Omar Romero was named the new program director and host of Mega 95.5 FM in Chicago. Romero has extensive experience in radio dating back to his childhood in El Salvador and Houston. As the new program director, his goals are to take Mega 95.5 to new heights by playing mainstream artists while also exploring new music on an upcoming new channel, and engaging with the community throughout the year.

1. Los Insiders
How did you get into the radio? I grew
up in radio and television broadcast-
ing. I had two uncles in radio. As a kid
growing up if you were near athletes
you wanted to be one. I grew up around
people in broadcasting and knew this is
what I wanted to do. I got my first gig in
high school. I love what I do.
Congratulations on being named new
program director and host at Mega
95.5. How has it been so far? I love my
job. I wouldn't change it. I am just get-
ting used to the city of Chicago. This job
is giving me new goals. I jumped from
the #6 market to the #3 market.
How committed is your station to
playing underground and indepen-
20 The OJIIure. The Movement. The Mogrnne
When Clear Channel decided to switch the
format of Mega 95.5 FM in Chicago from
Smooth Jazz to Spanish Contemporary, this
summer, their search for a new program direc-
tor ended when the broadcast giant decided
to look no further and keep it in house. On
June 15th, Clear Channel named Houston
native and industry veteran, Omar Romero,
as the new program director and host of
Mega's afternoon drive. An executive with
extensive experience, Romero's love for ra-
dio dates back to his childhood, when his
family moved to Houston, TX from their
native El Salvador. His travels in the ra-
dio industry began with KLTN-FM in
Houston. After starting off at the re-
gional Mexican Music station, his radio
career led him to stints at KABQ-FM
in Albuquerque, and KZAB-FM and
KLAX-FM in Los Angeles. Shortly
thereafter, the radio personality re-
turned to Houston, where he was the
dent music? Radio is what makes
and breaks all the artists. Bringing new
music is a commitment. We try to play
mainstream artists like Shakira. We got
a new channel coming August 1st. New
music will also be played there also.
What is your schedule like everyday?
The agenda is always changing. I have
to do music scheduling for the whole
station. I have to meet with various cli-
ents. Everyday is full of surprises.
Being the program director how is
it juggling all the different person-
alities? Managing McDonald's is diffi-
cult. It's the same situation; everybody
wants to be #1 . It's good because you
have different kinds of people around
afternoon drive host and program
director at Clear Channel's KLOL-
FM. Now, at the helm of Chicago's
premiere station for Latin music,
Romero looks to take the station
to new heights, one-step at a time.
- Lulaine Compere
you, so you reach an understanding
with people.
How important is the internet for
your station? The internet is a lifestyle.
Hosts can interact with the listener now.
There is always a live feed and it directs
people to the website.
What is the future for Mega 95.5? We
will be the #1 in the Chicago market.
As part of the Clear Channel family, we
also want to make sure we give back
to the community. We want to do more
community engagement, running com-
munity affair shows. We want to make
sure the shows are being listened to.
We want to be engaged all year round
not just Christmas. l!l!lll