Longtime radio executive Gary Krantz died earlier this week, mere weeks after celebrating his 65th birthday.
Krantz served as a syndicator with MJI Broadcasting from 1981 until 1995 before joining AMFM Radio as Executive Vice President of Programming. After Clear Channel acquired the company, Krantz took on an Executive Vice President role at Premiere Networks. From there, he joined the liberal talk network Air America, before joining Westwood One after Air America ceased operations.
At Westwood One, Gary Krantz served as the Chief Digital Media Officer before launching his own consultancy, Krantz Media Partners, where he worked with outlets such as Red Apple Audio Networks.
Additionally, in recent years, Krantz served as the Managing Partner for Podcast Radio US, helping distribute the brand and format around the country.
The news of Gary Krantz’s passing sent shockwaves through the industry Wednesday afternoon.
“Gary and I have known each other for over 50 years,” Ron Rivlin, President and CEO of Ron Rivlin Media said. “We grew up together in New Jersey, went to junior high together, went to high school together. He was at my Bar Mitzvah, he was in my wedding party. As I like to say, I was at all of his weddings,” Rivlin said with a chuckle.
“It’s a horrible, horrible situation. What can I say? I love the guy. He was everybody’s friend,” he continued. “Anybody who knew him was automatically his friend. My Facebook feed is just full of tributes and reminiscing. His influence is just so far and so wide. I miss him already.”
“I still am stunned, cannot believe he is no longer here,” said Valerie Geller, longtime radio leader, author, and President of Geller Media International. “The world will be a quieter, emptier place. And a huge loss for radio.”
Krantz was well-respected in industry circles. And that is shown through numerous conversations after his passing.
“I think Gary was an amazing advocate for radio,” said Xperi Senior Vice President of Broadcast Radio and Digital Audio Joe D’Angelo. “He was an innovator who was helping radio find its footing in the digital era, and trying to ensure the industry had a bright future in this very competitive landscape.”
“Gary was — first and foremost — friends, to everybody and helpful to everyone,” said McVay Media President and founder Mike McVay. “And then when you go to the professional part of it, he just absolutely loved the business and would help anyone, and suggest anyone. He would be there if somebody needed anything. His loss is unexpected and he is going to be greatly missed.”
“It’s impossible to gauge his impact on our industry,” said Geller. “Gary was a force of nature. Always positive. And he could talk you into anything. He took on diverse projects, from Air America, Westwood One, and his own agency. He was successful at all of them … Gary knew everybody. He was a master networker and loved connecting people together. Gary liked to make things happen and to solve problems. He was smart and he was good at it … He was a special special person and one who will be sorely missed.”
“Gary was the ultimate connector,” added Rivlin. “He put he put people together. When he saw opportunities, he knew the right people to ask to bring projects to fruition. I think of him as an entrepreneur. He was an ahead-of-the-curve type of guy. And his reputation was such that whenever somebody was starting something new, whether it was Podcast Radio or whatever it was, the task was ‘How do we get Gary on board?'”
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 26th at Riverside Memorial Chapel at 180 West 76th Street in New York. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Gary Krantz’s memory.
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