People in the News

Cumulus has announced the replacement show on WLS for The Jonathon Brandmeier Show. The husband and wife team of Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano will host a new 10 a.m. to noon show starting January 2. The duo last hosted a show together from 2013-2015 on WGN.

Steve Rooney, a popular radio personality on Mix 107.5/Clovis, NM, died near his home in Portales, Saturday night, when the vehicle he was driving encountered ice on the roadway, according to a news release from New Mexico State Police. He was 45.

Beasley Media Group has announced the promotion of Nick Pinto from Information Technology Director to Vice President of Information Technology. Pinto has served as Info Tech Director in Charlotte since 2014. Prior to that he oversaw the Charlotte cluster’s IT infrastructure since 2004.

In her new role with the NPR member station, Stephanie Colombini will produce Florida Matters, WUSF’s public affairs show, and contribute to state and local news coverage as part of the Health News Florida team.

Susan Karis is joining Hubbard Radio in Phoenix as VP of Sales, replacing Jeff England who took the Market Manager job for Hubbard in Chicago. Karis had been Group Publisher of Cities West Publications in Phoenix, however she has a long list of radio experience.

Beasley Media Group has hired Karolyn Johnston as General Sales Manager for the company’s Las Vegas cluster. Johnson has held AE and NTR positions in Las Vegas, Seattle, and Atlanta before her returning to Vegas. She said she could not be more delighted to be a part of this team as we move into the New Year."

Nick Figueredo is the new Director of Branding and Programming for News at Cox station 104.5 WOKV, effective immediately. He has worked for CMG Orlando for the past seven years and was most recently the Assistant Director of Branding and Programming for News 96.5 WDBO.

Beginning Tuesday, January 3, Jeffrey Jameson (pictured) joins Karen Carson as co-host of the morning show on Fresh (WNEW-FM), and former morning show host Cane will host afternoon drive solo.

The New York Times has the long write-up about the passing of Jim Lowe at the age of 93. Lowe worked in radio for over 50 years, many at WNEW-AM in New York. He also worked at WCBS and WNBC. The Times says Lowe was nicknamed Mr. Broadway for his encyclopedic knowledge of 20th-century American music and musical-theater trivia. Lowe worked in Springfield, Indianapolis and Chicago before moving to WCBS in New York in the mid-1950s. (Picture courtesy Metromedia Radio Network website).

Joe Bell will be the new Market Manager for Beasley’s Philadelphia cluster. Beasley picked up four FMs in its $240 million deal with Greater Media: WPEN 97.5 FM — Sports, WMGK 102.9 FM — Classic Rock, WMMR 93.3 FM — Rock, and WBEN-FM 95.7 FM — Adult Hits. Bell worked for Beasley from 1998 to 2014, where he successfully ran radio stations in Ft. Myers and Miami, Florida. Bell replaces John Fullam.