Ep. 71 Deborah Parenti

EPISODE SUMMARY: Deborah Parenti is a broadcasting trailblazer who currently oversees some of the industry’s most respected brands and events, including Radio Ink, Radio + Television Business Report, Forecast, and the Hispanic Radio Conference. She shares stories of how she broke through barriers throughout her career, culminating in her induction into the Radio Hall of Fame.

On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Deborah Parenti about:

1. Falling in love with radio as a child growing up in Dayton, Ohio
2. Moving to LA to help syndicate Wolfman Jack
3. How she overcame her shyness and learned to put herself out there and go for it
4. The value of marketing and research in radio and the importance of knowing where statistics come from
5. Overcoming gender discrimination and how she was held back by some and supported by many others
6. Becoming the first female GM in Dayton, and how she climbed up the sales ladder
7. What makes for a strong company culture and good teams, and the importance of community
8. Moving to Philadelphia and the challenges of being a leader in a larger market
9. Putting together the Hispanic Radio Conference and Forecast, then publishing RadioInk
10. Her advice for future radio professionals

And more!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: Radio Ink President and Publisher Deborah Parenti is a distinguished executive in the radio industry, having held roles in marketing and research and sales prior to several management positions. Later in her career, she assumed the Publisher role of Radio Ink and Radio + Television Business Report, two influential industry publications. Deborah’s career including years of success in both Dayton, OH, and Louisville, KY, working with WING-AM and WWSN-FM and WDJX -FM. She became the first female General Manager in Dayton, overseeing WMMX-FM’s success with both ratings and revenue. She went on to become the VP/GM of American Radio Systems group of stations in Dayton, one of the first managers of a consolidated group of radio stations in a single market. In 1997, she joined Broadcast Group in Philadelphia to become VP/GM of WXTU-FM, a premier country-formatted station.

A decade later, Deborah Parenti joined Streamline Publishing in 2007. Her accomplishments are many, including leading Radio Ink’s editorial and management staff to recognize radio industry leadership in management, sales and programming in a variety of formats and management genres. The expanse and influence of the set of publications has allowed the industry a forum for conversations at multiple annual meetings organized by the publication to further the industry’s evolution of new programming, new technology and more.

Deborah’s efforts and industry impact have been recognized by the Broadcast Foundation of America and the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame, among others. In 2023, Deborah Parenti was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.

ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.

PEOPLE MENTIONED:

• Ray Spar
• Wolfman Jack
• Chris Forgy
• Glenn Bell
• Michael J. Fox
• Jim Bennett
• Maddie Shriver
• Pierre Bouvard
• Bill Burton
• Steve Dodge
• Eric Rhodes
• Alan Gray
• Bill Campbell
• Chris Sheeble
• Brad Fuhr
• Steve Dodge
• Dave Perlman
• Tom Stoner
• Glen Bell
• Avis Eckel
• Garth Brooks
• Trisha Yearwood
• Mike McVay
• Pat Paxton
• Frank Sinatra
• Steve Lawrence
• Piolin
• Shoboy
• Ed Krampf
• Jim Carnegie
• Adam Jacobson

ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown