Updated at 5am HST
HONOLULU — SummitMedia LLC, owner of stations formerly part of the Cox Media Group family, has promoted its Local Sales Manager to the role of market President.
The elevation in duties comes amid widespread local media coverage of several high-profile layoffs across the Birmingham, Ala.-based company’s five radio stations serving O’ahu, higher elevations of Maui, and all of the Hawaiian Islands via Spectrum MVPD services.
Earning the promotion is Patti Ponimoi.
“In her new role, Ponimoi is committed to building on our great tradition of bringing Hawaiian music to Honolulu,” the company said. “Further, she will make certain we celebrate the Hawaiian language, culture and local artists.”
That’s an integral part of the brand values for longtime Hawaiian Soft Adult Contemporary KINE-FM “Hawaiian 105,” Traditional Hawaiian KKNE-AM 940, and Hawaiian Adult Contemporary KCCN-FM “The Legend.” The other stations in the group include CHR/Rhythmic KPHW-FM “Power 104.3” and AC KRTR “KRATER 96.3.” Pinoy Media Group-managed KPRP-AM in Honolulu, presently dark, is also a part of SummitMedia’s O’ahu station group.
Ponimoi joined SummitMedia in late 2017 as a Senior Sales Account Manager. Before that, she was an AE for Raycom Media and its “Hawaii News Now” operation, now owned by Gray Television. She spent 16 months in the role. Ponimoi is perhaps best-recalled for her 11 years at iHeartMedia/Honolulu, where she was a Sr. AE.
“I’m honored and humbled to be a part of SummitMedia’s commitment to building the
best radio stations for the Honolulu community,” Ponimoi said. “Continuing the tradition of Hawaiian music and perpetuating the culture of our local stations is very personal to me and I understand its importance to everyone. My foundation is deeply rooted in the Hawaiian culture, music and the values taught to me … SummitMedia and I are committed to serving Hawaii and our Honolulu community.”
SummitMedia CEO Carl Parmer added, “We are very excited for Patti to lead our
team in Hawaii. She has a deep personal commitment to Hawaiian culture which is
vital to our principles as well as our success.”
The appointment comes after Hawaii News Now and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser each reported that many listeners to SummitMedia’s radio stations were “shocked” by sudden talent lineup changes. Some 20 employees were let go to start 2022, including Market President Andrew Rosen, who Ponimoi replaces. Rosen has been in Honolulu since 2015 was was previously GM for Connoisseur Media in Trenton, N.J. He had also been a regional VP for Clear Channel Communications in New York and a GM for Urban One’s Philadelphia radio stations.
Rosen’s exit came alongside that of OM Wayne Maria, a 28-year veteran.
The departures also include another 28-year cluster vet: Hawaiian 105 morning co-host Shannon Scott. Also gone: 20-year traffic reporter Danielle Tucker, who was emotional and “blindsided” by her job termination when interviewed by Hawaii News Now. Tucker is an institution in O’ahu, with her traffic reports largely emblematic of the local radio environment.
Candace Kay on Power 104.3, Gregg and Shawnee Hammer on KRATER 96 and Billy V., who is a 35-year veteran of local radio and hosted a Saturday show on Hawaiian 105, were also dismissed.
Effective immediately, Kona Chang is the new Program Director for KCCN and Hawaiian
105, while Micah Banks accepts similar duties for KRATER and Power.
Both Chang and Banks are longtime air personalities associated with the station group.
The announcement regarding Chang and Banks was distributed separately from that of Ponimoi; SummitMedia did not addressed the layoffs in either of its press releases.
— Reporting by Amber Hunt in Paia, Hawaii; Editing by RBR+TVBR West Coast Bureau
