WGN AM gets new PD

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Posted by lorn a. badstone on January 18, 2011 at 17:36:51:

New program director takes on tough job at troubled WGN Radio
January 18th, 2011

An Oak Park native who has programmed news and talk radio stations in markets across the country has been hired as program director of WGN-AM (720), the Tribune Co.’s troubled news/talk station.

Bill White (pictured left), who most recently has been operations director of Greater Media’s WBT-AM/FM and WLNK-FM in Charlotte, N.C., officially starts at WGN Feb. 14. He replaces the notorious Kevin Metheny, who was ousted in November shortly after his protector, Randy Michaels, resigned under fire as CEO of Tribune Co.

In following Metheny’s reign of terror, White may be tackling one of the toughest jobs in the radio industry. He inherits a demoralized staff and an ever-shrinking audience that felt disrespected by many of Metheny’s incomprehensible personnel moves. Their dissatisfaction was reflected in the Arbitron ratings for December, which showed WGN falling to 23rd place with a 2.1 percent share of adults between 25 and 54 — the so-called “money demo” deemed most attractive to advertisers.

“Bill brings extensive experience and a solid track record of success in programming live and local heritage stations like WGN Radio,” Tom Langmyer, WGN’s vice president and general manager, said in a statement Tuesday. “He understands the personal bond that listeners have with WGN and will use his creativity, passion and experience to help make that connection stronger than ever.”

White, who joined WBT as program director in 2001, previously held programming jobs at other news and talk stations, including KDKA-AM Pittsburgh, KMBZ-AM Kansas City, WTVN-AM Columbus and WTIC-AM Hartford. He’s a communications/journalism graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

“WGN has influenced me throughout my career and I’m honored to become a part of this important Chicago institution,” White said in a statement. “WGN is the ultimate in community connection, with incredible assets in talent, news, and sports. I am thrilled to join Tom Langmyer and his team at America’s most respected set of call letters.”

White is following the path of Mary June Rose, program director of WBT from 1991 to 1996, who held the same post at WGN from 1996 to 2005.

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: New program director takes on tough job at troubled WGN Radio : January 18th, 2011 : An Oak Park native who has programmed news and talk radio stations in markets across the country has been hired as program director of WGN-AM (720), the Tribune Co.’s troubled news/talk station. : Bill White (pictured left), who most recently has been operations director of Greater Media’s WBT-AM/FM and WLNK-FM in Charlotte, N.C., officially starts at WGN Feb. 14. He replaces the notorious Kevin Metheny, who was ousted in November shortly after his protector, Randy Michaels, resigned under fire as CEO of Tribune Co. : In following Metheny’s reign of terror, White may be tackling one of the toughest jobs in the radio industry. He inherits a demoralized staff and an ever-shrinking audience that felt disrespected by many of Metheny’s incomprehensible personnel moves. Their dissatisfaction was reflected in the Arbitron ratings for December, which showed WGN falling to 23rd place with a 2.1 percent share of adults between 25 and 54 — the so-called “money demo” deemed most attractive to advertisers. : “Bill brings extensive experience and a solid track record of success in programming live and local heritage stations like WGN Radio,” Tom Langmyer, WGN’s vice president and general manager, said in a statement Tuesday. “He understands the personal bond that listeners have with WGN and will use his creativity, passion and experience to help make that connection stronger than ever.” : White, who joined WBT as program director in 2001, previously held programming jobs at other news and talk stations, including KDKA-AM Pittsburgh, KMBZ-AM Kansas City, WTVN-AM Columbus and WTIC-AM Hartford. He’s a communications/journalism graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. : “WGN has influenced me throughout my career and I’m honored to become a part of this important Chicago institution,” White said in a statement. “WGN is the ultimate in community connection, with incredible assets in talent, news, and sports. I am thrilled to join Tom Langmyer and his team at America’s most respected set of call letters.” : White is following the path of Mary June Rose, program director of WBT from 1991 to 1996, who held the same post at WGN from 1996 to 2005.

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