Tuesday, January 3

New Sheriff in Town at News Talk 1020/KDKA

Congratulations to my buddy Marshall Adams as News/Talk 1020 KDKA in Pittsburgh has named him the new news director. Marshall leaves WBT-AM in Charlotte, NC. He's been a good friend over the years since we worked together at WPXI-TV. During the recent semester he reviewed Titan Radio newscasts for the BC 311/Broadcast Journalism students. Last year he hosted a Westminster intern at WBT.

Below is the news release KD sent out this week:

PITTSBURGH: January 3, 2006 – News/Talk 1020 KDKA radio announces the addition of Marshall Adams to the position of news director effective January 23, 2006.

Adams comes to News/Talk 1020 KDKA from WBT-AM in Charlotte, NC where he served as news director for the last four years. He is a former assignment editor at WPXI-TV and airborne traffic reporter at Metro Networks, both in Pittsburgh.

Keith Clark, VP Programming/CBS Radio Pittsburgh said, “News/Talk 1020 KDKA is the station Pittsburgh turns to for news and information. When we decided to hire a news director, we looked for someone who understood KDKA radio’s history of delivering award winning news coverage and could bring a fresh approach to that effort. Marshall’s experience as an anchor, reporter, editor and director covered all the bases. The news department Marshall ran at WBT-AM in Charlotte is world class and that is the benchmark here at News/Talk 1020 KDKA as we break new ground in local news reporting.”

A Harrison City native, Adams attended Penn-Trafford High School and Clarion University. He is looking forward to the opportunity to return home and work for KDKA radio. "I grew up in Westmoreland County, and my first impressions of radio news came from KDKA. I look forward to the honor and challenge of building on KDKA's rich heritage and making the news sound even better. I'm very proud to have the chance to lead and learn from the most talented anchors, reporters and editors in the industry."

Michael Young, News/Talk 1020 KDKA SVP-General Manager says, “This is a very exciting appointment for the KDKA News Department, and for the station’s overall on-air product. Marshall’s experience with major-market News/Talk stations combined with his roots in Western Pennsylvania make him the ideal choice to lead KDKA’s news coverage.”

Adams also was an anchor, reporter and editor at KTRH-AM in Houston and assisted with the station’s coverage of the Enron bankruptcy and the Andrea Yates child killings. Under his leadership, WBT-AM has won a number of news awards including AP “Best Newscast” and “Best Spot Coverage” plus the RTNDA’s prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award in 2003. He also has a close working relationship with CBS Radio News. KDKA is owned by CBS Radio and is a CBS Radio News affiliate.