Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook

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.

Latest Radio Stories

Urban One Q3 Revenue Falls 5% as Net Loss Widens
Urban One
Urban One
Urban One reported third-quarter net revenue of $88 million, down 5% from $92.7 million a year earlier. A $128.9 million impairment charge drove an operating loss of $126.6 million, compared with operating income of $2.5 million in the year-earlier quarter. The net loss More

CMG Atlanta Names Cherish Geter Digital Media Director
Cherish Geter
Cherish Geter
Cox Media Group has named Cherish Geter Digital Media Director for its Atlanta radio cluster, which includes WSBB-FM (95.5 WSB), WSB-FM (B98.5), WSRV (97.1 The River) and WALR (Kiss 104.1). Geter will lead digital sales strategy, working with sales leadership on client campaigns, digital revenue growth More

Caloroga Media Opens Linnet Podcast Tools to Public
Caloroga Media
Caloroga Media
Caloroga Media has opened the public beta of Linnet, its AI-powered podcast production platform, removing the waitlist and invitation requirement. The company is making Linnet's Starter and Creator tiers free through December 1. The browser-based platform combines scripting, More

Workflow Corp. Unveils Aircheck Buddy for Radio
Workflow Corp.
Workflow Corp.
Workflow Corporation has introduced Aircheck Buddy, a service that records and transcribes on-air breaks for talent coaching and tracks advertising activity on competing stations. For programming teams, Aircheck Buddy records scheduled shifts from a station's stream, skips the More

Brenden Peach Joins Ten Country 97.3 Reno for Mornings
Brenden Peach
Brenden Peach
Reno Media Group's KOLC (Ten Country 97.3) has named Brenden Peach morning co-host and programming coordinator. Peach joins Cat Bellah on "The Ten Country Morning Show" beginning November 17, filling the vacancy left by Robbie Owens. The show airs weekdays from 6-10am. Peach will also help oversee music More

B-Dub Radio Reaches 70 Weeknight Affiliates
B-Dub Radio
B-Dub Radio
B-Dub Radio has reached 70 weeknight affiliates with the addition of KLAD-FM in Klamath Falls, OR. The independently owned country radio show, syndicated by Skyview Networks, reached 50 weeknight affiliates in early 2025 and 60 last December. The weeknight roster includes KPNW-FM Seattle, WIL-FM St. More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement