A Lofty New Role For A Key Keystone State Radio Exec

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A Kentucky-based radio broadcasting company that has emerged as a leading small and medium-sized market leader across the Keystone State has just lured the radio chairman of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters and the now-former leader of a Philadelphia radio station just sold by Jerry Lee to Entercom.


On July 9, Seven Mountains Media made headlines for investing in an AM station with an FM translator proudly serving Mexico, Pa. One week later, the company acquired a translator serving the Wilkes Barre area.

“To hit the next level” of the company’s growth, which began four years ago, CEO Kristin Cantrell began a search for a COO “that could accelerate the vision” of 7 Mountains — a company that has acquired 28 stations from six different owners across 10 markets.

The search ended at 225 E City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd.

Jim Loftus, who has served as President/CEO of WBEB-FM in Philadelphia from 2015 through its sale by Jerry Lee to Entercom, will assume the Chief Operations Officer role at 7 Mountains starting November 1.

In a company memo sent to staff on Monday evening, 7 Mountains said, “Pennsylvania is home. Radio is in his DNA. Jim wanted to use his talents and connections in Pennsylvania to develop this young radio company into an innovative and successful enterprise.”

Seven Mountains added that it “strives to revitalize radio in small markets with what radio does best—connecting to communities by crafting vibrant radio stations.”

At the same time, Seven Mountains seeks to marry that radio legacy “with new technology, energy and ideas to connect with listeners wherever and whenever they want to join us.”

Cantrell said, “I can’t imagine a better ambassador to lead the way. We have built a team of people and a group of radio brands and advertising products that have an incredible synergy with our listeners and advertisers. Jim has the big picture experience and track record to help our company succeed in a fast paced, ever changing market place. We’re honored that he chose Seven Mountains Media as his new home.”

Loftus added “As a 41 year Pennsylvania Broadcasting veteran, I’ve watched this
company create a big footprint of local radio stations and build a digital media platform
serving listeners and advertisers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I feel blessed
to join such an innovative group. It’s a great time to be in Radio!”

Loftus will be based out of the State College, Pa., market, which is centrally located to the Seven Mountains footprint. Seven Mountains markets include Dubois, State College, Lewistown, Huntingdon, Selinsgrove, Bloomsburg, Wellsboro/Mansfield and Sayre, Pa., a part of the Elmira-Corning, N.Y. market.

Loftus’ resume includes a decade spent as a VP/GM of CBS Radio’s WOGL and WYSP in Philadelphia and as GSM for the company’s former six-station cluster.

For nine years, Loftus was COO of Times-Shamrock Communications’ radio division, overseeing stations in five states. Before that, Loftus served as VP/Market Manager for Susquehanna Radio’s Scranton-Wilkes Barre station group, joining the stations in late 1992

Until then, he served as Director of Sales for WUSL-FM “Power 99.” He’s also worked at legendary Top 40 WFIL-AM in Philadelphia.