Brand And Content Manager Jimmy Steal exits Hubbard Chicago

No word on a replacement

Hubbard Radio’s vice president of brand and content Jimmy Steal is exiting the position at the end of the year and is starting a new consulting business for the company, focusing on new talent. 

Steal was in charge of two of Hubbard’s stations: Hot AC 101.9 The Mix and 90s/2000s Pop Hits Throwback 100.3. Steal came to Hubbard in 2019 from Merulo Media’s hip-hop duo of Power 106 and 93.5 KDAY Los Angeles for two decades. The new role will require him to relocate out of Chicago and move to Austin, Tex. 

Steal’s successor has yet to be named as Hubbard said they will conduct a “nationwide search”. 

“When I arrived in Chicago, I signed a 3-year deal, and this December, it’ll be 6 years. What a blessing to work with our amazing Hubbard Chicago teams,” said Steal. “I couldn’t be prouder of all we’ve achieved: Marconi Awards, #1 books, and the discovery and nurturing of market-dominating talent. A very special thanks to our amazing VP/MM Keith Lawless, our awesome Hubbard EVP of Programming Greg Strassell, and our incredible CEO Ginny Hubbard. I’m forever grateful to them for this wonderful experience, all we accomplished, and will continue to accomplish through 2024, and together in 2025 in my new Hubbard consulting role.”

“Jimmy is an exceptional content leader that makes everyone around him better. His leadership has impacted our entire team at Hubbard Chicago”, said Hubbard Chicago vice president and market manager Keith Lawless, who also oversees classic rocker The Drive. “I’m grateful Jimmy agreed to stay an additional year before returning to Austin to start his new consulting business. Jimmy will continue through 2024 in his current leadership role. While he will be missed in our day-to-day in 2025, I’m happy and proud that Hubbard Chicago will be Jimmy’s newest talent consulting customer as we transition to new leadership on 101.9 The Mix and Throwback 100.3.”

During his time at both stations, 101.9 The Mix experienced the departure of morning personality Eric Ferguson after it was revealed he was sexually harassing employees and co-hosts, but the station’s ratings have stabilized in recent years. Meanwhile, the now-former WSHE-FM went through several format changes, including the rebranding to Throwbacks 100.3 in May, dropping most 1980s-era hits and focusing on 1990s and early 2000s pop hits, following a similar rebranding effort two years earlier.

Recently, Hubbard quietly changed the call letters of the 100.3 frequency to WTBC-FM. 

During the most recent Nielsen PPM ratings, 101.9 The Mix tied for ninth overall while Throwbacks tied for eighteenth, both up from May.