Executive Action At Emmis Indianapolis

• Emmis Indianapolis just shared some major news regarding two longtime executives: 1) SVP/Market Manager Bob Richards will be stepping down, and 2) VP of Sales Taja Graham has been promoted to Market President for the cluster, effective March 1. Emmis owns Country WLHK (97.1 Hank FM), AC WYXB (B105.7), News-Talk WIBC and Sports-Talk WFNI (107.5/1070 The Fan) and Network Indiana.

Graham will immediately elevate to Deputy Market Manager, retaining her sales responsibilities and will work with Richards as she transitions into the market leadership role. Following that transition, Richards plans to pursue other career interests. Both Richards and Graham were elevated into their current posts in November 2017. “Bob approached us last year with this plan and strongly endorsed Taja to succeed him in the role,” said Emmis Chairman & CEO Jeff Smulyan. “Taja has been a huge part of creating our winning culture at Emmis. Her commitment to building and developing great teams is directly correlated with our top-ranked position in the Indianapolis market. I’m thrilled to see our home-grown talent like Taja succeed and look forward to the impact she will have on our great brands in the years to come.”

Richards joined Emmis Indianapolis in 2009 as Operations Manager, and was upped to VP of Programming in March 2014. He began his career as PD of Country WFMS/Indianapolis under Susquehanna. Graham has spent 22 years with Emmis in a variety of radio sales and promotions leadership roles. She is a graduate of the RAB’s Mentoring and Inspiring Woman in Radio (MIW) Rising Through the Ranks program and was an MIW Mildred Carter Mentoring Program Finalist.

Commenting on Richards’ tenure with the company, Smulyan said, “I can’t thank Bob enough for his contributions over the past decade and in particular his leadership as Market Manager. His passion and desire to win have been hallmarks of his leadership and positioned our team for a great future. I wish Bob every success as he charts the course for his next career adventure and thank him for all he’s meant to Emmis.”