Presslaff Named New MIW Spokeswoman
• The Mentoring & Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) Group Executive Committee announced that industry executive Ruth Presslaff, Founder of Presslaff Interactive Revenue, and leader of Second Street Media Enterprise Sales, has been named as the new MIW National Spokeswoman. She succeeds Mesnik Group President Denyse Smith Mesnik, APR who assumed the role in 2017 and will continue serving as a member of the MIW Group Executive Committee.
“Serving as a spokeswoman for the MIWs has been a professional and personal highlight,” said Mesnik. “Knowing that my friend, Ruth Presslaff, will now have this incredible experience makes the transition quite special. A longtime member of the Executive Committee, Ruth is more than prepared to step into the role of MIW Group National Spokeswoman. Her recognition in the industry, reputation as an innovative entrepreneur, genuine passion for radio and her commitment to nurturing the next generation of leadership makes Ruth a perfect candidate to speak on behalf of the MIWs as the Group continues evolving.”
Presslaff launched her career working for United Stations, rising to VP of Affiliate Relations at the age of 26. In 1988 she launched her own company, now Presslaff Interactive Revenue, which she sold to Arbitron in 1997. After a stint as President of Arbitron subsidiary, Media Marketing Technologies, Presslaff bought her company back, and built a proprietary email and contesting platform that was used by thousands of stations across the country. Three years ago, Ruth sold her company to Second Street, where she currently runs its Enterprise Sales Division.
The MIW Group is a volunteer organization dedicated to developing management and leadership skills for women in radio broadcasting, and equally committed to advocating the advancement of women to senior positions in the industry. Joan Gerberding became the MIW Group’s first national spokeswoman in 2000, followed by Heidi Raphael in 2008, Kay Olin in 2014 and Denyse Mesnik in 2017. Commenting on her new role with MIW, Presslaff said, “I’m humbled by this opportunity, eager to take on this challenge and honored to work with a truly stellar Executive Committee of dedicated and powerful women. There is a great need to serve our industry by mentoring women broadcasters at this particularly difficult moment in time, and beyond. To follow in Denyse, Kay, Heidi and Joan’s footsteps is both daunting, and true to our mission, inspiring!” Ruth can be congratulated at ruth@presslaff.com.
