Veteran broadcaster named GM for WSNC 90.5 FM, WSSU’s campus radio station
After a lengthy and extensive search, veteran broadcaster Brian Anthony has been named the new general manager for Winston-Salem State University radio station WSNC 90.5 FM, effective Feb. 1, 2018.
A native of East St. Louis, Illinois, Anthony has more than 35 years of communications/media experience, the majority in the radio industry.
“Brian Anthony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the commercial radio industry that will help to increase WSNC’s market presence and expose WSSU students to an actual radio industry atmosphere,” said Dr. Kathy Stitts, interim dean of WSSU’s College of Arts, Sciences, Business and Education. “We are anxious for him to join our Ram family and begin helping to grow WSSU’s radio station into one of the most notable in the country.”
He has worked for various broadcast companies, including Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia), Gannett Broadcasting, Noble Broadcasting, Jacor Communications, UNC Ventures Inc., and Inner-City Broadcasting in the Houston, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Peoria (Illinois), Columbia (South Carolina) and Piedmont Triad markets. Most recently, he launched Forsyth Technical Community College’s radio station, 105.1 FM The FORSe.
Anthony was a nominee for “Program Director of the Year” and “On-Air Personality of the Year” with Billboard Magazine and the Young Black Programmer’s Coalition. He also was listed as “Honorable Mention” in a recent Radio Facts publication listing of the “Top 10 Urban Program Directors” in the history of Black radio.
Since 2009, he has served as president and project manager of Omega BAY Enterprises, a communications-based consultant company that focuses on website development, content management, special event planning, marketing, advertising, and public relations.
Anthony graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Texas Southern University in Houston, where he got his start in radio at the campus station, KTSU-FM.
As general manager, Anthony’s responsibility will include programming, personnel, development and financial operations for WSNC-FM. Anthony succeeds Elvin Jenkins, the station’s longtime general manager, and Ben Donnelly, who had served as the Interim general manager after Jenkins’ departure in 2017.
"This is one more major step up the management ladder for me that I envision translating into additional growth in two areas for Winston-Salem State University," Anthony said. "First, providing the university with an enhanced marketing voice in the Triad. Secondly, and probably most importantly, creating an industry standard operation that can lend itself to becoming one of the top training facilities in this region of the country for radio broadcasting."
WSNC-FM, with studios and tower on the campus of WSSU, provides jazz, blues, reggae, Latin and gospel music programming; news and public affairs content from National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Radio International (PRI); and local public affairs programming. The station began broadcasting in 1983. For more information, visit wsncradio.org.
About Winston-Salem State University
For 125 years, Winston-Salem State University has fostered the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU’s curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region and beyond. Guided by the motto, “Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve,” WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment.
