Industry Mourns The Passing Of David Ross; Services Set For Sunday (10/9)

David Ross

ALL ACCESS is deeply saddened to report the passing of DAVID ROSS (10/02), who'd been suffering with a terminal illness for some time.  CLEAR RESULTS MARKETING President JULIE WILSON-WATSON, who formed the company with DAVID ROSS penned these comments:

"It is with deep regrets that we convey the passing of DAVID ROSS, legendary radio broadcaster.  DAVE was raised in SHAKER HEIGHTS in CLEVELAND, OH.  His first radio job was at WIXY 1260 AM as a salesman and manager, working for BOB WEISS and NORMAN WAIN at METROPLEX COMMUNICATIONS.  

"With much success, METROPLEX sent him to WHYI (Y100)/MIAMI to take over the helm as General Manager at a very young age.   DAVE lead a very talented staff to unprecedented ratings of #1 in the MIAMI Market.  He was a powerful promoter, believed in programming and loved to incite fun into the Sales arena.  DAVE had a larger than life view of Y-100 and motivated  his team with a winning spirit at all times.   He was an innovator in many areas of digital and loyalty marketing with Scan Tags, before anyone knew what a scan bar was.  He declared Y-100 'AMERICA's MegaStation' and Mega it was with ERNIE ANDERSON's voice booming between the hits.  

"When duopolies became possible, ROSS was the first in MIAMI to LMA WAXY-FM, creating the “SUPERCOMBO” brand and  a sales frenzy. He knew how to sell with style, create a presence and set a stage for a 100,000 Watt Flamethrower, Y-100.

"Eventually, DAVE would oversee the SOUTH FLORIDA REGION for CLEAR CHANNEL and be instrumental in consolidation of media with 'solution provider' synergies.   Often regarded as 'THE KING OF SOUTH FLORIDA MEDIA,' DAVE was a born leader, mentor, champion of causes and lifetime friend to those who worked with him."

ROB ROBERTS, currently PD at CUMULUS Top 40 WWWQ (Q100)/MIAMI, programmed Y100 under ROSS for many years, and they were family to each other.  ROBERTS told ALL ACCESS, "DAVE changed my life in so many ways.  He took a leap of faith bringing a kid in from ALBUQUERQUE to run two of AMERICA's greatest radio stations.  He was a caring man who loved his family and radio family. And he loved great radio. It was his passion.

"So many of us in the industry owe a debt to DAVID ROSS we will never be able to repay.  He was a once in a lifetime mentor and hero."

Services are set for SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9th, 11a wake and 12n memorial at:

Glick Funeral Home
3600 North Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL   
561-672-1880

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Lewy Body Dementia Association
912 Killian Hill Road, S.W.
Lilburn, GA 30047

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