Guderian Awarded An Extra Bear
• Congrats to Kyle Guderian, PD of Federated Media Active Rock WBYR (98.9 The Bear) & Classic Hits WFWI (BIG 92.3)/Fort Wayne, IN, who just increased his programming portfolio by 33.3% with the annexation of Active Rock sister WRBR (103.9 The Bear)/South Bend. He will succeed Darcy Murphy, who we understand has accepted a position outside of radio but will remain with the station for the next week to aid in the transition. The announcement of Guderian’s new responsibilities was shared in a staff memo from Stephanie Michel, Market President of Federated Media’s South Bend group (based in suburban Mishawaka, IN).
Prior to joining Federated Media in 2019, Guderian spent over 15 years with Emmis, including three years in Chicago as OM of WLUP (97.9 The Loop) & WKQX (Q101). Before that he logged 12 years with Emmis St. Louis as APD/Promotions Director of KPNT (105.7 The Point), Director of Digital Solutions, and eventually Director of Marketing, Promotions & Events for KPNT, KSHE (KSHE 95), WNOU (NOW 96.3), and KFTK (97.1 FM Talk). Guderian earlier programmed WEQX/Manchester, VT, WEJE/Fort Wayne, and WFBZ, WKBH-FM& AM/La Crosse, WI.
When introducing himself to the South Bend staff, Guderian said, “Radio is in my blood. I grew up in the business with my Mom & Dad owning and operating a small-town radio station in Minnesota. Not only did my Mom drop me off at school in the station van, I was also on-the-air weeknights starting at age 14. I met my wife, Kathryn, in 1999 while working in Fort Wayne. After stops in Vermont, St. Louis, Chicago, and St. Louis (again), we relocated to Fort Wayne with our two daughters, Emory and Finley, to be closer to family. Emory is going into her senior year in high school, and Finley will be a freshman. I’m excited to join the Mishawaka team and look forward to meeting everyone and contributing to a great station like 103.9 The Bear!”
Bonus Content: 1) Guderian will remain based in Ft. Wayne, but will be making the 100-mile commute to South Bend on a frequent basis; 2) Both “Bear”-branded stations — WBYR and WRBR air the Jason Lee & Kluck morning show, based at WRBR/South Bend.
