KMBY Flips To New Hybrid Format Under Byron Cooke

KMBY/Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz

MAPLETON COMMUNICATIONS Alternative KMBY/MONTEREY-SALINAS-SANTA CRUZ switched on the 4TH OF JULY to an Alternative/Active Rock/Hip Hop hybrid format using the moniker "X 103.9" under new PD/MD BYRON COOKE, a former XFM/LONDON and TRIPLE M NETWORK/AUSTRALIA radio personality. COOKE replaces KENNY ALLEN, who remains PD of sister Classic Rock KHIP (104.3 THE HIPPO). ALLEN will also oversee operations of KMBY and do imaging for the cluster.  CRISSY WHALIN,  most recently a National Promotions Director for AUSTRALIAN RADIO NETWORK, is named Marketing Director.  CRISSY was also a promotions staffer at CLEAR CHANNEL Top 40/Mainstream KIIS for six years.

BYRON and CRISSY were previously hosting "IMPORT X" on KMBY SATURDAY mornings from 10a-noon from LOS ANGELES. The station launched with the duo on-air yesterday (7/4) from 8a-11p. BYRON and CRISSY will do afternoons on the new KMBY. 

MAPLETON Head Of Programming MIKE ANTHONY explains the new hybrid/crossover concept: "The Meta Terrestrial Radio 18-34M format on KMBY brings together male oriented elements of the Urban, Rhythmic CHR, Rock, Active Rock, Alternative, FM talk and Sports formats and reflects the broader lifestyle of 18-34 Males."

COOKE, who wears a t-shirt and jeans to work as opposed to MIKES sports coat and slacks explains it in more simple terms: "You are going to hear rock and rap in even rotation on this radio station. Plus you’ll hear live NFL on the weekends, a live local afternoon drive show `THE B-TEAM' and some really hot promotions."

BYRON can be reached at (831) 658-5200 or bcooke@radiocentralcoast.com.

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