Rob Johnson

Robservations on the media beat:

Rob Johnson, who abruptly signed off in March as top news anchor at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2, has segued to a new career as a communications consultant. Johnson announced this week that he has joined TechCXO, a firm specializing in temporary placement of senior corporate executives. As a Chicago-based partner he’ll focus on marketing and communications. In addition he's also launched Rob Johnson Communications, offering media training, executive coaching, public relations, image building, crisis management and related services. Calling his 21 years in Chicago TV news “a wonderful journey,” Johnson added: “Basically, I am taking all of my years as a communicator and charitable board member and applying them to the communications consultant world.” Before joining CBS 2 in 2006 Johnson spent eight years as weekend news anchor and reporter at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. Continue reading →

93.9 Lite FM

Robservations on the media beat:

Ready or not, it’s that time again! Chicago's annual cavalcade of Christmas music kicks off at 4 p.m. Tuesday on iHeartMedia adult contemporary WLIT 93.3-FM. It'll run around the clock through the end of the year. “There’s no place like home for the holidays and we are delighted to be Chicagoland’s home for holiday cheer in our 19th year,” Mick Lee, program director and afternoon host at 93.9 Lite FM, said in a statement. “We’re honored that so many Chicagoans include us in their annual holiday traditions, and we can’t wait to celebrate the season with Christmas music, fun contests, and a few new surprises along the way.” On Friday Hubbard Radio adult contemporary WSHE 100.3-FM stunted with an afternoon of Christmas music, but then returned to its usual format. “Having some fun playing Christmas music for a wintry Friday commute home,” said Jeff England, market manager of Hubbard Radio Chicago. Continue reading →

Lourdes Duarte

Prominent columnists for three Chicago area newspapers have been named finalists for the 2019 Dorothy Storck Award, to be presented by the Chicago Journalists Association.

Daily Herald sports columnist Barry Rozner, Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich and Sun-Times freelance columnist Natalie Moore (a reporter for Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM) are competing for the honor, which carries a $1,000 prize. Continue reading →

Eric Ferguson

The latest ratings triumph for Hubbard Radio hot adult-contemporary WTMX 101.9-FM and longtime morning star Eric Ferguson led the top 10 most-read stories here in October.

To read the full posts, click on the headlines: Continue reading →

Hank Mendheim

As "Windy City Live" marks its 2,000th episode on WLS-Channel 7 today, there's a new boss in charge of the ABC-owned station's weekday talk and entertainment show.

Hank Mendheim, who's been a senior producer on the show since its launch in 2011, was named executive producer Thursday. He also appeared regularly as the show's resident pop-culture guru “Frankly Hank” — a role he now relinquishes. Continue reading →