People in the News

Alison Smith, SVP of Operations, Distribution and Administration, has been promoted to EVP, Distribution, Publisher Relations & Administration Services; and Mike Steinberg, SVP of Licensing, has been upped to EVP, Creative & Licensing.

Justin Hoberg owned talker KNOX- AM in Grand Forks. He started as a salesperson and eventually purchased the station in 1966. He also wound up buying KYTN-FM in Grand Rapids and stations in Bemidji and Minot. Hoberg eventually sold the stations and retired in the 90's. According to The Grand Forks Herald he died at his home on Lake Bemidji, his family by his side.

Bill Ashenden is joining Entercom's Portland cluster as VP/Market Manager as of July 10. Ashenden joins Entercom from BiCoastal Media in Medford, Oregon, where he was Market Manager. He replaces Tim McNamara who left a few months ago. Jack Hutchison from Entercom Seattle has been serving as interim Market Manager. Entercom has seven stations in Portland.

The National Association of Broadcasters has hired Josh Pollack as Vice President of NAB Government Relations, effective July 10. He will report to Curtis LeGeyt, NAB Executive Vice President of Government Relations. Pollack joins NAB after serving as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs in the Obama White House from 2012 – 2017.

The journalist, author, and CBS anchor is being honored by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation. She will receive the award at the 42nd Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon. CBS Sunday Morning journalist Martha Teichner will present the award, while Dylan Dreyer, weather anchor of NBC News’ Weekend TODAY, will serve as host.

The Steve Harvey Morning Show, syndicated by Premiere Networks, now has 100 affiliates across the country. Premiere Networks President Julie Talbot said, “This is a major milestone for Steve Harvey and his team, who have successfully entertained and inspired millions of listeners since The Steve Harvey Morning Show was launched nearly 17 years ago."

As part of her latest Home Depot “Do-It-Herself Workshop,” the radio superstar visited affiliate 98.1 The Breeze in San Francisco, last week. And nobody was surprised when hundreds of fans showed up for a fun and informative girls’ night out at the home improvement superstore in East Palo Alto.

The Mentoring & Inspiring Women in Radio Group has announced Denyse Mesnik as its new spokeswoman. Mesnik succeeds Kay Olin, who held the position since 2014 and will continue serving as a member of the MIW Executive Committee.

Dustin Fletcher has been named Director of Alternative Rock Programming for iHeartMedia’s St. Louis Region as well as the PD for ALT 106.3 in Des Moines. He'll continue to serve as the PD for ALT 104.9, St. Louis’ Alternative Rock.

Word of another promotion from Impact Radio Group. James Garner has received the nod to be the new Program Director for the group’s Hot AC KZMG (My102.7) in addition to his duties as PD for flagship KSRV (BOB-FM). Garner joined Impact Radio Group in July of 2007 serving as the company’s Production Director.