Broadcaster Donates Stations To Minorities
WASHINGTON - Clear Channel Radio will donate two additional stations to the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (MMTC) through the MMTC-Clear Channel Ownership Diversity Initiative, an ongoing program to expand ownership and training opportunities for minorities, women, and other underserved groups. Also, Clear Channel and the MMTC announced that two of four AM stations previously donated to MMTC along with other equipment will be re-launched with new minority operators and executives. The rigorous screening process, determined by the MMTC, focused on candidates who could best serve their respective communities.
"By donating these two additional stations, we're helping to create more opportunities for those who want to excel in the radio industry," said John Hogan, President and CEO of Clear Channel Radio.
The two newly donated channels are:
-- KFXN-AM, Minneapolis, MN
-- WTOC-AM, Newton, NJ, Sussex County
Last year at MMTC's conference, the company donated a transmitter to the MMTC, as well as four AM stations: WHJA AM (Laurel, MS), KYHN (Fort Smith, AK), KYFX (Wabasha, MN), and WYNF AM (North Augusta, SC).
WHJA-AM and WYNF-AM Awards Near Completion
WYNF-AM has been awarded to Shannon Renee deMedicis of Medici Media, Inc., and WHJA-AM was awarded to Jeffrey Hedgemon, CEO of Full Spectrum Broadcasting. The MMTC is now working with Renee deMedicis on WYNF and Jeffrey Hedgemon on WHJA. Pending financing and final diligence, the stations will be operated under LMAs.
"Shannon and Jeffrey have demonstrated exceptional work and decades of experience in media and broadcasting," said David Honig, President and Executive Director of MMTC. "We're confident that, with the resources provided by Clear Channel Radio and MMTC's cooperation with the NAB Education Foundation, we can further support Shannon and Jeffrey so that they can provide a meaningful resource for news and entertainment to their communities. We're excited to continue our work with Clear Channel to progress diversity in broadcasting."
Shannon Renee deMedicis is Owner and President of Medici Media, Inc. She brings nearly 25 years of advertising and broadcast experience to her new responsibilities at WHJA-AM. Her past experience includes radio sales for companies like Billboard as well as several local radio stations in Georgia. Shannon also served as the LMA Operator for WNRR 1230 AM in August, Ga.
Jeffrey Hedgemon serves as President/CEO of Full Spectrum Broadcasting and has 40 years of experience in broadcasting. He began his broadcasting career in 1970 at WXOK AM in Baton Rouge, La., as a part-time radio announcer while in high school. During his career, Jeffrey has worked on-air as well as in programming, production and sales and corporate management.
About Minority Media and Telecommunications Council
The Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (MMTC) is nonpartisan and nonprofit, having been organized under IRS Section 501(c)(3) and is fully committed to promoting and preserving equal opportunity and civil rights in the mass media and telecommunications industries. MMTC is governed by a 17-member board of directors, which receives policy advice from a 30 member Board of Advisors. Approximately one third of the membership of the Board of Directors and one third of the membership of the Board of Advisors is elected each year by MMTC's membership. Terms of office are three years.
MMTC strongly believes that the breathtaking changes in communications technology and the new global forms of media partnerships must enhance diversity in the 21st century.
