WBBM 96.3-FM is banking on a radio personality from the Tampa Bay area to boost the Entercom Top 40 station’s record-low ratings in middays.
Makenzie Kramer, known on the air as "Kenzie K,” has been hired to host from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at B96, starting Tuesday. She replaces Nikki Imbracsio, who was cut after 10 years as midday personality.
Kramer, a native of Asheville, North Carolina, who started in radio at KDWB and KDOG in Minneapolis, most recently hosted middays at WLLD in Lakeland, Florida. Earlier she also worked as a news reporter for KEYC, the dual CBS/Fox-affiliated station in Mankato, Minnesota.
"I’m so excited to finally share the news!" she tweeted last week. "I'm living in Chicago joining the legendary station and team at @b96chicago . . . It’s surreal to be working in a market I’ve always dreamed of at a station I’ve always admired. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here!"
In the latest Nielsen Audio survey, B96 fell to an all-time low 22nd place in middays. Overall the station tied for 19th place with a 2.3 percent share. Mornings were realigned earlier this month with the departure of Kevin "DreX" Buchar.
“We have admired Kenzie K for quite some time and are incredibly excited to welcome this rising star to the Entercom team,” Jimmy de Castro, senior vice president and market manager of Entercom Chicago, said in a statement. “Her creativity and enthusiasm are a great fit for B96 and we look forward to her debut in Chicago.”
Friday's comment of the day: Fabienne Christian: I am so extremely happy for Roseanne [Tellez}. She was too underutilized on Channel 2 and they kept moving her from slot to slot. I stopped watching that station after they brought in outsiders constantly. She is the best in early morning news. Roseanne, you selected a much better early morning station.