You read it here first: Nary a day after Premiere Radio Networks announced his replacement, Marty Raab has been named SVP/Marketing at Tom Joyner's Reach Media, effective today. His focus will be to develop and nurture new targeted marketing products for the brand beyond radio-TV/cable, Internet, event production, etc. There are other initiatives being readied as well. Raab will be responsible for developing new sales products to target multicultural communities, particularly the African-American community. Currently, Reach Media's product lines reach at least one in four African-Americans and the company seeks to in these figures moving forward.

Raab tells RBR/TVBR: "Joining Reach Media is a tremendous opportunity to work with incredible talent such as Tom and the talented people that complement, including an excellent management group and staff. I've witnessed Tom's personal connection with his audience and ability to move people in a responsive manner. I believe the people and assets of Reach Media will expand the communication platforms already in place, to make a difference in the community as well as the sponsors and outlets that support Tom Joyner and his initiatives."

Reach Media CEO David Kantor tells RBR/TVBR: "We're expanding rapidly, we certainly can use as many good people as we can get, and Marty's the best in the business."

We asked Kantor what will change with Julia Atherton's role there. She handled marketing, ad sales and affiliate marketing.

"When ABC Radio Networks was handling ad sales and affiliate marketing solely, it was no big deal. Now, for a lot of the Tom Joyner events we have our own ad sales group that does a lot of the sponsorships in addition to ABCRN. In addition, we have a full affiliate marketing department now. It was a lot to ask for one person to handle it all."

Raab is also considering some specific initiatives in a consulting capacity after he's gotten established at Reach. Prior to Reach, Raab served as the EVP/Marketing and chief strategy officer for the Premiere Radio Networks where he was responsible for long-term planning and strategic initiatives. He worked for AMFM Radio before its merger with Premier and held leading marketing roles for the Satellite Music Network and ABC Radio Networks. At ABC Radio, Raab collaborated in marketing several new syndication products, including The Tom Joyner Morning Show, Radio Disney and ESPN Radio.