Industry News Bits Mon 11-8-21
Remember these stations having fall fundraisers this week.. WIHS/Middletown, CT .. Spirit FM/Camdenton, MO.. WYSZ/Toledo
After 15 years at WCVO/Columbus (The River) morning co-host Mary O’Brien announces she will be leaving the station. Her last day will be Nov 24th. While announcing the move this morning on Mornings with Mary & Josh, Mary said, “as we know in life, seasons change, you sometimes wonder, ‘God, what are you doing and why and how,’ but I’ve had such an incredible and beautiful journey. I’ve accomplished everything I ever wanted to, and I‘m still pinching myself. This is a good change, but it’s painful now because the River is my crazy little family! To our listeners, it’s not a goodbye, it’s just, ‘I’ll see ya soon.’”
President and CEO, Dan Baughman says, “It has been a privilege to have worked with Mary for so many years. We have served together helping our community not only on air but through our community outreach touching lives in so many capacities. Mary is part of the River family and she is trusting God in this new chapter. I will miss her.” Program Director and morning show co-host, Josh Hooper, says, “In God’s graciousness, Mary and I were paired up 11 years ago, and we have made countless friends and memories along the way. Mary always jokes that she was the sister I never wanted, while I’ll just say, God knew Mary was the sister I always needed. I will miss her and the magic we’ve been able to create over these years.” Mary’s final day is November 24th, so today’s announcement will give the River’s listeners plenty of time to say goodbye.”
Mary joined WCVO in 2006 as a part-time promotions assistant and eventually moved to a full-time position to assist with production responsibilities. She then took on the Production Director position and joined the afternoon show. A couple years later transitioned to Promotions Director and moved to the morning show. Then after 4 years Mary switched gears moving to a solo midday show while heading up the station’s community outreach efforts. In May 2017 she reunited with her former morning show cohost to (re)launch Mornings with Mary & Josh.
A search for Mary’s replacement is underway… if interested check HERE.
The JOY FM/Florida kicks off its “T-Shirts for Turkeys” promotion today. Listeners are invited to come to any of The JOY FM’s Turkey Stop locations and trade a frozen turkey for a newly designed JOY FM T-shirt to help those less fortunate in community.
Hope Media Group announces a new morning show on KHVU/Houston (Vida Unida), their first Spanish-language brand. Buenos Dias Familia, begins Wednesday November 10th at 6am with co-hosts Myrka Dellanos & Sadiel Castro.
Dellanos says, “I’m honored and extremely excited to join the family of Vida Unida in Houston. Our world needs hope and healing and I know this project will bring that to Houston.”
Joining her as co-host is KHVU PD Sadiel Castro who has an extensive background in radio becoming one of the most popular Hispanic announcers & radio programmers in Philadelphia, working at La Mega 105.7 and El Zol 99.9. Castro also served as talent at 92.5 Maxima in Tampa, and most recently developed and grew Spanish language content for WFLA-TV News Channel 8.
“Myrka has been called one of the most powerful women in television by People Magazine, yet what has impressed me the most is her deep commitment to Jesus and love for others,” shares Hope Media Group Senior Director of Content Shawn Farrington. “Sadiel recently was awarded the distinguished Edward R. Murrow award for his work growing digital content for the hugely successful TampaHoy. I am thankful that these two amazing talents have said ‘yes’ to joining Hope Media Group in using their unique personalities to connect people more deeply with God.”
14 Northwestern Media staff members have just returned from a trip to Honduras serving with Faron Dice and OneChild.
Those on the trip included Allen Jones -KFNW/Fargo Andy Youso -KTIS/Minneapolis, Dave Conour -WNWC-Madison, Jill Mikkelson-KFNW, Taylor Hohulin KNWI-Des Moines David A. Dein KNWS- Waterloo, Jill Tracey KGBI-Omaha, Courtney Canfield WBGL-Champaign, Rick Smith WCIC-Peoria. TJ Jackson KJNW-Kansas City, Brad Peterson KNWC-Sioux Falls, Paul Perrault-Faith Radio Jason Sharp -Minneapolis.
HisAir is sorry to report the passing of Ambassador founder Al Sanders. He was 94. Sanders founded Ambassador in 1959 to support Christian radio. His legacy impacted thousands upon thousands as the one who introduced listeners to communicators such as Chuck Swindoll, Joni Eareckson Tada, Chuck Colson, Max Lucado and many others—his voice familiar as he also hosted many of the broadcasts.
Milestones:
Frank Reed celebrates 30 years at KLTY/Dallas
Phil Fleischman 12 years at BGEA
Way of Truth Ministries/Altoona, IL (The Living Truth) celebrates 32 years
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