The national, American Urban Radio Networks-syndicated Urban AC afternoon drive-time host is growing his media empire with the launch of Doug Banks Media. Howard Eisen, AURN President of Network Sales, tells RBR-TVBR they will continue to syndicate and handle ad sales for The Doug Banks Show, so this move doesn’t affect that relationship, which began in 2010.
Added Jerry Lopes, AURN President: “AURN continues to syndicate, sell and market the Doug Banks Radio Show through the end of 2014, as mutually agreed. Doug is an enormously talented guy with extraordinarily diverse interests. In setting up his own company this will allow him to more fully explore those interests. I’m happy that he’s gotten a chance to fulfill a dream and we at AURN wish him nothing but the best.”
Based in Dallas, Doug Banks Media will build on the well-established brand of the radio show as it develops new talent and content for radio, satellite, digital, television and live events. Ed Pearson, former ABC Radio Networks Vice President of Urban Radio, has been named the President of Doug Banks Media.
Banks says, “It has been a vision of mine for the last three years to launch this company. Having someone of such high caliber as Ed at my side, it’s now a reality and we’re ready to make some noise!”
“I’ve been fortunate to have worked with some of the best in radio and Doug is certainly at the top of that list,” says Pearson. “I’m looking forward to growing this business and enhancing the Doug Banks brand like never before.”
In addition to serving as president of Doug Banks Media, Pearson continues his work for Esome Media Group, his talent and media management company formed in 2009. His consultation client roster has included Doug Banks, Big Boy, DL Hughley, Ms. Jones, DeDe Maguire, Brian McKnight, AURN, WHUR, Bobby Goldstein Productions (Cheaters) and more.
Previously, while heading up Urbran programming at ABC Radio Networks, he signed such shows as The Michael Baisden Show, Big Boy’s Neighborhood, The Brian McKnight Show, and The Doug Banks Show.
The Philadelphia-born, Detroit-raised Banks began his radio career at his high school radio station. Upon graduation, Banks turned a six-week trial into a multi-year position at KDAY in Los Angeles. After radio gigs in such cities as Las Vegas and San Francisco, Banks landed a nationally syndicated morning show that he hosted with DeDe McGuire, with its most significant market being Chicago. It soon became one of the top-rated syndicated urban programs in America. In 2008, Banks re-launched his nationally syndicated morning show in afternoon drive under the new name The Ride with Doug and DeDe.
Back in 1974, I would sometimes be the newscaster or sportscaster on The Doug Banks Show at WSHJ-FM 88.3 in Southfield, Michigan. Even as a 16-year-old high school kid, it was obvious to anybody paying attention that Doug had a huge amount of talent and was going to go far as a broadcaster. We had a station reunion at my home a couple years ago and Doug spent the evening there. Other than being older and a bit thicker around the middle (just like me and most of the rest), he hadn’t changed a bit. I am so pleased to read of his continuing success.
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