Management changes named at Clear Channel and Citadel
Broadcast Notes by Colleen Pierson

Tim Feagan, newly announced head of Clear Channel’s local radio operations, told us “he feels like a kid in the candy store,” getting back into radio again, after being out of the biz for 12 years.
“Years ago, when I was in L.A., I always thought of what a dream job it would be to run WOOD-AM and FM. I have wanted this job for 17-20 years,” he told me during a phone conversation.
Now, he gets a chance to head seven Clear Channel Grand Rapids stations, WOOD-AM (1300), WOOD-FM (105.7), WTKG.AM (1230), WBCT-FM (B-93), WMAX-FM (96.1), WBFX-FM (101.3), and WSNX-FM (104.5).
“In some ways radio hasn’t changed at all, but in other ways there are so many more opportunities, he said. With the internet, multiple station ownerships, HD radio, links to web sites, there is so much to get involved in.”
Tim Feagan, was general manager and helped launch B-93 in the early 1990s, and has worked in Los Angeles and Chicago radio markets. He was also responsible for hiring Doug Montgomery, who has been an institution at B-93, as its program director for numerous years.
Feagan looks forward to joining the stations in two weeks when he leaves Team Industries Inc., a Grand Rapids company that manufactures polystyrene products, where he has been president since the mid-1990.
His spirit and passion for the broadcasting biz never really got out of his system.
“When I would go out with friends at dinner, we would always talk about radio. It is such a passion for me— I don’t try to fight it—I am a junkie for it,” he said laughingly.
Feagan replaces Skip Essick, who left in late July to become director of operations for Peak Broadcasting’s KMJ-AM (580) in Fresno, California. Interim G.M. Bart Brandmiller will continue his role as director of sales at Clear Channel and serving as a chairman for the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

Morton named new G.M. of Citadel Broadcasting
This was a busy week for broadcast radio promotions. Jeff Morton, who has been the director of sales for Grand Rapids Citadel Broadcasting for five years, and General Manager of the Muskegon radio stations since 2004, was named the new G.M. of Citadel Broadcasting Company in West Michigan.
That means he will be in charge of Grand Rapids stations WLAV-FM (96.9), WKLQ-FM (107.3), WTNR-FM (94.5 Thunder), WHTS-FM (105.3), WBBL-AM (1340), and Muskegon stations-- WVIB-FM, WEFG-FM, WLCS-FM, WLAW-FM, and WODJ-AM.
Matt Hanlon, who is currently the regional president for the Midwest region of Citadel Broadcasting Company, was the previous G.M.


Fox 17 News at Ten
Got game or news? Can viewers have access to the ALCS World Series coverage and getting access to viewing Fox 17's News at 10?
Mark Krause, Director of Programming for WXMI-TV (Fox 17) explains:
“On game nights we schedule the game to run 3.5 hrs. News is then scheduled for 30 minutes, 11:30pm-12:00am. If the game ends prior to 11:30-- news will expand as necessary. In cases where the game runs beyond 12:00am-- news will cancel,” he explained.
“For Friday, Oct 19, if there is a game due to a prior day's rainout, news is still planning to have a shortened Football Blitz at 12:00am following the 11:30pm shortened newscast.”
The remaining scheduled game dates for the ALCS Championship are:
Thur 10/18 8-11:30pm Game 5 if necessary
Sat 10/20 4-7:30pm Game 6 if necessary. News would have its full hour at 10p.m.
Sun 10/21 8-11:30pm Game 7 if necessary

World Series Games:
Wed 10/24 8-11:30pm Game 1
Thur 10/25 8-11:30pm Game 2
Sat 10/27 8-11:30pm Game 3
Sun 10/28 8-11:30pm Game 4
Mon 10/29 8-11:30pm Game 5 if necessary
Wed 10/31 8-11:30pm Game 6 if necessary
Thur 11/1 8-11:30pm game 7 if necessary


Email radio-tv@gr-press.com

Pierson's Predictions

Let the minutes reflect that in previous Press Articles I named Ginger Zee, who was at the time WOOD-TV 8's Meteorologist-- Best Destined for a Larger Market category. Now, she is at the Windy City at the NBC-affilliate just loving it. I also named Brad Edwards as Best Writer. I guess the Emmy committee agrees with that prediction as he has garnered six of them.
My latest prediction: Gerry Barnaby, formerly of News 8 and WOTV-Channel 41 is going to land a big-time radio position in Grand Rapids, or will be snapped up to be a feature reporter at a local TV station. He currently has a weekend radio show on WLHT-FM (95.7) which he hosts with John Gonzalez (Gonzo) on Saturday mornings, he teaches at Grand Valley State University, is dabbling in real-estate with fixer-uppers and is developing a motivational speaking business which would revolve around health and exercise.
The guy is a walking public relations vehicle for anything he comes in contact with. His devotion to the West Michigan area is admirable and he doesn't want to leave the area. This town certainly is a great place to raise a family and proud pappa Barnaby loves his rambunctious son named Jack.
I never could see why the folks at WOOD would let him go. I guess his format didn't fit their style of news delivery but "hey, do we have to see hard news, all the time?"
Let me know what you think!

Weather Ball switch

I was on a tour the other day at WZZM-TV (Channel 13). I was looking for the high-tech way that they get the weather ball to change colors. For those of you that don't know the weather ball is a West Michigan historic icon. As the weather changes, the ball changes color. How does it do that? How does it know what to do?

When President and General Manager Janet Mason gave me the extended tour, Linda Paige superstar Meteorologist, was on duty. She simply went to the weather set, pushed a button, and that was it. Bingo. Pizzaz. The weather ball changed from blue to green.

It was as simple as a push of a button. No magic. No leprechauns and certainly no high tech.

Brad Edwards is leaving WOOD-TV 8

Brad Edwards heads to Detroit
By Colleen Pierson
His career started when he would wow the student body doing the morning announcements at Forest Hills Northern. The staff never knew what to expect from this somewhat off the wall, funny, but fiercely talented teen.
He’s come a long way since then!
This is a story about a 28-year-old man going places. WOOD-TV (Channel 8’s) Brad Edwards has won 6 Emmy Awards, was voted Reporter of the Year by the Associated Press, worked for TV 8 for four years as a reporter/anchor and now he has been offered the lead news correspondent, and back-up anchor position at WJBK-TV (Fox News 2’s) brand new 11:00p.m. newscast in Detroit.
“It’s a rare opportunity, Edwards said. Newscasts just aren’t launched everyday.”
After having multiple network level interviews, and offers from major stations across the country, Edwards’s decision was made to go to Detroit. The weighing factors were due to personal and professional reasons. Edwards’ father died two-years ago and he relishes being able to stay close to home for his Mom. His special friend Ginger Zee, former meteorologist at TV 8, works in Chicago at WMAQ-TV (NBC 5) and Brad enjoys spending time with her.
“’Fox 2 News Edge’ will allow me to do something new. We can recreate the wheel, do it different and big, on a newscast that has not been definitely defined,” he said.
Former TV 8 reporter/anchor Steve Osunsami, who never worked at 8 during Edwards’ tenure, is now an ABC correspondent based in Atlanta. Steve believed in Edwards’ talents and helped him with his career.
“Steve was crucial and pivotal in making an effort to help me. I feel like he is my father in the industry.”
Edwards will miss TV 8 immensely.
“I was given so much here. I will miss the freedom with my stories and working with consummate professionals,” he said.

This guy can write

The old television adage, “you are only as good as the stories you tell,” is one that Edwards has always taken note of.
After his 4th consecutive Emmy in the Best Writing category, one has to realize that this is a man who uses his words extremely well. Brad definitely has a gift as a wordsmith and the ability to tell stories well
Edwards currently teaches a Writing for Broadcasting course at Calvin College and is energized by his student’s work.
Personally, I will miss him. He is a class act with consistent talents in reporting that aren’t witnessed on a daily basis in West Michigan. I believe that Brad upped the bar in this market for broadcast journalism.
As Diane Kniowski, president and general manager, told me: “He will be at the networks in no time at all.”
And, as Patti McGettigan, news director at WOOD-TV, corresponded to the staff at the station: “Somebody quick -- steal his rolodex. His sources, his ability to find information and the numerous stories he has broken will all be missed, almost as much as the person himself.
Edwards’ last day at WOOD-TV will be in early October and he starts on the air in Detroit on October 24. 2007.

Way to go Edwards!

Welcome to my Blog!

Thanks for checking in on my blog. This site is dedicated to interesting tidbits about the radio and television industry. You will be able to read stories about personalities, changes in technology, ratings, community service projects, celebrity tidbits, and staff-change ups at all West Michigan radio and television stations.

From time to time you may even read a little gossip and Pierson's Predictions about what may or may not happen in the world of Grand Rapids entertainment--specifically the electronic mass media.