There’s a new boss heading to Omaha, and he isn’t coming to Nebraska to learn how to sell radio. SummitMedia has named Aaron Wilborn Market President of its Omaha operation, bringing an experienced broadcasting executive from Dick Broadcasting’s Savannah, Georgia, cluster. And while Savannah’s historic riverfront and Omaha’s Missouri River waterfront have their differences, Wilborn is about to discover that the most important part of running a successful radio operation doesn’t change with the ZIP code. You need great people, strong relationships, and advertisers who believe your stations can deliver results.
And Wilborn has spent much of his career building exactly that combination.
Since 2018, Wilborn has led Dick Broadcasting’s Savannah operation, overseeing a competitive collection of stations serving coastal Georgia and South Carolina.
But his career stretches far beyond Savannah.
He previously served as President and CEO of Apex Broadcasting in Charleston, South Carolina, following leadership assignments with iHeartMedia in Jacksonville and Augusta. His résumé also includes major sales responsibilities in Washington, D.C., Charleston, and West Palm Beach.
That’s quite a few markets, a considerable amount of responsibility, and probably enough advertiser lunches to qualify for a lifetime restaurant rewards card.
Now comes Omaha.
And this isn’t exactly a sleepy little radio market.
SummitMedia’s Omaha portfolio includes some serious broadcasting real estate, including heritage Rock station Z92, Channel 94.1, Star 104.5, Classic Rock 105.9, and AM 590 ESPN Omaha.
Different formats. Different audiences. Different revenue opportunities.
One market president responsible for bringing it all together.
From the Old Market and Midtown Crossing to Bellevue, Papillion, and Council Bluffs, Omaha has a thriving business community and listeners who have built longstanding relationships with their favorite stations.
And that’s where Wilborn’s experience becomes especially valuable.
Here’s what I like about this appointment.
SummitMedia isn’t bringing in somebody who only understands spreadsheets. Wilborn has worked across competitive markets where relationships with advertisers, community organizations, and broadcasting teams are essential to success.
In today’s radio environment, that matters enormously.
Great programming attracts listeners. Great personalities build loyalty. But strong local sales leadership helps keep the lights on, the studios staffed, and the stations involved in their communities.
And when those three elements work together, radio can still be an incredibly powerful business.
For Wilborn, the challenge will be understanding what makes Omaha unique while giving his team the resources and direction to compete.
Because there’s a difference between managing radio stations and leading a radio market.
One involves running a business. The other involves making that business matter to the community.
Congratulations to Aaron Wilborn on the new opportunity.
He’s leaving behind Savannah’s Southern hospitality for Omaha’s Midwestern determination, and somewhere along Interstate 80, there’s a broadcasting executive about to discover just how serious Nebraska takes its football.
Savannah gave Aaron Wilborn another chapter in his leadership career. Now Omaha gets to see what he can do with the entire playbook.
And Aaron, one piece of advice: invest in a very good winter coat. Those Nebraska mornings don’t care how impressive your résumé is.
#OnTheDial #AaronWilborn #SummitMedia #OmahaRadio #NebraskaRadio #DickBroadcasting #SavannahRadio #Z92 #Channel941 #Star1045 #RadioLeadership #RadioIndustry #LocalRadio