Wednesday marks National Radio Day. It also marks the 105th anniversary of WWJ Newsradio 950 signing on the air in Detroit. Audacy CEO Kelli Turner joined the station’s morning show to commemorate both occasions and discuss where the industry is headed.
Turner was asked what the future of the industry looked like from her perspective. She shared her belief that being a multi-platform entity is where the radio industry is headed.
“It went from being an over-the-air radio business to a digital and over-the-air radio business, to people now call it an audio business. But, frankly, I think we are a local content business,” said Turner. “We are producing amazing content all day, every day, and we are a lifeline for listeners. And we love the fact that people can get our content everywhere. So I think that as the world evolves, we remain sort of a leader in local content, and we want people to get that content on every device, everywhere they are. And I think we’re evolving to provide that.”
Kelli Turner was installed as the interim President and CEO of Audacy in January before being given the permanent role in March as the company emerged from its pre-packaged bankruptcy proceedings.
In her short time with the company, she said she’s learned radio remains an important emergency resource in the communities Audacy serves.
“You see it time and time again,” Turner said. “Radio is a lifeline that connects listeners and provides crucial information when they need it most,” she continued before noting recent examples like wildfires in California, the flooding in Texas, and KMOX winning a National Edward R. Murrow Award for its coverage of flash flooding in St. Louis.
“We believe strongly in the power of radio. We believe that we are a lifeline for people, and we are always there when they need us,” Turner concluded.
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