2020 has been a difficult year for broadcasters and the companies they work for. Though many expect the business to rebound in 2021, there are no guarantees. To make sure the future is maximized to its fullest, organizations are looking for ways to strengthen themselves internally and externally.
One on the industry’s largest groups, Entercom, believes the answers will come from experienced leadership. CEO David Field issued an internal memo last night announcing the promotion of 10 key people and the addition of another who will be depended on to lead the company to brighter days.
In the memo Field stated “Our greatest strength and our most important and valued asset are our people and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented team across the country. Today, we have an opportunity to recognize several of them, each of whom has made great contributions to our work, as they continue to grow and expand their responsibilities within the company. I am pleased to announce the following promotions across our organization:”
• Chris Ebbott: Vice President, Programming
• Chad Fitzsimmons: Senior Vice President, Promotions & Experiences
• Rose Isard: Vice President, Senior Counsel
• John Kennedy: Senior Vice President, Engineering
• Jennifer Morales: Vice President, Corporate Communications & PR
• Nancy Muir-Gaire: Vice President, Facilities Management
• Johnny Palumbo: Vice President, Senior Counsel
• Reggie Rouse: Vice President, Programming
• Jeff Sottolano: Executive Vice President, Programming
• Stephanie Taylor: Vice President, Benefits, Compliance and Talent Acquisition
The names that will resonate most with sports radio professionals are Rouse, Sottolano, and Morales. Rouse has been helping to lead 92.9 The Game in Atlanta (along with V103) following the exit of Terry Foxx. Sottolano has been involved with Radio.com and serving as a resource to sports radio programmers. Morales has provided sports media outlets with support on PR opportunities involving company talent and executives.
Also mentioned in the release was the addition of Bill Smee as the company’s new Vice President of News. Smee’s background includes holding leadership roles with CNN, NBC News and Slate. He’s expected to work with Entercom’s NewsTalk brands on improving their programming and delivering new products and capabilities across broadcast, digital, podcast, and smart speaker platforms.
Field also praised the growth of Radio.com, the company’s podcasting business, and the work done by Entercom’s newly formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force led by Rick Caffey and Sarah Harris. He also mentioned that remote work will continue thru the end of the year.
A classy gesture by Field in the memo included acknowledgement of the passing of 97.1 The Ticket host Jamie Samuelsen. After highlighting Jamie’s career accomplishments and track record in Detroit, Field offered thoughts and prayers to Jamie’s family and friends and stated that the company was grieving his heartbreaking passing.
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
