4-22-13
Radio Ink has announced the finalists for the Medallas de Cortez awards for excellence in Hispanic radio. Nominees include industry leaders in station management, sales, programming, and advertising. These finalists will be judged and winners will be presented with the prestigious Medallas de Cortez medal at a ceremony during the Radio Ink Hispanic Radio Conference, May 16-17 at the Biltmore Hotel in Miami.
Nominees have been selected in 12 categories, covering both large- and small-market Hispanic radio. The awards are sponsored by McGavren Guild Media. The Medallas de Cortez awards were created by Radio Ink magazine to recognize outstanding achievements and leadership in the Hispanic radio marketplace. They were named after Raoul Cortez, a pioneer in Hispanic radio in America; his image appears on the medal presented to winners in each category.
"Hispanic radio is an important part of the overall radio industry and is often overshadowed by mainstream radio," said Deborah Parenti, Executive Vice President/Radio for Radio Ink parent Streamline Publishing. "These awards are designed to give recognition to those who have contributed to elevate the overall reputation, professionalism, and image of Hispanic radio." Radio Ink solicited nominations from the radio industry, then determined finalists based on specific criteria for each category.
"I've grown especially fond of the Hispanic radio community," Streamline Chairman Eric Rhoads said. "This is a group of people who are passionate about their formats, their community, and working together to elevate the success of their sector of our industry. Those participating in our conference will be a part of this community effort to grow Hispanic radio and create even more interest among national and local advertisers. We're proud to be the catalyst to bring them together, give them this forum, and watch as more advertisers embrace Hispanic radio."
The Finalists Are:
Broadcaster of the Year
Michelle Bella, ESPN Deportes
Jeffery Liberman, Entravision
Jay Meyers, Adelante Media Group
Salvador Ponce, American General Media
Albert Rodriguez, Spanish Broadcasting System
Jose Valle, Univision Radio
Station of the Year, Markets 1-25
KLTN/Houston
WMGE-FM/Miami
WNUA-FM/Chicago
WSKQ/New York
WXNY/New York
WXYX-FM/Puerto Rico
Station of the Year, Markets 26+
KBBU/Modesto, CA
KOYE & KCUL/Tyler-Longview, TX
KRVT/Tulsa
WGSP-AM/Charlotte
General Manager of the Year, Markets 1-25
Eric Garcia, SBS/New York
Jaime Jimenez, Univision/Los Angeles
James Kalmenson, KWKW (ESPN Deportes)/Los Angeles
Ed Krampf, Adelante/Sacramento
Felix Lopez, SBS/Miami
General Manager of the Year, Markets 26+
Jon Bloom, WYMY/Raleigh
Steve Groesbeck, KCMT/Tucson
Gerardo Martinez, KBBU/Modesto, CA
Aaron Scoby, KLOK & KSES/Salinas-Monterey, CA
Rich Watson, KRQK/Santa Maria, CA
Sales Manager of the Year, Markets 1-25
Loretta Anaya, Univision/Miami
Mike Addison, KWKW (ESPN Deportes)/Los Angeles
Karima Khawja, WXNY/New York
Victor Olaniel, WMGE-FM/Miami
Sabina Widmann-Hernandez, KLNV & KLQV/San Diego
Sales Manager of the Year, Markets 26+
Gary Shellton, KZTB & KMMG/Tri-Cities, WA
Vita Riner, KSYR-FM/Shreveport, LA
Corinna Ruiz, KOYE & KCUL/Tyler-Longview, TX
Program Director of the Year, Markets 1-25
Raul Brindis, KLTN/Houston
Rafael Bautista, WOJO-FM/Chicago
Pedro Javier Gonzalez, Univision Radio, Eastern Region
Ray Hernandez, WMGE-FM/Miami
Ricardo Otero, WNUA-FM/Chicago
Victor Martinez, WLZL-FM/Washington
Program Director of the Year, Markets 26+
Julie Garza, WYMY-FM/Raleigh
Jose Super Martinez, WRLX-FM/West Palm Beach
Allen McLaughlin, KRVT/Tulsa
Yolanda Novarro, KLOQ/Merced, CA
Quilvio Perdomo, WKKB-FM/Providence, RI
Manuel Sepulveda, WSYW & WEDJ/Indianapolis
Juan Candleman Vela, KPTJ/San Angelo, TX
Personality of the Year, Markets 1-25
Pedro Biaggi, WLZL/Washington
Raul Brindis, KLTN/Houston
Milton Andrade Cardenas, KLNV/San Diego
Luis Jimenez, WXNY-FM/New York
Betzy La Gatita, WXDJ/Miami
Jorge Ramos, ESPN Deportes
Enrique Santos, WRTO-FM/Miami
Ricardo Sanchez, KLAX-FM/Los Angeles
Fabian Saldivar, KRRN-FM/Las Vegas
Luis Torres, WLZL/Washington
Personality of the Year, Markets 26+
Lia Escobar, WRLX/West Palm Beach
Dan Pena, KSAB/Corpus Christi, TX
Minda Seco, WBGF/West Palm Beach
Marketer of the Year
Angie Balderas, Adelante Media Group
Michelle Bella, ESPN Deportes
Jesse Rio, Media Latino Communications
Ivan Jurado, KLNV & KLQV/San Diego
Fabian Saldivar, KRRN-FM/Las Vegas
