. (The WPGW facility appeared on Mr. Fybush's Tower Site of the Week in November.)
Now, the latest news:
Northeast
Northeast Indiana Public Radio's Talk-Jazz/WBOI (89.1fm, Fort Wayne) and Classical/WBNI (94.1fm, Roanoke) will soon have a new GM. After the first of the early, Will Murphy will join the stations as President/GM. Murphy is currently
GM at Bloomington Community Radio's Variety/WFHB (91.3fm, Bloomington), where he's served as GM since June 2008. Before WFHB, he served for eight years as News Director at Indiana University's WFIU (103.7fm, Bloomington).
Northcentral
There's an update to our story about the Weigel Broadcasting trio of ABC affiliate WBND (Channel 57, South Bend), CW affiliate WCWW (Channel 25, South Bend), and MyNetworkTV affiliate WMYS (Channel 69, South Bend). The stations plan
on moving from a suite in Mishawaka to a 25,000 square-foot building at 53550 Generations Drive, northwest of IN-23 and Douglas Road, in South Bend. If the county approves the move (and abatements), Weigel's cost for the new facility
is around $2.5 million (estimated). As for future local TV news plans, Weigel/South Bend GM Jeff Guy tells The South Bend Tribune's Erin Blasko "At the bare minimum, we're at least going to do an early evening and a late
evening newscast." Weigel also wants to add a tower at the new studio location.
Schurz Communications' CBS-affiliate WSBT-TV (Channel 22, South Bend) names John Haferkamp as News Director. Mr. Haferkamp is a 13-year veteran of WSBT, starting as a producer and earning a promotion to assignment manager. His latest
role at WSBT was Executive Producer; he's done that since 2006.
An update to Rick Mecklenburg at WSBT-TV. Mr. Mecklenburg returned to the air on Monday 13 December, and released this statement:
"I need to address a situation that happened last week. As many of you know, I was arrested on two counts of false reporting. While I can't get into the specifics of that night, I can easily point to the cause: alcohol."
"My father was an alcoholic and drank himself to death when he was in his early 50s. Growing up in that environment and seeing the consequences made me vow that I would never touch alcohol in my life."
"And, as my friends and family know, I never did drink until I was in my late 30s. At that time, I went through a divorce and turned to alcohol to help ease the pain of not having my children around. It slowly got out of control to
the point of my being arrested last week."
"Sitting in jail was the worst experience of my life, but also a turning point. I haven't had a drop to drink since, and I have realized that I need some professional help dealing with the absence of my children. WSBT is helping me
seek that help, and for that I am grateful. I am also very sorry for what I have put my WSBT family, as well as Schurz Communications, through during the past week. I know my actions were in no way consistent with the high moral and
professional standards of this company. I know I let you down, and I am deeply sorry."
"I also need to apologize to the South Bend Police Department and the prosecutors of St. Joseph County for taking time away from what are obviously more important matters than a father who misses his children. I also need to thank
the South Bend Police Department. Had it not been for their actions that night, I never would have realized how badly I needed help."
"Last, but not least, I want to address the viewers of WSBT. I want to thank you for the support I received from you. Literally thousands of people called, e-mailed, and sent me Facebook messages. I can't express my gratitude now,
and I never will be able to. I was moved beyond words. I am also very sorry for what happened, and I hope you can forgive me."
"I will continue to provide you with accurate forecasts every day and night, occasional long nights of severe weather coverage, and maybe make you smile a little along the way."
"Again, I'm sorry, and thank you for everything."
Northwest
NTS MediaOnline reports that Gerard Media's Talk/WIMS (1420am, Michigan City) adds Ian Freeman's "Free Talk Live" weeknights from 12:00AM until 2:00AM.
Central
Very sad news out of Indianapolis, as Radio One/Indianapolis Chief Engineer Don Payne passed away on Sunday 12 December, at the far far too young age of 53. Before Radio One, Mr. Payne worked in Little Rock, Arkansas (KAAY/KLOP),
Lafayette (WXUS/WAZY), Indianapolis (on air at WZPL and an engineer there), Cincinnati, Ohio (Director of Engineering at WKRQ), before returning to Indianapolis and joining Radio One. Mr. Payne's wife Michele, several stepchildren,
and a brother survive him.
Mark Menser joins Radio Disney's WRDZ (98.3fm, Plainfield) as a salesperson. Mr. Menser once sold for then-Susquehanna (WFMS and WGLD) between 1998 and 2005.
Another interesting angle to our story about Indianapolis and its unique spot as the home to two syndicated morning shows. Let's make that three, as Educational Media Foundations' "K-Love" morning show originates at their WKLU
(101.9fm, Brownsburg) studios on Knue Road in Indianapolis. EMF doesn't own all radio stations that air "K-Love" programming. (Thanks Mark!)
An Indianapolis TV station will soon expands its morning news offering another half hour. On Monday 10 January 2011, Tribune Broadcasting's FOX affiliate WXIN-TV (Channel 59, Indianapolis) will start its morning news block at 4:00AM.
The 4:00AM until 6:00AM news block will be anchored by Jenny Anchondo and Scott Jones, who add that half hour to their current 4:30AM until 6:00AM news block. Once complete, WXIN will have local news each weekday morning from 4:00AM
until 10:00AM.
Southcentral
A correction from our last issue as Good Shepherd Radio signs on WKJD (90.3fm, Columbus) which is now all holiday music. WKJD broadcasts 3400 watts (vertical) at 269 feet from the tower of Reising Radio's WXCH tower southwest of
Columbus.
Speaking of Reising Radio, they are planning a station move for 2011. Country/WYGB (100.3fm, Edinburgh) plans to move its studios from the Reising Radio building at 825 Washington Street in Columbus to Franklin, where they will move
into a former City of Franklin building at 44 North Jackson Street. In addition, former WIBC personality Dave Wilson joins WYGB for a weekly morning radio show ("Talk of the Town") which airs every Saturday morning.
Southwest
NTS MediaOnline reports that Townsquare Media's Talk/WOMI (1490am, Owensboro, Kentucky) adds the Dr. Daliah Show.
Employment Opportunities
Reising Radio Partners Incorporated is looking for its next General Sales Manager for our cluster of three FM stations that are prospering in Columbus Indiana. This is not a turnaround situation. GSM candidate must exhibit strong
ability for client focused, local direct sales. Coaching, training and ongoing development of personnel is the primary mission. Local direct sales are the primary emphasis. Must understand all media and be able to produce results
producing plans for client advertisers. We boast a fun family company environment and wonderful quality of life in our City.
In November 2010, Forbes Magazine selected Columbus as one of the top ten best small cities to raise a family, saying Columbus is one of the cities that "sweep our ranking of quiet, prosperous, and family-friendly places . . . these
places boast solid average incomes, good educational prospects, low costs, short commute times, and high rates of home ownership."
In the March 22, 2010 Chicago Tribune, Alfred Borcover says, "In the heart of the so-called Rust Belt lies an extraordinary example of what vision and open-mindedness did for a central Indiana industrial town set amid farm
fields . . . Columbus, however, is a town that lifts your spirits . . . some 60 architectural gems - schools, a library, churches, banks, a post office, fire stations, a newspaper and offices - make you ooh and aah."
Compensation package includes salary, bonus, healthcare, HSA contribution, IRA contribution. Send resume and salary requirements to jobs at qmix dot com. Reising Radio Partners Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer located at 825
Washington Street, Columbus Indiana 47201.
South Bend's Talking Stick Communications welcomes applications for a GSM at our heritage Classic Rock 95.7 WAOR. If you're passionate about training, coaching, and developing an eager sales staff, have a proven record of hitting
budget, and can bring radio, interactive, and social media together to get top-notch results for clients and the station, then I need to hear from you. WAOR South Bend provides a unique growth oriented environment focused on
excellence and proven success systems through accountability. We back our sales teams with comprehensive resources and capabilities. Talking Stick Communications is family owned, Indiana based, and a privately held company, primarily
serving the northern Indiana area. Other advantages include no corporate bureaucracy or hierarchy, a company culture that empowers people, and a small market station with large market resources. Please send your resume to Kathy
Uebler, GM, via e-mail: kuebler at waor dot com. Confidentiality assured. Talking Stick Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Reising Radio Partners, Inc. is looking for an experienced News Director for our stations WRZQ/WYGB/WXCH, in Columbus, Indiana. Duties include collecting and writing local stories from local sources, attending meetings, voicing
newscasts, updating websites, and being "ready to go" in the event of breaking news. Accuracy is critical and community involvement is essential. The News Director position is a permanent, full time job with regular morning hours, a
few late night meetings, and some Saturday's. Email your cover letter, resume, and MP3 aircheck to jobs at qmix dot com. No telephone calls, please. Reising Radio Partners, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Wagon Wheel Broadcasting has an immediate opening for a sales-oriented GM to manage two FM stations in Lawrenceburg and Madison, Indiana (fifty miles apart in Southeastern Indiana). Both properties are small market country music
station. Applicants should have former management experience, preferably as a GM, have a solid understanding of small market radio, be community involved, and be able to monetize the huge ratings and website numbers the stations'
have. The candidate will serve in both GM and GSM roles. Expectations include growing revenues, recruit and train sales reps, and make station budgets. Applicants should email cover letter and resume to ken at wnsp dot com, or FAX
to Ken Johnson at 251.438.5462. Wagon Wheel Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
South Bend's 95.7 WAOR is looking for a highly motivated, self-starter with the ability to handle multiple tasks, and a passion for the Classic Rock format and lifestyle. Candidate should have previous on-air experience, board
operation, and digital editing experience. Creative, positive attitude is necessary. We prefer someone closer to South Bend. If interested, please email or snail mail your resume and a short demo of on-air work to Mike Ragz, PD,
WAOR Radio, 237 West Edison Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545. FAX: 574.258.0930, or email to ragz at waor dot com.
Terre Haute's WWVR 105.5 The River is accepting resumes and airchecks for an afternoon drive personality. Our next rock jock will be on the air between 2:00PM and 6:00PM Monday through Friday, plus a 10:00AM until 2:00PM shift,
every other Saturday. Duties include commercial production. This is a full time 40-hour a week job. You must be able to relate to a male audience and connect with our listeners over the air, in person and online. No beginners; we
demand at least two years prior on air experience. We prefer you have some experience with Scott Studios and Adobe Audition. Emmis Communications offers excellent benefits, and opportunities for advancement to larger markets. If this
is you, send your resume and aircheck to ezeppelin at wwvr dot emmis dot com, or via mail to Ed Zeppelin, WWVR, Emmis Communications, 918 Ohio Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807
Artistic Media Partners is looking for a Director of Sales for its four-station cluster in South Bend. Candidates must be able to build and train a professional management team, set and achieve reasonable sales goals, manage local and
national sales, hire and train sales people, identify and execute promotional plans, and devise and implement short and long-term strategic sales planning. Qualified candidates must have a successful sales management record of
accomplishment. E-mail your resume to arthur at artisticradio dot com. Artistic Media Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Brothers Broadcasting Corp., a private, family owned regional broadcasting company is looking for a morning show host for 25kW WIBN-FM in Oxford, Indiana. The right candidate should be able to relate tot their audience, be a positive
part in the community while having superior production skills. Interested individuals should email their demos to 977production at gmail dot com or via mail to Morning Show Host Opening, PO Box D, Rensselaer, IN 47978.
South-Central Indiana's heritage country station, WKKG, is looking for an experienced sales associate to join our professional marketing team. Ideal candidates will be motivated to create and build strong relationships with clients
from a seasoned account list. Only self-starters seeking to be the very best need apply. You'll receive a competitive compensation package including salary, plus commission, health and life insurance benefits and 401(k). Send resume
and cover letter by November 1, to Personnel, White River Broadcasting Company; P.O. Box 1789; Columbus, IN 47202-1789 or jobs at wkkg dot com. White River Broadcasting Company is an EOE.
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
(c) 2010, Blaine E. Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch may not be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any way, shape, or form without the permission of the copyright holder (Thompson, above)
Indiana RadioWatch is produced weekly. Subscriptions are free. To subscribe, send an e-mail to irw@well.com asking to be added. Indiana RadioWatch is archived after publication on the Indiana Radio Archive at
http://www.indianaradio.net. Submissions of any nature are welcomed by e-mail, FAX, or postal mail. Employment opportunities are posted as is, so please proofread. Employment opportunities are only posted when received from a
credible source (usually the owner, GM, or PD of a station).
Finally, we thank you for your continued support.
=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
Back to the Archive Index
All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and
other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.