KYW, Philadelphia Names Kristina Koppeser Brand Manager; Promotes Tom Rickert to Assistant Brand Manager. Rising to the role of brand manager and director of digital content at Audacy’s all-news KYW-AM/FM is Kristina “Luca” Koppeser. She was most recently serving as digital managing editor. At the same time, the company
adds assistant brand manager duties to Tom Rickert, who will continue his role as as director of podcasting. Audacy Philadelphia SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff states, “We’re thrilled to usher in the next chapter of this heritage brand by elevating two exceptionally talented 
individuals in Luca and Tom. They both not only have a finger on the pulse of this city, but an immense understanding for the role this station plays for our listeners each and every day. I have full confidence that under their leadership KYW Newsradio will continue its growth and further extend its position as a trusted and respected voice in this community.” Koppeser comments, “The passion, tenacity, and
dedication of the KYW newsroom is unrivaled. Having the privilege of working alongside and learning from these award-winning journalists inspires me every day. I am honored to help write the next chapter of KYW Newsradio and to continue to serve the greater Philadelphia region with the top-notch local news that matters most.” Rickert adds, “KYW Newsradio is a venerable newsroom, a cherished institution, and a group of the finest journalists in Philadelphia – but it’s much more than that too. It’s the pulse of this city, the soundtrack for generations, and in times of trouble and uncertainty, a critical lifeline for millions. It’s a great honor and a privilege to champion the peerless journalism of this incredible news team and to serve the diverse communities of Philadelphia with the dependable local news and information they not only trust but deserve.”
FOX Sports Radio Adds ‘Covino & Rich’ to Daily Lineup. A tweak to the afternoon programming from FOX Sports Radio puts the duo of Steve Covino and Rich Davis into the 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET slot, effective September 26. The duo first joined FSR in September 2021 as part of the network’s weekend football lineup. In addition to their move from weekends to
weekdays, they will continue to host the “Covino & Rich” live podcast, which debuted in 2004 on SiriusXM. With the addition of “Covino & Rich” to its weekday lineup, “The Doug Gottlieb Show” transitions from a three-hour program to two hours, airing from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET. Gottlieb will also host a new, original daily podcast featuring interviews with the latest newsmakers in sports. “Covino & Rich” will be heard on more than 200 stations nationwide, in addition to FOX Sports Radio’s channel on iHeartRadio. iHeartMedia Sports EVP Don Martin and FOX Sports Radio VP of sports programming Scott Shapiro say, “‘Covino and Rich’ will add a dynamic punch to an already rich roster. They’re so talented we had to make room for them in what is the best sports talk lineup in the nation. We can’t wait to share this one-of-a-kind duo with even more listeners across the country.”
Ryan Williams Joins Good Karma Brands Milwaukee as Director of Marketing. Joining Good Karma Brands Milwaukee as director of marketing is Ryan Williams. He’ll lead all marketing operations for the company’s news/talk WTMJ “Newsradio 620,” sports talk WKTI-FM “94.5 ESPN,” and talk WGKB-AM/W269DL “101.7 The Truth.” He was
most recently regional brand manager for Audacy Chicago. GKB Milwaukee market manager Steve Wexler comments, “We are thrilled to welcome Ryan to Good Karma Brands. His experience, as well as his natural alignment with GKB’s core values, make him the perfect choice to lead our marketing efforts and team forward.” Williams begins his new position on October 17. He says, “I’m thrilled and honored to be joining GKB Milwaukee working on three great brands in the market. I look forward to collaborating with my teammates on creative and innovative projects for GKB Milwaukee’s fans and partners that continue to build on the presence that 94.5 ESPN Milwaukee, Newsradio 620 WTMJ, and 101.7 The Truth have in the community.”
Kristy Beebe Named iHeartMedia’s Area President for Kentucky/Carolina. Management pro Kristy Beebe is promoted to the area president role for iHeartMedia’s newly formed Kentucky/Carolina Area that includes 47 broadcast and digital brands. Beebe will be responsible for all operations over seven markets including
Louisville, Lexington and Somerset, Kentucky along with Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Florence, South Carolina. Beebe was most recently market president for the company’s Indianapolis station group. iHeartMedia division president Nick Gnau says, “Kristy has shown success in every opportunity that has been presented, she knows how to build culture and high performing teams. Her passion for serving the community, our portfolio of assets and her team makes her the perfect choice to lead this newly developed Area. I look forward to working with Kristy and watching her continued successes over the seven markets in the Kentucky/Carolina Area.” Beebe states, “I am excited to be leading the alignment of the Kentucky/Carolina Area within the Gnau Division. Our combined talent and resources will create exciting new opportunities and growth within this newly formed group of markets!”
FOX Nation to Produce Roseanne Barr Comedy Special. The special program is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2023 on FOX News Media’s direct-to-consumer streaming service FOX Nation. Speaking about the Roseanne Barr comedy
special, FOX Nation president Jason Klarman says, “Roseanne is a comedy icon whose humor connects with the American audience like no other. Her ability to channel the challenges of everyday people and find the humor in it all has earned her the passionate following of millions of dedicated fans. We are thrilled to add her comedy special exclusively to the FOX Nation catalog.” FOX Nation says, “The one-hour special will feature Ms. Barr’s signature comedic take on a variety of topics, with no subject off limits. ‘A Roseanne Comedy Special’ adds to the growing portfolio of exclusive content on FOX Nation, which includes original series such as ‘Duck Family Treasure’, ‘Sharon Osbourne: To Hell & Back’ (dropping on September 26) and the upcoming ‘Yellowstone: One-Fifty with Kevin Costner.’”
Soledad O’Brien to Keynote Gracies Leadership Awards. The Alliance for Women in Media announces that Soledad O’Brien – award-winning journalist, CEO of Soledad O’Brien Productions, philanthropist, and author – will keynote the Gracies Leadership Awards on Monday, November 14, 2022, at Tribeca 360 in New York. At this event,
AWM will present its Legacy Leadership Award to Valerie K. Blackburn, a longtime radio executive and industry leader as well as active and committed supporter of AWM. Google News Initiative is a presenting sponsor for this key education and recognition celebration. AWM says the annual event 
provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the significant impact women have made in the media industry, while also spurring to action and emboldening female leaders in attendance. The list of this year’s honorees will be announced soon. O’Brien says, “The Alliance for Women in Media’s commitment to shining a light on the impressive work of women in our industry and how they cover them in support and celebrate their talent makes me all the more honored and delighted to serve as keynote.” AWM president Becky Brooks comments, “The Alliance for Women in Media is proud to recognize women for their exceptional achievements. It is our honor to have Soledad O’Brien as keynote and Valerie Blackburn as the AWM Legacy Leadership recipient, both undoubtedly trailblazers in the world of media leaving a legacy for all women in media to follow.”
TALKERS News Notes. A new deal between Skyview Networks and the nationally syndicated radio show, “Bob & Sheri,” has the company handling advertising sales for the program, with access to digital and podcast opportunities. The independently
syndicated program stars Bob Lacey and Sheri Lynch and is co-owned by Lynch and Tony Garcia. Lynch says, “The team at Skyview Networks truly shares our passion for creativity and innovation. They are absolutely all in. It’s an exciting partnership and I’m thrilled at this opportunity to learn and grow while serving our audience, affiliates, and advertisers in new, dynamic ways.”…..Tomorrow (9/22), WMVP-AM ESPN Chicago personality David Kaplan will lead the 3rd Annual 
Walk as One Chicago event to benefit Bernie’s Book Bank, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing book ownership among under-served Chicagoland children. As part of the event, Kaplan and Bernie’s Book Bank CEO Darrin Utynek will distribute free books to K-6th grade students at Jahn Elementary School. The walk was created by Kaplan, who co-hosts “Kap & J. Hood” on the Good Karma Brands station. Since 2009, Bernie’s Book Bank has distributed more than 22 million free, quality books to Chicagoland children ages birth through sixth grade…..This Saturday (9/24) is the only Midwest production of Stephanie Miller’s “Sexy Liberal Save Democracy Tour” with John Fugelsang, Hal Sparks, and Frangela taking place at Chicago’s Harris Theater and presented by affiliate station WCPT-AM, Chicago.
Immigration/Migrant Transportation, Trump Documents Case, Inflation/Financial Markets Activity, Russia-Ukraine War, Midterms/2024 Presidential Race, UN General Assembly, COVID-19, Hurricane Fiona Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (9/20). The state of immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border and the legal issues surrounding the transporting of migrants by red state governors to blue state cities; the legal procedures relative to the classified and top secret documents former President Donald Trump was keeping at Mar-a-Lago; the high price of food and consumer goods, the effect on the world’s financial markets, and the Fed’s expected interest rate hike; Vladimir Putin’s doubling down on his invasion of Ukraine and his threats of nuclear force; the November midterm elections and speculation about the nominees for president in 2024; the tenor of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York; the conflicting statements about the COVID pandemic from President Joe Biden and Dr. Tony Fauci; and the damage to Puerto Rico from Hurricane Fiona were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
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Broadcasters Foundation, whose sole mission is to provide aid to radio and television professionals in acute need. O’Brien first hosted the Golden Mic gala last year. She says, “The Broadcasters Foundation has an incredible impact on the people in our business who face serious illness or catastrophe and need help. I’m honored to lend my support as the host of their fundraising gala and to pay tribute to this year’s award recipients.” She currently hosts the nationally syndicated “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien” program produced by Hearst Television.
part of such an outstanding class of inductees. The only thing better would have been to have my late father, George, by my side, to accept this incredible honor together in person.” Other inductees included Deborah Roberts, ABC News national senior affairs correspondent, and contributing anchor of 20/20, and her husband Al Roker, weather and feature anchor and co-host of the third hour of NBC’s “Today Show,” Matt Bond, chairman, content distribution, NBCUniversal; Ray Cole, president and chief operating officer, Citadel Communications; Frank Comerford, CRO and president, local sales, NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships; Ray Hopkins, president, U.S. Networks Distribution, Paramount Global; Wonya Lucas, CEO, Hallmark Media; Soledad O’Brien, CEO of SO’B Productions and host/producer of “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien”; and Rachael Ray, TV food personality and host of “The Rachael Ray Show.” In addition, Jim Nantz of CBS Sports received the Lifetime Achievement Award and AMC’s “The Walking Dead” was named the Iconic Series for 2023. Late past president of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, Jim Thompson, was posthumously honored with the Chairman’s Award for his career achievements and tireless dedication to helping broadcasters in need.
provide aid to radio and television professionals in acute need. BFoA president Tim McCarthy says, “We’re very excited to have Soledad host this year’s Golden Mike Award dinner. She is a multiple award-winning broadcast journalist whose reporting has brought awareness on numerous issues to the forefront. Combined with her philanthropic endeavors, she is the perfect person to host our special evening.” This year’s BFOA Golden Mike Award honoree is Jack Abernethy, CEO of FOX Television Stations. The Lifetime Achievment Award will be presented during the gala frundraiser to Richard E. Wiley, former chairman, commissioner, and general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission and one of the most prominent media and telecommunications lawyers in broadcasting.
