Longtime syndication executive Andy Denemark is stepping away from his day-to-day duties with the company.
Denemark, who has served as Executive Vice President of Programming at USRN since its founding in 1994, will continue to serve as an advisor and work on develop special projects including content for emerging audio platforms. The exit follows Gemini XIII’s purchase of United Stations last July with Denemark remaining to assist with the transition.
After starting his career at WVBR Ithaca NY while in college, Denemark has spent his entire career in syndication first serving as Manager of Affiliate Relations for DIR Broadcasting and Director of Affiliate Relations for NBC Radio Networks. He would move over to Director of Programming Operations for NBC in 1983, rise to Director of Programming in 1985 and hold that role through the network’s sale to Westwood One taking that position until leaving for USRN in 1994.
Andy Denemark, the programming executive who guided content development and program distribution at United Stations (“USRN”) since the network launched in 1994, is stepping away from day-to-day operations at the company. Denemark has spent decades having a hand in multiple aspects of USRN’s output including program creation, content strategies, talent development, partner properties, industry relations and more. USRN changed ownership in July of 2023 to Gemini XIII Media and Denemark remained on to assist with transitioning several facets of the business. Denemark will continue to advise United Stations on various topics and to develop special projects including content for emerging audio platforms.
During his long history with USRN, Denemark was responsible for the creation and distribution of dozens of programs in just about every format on the radio dial. Many of the programs Denemark created and managed featured celebrity hosts including several series hosted by USRN’s late, co-founding partner, the legendary Dick Clark. The list of other media stars who anchored regularly scheduled programs through United Stations during Denemark’s tenure includes (alphabetically) Dan Aykroyd, Nina Blackwood, Drew Carey, Alice Cooper, Crook & Chase, Lou Dobbs, Leeza Gibbons, Sammy Hagar, Ramsey Lewis, Ray Manzarek, Riki Rachtman, Chubb Rock, Al Roker, Todd Rundgren, Andrew Ross Sorkin and Dee Snider. At various times, Denemark supervised the content for over a dozen different nationally distributed Country music shows, numerous rock and pop programs, and he was a leader in syndicating Smooth Jazz programming at the height of the format’s popularity. He also brought well-known radio brands to United Stations such as HardDrive and Open House Party, both of which continue to thrive today.
Commenting on the changing role for Denemark, Gemini XIII COO Charles Steinhauer said, “USRN’s history and successes would not have been possible without the countless contributions of Andy Denemark over the last 30 years.” Denemark added, “When Gemini XIII took on USRN’s programming last summer, it was important to make sure that all transitions were smooth. The Gemini team is made up of smart and experienced network operators, and they’ll be great custodians of the USRN brand for a long time to come, and that gives me the opportunity to continue to explore creatively.”
Andy Denemark can be reached via his personal email which is andydenemark@gmail.com.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com