Take a look at the 2025 Marconi Radio Award finalists, and you’ll see a pair of hosts from WHIO Radio in Dayton on the list of those up for the Medium Market Personality of the Year honor.
While it’s impressive to land two hosts from one station on the list, what’s more impressive is that they’re the only two local weekday hosts on the Cox Media Group news/talk station. So, in essence, 100% of the station’s mainstays make up 40% of the nominees in one Marconi Award category.
The station is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, and WHIO Radio Station Manager Nick Roberts says the guiding principles that helped launch the brand still ring true today.
“I don’t think we could make it 90 years without being a community-focused station,” said Roberts. “When we plan anything here, the first thing we think about is ‘How do we help the community?’ And that’s definitely the truth. It motivates you to come into work, but it adds such a deeper layer than just ‘You’re a radio person,’ you’re helping people. I think that’s the big thing.”
Larry Hansgen, who has hosted mornings on the brand for nearly 25 years, is up for the Medium Market Personality of the Year honor. Joining him on the list of nominees is Todd Hollst, who hosts an afternoon show from 5-7 PM.
Hansgen can trace his roots with the station back to working as an understudy to former morning man Lou Emm, who began in the daypart in 1941. Hansgen has been with the station himself for more than 40 years. That’s some major staying power.
When asked what has been the key to personalities, hosts, and personnel staying with the brand for so long, Roberts shared that Cox Media Group has been nothing but fantastic to work for, prioritizing those who want to make an impact in the community when hiring.
Roberts added that there’s another facet to the station’s strategy that has led to having its two personalities up for the major honor.
“Hire great people,” he said. “That’s the key to everything. Hire great people that really care about the community. You can always teach them the business. But you can’t really teach somebody to be a great person. I think that’s what we do. We try to hire great people that really care and a lot of the rest, we can teach them.”
The two nominations for Hansgen and Hollst come after WHIO Radio earned a national Edward R. Murrow Award for the best newscast in the small market radio category. Roberts admitted it’s a “fantastic feeling” to be recognized for the station’s excellence.
“We tell our people ‘Hey, what you’re doing on the air is as good as any major market station,'” Roberts said. “With the awards, you’re kind of like ‘Oh, it’s not just a line that they’re throwing out. It really is true. We are doing really good work.'”
When asked if there had been any friendly competitions or wagering surrounding the two hosts inside the WHIO Radio studios about who will ultimately take home the award, Roberts shared that there’s been talk around the station.
“We’re just stunned here that we had any nominations, let alone two,” he joked. “They’re both looking at it from the perspective of just being nominated is once in a lifetime, and this is kind of the pinnacle highlight of their career.
“To do what they love to do, help the community, and be recognized for it, I haven’t heard any (friendly rivlary talk). There’s been no even jokes about it here in the office. I just think they’re so surprised.”
The others nominated for the Medium Market Personality of the Year award are KRMG’s Skyler Cooper (Tulsa), K105’s Dan Austin (Fort Wayne), and US 101.5 FM’s Mo & StyckMan (Chattanooga).
The Marconi Radio Award presentation will take place on Tuesday evening at The Edison Ballroom on the eve of the NAB Show New York.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
