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

Happy Holidays to You From RADIO ONLINE
As we tune into the holiday season, all of us at RADIO ONLINE want to extend our warmest wishes to you and yours. May your days be filled with joyful melodies and inspiring stories. Thank you for making us a part of your daily routine. Here's to a harmonious New Year filled with health, happiness, and more More

Rod Day Named Market Manager for Connoisseur Alaska
Rod Day
Rod Day
Connoisseur Media has appointed Rod Day as Market Manager for its Alaska properties, effective immediately. Day returns to Anchorage with more than two decades of experience in audio, management and market development. His background includes roles ranging from founder and CEO to multi-market general More

Civic Media Appoints Chuck Sullivan as Regional MM
Chuck Sullivan
Chuck Sullivan
Civic Media has named veteran broadcaster Chuck Sullivan as Regional Market Manager, based in Eau Claire, WI. Sullivan brings extensive experience in Wisconsin radio, having spent seven years with Audacy as Senior Vice President and Market Manager for Milwaukee and Madison. His career also includes More
Advertisement

Civic Media Expands Northern Wisconsin Coverage
Civic Media
Civic Media
Civic Media has changed the format of Oldies WLAK-FM (W298DK 107.5) Amery, WI, flipping the station from News/Talk to a simulcast of WSCM (St. Croix Country) Baldwin, WI, effective immediately. The move expands the reach of the country format across west-central Wisconsin and More

iHeartRadio to Add Free Video Podcast Distribution in 2026
iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio
iHeartMedia says it will expand its "Creators First" initiative by adding native video podcast distribution to both the app and web versions of iHeartRadio, with the feature set to roll out in early 2026. Under the plan, creators will be able to distribute full-length video episodes directly into More

Stugotz Signs Multiplatform Deal with iHeartMedia
Jon Stugotz Weiner
Jon Stugotz Weiner
iHeartMedia and veteran sports media personality Jon "Stugotz" Weiner have entered into a long-term, multiplatform partnership that includes a new weekday afternoon program on FOX Sports Radio. Beginning in January, Stugotz will host a live show airing weekdays from 3-5pm ET, originating from iHeartMedia's 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