» David Pridemore Upped At KIRO-AM: Currently Director of Sales at Bonneville/Seattle, Pridemore is promoted to VP/GM as the company prepares to finalize the move of it's News/Talk programming to KIRO-FM and flip the heritage AM to Sports/Talk in Spring 2009. Pridemore is a 23-year KIRO veteran who served as VP/GM for the station under previous owner Entercom before becoming DOS for the cluster when Bonneville acquired the stations in 2007. He'll report to President/Market Manager Carl Gardner who said, "Dave is the natural choice to lead the new 710 ESPN Seattle. He's a Seattle native with a fan's passion for our teams and athletes. It's the perfect fit, for Dave and for the station." The format flip at KIRO coincides with the return of baseball's Seattle Mariners to the AM station following a six-year run at crosstown KOMO. KIRO-AM is also the radio flagship of the NFL Seattle Seahawks.

» Brian Jennings Exits Citadel: The veteran programmer, who has been a fixture at the company spanning back to the Larry Wilson days, exits today after more than 14 years on the j-o-b. Jennings position as VP News/Talk/Sports Programming and format captain has been eliminated as Citadel's budget cutbacks continue. Jennings is the third major Talk programming executive to exit Citadel with Phil Boyce (now President of Talk Radio Network Syndications), and former ABC Radio Networks SVP/Programming John McConnell both departing recently. Always the gentleman, Jennings had nothing but praise for his co-workers saying in a memo to them, "I'm very proud of the many Marconi Awards and nominations you have earned in this time, as well as the many national and local journalism awards our news departments have received. But, I am most proud of my association with each of you because what I brought to the table you returned ten-fold. You are not only my respected colleagues, but also my friends." Reach Jennings HERE.

» A Sad Goodbye: As we reported earlier this week, FOX Sports Radio VP/GM and longtime industry programmer Andrew Ashwood suffered a massive heart attack on Monday (11/10). He succumbed to complications from that attack late yesterday (11/13). He was 51. During the past two years Ashwood, also known as "B.J. Hunter" during his music radio days, had been battling an aggressive fight with cancer, a task he tackled with his usual positive attitude. During a recent phone call with him I asked how treatment was going and Ashwood replied typically, "Fighting the good fight every day, Al. I'm feeling strong and I'm confident that we're gonna win this thing." In a memo to the staff Premiere Radio Networks President Charlie Rahilly called Ashwood, "an immensely positive force who inspired all who knew him" and praised him as an, "all around good man who accomplished great things. Andrew was the heart and soul of FOX Sports Radio." Our deepest sympathies go out to Andrew's wife, Sandra, his family, and his many, many industry friends. God bless you, Andrew. We're all better for having known you. Funeral arrangements are pending.

» RTNDA's Cochran To Retire: After 12 years at the helm of the Radio Television News Directors Association, RTNDA President Barbara Cochran will retire in June 2009. During her tenure, Cochran made defending First Amendment rights of electronic journalists a top priority and also emphasized upholding standards of ethics, excellence and promoting professional development. After retiring Cochran will remain as President Emeritus for a year serving as an ambassador for both the RTNDA and the RTNDF. RTNDA Chairman Ed Esposito and the Board of Directors will head the search for Cochran's successor.

» Consumer Electronics Hot For Holidays: That's the word from nationally syndicated talker Dave Graveline. The host of Into Tomorrow says he was among the first to view just-tabulated research from the Consumer Electronics Association showing consumer electronics as a category shaping up to be a bright spot in what many financial analysts predict will be a blue Christmas for retailers. "The research also points to a busy 'Black Friday' as shoppers report they will be out in force on Thanksgiving weekend expecting to find bargains," says Graveline. "It's ironic that Best Buy and Circuit City are in trouble, being in such a hot category, but they're in the same trouble that mortgage lenders and big radio groups are in -- too much debt."

Huck's New Band: Gathered after yesterday's signing of a deal to bring former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to ABC Radio Networks to host a twice-daily feature for the network beginning January 5 are (l-r): ABCRN SVP/Marketing and Communication Omar Thompson; SVP/Programming and Distribution Carl Anderson; Huckabee; ABCRN President Jim Robinson; and the network's SVP/Finance Ken Mayer.