Long-time Taft Broadcasting executive Carl Wagner died June 28th, just a few days before what would have been his 77th birthday on July 6th. He had retired in 1991 after more than 30 years with the Cincinnati-based radio and TV group owner.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Wagner began his career with Taft in 1959 at WBRC-AM & FM Birmingham, AL, where he rose from AE to GM. He went to Ohio as GM of Taft’s WTVN-AM & FM Columbus and then to the flagship WKRC-AM & FM Cincinnati. In 1974 he became VP of the entire radio operation.
Wagner remained with the company after Carl Lindner acquired control from the Taft family in 1987 and renamed it Great American Broadcasting. Wagner added oversight of the TV stations to his duties in 1988, three years before his retirement.
A funeral mass is scheduled for Friday, July 9th, at St. Rose Church in Cincinnati.
