Cumulus Media Alternative 101.1 WKQX Chicago has announced the appointment of Jon Manley as Assistant Program Director/Music Director and evening host.
Manley indirectly completes the talent exchange with Entercom Alternative “107.7 The End” KNDD Seattle who hired Walter Flakus as APD/afternoon host in July after parting ways with Manley. Manley had exited KNDD in April after five years with the station. He previously worked as APD/MD at “X107.5” KXTE Las Vegas from 2010-2014 and KEDJ Phoenix from 2003-2010.
CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has appointed Alternative Rock programming specialist Jon Manley as Assistant Program Director/Music Director for Chicago Alternative Rock radio station 101 WKQX. Manley, a Chicago native, will also be heard on the station weekdays from 7:00pm-Midnight as On-Air Host, Evenings. Manley was previously Assistant Program Director/Music Director and On-Air Host, Afternoon Drive for Alternative station 107.7 The End/KNDD-FM in Seattle, WA. Prior to that, he served in the same capacities at Alternative-formatted X107.5/KXTE-FM in Las Vegas, NV.
Marv Nyren, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Chicago, said: “The beauty of 101 WKQX is that when a position becomes available, the talent lines up. Jon epitomizes the type of talent we were looking for. He’s smart, has an outstanding knowledge of music, and is a Chicago guy coming home who knows exactly what the audience wants. He’ll be a rock star on the air and an Alt Rock star working with Troy Hanson on the product.”
Troy Hanson, Vice President, Operations, Cumulus Chicago, and 101 WKQX Program Director, said: “Manley is the premier Music Director of the Alternative format. His track record of ratings success and understanding of where tomorrow is today just made WKQX better.”
Manley said: “As a kid growing up in Chicago, I recorded songs off WKQX to play back later on my Sony Walkman. And now I get to be the one cracking the mic and helping to shape the sound of the station for the next generation of music nerds! It’s cliché to say, but it is literally a dream come true for me and I could not be more excited to start this new adventure. Big thanks to Troy Hanson and Marv Nyren for believing in me and giving me this opportunity, and a tip of the cap to everyone who has helped me get to this point in my journey.”
