People in the News

Pedro González has been named Senior VP of Programming for iHeartLatino, a newly created position. González will report to Enrique Santos, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino, and Brad Hardin, Executive VP and GM for iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group.

SVP for ESPN Audio Traug Keller made the announcement that, despite a lucrative offer, Ryen Russillo will not return to ESPN Radio next year. He's been with the network for over eight years. Keller said Russillo, who hosted the 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. slot, has decided to pursue other opportunities when his contract expires next year. Russillo's final day will be this Friday.

A new partnership between NBC Sports Philadelphia and Beasley will bring 97.5 The Fanatic (WPEN-FM) PM drive host Mike Missanelli to NBC Sports Philadelphia in 2018. Missanelli hosts the 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. slot on The Fanatic and has been a sports talker for 20 years. Missanelli came in at #13 on Radio Ink's Top Local Sports Talkers List for 2017.

As of January 2, the new morning show on the network will consist of former WWE wrestler Taz (Pete Senerchia) and Marc Malusis (left), who's been working in TV for the past eight years. The show is called Taz and the Moose and replaces Gio and Jones. Gio (Gregg Giannotti) is moving to WFAN to co-host mornings show with Boomer Esiason.

Don Boyd is promoted to Market Manager of Cumulus Media's Mobile cluster, which includes five stations: 104.1 WDLT-FM; WXQW 660 AM, News/Information; 97.5 WABD-FM; 93 BLX FM, The Big Station!; and WGOK Gospel 900 AM. Boyd is a 28-year radio veteran and moves to Mobile from his GSM position at Cumulus' seven-station cluster in Atlanta.

The team at Radio One's MAJIC (102.1 FM and 97.9) in Houston tells Radio Ink that on-air host Robert "Bassman" Washington died Monday at the age of 49. General Manager Pam McKay tells Radio Ink the Radio One Houston family is saddened by the passing of their brother, friend, and co-worker. "Bassman always had an encouraging word and a smile."

iWAY-FM/Louisville has added Ben Smith as Community Impact Director/Operations Coordinator. Smith has most recently served with Thy Word Radio Network in Evansville, IN. He will lead community engagement efforts in the Louisville, KY, and Evansville, IN, markets.

John Skipper has stepped down as president of ESPN and co-chair of the Disney Media Networks. A portion of his resignation letter read: "I have struggled for many years with a substance addiction. I have decided that the most important thing I can do right now is to take care of my problem." The substance Skipper is addicted to was not reported.

Radio One in Washington, D.C. has announced the reunion of Tony Perkins and Donnie Simpson. Effective January 16, The Donnie Simpson Show featuring Simpson and Perkins, can be heard on MAJIC 102.3 and 92.7 FM Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The popular news show will see Mary Louise Kelly succeed Robert Siegel as co-host starting January 17. She will partner up with Audie Cornish and Ari Shapiro. Kelly replaces Kelly McEvers, who has been co-host of both All Things Considered and the Embedded podcast.