Beasley Media has closed on its $240 million acquisition of Greater Media.

The move gives Beasley eighteen additional stations in Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia and three suburban New Jersey markets following the divestiture of Greater Media’s Charlotte cluster plus Beasley’s 610 WFNZ to Entercom.

Prior to the closing word leaked of additional staff cuts at the now-former Greater Media stations. Among those exiting are Detroit Market Manager Steve Chessare and Peter Werbe, who hosted the Nightcall talk show on sunday evenings on Rock 101.1 WRIF. The Charlotte Observer reported that News/Talk 1110 WBT/99.3 WBT-FM late morning host Keith Larson and 31 year station vet News Director Jim Barroll exited.

Mac Edwards will transfer from Beasley’s Fayetteville NC cluster after 25 years to serve as the new VP/Market Manager for the Detroit cluster. Country 99.5 WQYK Tampa General Sales Manager Erika Beasley moves to Fayetteville as the new Market Manager there.

Interim CEO & Chief Financial Officer Caroline Beasley sent the following memo in regards to the closing:

Dear Beasley Media Group family,

It is my great honor to share with you that we have officially closed on the transaction with Greater Media, Inc. Please join me in welcoming our new employees to the Beasley Media Group family.

This transaction joins two family-founded companies that have always taken great pride in serving our communities into a brand new, multi-platform broadcast and digital company that will expand our united presence in the radio industry. We will be working together to significantly broaden our reach, our scale and our revenue base.

Of course, this deal has demanded the highest level of dedication, focus and teamwork. I am grateful to our founder and Chairman George Beasley, our President Bruce Beasley, and our COO Brian Beasley. They, along with our tireless corporate team members, have dedicated every single day since our acquisition announcement to ensure this successful closing. I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Joyce Fitch and Marie Tedesco, who have worked days, nights and weekends during these last several months.

Today, I thank each and every one of you for creating and sustaining the continued success of Beasley Media Group. I invite you to remember this day, to share in our joy, and to celebrate this longstanding, outstanding radio company.

We hope to perform beyond your expectations, provide leadership with extraordinary vision, and ensure that you will have a future that is brighter than ever, at Beasley Media Group.

Sincerely,

Caroline Beasley
Interim CEO & Chief Financial Officer

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Beasley Media Group, Inc. a subsidiary of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBGI) has promoted Fayetteville’s former VP /Market Manager Mac “Edwards” (McTindal) to VP/Market Manager at Beasley’s newly acquired Detroit, Michigan cluster.

Effective immediately, Mac will oversee three of Greater Media’s former stations, including, 101 WRIF “Everything That Rocks!” and 105.1 THE BOUNCE (WMGC) “Detroit’s Throwback Hip Hop and R&B”, as well as 94.7 WCSX “The Motor City’s Classic Rock Station.”

“After 25 years of dedicated service to Beasley’s Fayetteville market, Mac will bring his wealth of experience to our new Detroit cluster,” noted Brian E. Beasley EVP/Chief Operating Officer at Beasley Media Group. “Mac has worked with Beasley in positions from Program Director to Air Personality, to Operations Manager and he has served as Fayetteville’s award-winning Market Manager since 2007. We’re moving forward on our path to success in Detroit, as Mac takes the helm of these iconic stations.”

“It’s my absolute privilege to work with these three outstanding radio stations in the Motor City,” commented Mac. “I am eager to lead the transition of the tremendous talent within the Detroit cluster into the Beasley family of stations. We share a deep commitment to the community and clients we serve every day, and I know we will benefit from the previous success we’ve collectively achieved. Meanwhile, the Fayetteville team will continue to be close to my heart, as we collectively expand Beasley’s reach in the radio industry.”

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Beasley Media Group, Inc. a subsidiary of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBGI) has promoted Erika Beasley to Vice President/ Market Manager of five stations in the Fayetteville cluster. Erika will replace Fayetteville’s former VP/Market Manager Mac Edwards (McTindal), who is transferring to VP/Market Manager at Beasley’s newly acquired Detroit, Michigan cluster, effective immediately.

Erika has served as General Sales Manager of WQYK in Beasley’s Tampa Bay market since January, 2015, where she had been instrumental in that station’s revenue growth. Erika brings nearly 12 years of experience at Beasley’s stations, from Ft Myers to Philadelphia to Tampa. She is a graduate of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Leadership Training Class and the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) “Rising through the Ranks” where she was recently honored with the first annual Mentoring and Inspiring Women (MIW) Rising Star Award.

“Erika is clearly a superstar in our industry,” said Brian E. Beasley, EVP/Chief Operating Officer at Beasley Media Group. “She has already exceled in several of our top revenue producing stations. We’ve watched her sharpen her skills in intense executive training, combined with a dozen years of her first-hand, real world, on-the job experience. Erika is capable and qualified to take our Fayetteville cluster to new levels of success!”

“With Fayetteville’s established, veteran Market Manager Mac Edwards as my predecessor, I know I will have huge shoes to fill!” commented Erika. “I am absolutely prepared for this new challenge, and welcome this new level of responsibility. My sincere appreciation goes to the entire executive management team for showing abiding faith in my leadership abilities. I am excited about my opportunity in Fayetteville and am anxious to get to work with my new team!”