Connoisseur Media, now a much larger radio group after the completion of its acquisition of Alpha Media, continues the rapid expansion of its programming team across the country. The company has announced a slate of new format coordinators following the recent promotion of Keith Dakin to Senior Vice President of Programming. The company says the moves will strengthen its ability to respond quickly and effectively across its markets.
Among the new format coordinators are Ben Davis, Top 40, based in Louisville, KY, where he programs WDJX (99.7) and co-hosts mornings; Kevin Begley, Hot AC, based in Metro Fairfield, CT, who programs WEZN (99.9) and is tied to the success of the syndicated “Anna and Raven Show”; Darrick “Brown” Williams, Urban/Rhythmic Top 40, based in Columbia, SC, who adds Rhythmic oversight to his role as Operations Manager of the cluster; Ross MacLeod, News/Talk, based in Portland, OR, Program Director at KXL-FM (101.1); Rob Kelley, Country, based in Lincoln, NE, who also works in Topeka and continues his role from Alpha Media; and Allan Lamberti, Rock, based in New Haven, CT, a 20-year Connoisseur veteran who programs WPLR (99.1) and WICC (600).
Additionally, Patrick Shea, based on Long Island, will work with emerging technology and radio automation companies, part of Connoisseur’s efforts to drive innovation and efficiency.
“These moves today will allow us to have a dedicated group of programmers that can work with our local markets, partners, vendors, and the record community on a one-to-one basis,” Dakin said in a release. “The idea here is that we will always have someone who can fix a problem, answer a question, and, most importantly, make a decision. Radio, to stay relevant, needs to have empowered leaders that can make things happen fast. I believe today we have that team.”