WLEN-FM in Adrian has been named the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year in Market 3 for 2017. This is the fourth consecutive year that WLEN-FM has been named the station of the year. The person-to-person radio station received 18 separate awards, nearly one in each category.
General Manager and President Julie Koehn spoke to WLEN News, saying: “these awards represent the hard work of the entire staff at Lenawee Broadcasting. Each person has a dedication to excellence and of service to our community. I am proud and blessed that I get to work with an amazing team of broadcast professionals each and every day.”
Production Director, Joe Johns received several awards. Johns said, “it’s just so easy to win when you enjoy what you do,” he paused before saying “I love what I do and who I work with.”
Ashley Gonzalez, new to the team, picked up her first two broadcasting awards as well.
Gabriel Schray received 8 separate awards for his work on air. Schray said, “to be a part of this team and to continue this legacy has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I want to thank Dale Gaertner and Julie Koehn for the wins and making me a part of this.”
Steve Barkway continued his winning ways, picking up two more MAB Awards this year. Barkway, Schray and Johns were on hand alongside WLEN GM and President Julie Koehn as well as Marketing and Director of Digital Engagement Ashley Gonzalez to accept the 18 awards.
General Manager Julie Koehn has led the FM station to numerous nominations as the Michigan Station of the Year. She also has notched multiple wins as the National Station of the Year, being selected by the National Association of Broadcasters.
Dale Gaertner, WLEN’s Program Director, now in his 35th year with the company, has been at the helm for several nominations as the Michigan Station of the Year. He has also steered the staff to many wins as the National Station of the Year, being selected by the National Association of Broadcasters.
This isn’t WLEN’s first time bringing home the hardware. The Lenawee County station based in Adrian, Michigan has taken home the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year award for Market 3 in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016…and now 2017. WLEN has also won awards on the national scale, taking home awards from the national Association of Broadcasters in a variety of categories. The Education Foundation “Service to America Award- Service to Children” in 2006, 2008 and 2014; Crystal Radio Award for Community Service in 1998, 2001, 2005, 2010 and 2014; the Crystal Heritage Award in 2015; a Marconi Award for Adult contemporary station of the Year in 2004 and 2015; and a Marconi Award for Small Market in 2011 and 2014.
Here are the awards from 2017
Best of:
Commercial
Marketing Materials/Promotion
Regularly Scheduled Broadcast Personality
Weekend Broadcast Personality/Team
Feature Use of Medium
Sports
Feature Programming
Use of New Media
Community Involvement
Merit:
Newscast
Breaking News
Commercial
Marketing Materials/Promotion
Regularly Schedules Broadcast Personality
Special Show
Feature Use of Medium
Sports
Play by Play
Images in this post courtesy of WLEN and michmab.com. Tune into our local and state newscasts, anytime day or night, for this story and more.
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