TALKERS News Notes
Brett Pomykala Named SVP/Sales for iHeartMedia Washington, DC. It was announced today (9/3) that Brett Pomykala has been named senior VP of sales for iHeartMedia Washington, DC effective immediately. iHeartMedia Washington, D.C. has a strong cross-platform presence and includes an array of iconic brands and franchises — both broadcast and digital — encompassing more than eight stations comprised of talk, news, and music formats. In this role, Pomykala will manage the sales efforts in Washington, DC reporting to Aaron Hyland, region president for iHeartMedia Washington, DC and Baltimore.
Salem’s Tom Tradup: “There’s a Growing National Appetite for Christian Films Among American Audiences.” Salem Radio Network VP/news and talk programming Tom Tradup (pictured here over the weekend at a showing of “The Forge” with the film’s star Priscilla Shirer) tells TALKERS, “Filmmakers the Kendrick Brothers have created a solid film with a powerful message about how mentoring can turn around the lives of troubled youth in America. ‘The Forge’ is nearing $20 million in box office receipts in only nine days and proves that theatergoers are looking for content beyond just superheroes, car crashes, and rehashed animated features.” SONY/Affirm Films’ “The Forge” logged in at #7 in the top ten films over the competitive Labor Day weekend. “The built-in audience for Christian films makes them much more profitable than multi-million-dollar Hollywood blockbusters,” Tradup adds. He cited 2023’s Erwin Brothers film “Jesus Revolution.” The biographical film about Southern California pastor Greg Laurie premiered in February last year, produced on a slim budget of $15 million, went on to gross more than $54 million dollars.
VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, Unveils Fall Programming LineupAnnounces New Talent and Shows. VSiN, The Las Vegas-based Sports Betting Network (“VSiN”) announced its new programming lineup with an injection of new talent joining familiar faces. In time for the beginning of the 2024 NFL season, VSiN begins rolling out its fall schedule to cement what it describes to TALKERS as its position as the trusted authority in sports betting.
For the full schedule, please click here.
Veteran Talk Show Host Heidi Harris Gaining Traction with Facebook Page Show. Veteran Las Vegas-based talk show host Heidi Harris (formerly with KXNT, KDWN, in LA as well as KRLA, Los Angeles) has been gaining traction with her independently produced and distributed online version of “The Heidi Harris Show” 
She tells TALKERS, “Last week, retired Metro Traffic Sergeant Tom Page joined me for a chat about traffic stops, which are often the first contact a citizen has with police. What are they allowed to do, and what are you obligated to do during a traffic stop? Get the answers to these and other common citizenship questions here. We’ll be doing more of these informative chats in the coming weeks.” Harris is a past recipient of the Electronic Media Award (EMA) for Best Local Radio Talk Show in Las Vegas as well as being a former member of the TALKERS Heavy Hundred. She’s also an author. Check out her show by clicking here.