Tracy Brown

Tracy Brown, who joined WBEZ 91.5-FM as managing editor in 2019, has been promoted to chief content officer of the Chicago Public Media news/talk station.

She succeeds Steve Edwards, who resigned to join Koya Partners, a Massachusetts-based executive search and strategic advisory firm, as managing director. The company has offices in Chicago. Continue reading →

Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder

Robservations on the media beat:

Ending their 15-month run as a podcasting team, Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder will record their final episode Monday. Since February 2020 the longtime Chicago radio duo have been co-hosting “The Bill and Wendy Show” for Cumulus Media, parent company of news/talk WLS 890-AM. But with the launch of “Toon In With Me” earlier this year, Leff has been focusing on his role as host of the weekday morning cartoon show on MeTV. "More than anything, I can't thank the fans enough," he said of the podcast. "The past year was so rough for so many people, and the idea that we helped people get through it means a ton. Does this mean that Wendy and I will never work together again? No, we'd love to. We just need the right opportunity." Continue reading →

Brandis Friedman

Four prominent Chicago journalists have been named recipients of the 2021 Studs Terkel Community Media Awards by the nonprofit Public Narrative.

Winners announced online Tuesday include: Brandis Friedman, co-anchor and correspondent for “Chicago Tonight” on Window to the World Communications WTTW-Channel 11; Karen Hawkins, co-editor in chief of the Chicago Reader and founder of feminist media company Rebellious Magazine for Women; Maureen O’Donnell, reporter and obituary writer for the Sun-Times; and Michael Puente, reporter for Chicago Public Media WBEZ 91.5-FM. Continue reading →

Kevin Cross

Kevin Cross, senior vice president and general manager of NBC Sports Chicago, has been named president and general manager of NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 and Telemundo Chicago WSNS-Channel 44, Comcast NBCUniversal announced today.

The longtime Chicago media executive will succeed David Doebler, who is retiring June 1 after eight years in the top job at NBC Tower. In his new role, Cross will continue to oversee the regional sports network in addition to the two stations. Continue reading →

Chicago Journalism Review

Robservations on the media beat:

Fred Hampton

The Chicago police murder of Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton at his West Side apartment in December 1969 was so miserably reported by major media outlets that reporters turned to the Chicago Journalism Review to get the truth out. The result was a 16-page special edition with a detailed account of the murder and its attempted coverup. Coinciding with release of the Academy Award-nominated film “Judas and the Black Messiah,” surviving editors of the Chicago Journalism Review have digitized and posted the complete issue online. (Here is the link.) It includes resources to learn more about police and FBI roles in the assassination. Hank DeZutter, a former Chicago Daily News reporter who became editor of the Chicago Journalism Review, said the story “reverberates to this day, informing new generations and reinforcing the shocking memories of those who lived through this horrendous chapter in Chicago’s and the nation’s history.” Founded in 1968, the nonprofit review was published monthly until 1975. Continue reading →

Keith Sweat

WVAZ 102.7-FM, the iHeartMedia R&B station, bounced back to the top of Chicago's radio ratings in March, according to Nielsen Audio figures released Monday.

It marked a return to first place for V103 after five months. The station also finished first in evenings for the syndicated music show hosted by Keith Sweat. Continue reading →

Paul Davis

Paul Davis, a onetime Downstate Illinois news anchor who became an influential TV news executive and a widely admired statesman for his profession, led WGN-Channel 9 into the modern era of broadcast journalism during 13 years as news director of "Chicago's Very Own."

In a career that spanned six decades, he served as president of two of the nation's largest professional organizations — the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Davis died of cancer Sunday at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care in Gibson City, Illinois, according to his daughter, Marinell Croson. He was 82. Continue reading →

Chicago Tribune

With the collapse of a competing offer for the parent company of the Chicago Tribune over the weekend, it’s full speed ahead for Alden Global Capital in its bid to acquire complete control of Tribune Publishing.

Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss withdrew his participation in a $680 million bid for Tribune Publishing with Maryland hotel executive Stewart Bainum Jr. through their newly formed Newslight LLC. After examining Tribune Publishing finances, Wyss backed out.

While Bainum is said to remain committed to pursuing ownership of the company with other investors, Wyss’s withdrawal effectively scuttles the deal, as far as the Tribune Publishing board is concerned. That leaves the $635 million offer of New York-based hedge fund Alden Global Capital as the only one standing. Continue reading →

Chicago Tribune

On second thought, cancel the ticker tape parade and key to the city for Hansjörg Wyss.

The Swiss billionaire who burst on the scene last month as the “potential savior” of the Chicago Tribune won’t be challenging Alden Global Capital’s takeover of Tribune Publishing after all. Continue reading →

Mark Giangreco (Photo: ESPN 1000)

Robservations on the media beat:

Don't look for Mark Giangreco to be back on the radio any time soon. The veteran Chicago sportscaster had been a fixture for years on Good Karma Brands ESPN sports/talk WMVP 1000-AM, where he'd join afternoon hosts Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman in the studio three times a week. But Giangreco hasn't been on since late January when he was placed on administrative leave (and eventually fired) as top sports anchor at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 over comments directed at news anchor Cheryl Burton. His settlement with ABC 7 doesn't prevent him from working elsewhere, but it's not clear if or when he'll return to ESPN 1000. Both stations broadcast from studios at 190 North State Street. "Right now, Mark is doing some traveling," said Mike Thomas, ESPN Chicago market manager. "We continue to stay in touch." Meanwhile, it's too soon to assess the impact of Giangreco's ouster on Chicago's TV ratings, but here's a clue: Halfway through April, ABC 7 is tied with NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 for first place at 10 p.m. among viewers between 25 and 54 — the key demographic tied to advertising revenue. ABC 7 previously held the top spot alone. Continue reading →