As someone that likes to preach “tradition” in radio programming and formatics, I was quite pleased to read today in Crain’s that longtime Greater Media guru Tom Bender has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager of Greater Media Interactive. For more than 20 years, Bender has served as regional market manager for rock station WRIF, classic rocker WCSX and, more recently, for adult contemporary WMGC.
Though I have never met nor spoken to him, Bender obviously subscribes to everything that makes for outstanding radio: True personalities that resonate with listeners, continuity of format (and personalities) and an understanding of and appreciation for the local Detroit market.
Just think about it: Each of those stations is chock-full of some of our town’s all-time superstar talents, in virtually every daypart—from JJ & Lynne and Ken Calvert to Jim Harper, Drew & Mike and Arthur P. To a man and woman, they know Detroit and we know they’ll be there for us—at the same time each day—whenever we turn those respective stations on.
Congratulations, Tom. The industry desperately needs a few more hundred leaders and visionaries just like you.