Big news on the Chicago radio front. This just came in my e-mail, an alert from inside radio...
Jimmy de Castro named WGN manager.Veteran executive Jimmy de Castro is returning to radio's front lines, signing on as general manager of Tribune’s news-talk “Radio 720” WGN, Chicago. De Castro has previously run radio groups including AMFM and Evergreen Media.
Of course I worked for Jimmy at the Loop for several years (although last time I saw him, he had no memory of me at all--nice to know I made an impression during that seven year stretch). The thing I find interesting is, unless I'm reading this incorrectly, Jimmy is now working for Larry Wert. During the Loop days, it was the other way around. Very interesting.
UPDATE: From Robert Feder's Facebook page...
BROADCASTING BOMBSHELL: Tribune Co. names legendary media titan Jimmy deCastro president and general manager of WGN Radio. Bold move at heritage news/talk station reunites deCastro with Larry Wert, president of Tribune Co. Broadcast Media. Dynamic duo led Chicago's WLUP-AM/FM in its high-flying heyday. "WGN has been the cornerstone of AM Radio in the country forever," deCastro tells me. "I spent most of my career trying to tear their walls down. Now I'm inside the walls!" The most successful Chicago radio operator of all time, deCastro created the Loop juggernaut, hired key talent, and formed Evergreen Media and AMFM Inc., forerunners of Clear Channel Radio. In 2000, he cashed out after heading more than 400 stations nationwide — with 4 million shares of AMFM stock, worth more than $250 million, according to published reports. He briefly headed AOL Interactive and launched three companies — Nothing But Net, Music To Go and The Content Factory. He also owns two Chicago restaurants, Keefer's and Tavern at the Park.
