Indiana RadioWatch: January 11, 2016

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Dave Arland will become the executive director of the Indiana Broadcasters Association. The IBA board of directors chose Arland Communications as the IBA's association management firm. Mr. Arland was an Indianapolis broadcaster (then-WAJC, WIBC, then-WIRE, then-WXTZ) and his firm works with the ATSC and other groups. Arland Communications includes Sam Klemet, Joshua Phelps, Nicole Wilson and Kellie Beadle. In a statement, Arland said, "The IBA will become one of our key clients and the perfect complement to the technology organizations and companies we already represent. As enhancements continue to be made to broadcasting, the fundamental benefits remain: the ability to reach thousands of listeners and viewers with a single broadcast," Arland said. "We plan to work cooperatively on behalf of Indiana's broadcasters and represent their interests at the Indiana Statehouse and in Washington, D.C."

Before we leave Indianapolis, The Skyline Friday weekly networking luncheon will soon have a significant change: Founder Johnny George will make his last regularly scheduled appearance on Friday January 22, as he will then move to Arizona. For nearly thirty years, the group meets each Friday at 11:45am at the Castleton Skyline Chili off 82nd Street on the east end of Castleton by the railroad tracks. They welcome anyone in the associated media: voice talents, radio jocks, producers, promotion people, salespersons, TV personalities and anyone with a love for broadcasting, that need to touch base with others in the biz. Skyline Friday has become a tradition, and an opportunity to meet up with old friends and exchange war stories and such.

Northeast

Let's clean up one more item regarding Federated Media's Rock/WBYR (98.9fm, Woodburn): Since John the Mexican moved from afternoons to mornings, "98.9 The Bear" welcomes Mike Davidson to afternoons (2pm until 7pm). Mr. Davidson previously was APD/Afternoons at Hoosier AM/FM's Rock/WMYK (98.5fm, Peru).

After six years, Fort Wayne Catholic Radio Group's Religious/WRDF (106.3fm, Columbia City) Executive Director Dave Stevens exits. Mr. Stevens joined Indiana Tech as their associate vice president of advancement.

Replacing Mr. Stevens is Cindy Black. Ms. Black previously worked as a college professor of communication.

Adams Radio Group's AC/WWFW (103.9fm, Fort Wayne) MD/PMD Eric Austin exits. Also, "Soft Rock 103.9" adds Amber Stone to mornings. Ms. Stone also does middays on sister CHR/WJFX (107.9fm, New Haven). Ms. Stone last worked as APD and middays at WZRT in Rutland, Vermont.

Sarkes Tarzian's Hot AC/WAJI (95.1fm, Fort Wayne) returns to its longtime moniker "Majic 95.1." Angie Nash remains in mornings. Former WAJI morning host Sid Kelly becomes PD and afternoons at WABD in Mobile, Alabama.

Federated Media's N-T/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) and translator W298BJ (107.5fm, Fort Wayne) adds programs from Indiana-based Hoosier Ag Today.

Where Are They Now? Former WGL talk host Rusty Humphries joins USA Radio Networks as its Senior VP of Programming. USA Radio Networks recently became part of Liftable Media, Inc. In early 2016, Mr. Humphries will also launch a weekday 3pm until 6pm (Eastern time) talk show "Trending Today USA."

Where Are They Now? Former Fort Wayne and Bloomington PD Misti Douglas joins WKSM in Fort Walton Beach, Florida as a morning co-host ("The New Morning Movement with Misti and Gonzo."

Where Are They Now? Former then-WNHT PD Shady Spencer joins WLTO-FM in Lexington, Kentucky as PD and afternoons.

Northcentral

Stephanie Michel becomes the GM of the Federated Media/South Bend radio station, rising from GSM of both Country/WBYT (100.7fm, Elkhart) and News-Talk/WTRC-FM (95.3fm, Niles, Michigan). Ms. Michel will soon name GSM replacements for both "B100" and "953MNC."

Quincy Broadcasting's FOX affiliate WSJV-TV (Channel 28, Elkhart) promotes Fran Fronczak from morning news co-anchor to 10pm anchor. Ms. Fronczak replaces veteran anchor Traci Capellman, who exited for a PR gig.

Gray Television's NBC affiliate WNDU-TV (Channel 16, South Bend) reporter Megan Hickey exits and joins WEWS-TV in Cleveland, Ohio as a general assignment reporter.

Where Are They Now? Former WNDV night jock Otis now programs and handles afternoons at WDJX in Louisville, Kentucky.

Where Are They Now? Former WBND-TV reporter Jaclyn Kelley becomes a weekday evening co-anchor at WEAR-TV in Pensacola, Florida.

Where Are They Now? Former WSJV-TV Executive Producer Matt McClaim becomes an EP at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Northwest

Artistic Media Partners' Country/WYCM (95.7fm, Attica) welcomes Dave North as PD/Afternoons. Mr. North has worked in that building three prior times (1982, 1986, 1999). Mr. North returns to the Hoosier state from Wilmington, North Carolina, where he worked at Cumulus' WWQQ ("Double Q 101").

Gerard Media's Full Service/WHFB (1060am, Benton Harbor, Michigan) adds The Jonathon Brandmeier show, weekdays from 10am until 1pm. That addition moves The Marilu Henner Show to 1pm until 4pm. Mr. Brandmeier also airs Saturday morning from 7am until 10am.

Where Are They Now? This morning, former WLFW night guy Sean Gunn joins WGH-FM in Norfolk, Virginia as a morning co-host.

Where Are They Now? Former WLFI-TV Producer Tracy Davis earns a promotion to News Director at WDJT-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Central

On Wednesday, Emmis Communications did a round of layoffs, which impacted N-T/WIBC (93.1fm, Indianapolis): Anchor/Reporter Mike Corbin exits. Mr. Corbin joined WIBC in March 2011 after nine years at WISH-TV (weekend evening anchor, and weekday reporter), and also once worked in Buffalo, New York at WGRZ-TV.

Tribune Broadcasting's CBS affiliate WTTV-TV (Channel 4, Bloomington)/WTTK-TV (Channel 29, Kokomo) adds a .3 subchannel with the Comet sci-fi network.

Where Are They Now? Former WISH-TV Executive Producer Mike Lopez becomes the News Diretor at WHBF-TV in Rock Island, Illinois.

Where Are They Now? Former WTHR-TV producer Duane Becker joins WTNH-TV as an Executive Producer. This move reunites him with WTNH-TV News Director Keith Connors who was News Director at WTHR-TV.

Where Are They Now? Former WXIN-TV general and investigative reporter Ann Keil is now a freelance reporter at WSVN-TV in Miami, Florida.

Southcentral

Spirit Educational Radio's Classic Country/WDCK (88.9fm, Oolitic) returns to the air after being silent for most of 2015. WDCK played Christmas music from just after Thanksgiving until the end of 2015. On January 1, WDCK flipped formats to Classic Country.

White River Broadcasting's Country/WKKG (101.5fm, Columbus) PD/Morning host Scott Michaels exits after eighteen years with "Indiana Country 101.5."

This Week in Indiana Radio History

January 10: In 1975, 107.1fm in Danville signs on. Today, it's WEDJ.

January 11: In 1989, WBYR (98.9fm) signed on with a classic hits format, and Fort Wayne stop signs were never the same again.

January 13: In 2013, WAWK(AM)//W238BH (95.5fm, Kendallville) owner Don Moore dies.

January 14: In 1951, 1440am, Portland (WPGW) signs on. Also in 1961, 1520am, Shelbyville (WSVX) signs on.

January 15: In 2008, WIBC's Lou Palmer passed away.

January 16: In 1986, 104.9fm, Muncie (WERK) signs on.

Employment Opportunities

Indiana Country - WKKG - South Central Indiana's #1 country heritage station, is looking for our next morning show superstar. If you can deliver an upbeat, LOCALLY relatable, music-driven show then send me your best stuff. Local is how we win, so you'll be expected to seek out ways to get involved in the community. We offer a competitive salary, great benefits including 401(k), excellent work environment and an exceptional community. E-mail your resume and demo to John Foster, Station Manager at jfoster at wkkg dot com. White River Broadcasting is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

That's it for this issue. See you in a week!

Blaine Thompson
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.