Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

Benztown Expands Production Team


Darren Silva & Jake Urbanek
Darren Silva & Jake Urbanek

Benztown is expanding its production leadership team with the addition of Darren Silva as West Coast Director of Commercial Production for the company and client YamanAir. Also joining the company is Jake Urbanek as Production Manager, Long Form Programming. Both appointments are effective immediately.

Silva joins Benztown after 22 years as Network Production Manager for Radio Disney in Los Angeles. He specializes in commercial production, imaging, writing, and voiceover. Silva got his start in radio in 1984 as an overnight jock for his hometown station in San Luis Obispo, CA, then moved to Los Angeles in 1987 to be on-air at the legendary 105.5 KNAC under the name "Dangerous Darren", and headed to Dallas in 1995 to rock the airways on 97.1 The Eagle. Silva joined Radio Disney in 1998. He has also been with SiriusXM for the past 17 years as a DJ on Hair Nation, Ozzy's Boneyard, and Classic Rewind.

Urbanek imports from Apple Music in Los Angeles, where he was Assistant Producer of The Zane Lowe Show. Prior to that, he was Audio Engineer for over 8 years Mr. Smalls Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA. He was also Sound Engineer for the Washington Symphony Orchestra in Washington, PA. Urbanek studied Commercial Music Technology at California University of Pennsylvania, where he hosted a weekly radio show on WCAL 91.9 FM.

"Darren and Jake are world class producers with remarkable resumes and amazing attitudes," said Dave "Chachi" Denes, President, Benztown. "We're ecstatic to have them both join the Benztown team!"

"I've been aware of the Benztown company and brand since they started," said Silva. "I've been in touch with them since my days with Radio Disney. The talent at Benztown is unmatched and I am honored to be part of this company and work with these amazing people, as well as with Yaman and the amazing creative team at YamanAir."

"I look forward to working and learning from the best, while bringing my experience in production to such an amazingly talented and driven team," added Urbankek.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

FCC Plans First Reserved-Band FM Translator Window
Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is moving to bolster noncommercial broadcasting by outlining plans for the first-ever filing window for new FM translator construction permits in the reserved portion of the FM band. In a Public Notice adopted February 18 (FCC 26-10), the Commission directed its More

97.1 The Ticket Extends Lions with Multi-Year Deal
WXYT-FM (97.1 The Ticket) Detroit
WXYT-FM (97.1 The Ticket) Detroit
WXYT-FM (97.1 The Ticket) has announced a multi-year extension of its broadcast partnership with the Detroit Lions, continuing its role as the team's radio home. Under the renewed agreement, the station will broadcast all preseason, regular season and postseason games, maintaining More

RAB to Host ''One Voice for Radio'' Webinar
Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB)
Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB)
The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), in partnership with its Board of Directors, will present another installment of its One Voice for Radio initiative with a live webinar titled "One Voice for Radio, Better Together." Scheduled for 12pm CT on Wednesday, March 4, the virtual session will focus on unity, More
Advertisement

John Schneider Show Returns to Seattle Sports
John Schneider
John Schneider
Seattle Seahawks Executive Vice President and General Manager John Schneider will once again take to the airwaves as Seattle Sports (KIRO) announces the return of The John Schneider Show. The weekly program begins its 2026 offseason run on Thursday, February 19 at 4pm PT and will air each Thursday through More

Olympics Provide a Pathway for New Sports Fans
Edison Research
Edison Research
New data from SSRS shows the Olympic Games continue to generate stronger interest among non-sports and light sports fans than any other professional or collegiate league. According to the SSRS Sports Poll, the Olympics draw significantly more interest from non-sports fans and light sports fans than other More

Throwback 2K Expands to Weekdays Nationwide
Chris Cruise
Chris Cruise
Throwback 2K, hosted by Chris Cruise and syndicated nationally through Skyview Networks, is expanding to a seven-day-a-week schedule as it marks five years on the air. Originally airing Friday through Sunday, the early 2000s-focused program will now be available weekdays, offering affiliates added More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement