Indy Radio: iHM Changes Market Managers

Brad Polston

Brad Polston is out as iHeart Media’s local market manager after 14 months of leading the cluster of radio stations that includes WFBQ 94.7 FM and WNDE 1260 AM.

According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, Polston, whose last day was Jan. 11, said the parting was “mutual.”

“We were just headed in different directions,” said Polston, who also told IBJ that he hasn't yet determined his next career move.

Longtime advertising exec Brett Beshore, 49, was named to replace Polston.

Most recently, Beshore sold billboard advertising as the regional president of Adams+Fairway Outdoor Advertising in Indianapolis.

“There are no major changes planned,” Beshore said Tuesday morning. “We have very strong brands and we’re in pretty good shape ratings-wise. We’re just going to operate at a higher level. We intend to make this the dream place to work in broadcasting, both on-the-air and in sales.”

Brett Beshore

Beshore will be making his second tour of duty with iHeart Radio. From 2009-11, he was vice president and market manager for iHeart’s Hudson Valley, New York cluster. In 2011, Radio Ink Magazine named Beshore “General Manager of the Year.”

Beshore moved to iHeartMedia affiliate Clear Channel Outdoor in Indianapolis in 2011 and stayed there when Adams+Fairway bought the local division of Clear Channel Outdoor last year.

A source close to situation described Polston’s departure from iHeart as “sudden.”  Two sources close to iHeart said there was corporate unrest about ad sales at the local cluster.

Last month, WNDE canceled its local morning sports talk show, “Flagrant Foul,” hosted by Don Stuck and Dave “Gunner” Gunn. A source close to the station said that was a decision made by iHeart corporate officials and was not favored by Polston.