Midway Broadcasting Corporation - WVON RADIO 1690 AM and WRLL 1450 AM

Areas of Expertise

Media Management: Marketing, Promotions, Advertising. Journalism: Commentary / News Analysis on politics, national economics and current events.

Organization Profile

Debuting April 1, 1963, WVON is the oldest African-American oriented radio station in the Chicago area. As a subsidiary of Midway Broadcasting Corporation, WVON is the only African-American-owned and operated talk radio station in the third largest media market in the country. Its talk and information format gives listeners a forum to express their views on social, political and economic issues as well as current events.

Professional Background

Melody Spann-Cooper is the chairman of Midway Broadcasting Corporation, parent company of WVON 1690AM and WRLL 1450AM. As president of WVON and WRLL, Spann-Cooper is the only female to hold these coveted positions in the 3rd largest broadcast market in the country. She joined an elite list of female broadcast owners in 1999 when she purchased the company’s controlling interest.

WVON 1690AM is the oldest Black-oriented radio station in Chicago. With its urban talk format, the station is lauded as a leading source of information and community empowerment. Recently, Spann-Cooper spearheaded Midway Broadcasting’s efforts to reach out to the Latino community. WRLL 1450AM/ Radio Latino has been formatted to serve Chicago’s growing Hispanic community. Spann-Cooper is considered the visionary who has used her media vehicles as change agents to address the social issues that affect our society.

In August 2006, Spann-Cooper established a historic and precedent-setting relationship with Clear Channel Communications. This agreement allowed Midway Broadcasting Corporation to lease Clear Channel’s 1690 frequency with a buyout option, thereby, moving its urban talk format to a powerful 24-hour, 10,000-watt signal while retaining ownership of its 1450 frequency.

Education/Awards

Spann-Cooper is an active member of Chicago’s business and civic communities. She has been recognized by the Chicago Sun-Times as one of the “Ten Most Powerful Women in Chicago Media”; as one of the “100 Most Influential Women in Chicago” by Crain’s Chicago Business; as one of the “Top 10 Most Influential Black Women in Urban Radio” by the Historical Black Press Foundation; and under her leadership, WVON became the first media institution to receive the prestigious Studs Terkel Award from the Community Media Workshop.

Spann-Cooper holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Loyola University of Chicago. She is married and is the daughter of legendary radio personality, Pervis Spann "The Blues Man."

Business/Community Affiliations

Professional affiliations include: The Board of Visitors at Medill School of Journalism; The Hearing Board of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois; The Independent Task Force for Television Measurements for Nielsen Media Research; The Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs; The National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters, The Provident Foundation, and Africa International House.

Clients Include

Ameritech / American Family Insurance / Burger King / Charles Schwab / Citigroup / Commonwealth Edison / Dominick's Grocery Stores / Jewel Grocery Stores / McDonald's Corporation / Northern Trust

Certifications

Licensed Engineer / Equipment Operator-FCC (Federal Communications Commission)