Woodward Communications, Inc. (WCI) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire four radio stations (WNNS-FM, WQLZ-FM, WMAY-FM, and WMAY-AM) from Mid-West Family that serve the Springfield, IL marketplace.
WCI acquired four radio stations (WXAJ-FM, WFMB-FM, WCVS-FM, and WFMB-AM) from Neuhoff Media that also serve the Springfield, IL marketplace, which was completed last month on October 1st.
Strategically, by merging these two operations, WCI’s leadership team believes this will enhance listener and customer experiences as well as advertiser value.
“We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to integrating Mid-West’s solid brands into our Springfield operations. Over a period of time our plan is to co-locate all of the stations and related operations into Mid-West Family’s current office and studios, which we believe will create synergies that will benefit our employee owners, our customers, and the community,” said Tom Woodward, CEO and President of WCI.
In order to conform with FCC ownership rules, Woodward has entered into an agreement to divest WCVS-FM.
Kevin O’Dea, Market Manager for Woodward’s Springfield marketplace, will continue in his role. O’Dea began his radio career in 1978 as an Account Executive with Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s WMAY-AM in Springfield, and recently was awarded the Illinois Broadcaster Association’s 2024 “Vincent T. Wasilewski Broadcaster of the Year.” O’Dea will continue to report to Kelly Radandt, overall Marketing Manager for both of WCI’s radio groups based in Appleton, WI and Illinois.
WCI also has entered into agreements to divest two of its recently acquired radio stations in Bloomington, IL: WIHN and WWHX. Further, WCI has entered into a “Local Marketing Agreement” (LMA) with Great Plains Media to operate WBBE. Great Plains Media currently owns and operates three radio stations in Bloomington, IL.
WCI stated the divestitures and the LMA agreement in Bloomington will allow it to better focus its resources in the Springfield marketplace.
Pending FCC approval, WCI anticipates officially completing the acquisition of the Mid-West Family Springfield stations as well as the related divestitures and the LMA in the respective markets. Greg Guy of Tideline Partners advised WCI on the acquisition of Mid-West Family, the divestitures and LMA. Bob Heymann Jr., Managing Director of Media Services Group – Chicago, advised Mid-West Family.
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Woodward Communications, Inc. (WCI)
WCI is based in Dubuque, IA and owns and operates community media businesses, including: print and digital community newspapers; radio; lifestyle publications; events; business-to-business publications; custom publishing, and commercial printing. WCI is a locally owned and operated employee-owned company. www.Wcinet.com
Woodward Community Media (WCM)
As a division of WCI, WCM informs, entertains and connects our communities through audio, print, video, digital and event content for our audiences and customers. WCM marketplaces include: The greater Dubuque, IA and tri-state area; The Fox Cities, including Green Bay and Oshkosh, in Northeast Wisconsin; Madison, WI; Springfield/Bloomington, IL; and Providence, Rhode Island.
Contacts:
Tom Woodward, CEO/President
Woodward Communications, Inc.
801 Bluff St., Dubuque, IA
tom.woodward@wcinet.com
Kevin O’Dea, Market Manager
Woodward Community Media, Springfield/Bloomington, IL
3055 S. 4th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
217-652-2883
Kevin.odea@wcmspi.com
Kelly Radandt, Market Manager
Woodward Community Media – North East Wisconsin and Springfield/Bloomington, IL
2800 E College Ave, Appleton, WI
920-831-5655
kradandt@wcinet.com
