Veteran broadcaster and broker Joel Briggs Day died March 31st in Vero Beach, FL. Known to most as a small market radio specialist, Day actually began his career in the big markets, before founding his Key Chain radio group in the Florida Keys.
His career included CBS TV New York. NY; Westinghouse KPIX-TV San Francisco; General Electric Broadcasting, KOA-AM, FM & TV Denver, CO; Cox Broadcasting WIOD/WAIA Miami, FL; and KADY-TV Camarillo, CA. Joel Day founded Key Chain Inc. in the Florida Keys which included WFKZ, WAVK, WKRY. As President, he sold Key Chain Inc. to Paxson Communications and served as Vice President and General Manager for both Paxson and Clear Channel. In his later years Day turned from radio broadcasting to radio brokerage under the Cobb Corporation and later formed Day Broadcasting with the goal to further facilitate small market radio sales.
Day served on the CBS National Affiliates Board. He was an outdoorsman and active in numerous fishing and conservation causes.
A memorial service will be held in early May 2010, with details to be announced. In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to make a donation in Joel’s memory may send them to Pelican Island Audubon Society, P.O. Box 1833, Vero Beach, FL 32969.
