Posted by chicagomedia.org on December 15, 2008 at 19:51:37:
In Reply to: Bye Kipper posted by Big Al on December 15, 2008 at 19:28:24:
WGN-AM names Metheny program director; Shomper said to be headed to WLS-AM
WGN-AM 720 on Monday named Cleveland import Kevin Metheny its new program director, replacing Bob Shomper, who the Tribune Co. station's boss said is headed to Citadel Broadcasting's WLS-AM 890.
WLS-AM executives could not immediately reached for comment.
Metheny, a former vice president for the Clear Channel Radio cluster of stations in Cleveland that includes 50,000-watt news-and-talk outlet WTAM-AM.
"During [Metheny's ] 10 ten years in Cleveland, perhaps his most impressive feat was to take [WTAM] and make it the number one station in Cleveland and a top 25-54 performer," WGN-AM Vice President and General Manager Tom Langmyer said in a note to WGN staff. "He did this through building the ... station to 'sound like Cleveland.' As a true radio guy, he has a great understanding and respect for WGN and what it means to Chicago. He also knows that WGN can be grown further in terms of relevance today as 'The Voice of Chicago.'"
Langmyer noted that Shomper, who arrived from Dallas in 2006, "has been instrumental in implementing a solid formatic structure and building a strong bridge between programming and the sales and marketing teams. He has also made solid additions to our programming team ... and will be missed."
Tribune Co. also owns the Chicago Tribune.
(Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune)