Salem Communications Announces New York Management Changes
CAMARILLO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/09/13 -- Salem Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: SALM), a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and conservative opinion content, announced today leadership changes in New York. Effective January 9, Sean O'Neil has been named to the position of Market Manager. Sean will report to David Santrella, President of Salem's Radio Division. Jerry Crowley has been hired as VP/General Manager for its two stations in New York, WNYM-AM and WMCA-AM. Crowley, who served as the VP/GM of Buckley Broadcasting's WOR-AM in New York until late December, will begin January 9th in his new role. The hiring unites four longtime New York radio veterans on the team Salem is creating in New York, as host Mike Gallagher moves across town to join the lineup on AM 970 The Answer.
Salem's new regional VP Phil Boyce announced the hiring adding, "With Jerry's longtime tenure running one of the nation's leading talk radio stations, we could not have found a better match for our stations in New York." The announcement means that Crowley and Boyce, who competed against each other for years when Boyce programmed WABC-AM, will also pair up two other WABC-AM alums, Curtis Sliwa and Mike Gallagher, to form a team to take the Salem stations to the next level. "I admired Jerry's work across town during my 14 years of programming WABC," said Boyce. "To get him on my new team at Salem is a huge opportunity to grow the stations' revenue and make an impact in New York radio. With Curtis having 19 years of experience at WABC coupled with Jerry's 18 years at WOR, we are forming a team with great knowledge of the talk market in New York."
Curtis hosts the morning program on AM 970 The Answer from 6-9am, and returns in the afternoon with Jeff Lichtman 5-7pm. Earlier in his career, Mike Gallagher hosted both morning and afternoon drive on WABC-AM, and until the last week of December hosted 9am to Noon on WOR-AM. He will join AM 970 The Answer in the 9am to 11am slot. "Mike will be doing his show live from the Empire State Building for us at AM 970 The Answer, as well as the Salem Radio Network," said Boyce. "He will be all over national and local issues." Former New Yorker Dennis Miller will move to 11am to 1pm, along with Brooklyn born and bred Dennis Prager who moves to 1pm to 3pm.
Crowley is credited with turning WOR-AM into one of the most profitable and successful News Talk stations in the country during his 18 years at the helm, first as sales manager and then VP General Manager. "It is with the greatest anticipation that I look to join the team at WNYM and WMCA for Salem Communications," said Crowley. "These call letters represent great brands that will hit their stride now and in the coming years, serving the Tri-State listeners in exactly the manner they would expect and frankly need." Crowley is an industry veteran with countless contacts in the New York ad community. He added, "This is an exciting prospect for me and I have never looked forward to a challenge with any more enthusiasm and passion."
About Salem Communications
Salem Communications Corporation is the largest commercial U.S. radio broadcasting company that provides programming targeted at audiences interested in Christian and conservative opinion content, as measured by the number of stations and audience coverage. Upon completion of all announced transactions, the company will own and/or operate a national portfolio of 99 radio stations in 38 markets, including 61 stations in 22 of the top 25 markets. Salem also programs the Family Talk™ Christian-themed talk format on SiriusXM Radio, channel 131.
Salem also owns Salem Radio Network, a national radio network that syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,300 affiliated radio stations and Salem Media Representatives, a national media advertising sales firm with offices across the country.
In addition to its radio broadcast business, Salem owns an Internet and a publishing division. Salem Web Network is a provider of online Christian and conservative-themed content and streaming and includes websites such as Christian faith focused Christianity.com, Questions and Answers about Jesus Christ at Jesus.org, Christian living focused Crosswalk.com®, online Bible at BibleStudyTools.com, Christian videos at GodTube.com, a leading website providing church media at WorshipHouseMedia.com and Christian radio ministries online at OnePlace.com. Additionally Salem owns conservative news leader Townhall.com® and conservative political blog HotAir.com, providing conservative commentary, news and blogging. Salem Publishing™ circulates Christian and conservative magazines such as Homecoming® The Magazine, YouthWorker Journal™, The Singing News, FaithTalk Magazine, Preaching and Townhall Magazine™. Xulon Press™ is a provider of self publishing services targeting the Christian audience.
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Company Contact Evan D. Masyr Salem Communications (805) 384-4512 Email Contact
Source: Salem Communications Corporation
Released January 9, 2013