iHeartMedia has relaunched Spanish Hot AC “Mega 94.9” WMGE Miami as “Tú 94.9“.
The rebranding comes along with the announcement that local morning host Enrique Santos will join the station starting Monday, October 3. Santos exited Univision’s “Mix 98.3” WRTO earlier this week. In addition to hosting mornings at WMGE, Santos will server as Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of the company’s new iHeartLatino division.
Santos’ program will be syndicated nationally via Premiere Radio Networks. He will also develop new English and Spanish language programs for broadcast, digital and social media focusing on the Latino community. Prior to joining WRTO in 2008, Santos co-hosted “El Vacilón de la Mañana” on SBS’ “El Zol 95.7” WXDJ.
iHeartMedia announced today it has joined forces with Hispanic radio legend Enrique Santos of Magnus Media to develop an unprecedented Hispanic multi-platform initiative that will leverage iHeartMedia’s reach of more than a quarter of a billion listeners monthly. This new alliance recognizes the increasing importance and size of the U.S. Hispanic population, both Spanish and English speaking, and builds on Santos’ unparalleled profile within the Latino community as a top-rated on-air talent, trusted source, social and media influencer, content creator and community spokesperson and leader.
Under this new alliance, Santos will magnify his broadcast and digital media presence through iHeartMedia’s industry-leading assets and massive reach. In addition, Santos will become Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino, iHeartMedia’s new Hispanic platform, which builds on the company’s unique position as the number one Hispanic reach medium in the U.S. Today, iHeartMedia reaches 91% of the U.S. Hispanic population on a monthly basis — more Hispanics than any other media company, including Hispanic-targeted media companies. Anchored by the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina mega-concert, the new iHeartLatino platform will aggregate the entire portfolio of iHeartMedia’s vast array of Hispanic targeted products.
Beginning in October, Santos will anchor iHeartMedia’s new Spanish-language station TÚ 94.9, which launched at 12 p.m. Friday, September 9. TÚ 94.9 will be the new home of the top rated Enrique Santos Show on weekday mornings. In addition to headlining the TÚ 94.9 lineup, Santos’ show will also be syndicated by Premiere Networks on Spanish-speaking stations across the U.S. beginning in October.
In addition, Santos will advance iHeartMedia’s efforts to activate the Hispanic audience across all of the company’s platforms; develop new Latino-focused programming and content; identify and develop new talent for the company in the Hispanic arena; and play a major role in iHeartMedia’s marquee live events – including the iHeartRadio Music Awards and the iHeartRadio Music Festival – and host the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina.
“Enrique is a one-of a-kind talent, able to communicate equally as well to the Spanish and English speaking audiences. He also has unparalleled relationships within the Latino music and advertising industries and we look forward to building on those opportunities,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc. “With the entire iHeartMedia platform and its enormous reach at his disposal, he will be able to amplify his already successful profile and talents as well as create new content and opportunities for iHeartMedia and our consumers.”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining forces with iHeartMedia at this point in my career,” said Santos. “From our very first meeting, Bob and his team impressed me with their leadership and intense commitment to serve our community as a major priority. The iHeartMedia team’s forward looking approach coupled with the company’s massive reach provides the perfect foundation for us to create the next generation of transmedia entertainment for Latinos across the nation.”
Santos was represented in this negotiation by Michel Vega, CEO of Magnus Media, and Alexander Brown, Partner, The Concept Law Group.
