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

Trump Nominates Danielle Thumann Severs to FCC
Danielle Thumann Severs
Danielle Thumann Severs
President Donald Trump has nominated Danielle Thumann Severs to serve as a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission, a move that could expand the agency's Republican majority if she is confirmed by the Senate. The remaining Republican seat has been vacant since June 30, 2024. Thumann Severs More

Kennedy Elsey Receives 2026 MIW Airblazer Award
Kennedy Elsey
Kennedy Elsey
Kennedy Elsey, co-host of "Karson & Kennedy" on Audacy's WBMX-FM (MIX 104.1) in Boston, has received the 2026 Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) Airblazer Award. Elsey formally accepted the honor during the Talentmasters Morning Show Boot Camp (MSBC) Luncheon in Cleveland. Established by MIW More

Gomez Blasts FCC Vote to End TV Ownership Cap
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez is criticizing the Commission's vote to eliminate the 39% national television audience ownership cap, arguing that the agency lacks the legal authority to make the change without congressional action. The FCC voted during its August Open Meeting to eliminate the restriction, More
Advertisement

Lisa Barry Show Expands to TCM Network
Lisa Barry
Lisa Barry
Christian FM Media has announced that veteran broadcaster Lisa Barry has joined the Today's Christian Music (TCM) Network, expanding distribution of "The Lisa Barry Show" to 126 stations across the U.S. and Canada. Barry's daily program will also continue to air on Christian FM Media's AC Total network. More

Skyrocket Radio Launches CaptureRelay Mobile App
Capture Relay
Capture Relay
Skyrocket Radio has launched CaptureRelay, a new mobile app designed to help radio stations quickly build libraries of original local photography by sending images directly from employees' phones to station websites. Available for iPhone and Android devices, CaptureRelay allows approved staff members to More

Townsquare Q2 Digital Growth Offsets Broadcast Decline
Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media reported second quarter 2026 results that met its previously issued guidance, as accelerating digital advertising growth helped offset continued weakness in broadcast advertising. The company posted second-quarter net revenue of $115.4 million, essentially flat from a year 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