Envision Broadcast Network, owners of Hot AC “Q92 The Beat” 92.3 KKGQ Newton/Wichita KS has announced it will merge into Rocking M Media.
Rocking M currently owns 24 stations in Central and Western Kansas and is in the process of acquiring Variety Hits “97.1 Bob-FM” KIBB Haven and Classic Country “100.5 Hank-FM” KVWF Augusta in the Wichita markets from Connoisseur Media.
As part of the deal, Rocking M will integrate Envision Broadcast Academy’s educational programs for the vision impaired into its operations in all of its markets.
Envision today announced a merger between the Envision Broadcast Network and Rocking M Media, LLC, a Manhattan, Kan.-based media company. The Envision Broadcast Network was formed in October 2014 when Envision acquired Q92 (92.3 KKGQ-FM). Envision’s desire to continue to grow and expand employment opportunities in the radio industry for people who are blind or visually impaired led to the merger, which represents a collaboration of ideals between Q92 and Rocking M Media.
“Having already employed individuals with vision loss at some of its existing stations, Rocking M Media shares Envision’s belief that people with all abilities should have access to meaningful career paths,” said Heather Hogan, Envision’s senior vice president of Foundation and Mission Services. “We’re proud of our successes with the Envision Broadcast Network and Q92. The fact that we found a radio group with the capacity to carry out our objectives on a much wider scale will propel our mission forward.”
“All it took was one visit to Envision for us to know the Envision Broadcast Network was something special,” said Christopher Miller, Rocking M Media president. “We are proud to work with Envision to build awareness and opportunity for a cause that deserves the highest level of visibility.”
Q92’s current on-air personalities who are blind or visually impaired will be brought into the Rocking M Media family. In addition, Rocking M Media will collaborate with Envision to take the Envision Broadcast Academy model to its entire multistate listening area. The Envision Broadcast Academy is a hands-on training program intended to equip youth and adults with vision loss with the skills and encouragement they need to explore high-tech careers in the radio industry.
About Envision: Envision (www.envisionus.com) promotes advocacy and independence for those who are blind or low vision. Founded in 1933, Envision is one of the largest employers of individuals with vision loss in the nation. Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., Envision’s mission is to improve the quality of life and provide inspiration for the blind and visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education and research. For more information, visit http://www.envisionus.com.
About Rocking M Media: The Rocking M Media, LLC group of 24 radio stations covers all of Central and Western Kansas and parts of Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. The US Census puts the population under the RMM radio stations at more than one million people. For more information, visit http://www.rockingmradio.com.
