Barrett Media produces over 20 stories per day on the music, news, and sports media industries. Stay updated on the latest happenings by signing up to receive our newsletters straight to your inbox.
At the 2024 Marconi Radio Awards during NAB Show New York, the finalists for the News Talk Station of the Year Award were some of radio’s strongest and most recognizable brands. Stations like 95.5 WSB in Atlanta, 102.3 KRMG in Tulsa, 700 WLW in Cincinnati, and 93.1 WIBC in Indianapolis were up for the award. But KDKA in Pittsburgh, one of news/talk radio’s most storied stations, took home the top honors. And as first-year Brand Manager PJ Kumanchik looked on, he couldn’t help but smile.
A lifelong Pittsburgh resident and career-lifer at the Audacy Pittsburgh station, PJ Kumanchik took over the station from programmer Dave LaBrozzi in April after the longtime leader stepped away from the station.
For most first-year brand leaders, the idea of winning a Marconi Award is nothing more than a pipe dream. But KDKA is a different animal, with a long, illustrious history. And PJ Kumanchik didn’t take that history for granted when the station was nominated.
“I look back at the history of the Marconi with KDKA Radio and the previous awards that we’ve won outside of a Marconi, and it’s a lot of pride when you’re when you’re nominated,” said Kumanchik. “It’s kind of like disbelief. You don’t believe it has happened, and you kind of pinch yourself. Our radio station, and to also have our sister station that’s right next door to us, 100.7 nominated in the same cluster — different format — it’s a tremendous honor. And it’s kind of surreal. It really is, being the first-year Brand Manager coming into this and to be nominated, it’s really a dream come true.”
When asked what emotions entered his mind as the presenter revealed that his station was honored with the prestigious award, Kumanchik didn’t hesitate.
“You just gave me chills,” he said. “It’s very humbling, because if you look across the country at the rest of the news/talk stations, and who we were nominated with to be honored, it’s overwhelming. At times, you want to scream to the mountain tops or what have you. You want to tell everybody. But it’s very humbling. I hate to be that guy that says we expect things, but we expect to lead at what we do. And to have this happen from a staff perspective — because they work very hard day in, day out — it’s truly humbling for us, and so gratifying. So it’s a dream come true. It’s a great feeling.”
Kumanchik got the opportunity to lead the brand after working for the station for 35 years. And he believes that — along with a deep knowledge of the personnel, the area, and what listeners expect from the station — helped him hit the ground running once he took over.
“I’ve been with the radio station for such a long time, and so I knew all the players involved. So I would like to think that if you have the respect of the team and what have you, the transition from where I was as the news brand manager to brand manager wouldn’t be as difficult as some might expect, and it hasn’t been,” Kumanchik said. “So it’s been a joy. It’s been a delight. I think we’re making great progress, and it’s been nothing but enjoyment, I can tell you that.”
“I grew up in the city of Pittsburgh, lifelong resident of the city itself, city proper, in knowing the audience, knowing what the audience, audience expects from you, knowing your place in the market, knowing the history of this radio station and what we have done in the past, I think it was a tremendous help for that to be on my side,” he added.
And while the prevailing story about KDKA’s latest win for News Talk Station of the Year at the Marconi Awards, PJ Kumanchik was quick to note it was a team effort that led to another victory in the sought-after category.
“There is no doubt it’s a team effort, and it’s just not me,” he said. “If you take a look at our entire, not just KDKA Radio, but the cluster here in Pittsburgh, I mean, you’re talking about promotions, what we’re doing outside in the community. You talk about our newsroom that have won multiple (Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters) Awards for the best cast in the state. Talk about our digital platform. You talk about our high school platform. So it’s not just an on air, not just a news, not just in promotion, but it’s everything together.
“And that’s what’s so gratifying. Because you win as a team and everybody can enjoy it.”
Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing bi-weekly industry features and a weekly column. He has previously served as Program Director and Afternoon Co-Host on 93.1 The Fan in Lima, OH, and is the radio play-by-play voice of Northern Michigan University hockey. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
