Ben Ponzio

Ben Ponzio resigned Tuesday as general sales manager of CBS Radio Top 40 WBBM FM 96.3 to pursue a full-time career as a professional poker player.

“It’s been a lifelong dream that I never thought I’d be able to do,” said Ponzio, 40, who’s been playing as a hobby since he was 10. “Now I have the opportunity to make it happen, and I'm excited about it.” Continue reading →

Candice Agree

Candice Agree, who has brought “warm personality and sophisticated musical sensibility” to weekend mornings at classical WFMT FM 98.7, is moving up to weekday afternoons.

Starting in early September, she’ll be heard from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, the Window to the World Communications fine arts station announced Tuesday. Continue reading →

Alex Maragos

Alex Maragos, a rookie reporter and news anchor from West Lafayette, Indiana, is coming home to Chicago to join NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.

Frank Whittaker, station manager and vice president of news at NBC 5, announced Tuesday that Maragos has been hired as a general assignment reporter, starting August 11. “We’re excited to bring Alex back to his home town,” Whittaker said in a statement. “His experience in Chicago and his passion for breaking news will be a great addition to our news team.” Continue reading →

Jeffrey T. Mason

More than four years after CBS Radio relaunched WJMK FM 104.3 as K-Hits, the classic hits outlet is finally hitting it big.

In Nielsen Audio ratings released Monday, the station surged into the top five with its best performance to date. But some critics said there was a catch. Continue reading →

Norm Pattiz and Ginny Morris

Hubbard Radio, owner of three blue chip stations in Chicago, is staking a major claim in the podcast business.

The Minnesota-based company announced Monday that it has acquired a 30 percent interest in PodcastOne, the nation’s largest advertiser-supported podcast network. Among more than 200 programs on the network are shows hosted by Adam Carolla, Shaquille O’Neal, Dan Patrick, Penn Jillette, Laura Ingraham, Larry King and Dr. Drew Pinsky. Continue reading →