Keith Kennedy is leaving WKDD Akron after 16 years. He’s headed to mornings at Classic Hits “Majic 105.7 WMJI in Cleveland.
What We Know: Kennedy departs 98.1 WKDD after building one of Akron’s longest-running local morning shows. Morning co-host Jen Picciano joins him at WMJI. She’s been with the station since March 2021 and also reports for WOIO-TV. Kennedy remains on WKDD in afternoons and continues tracking middays at Country 99.5 WGAR Cleveland.
What They Said: On Wednesday, Kennedy teased the move on air. He told listeners he’s “really excited for you to get to know The Fred Show that will be here Monday morning.” That comment pointed directly to a syndicated replacement at WKDD.
What Remains Unclear: It’s not yet known when Kennedy officially begins mornings at WMJI. Additionally, details about The Fred Show’s full rollout at WKDD haven’t been announced. The long-term role of Jen Picciano at WMJI also remains to be defined publicly.
What It Means: This move is consistent with iHeart’s ongoing strategy of consolidating local talent into larger markets. Meanwhile, WKDD replaces a homegrown morning show with syndicated programming. At WMJI, current morning host Mark Nolan slides to afternoons. These changes also follow last week’s iHeart cuts, which included the exit of Kennedy’s co-host Tony McGinty.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.
