Ex-Clear Channel exec launching Gabe Hobbs Media
TAMPA - Former Clear Channel Communications programming executive Gabe Hobbs is starting a Tampa-based national talent management and consulting firm.
Hobbs, who helped launch the careers of talk radio stars such as Glenn Beck, Lionel and Brian James, announced today that he is opening Gabe Hobbs Media, a talent management and consulting firm.
The radio veteran says he has signed deals with CBS Radio, KFWB News Talk 980 in Los Angeles, "The Dave Ramsey Show," Todd Schnitt (aka MJ Kelli), the Tampa Bay Rays, Road Kill Creative and others.
Hobbs, who was with Clear Channel's Tampa operations, was laid off in January as part of a nationwide cost-cutting measure by the company.
"I had a lot of offers on the table, but I decided to stay in the Tampa area and go out on my own," Hobbs says. "I will concentrate on what I do best, creating content and working with talent. The industry is going through a lot of changes, so I am working with a number of clients on short-term projects."
Hobbs got an endorsement from Beck, who got his talk show start in Tampa. He issued a written statement saying that "Gabe is a programming genius. There are very few people who understand what audiences like."
Hobbs started out in music radio, programming contemporary hit radio, rock, and adult contemporary stations. In 1989 at Jacor Communications, he added news-talk-sports stations to his responsibilities while managing the southeast region.
From 1998 through 2008, Hobbs oversaw the programming of Clear Channel's 275 news-talk-sports stations.
In addition, he was the in-house consultant for Premiere Radio Networks, the company's syndication division, where he was involved with programs such as "The Rush Limbaugh Show," "The Glenn Beck Program," "Trumped With Donald Trump," "Costas on the Radio" with Bob Costas, "The Sean Hannity Show" and "The Dr. Laura Program" with Laura Schlessinger.
Industry peers named him Radio & Records magazine's "News/Talk Executive of the Year" in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009.