Mike Kaplan Email & Phone Number

New York City Metropolitan Area

Following Entercom’s acquisition of CBS Radio, recruited to rejuvenate audience growth for WNYL-FM ALT 92.3—the NYC station that is currently the base for Audacy alternative programming nationwide. In 2021, in the midst of a leadership transition at KROQ Los Angeles, concurrently stepped in to temporarily lead brand management for this alternative station. Directed a ~15-member team. Contributed to budget planning. Served as Format Captain during the pandemic.▪ Led the integration of the syndicated ELLIOT IN THE MORNING radio talk show into the programming strategy.▪ Coached and mentored talent to create a differentiating, creative advantage while also reaching key business milestones.▪ Executive programming lead in the launch of an interactive Audacy app providing curated music / podcast experiences.▪ Navigated team and talent through the implementation of COVID guidelines while maintaining operational continuity.▪ Collaborated with artists and brand partners to orchestrate tentpoles and live events. These have included Audacy Live events at The Hard Rock Hotel NYC (Florence + the Machine, Death Cab for Cutie), NOT SO SILENT NIGHT Christmas shows at Barclays Center feat. Muse and Mumford & Sons, and SUMMER OPEN at Forest Hills Stadium feat. The Lumineers and more.

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

Recruited to revitalize and lead on-air / digital programming for the alternative music brand, KYSR-FM ALT 98.7. Directed a 20-member team.▪ Gained buy-in for a market research study, uncovering data that drove decision to rebrand station from “Star 98.7” to “ALT 98.7.” Defined the strategic vision with a focus on the millennial audience.▪ Recruited new talent, including the highly sought-out team behind THE WOODY SHOW which had previously aired in St. Louis and San Francisco markets. In months, the show reached #1 in the morning drive among the targeted 18-34 demo, creating a solid foundation for syndication (2016) and expansion into a podcast.▪ By October 2016, KYSR outperformed long-standing rival, KROQ and sustained this lead.▪ In 2017, earned iHeart Radio Music Award for Rock-Alternative Rock Program Director of the Year, Worldwide Summit Radio Award for Station of the Year, and Worldwide Summit Radio Award for Station Programmer of the Year.

Seattle, Washington, United States

Selected to turn around KNDD-FM 107.7 FM and lead the content / programming strategy for this indie-focused alternative brand.▪ Leveraged background in alternative to elevate the brand to #1 within its target demo. Member of the national alternative community that revitalized audience growth, increasing audience share in PPM markets by 12%.▪ Reimagined the brand with a focus on classic alternative hits as well as current artists and new releases.▪ Added new talent, including morning hosts. Worked closely with talent to expand content into several podcasts.

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Recruited as the programming lead for 2 underperforming New Orleans audio brands, WEZB-FM B 97 FM and WKBU-FM Bayou 95.7 Classic Rock. Held responsibility for content strategy, branding and marketing, music and talk programming, talent, and day-to-day operations.▪ Revitalized the legacy Top 40 Classic Rock brand, WEZB, by identifying and securing on-air talent, Kid Kraddick, who hosted KID KRADDICK IN THE MORNING. Syndicated show was named Best Local Radio Show in 2005 and continues to dominate ratings.▪ Member of the leadership team that shifted Entercom programming (10 stations) to sister talk station, WWL, during Hurricane Katrina to provide a single source of information. In the midst of flooding, co-led the creation of a centralized production operation in Baton Rouge in partnership with Clear Channel; this model remained in place for 2-3 months.▪ Leveraged the brand and audience to help rebuild the city with partners, including Habitat for Humanity.

Kansas City Metropolitan Area

Selected to turnaround performance of the ratings-challenged Rock 40 station, KRBZ-FM 96.5 BUZZ.▪ Rebranded the station as the city’s choice for alternative programming under the brand of “96.5 BUZZ.”▪ Selected and hired Detroit’s Scott Geiger—on-air talent known as Lazlo—who launched and led an evening talk show, THE CHURCH OF LAZLO, which rose from last to a #1 ratings position in 1 ratings period. Lazlo now hosts a nationally syndicated afternoon show from Kansas City. ▪ Engaged diverse audiences with breakthrough, brand-building music and programming campaigns.