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

U.S. House Passes AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act
U.S. House Passes AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act
U.S. House Passes AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, advancing legislation that would require automakers to maintain access to AM broadcast radio in new passenger vehicles sold in the United States. The measure, H.R. 979, was introduced by Reps. More

Cumulus, Zimmer Urge FCC to End Radio Ownership Caps
Cumulus Media and Zimmer Radio
Cumulus Media and Zimmer Radio
Cumulus Media and Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri are urging the Federal Communications Commission to eliminate its local radio ownership limits, arguing in separate ex parte meetings that rules unchanged since 1996 no longer reflect today's competitive audio and advertising marketplace. The filings come as More

Tyah Sartler Named GM of Saga Milwaukee
Tyah Sartler
Tyah Sartler
Saga Communications has promoted Tyah Sartler to Vice President and General Manager of its Milwaukee Media Group, succeeding longtime executive Bob Bellini, who has retired after more than 36 years with the cluster. Sartler moves into the top Milwaukee post after 25 years with the company. She joined More
Advertisement

FCC Seeks Comment on Political Ad Rate Challenge
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comment on an application asking the agency to overturn Media Bureau guidance concerning which political advertisers are entitled to broadcasters' lowest unit charge rates. The challenge was filed by Democratic candidates Sherrod Brown, Jon Ossoff, More

Gemini XIII Adds Kelly Parker, Yea Podcast Slate
Kelly Parker
Kelly Parker
Gemini XIII is expanding its audio sales operation with the addition of veteran media executive Kelly Parker as Senior Vice President of Sales. Parker joins the company from Yea Networks. As part of the move, Gemini XIII will become the exclusive advertising sales representative for Yea Networks' podcast More

Tracy Walker Named 2026 MIW Speak Up! Mentee
Tracy Walker
Tracy Walker
Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) has named Tracy Walker, General Sales Manager for Connoisseur Media in Saginaw, MI, as the 2026 mentee for its Speak Up! Mentorship Program. Developed in partnership with Media Staffing Network and the late Laurie Kahn, Speak Up! is a year-long program for 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