The CEO of a faith-based film marketing and financing company he founded a decade ago has been selected to succeed the now-retired Mike Novak as Chief Executive of the second-largest licensee of radio stations in the U.S.
“After an extensive national search,” Rocklin, Calif.-based Educational Media Foundation has chosen Bill Reeves to serve as its next CEO.
He takes duties held on an interim basis by Alan Mason and by Novak until his retirement.
Reeves in 2009 built Franklin, Tenn.-based The WTA Group “to help develop, brand and bring to market world-class products with a Christian worldview.”
The WTA Group will continue, but as a unit of EMF, as it has issued a letter of intent to acquire it.
It followed stints at faith-based product marketer Propeller Consulting, and a three-year stint as Director of Entertainment for Thomas Nelson Publishers.
From 2000-2003, Reeves was the primary individual at Big Idea Productions charged with licensing VeggieTales products into the Christian retail marketplace.
He began his career in fall 1988 as a music buyer for large Christian music store Lifeway, in Orlando.
“Bill’s unique skill set and personality are a great match with our current and future needs, and his vast media experience complements radio as we take our first step toward becoming a more diversified media ministry,” Mason said.
Reaction from top CCM acts was swift and positive.
For KING & COUNTRY frontmen Joel and Luke Smallbone said, “Bill is someone we believe is going to celebrate the mission of K-LOVE and take it to new heights.”
Founded in 1981 with one station in Santa Rosa, Calif., EMF— through its K-LOVE and Air1 networks—has grown to broadcast on more than 900 signals in all 50 states with an estimated 14 million listeners each week. K-LOVE is Christian Contemporary; Air1 recently refocused by dedicating its playlist to Worship music.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of this expanded role with EMF,” Reeves said. “K-LOVE and Air1 have tremendous impact on our culture, and I look forward to continuing to grow that impact and reach both through the radio networks and through new media in the future.”
While WTA Group will remain in Nashville, Reeves and his wife will relocate to Northern California.
