Sandbloom Exits Alpha Media Portland
• Veteran programmer Gene Sandbloom announced his departure from Alpha Media Portland at the end of his three-year contract. Sandbloom joined the company in Sept. 2019 and had served in the dual role of Operations Director for the company’s flagship cluster and Content Director of heritage Triple A KINK-FM.
In a Facebook post, Sandbloom shared his news, noting, “When I arrived at KINK three years ago, the station wasn’t Top 10 in a single demographic,” he noted. “And the average age was pushing 60. With the help of the amazing on-air team of Mitch, Jared, Gustav and Peggy, we set about reinventing the station. The focus was creating a radio alternative to Spotify, and bringing back the great tenants of radio that had become lost. We ignored charts and formats and created a sound and a brand that didn’t exist anywhere else. Three years later KINK’s average age dropped 12 years and the station is now Top 5 in eight Nielsen demographics. And our streaming numbers and on line interaction are through the roof. All during a pandemic and through word of mouth.”
In closing, Sandbloom said, “A big thank you to Alpha Media for the opportunity to innovate and brand build. My three year contract is up, and I am excited as always for the next adventure.”
Sandbloom notably spent 25 years with The World Famous KROQ/Los Angeles, rising to Operations Manager of KROQ and Adult Hits KCBS-FM (93.1 Jack FM) until August 2017. Sandbloom started his career at KIIS-FM/Los Angeles in 1982, and worked his way up from intern to Music Director. Other career stops include A&R Director at MCA Records and Managing Editor of Network 40. He can now be reached at genesandbloom@gmail.com.
