Radio One Now Truly One Under New CEO

Story by Inside Radio

Radio One is bringing its local and syndicated radio businesses together under common management.

Radio One, the African-American media specialist, has promoted Reach Media President/CEO David Kantor to CEO of its local radio segment, giving the veteran network radio Exec direct oversight of 54 local stations in 16 markets, while continuing to run its syndication business.

Chris Wegmann, who rose to Radio One President two years ago, retains that position and now reports to Kantor.

Kantor’s network experience stretches back to the 1990s, when he was President of an ABC Radio Networks that at the time boasted over 100 million listeners. During his ABC tenure, the network launched ESPN Radio in 1992 and Radio Disney in 1996. It also syndicated “The Tom Joyner Morning Show,” which has since become a Radio One staple.

As Senior VP of Network Operations at AMFM, Kantor launched its radio network in 1996, which was sold to Clear Channel in 2000.

In 2003, Kantor and Joyner co-founded Reach Media, which syndicates programming like Yolanda Adams, Al Sharpton, D.L. Hughley, Russ Parr, Rickey Smiley, TD Jakes, and other African-American-targeted content.

“David’s skill set, his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit are second to none,” Radio One President & CEO Alfred Liggins said in a statement. “I’m excited about his leadership of our network and local radio business. I have every confidence that he will do an outstanding job.”

Kantor is known for fostering a “total package” partnership strategy for clients, which plays well with Radio One’s more tightly aligned operational structure.

“I started my career in local radio and in every network position I’ve had, I’ve touched local radio,” Kantor said. “I’m excited about the new opportunities before us as we leverage our leading network and local radio business in the market.”
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In other company news, Radio One has promoted Eddie Harrell, Jr. from VP/GM of its Cleveland cluster to regional VP of Ohio, overseeing Cincinnati and Columbus in addition to Cleveland. Harrell joined Radio One in 2011 as VP/GM of its Columbus stations.