Management Moves At Bonneville Phoenix
• Bonneville Phoenix makes two significant programming department moves: 1) Major market veteran Brian Long joins the company as Director of Programming Operations for the cluster, which includes KTAR News and Sports-Talk duo KMVP (Arizona Sports 98.7) and KTAR-AM (ESPN 620). He will also serve as Program Director of Arizona Sports and ESPN 620; and 2) Martha Maurer has been elevated to Program Director of KTAR News.
Long (left) spent the past nine years with iHeartMedia San Diego, most recently as Director of News and Sports Programming. He’s also a Bonneville veteran, having previously served as Sr. Director of Programming and PD of sister KIRO (710 ESPN)/Seattle until late 2013. Long began his radio career at KMBZ in his hometown of Kansas City back in the day. In 1998 he headed west for stints in Palm Springs, Bakersfield and at ESPN Los Angeles.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brian back to the Bonneville family,” said Ryan Hatch, SVP/Market Manager of Bonneville Phoenix. “He is a proven leader who will bring strategic thinking and an innovative spirit that will grow our market leading news and sports brands.” Long remarked, “Getting the chance to return to Bonneville after such a great run in San Diego and being part of the evolution for such iconic brands as Arizona Sports and KTAR News is humbling. I look forward to getting to work alongside some of the best talent in the country.” Long replaces Sean Thompson, who left in June.
Maurer (right), joined KTAR in 2012 and most recently held the dual roles of Assistant Program Director and News Director. “There is no one more passionate about KTAR News and its talented content teams than Martha,” said Hatch. “We have watched her grow and achieve great success for 11 years and couldn’t be more excited for her to lead this legendary brand into the future.”
Maurer said, “It’s an honor to continue supporting the mission of Bonneville Phoenix and the heritage brand that is KTAR News. I’m thrilled for this new opportunity to work with the best team in broadcasting and grow our news and talk content across multiple distribution channels.”
