Audacy News/Talk 1020 KDKA/100.1 W261AX Pittsburgh is beginning a search for a new Brand Manager as Dave LaBrozzi will retire in early April.
LaBrozzi has programmed KDKA since November 2021. With a career that started at WLEM Emporium PA, LaBrozzi would program WWVA/WOVK Wheeling WV, WNRJ Pittsburgh, KEYI Austin, KONO-FM San Antonio, Dallas, WRMX/WMAK Nashville, and Regional VP/Programming for Clear Channel Pittsburgh. In 2004, he joined CBS Radio Baltimore as VP/Programming, where he would remain for fourteen years before moving to Cumulus Hot AC 95.5 WPLJ New York in 2018. Following the sale of Cumulus’ New York stations, Labrozzi would move to Talk 770 WABC as VP/Programming until his departure for KDKA.
In a Facebook post, Labrozzi wrote:
With apologies to a 1974 Mac Davis song, “Rock ‘n’ Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life), “Radio, 1 gave you the best years of my life.” Now, my radio life is coming to an end. My last day is slated for early April.
I look back with gratitude. It began a long, long time ago at 1250 WLEM in my small wooded hometown of Emporium and I would have never imagined that all of my dreams would be multiplied by two. I was blessed with an amazing journey; from Emporium to New York City and every city in between including Nashville, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
My wife was/is my hero and she was always my biggest fan. We started our journey together in Wheeling, WV and we lived out the lyrics of WKRP in Cincinnati; moving from town to town and up and down the dial. In Nashville and in other markets, I was known as Amie Harper’s husband because she was always the bigger star -and I was okay with it.
Nashville remains my all-time favorite place because both our amazing children were born there.
The best part of my job was working with some of the best talent in the country. I tried to never get in their way and I listened in awe to what they created daily. They were the reason for my success and I am thankful for the privilege of tagging along.There were some great leaders with whom I have great respect and they deserve mentioning: Vito Lanzillo and Deb, Jeanine, Tony Booth, Bill Shannon, Stan Webb, Steve Edwards, Bob Philips, Chris Oliviero, Mike McVay, Dave Popovich and Michael Spacc. Thank you all!
I’ve made lifelong friends and lost some too. I desperately miss my dear friend Charlie Mitchell.
Friends Bob Nelson and George Hart have been gone too long but their impact is remembered daily. There are others but the list would be too long for this space to hold.The time has come for me to walk away and I do so with the deepest appreciation. If I worked with you, l hope you can say that I gave you my best and that I helped you succeed. I know my life was richer because of you and I will cherish the memories we created together. Thank you!
Now, about that last break…
Audacy’s job posting says, “Audacy Pittsburgh is seeking a uniquely talented individual to oversee and direct KDKA on all public facing channels. You will lead a brand evolution for our spoken word format both over-the-air and online, growing audience and reach on all platforms.”
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com