Otis Warren Named VP/Sales At KBLA-LA

Tavis Smiley’s KBLA-AM (Talk 1580)/Los Angeles, the only Black-owned and operated talk radio station in Southern California has named veteran radio executive Otis Warren as VP of Sales.

Warren most recently served as National Sales Manager of American General Media, overseeing 12 stations in Bakersfield, CA and Albuquerque, NM. Warren began his radio career doing sales for Buckley Broadcasting in Bakersfield. Within nine months, he was promoted to Local Sales Manager. Warren ended up staying with Buckley Broadcasting for more than 16 years, rising to VP of Sales.

KBLA Talk 1580 launched on Juneteenth, 2021, under the command of media personality, author and philanthropist Tavis Smiley and Elston Howard Butler, the President/GM of KBLA Talk 1580 and Pres./COO of the holding company, Smiley Audio Media, Inc. “We are extremely excited to land Otis to lead our sales efforts,” said Butler. “He is radio smart, media savvy and strategically sound. His work ethic and integrity are the ideal match for Smiley Audio Media.

“Warren remarked, “I’m a radio guy and I’m looking forward to being a part of the KBLA Talk 1580 family. I respect what Tavis is trying to accomplish with KBLA Talk 1580 as a Black-owned and operated radio station for the sophisticated African American listening audience. I think it’s something that is long overdue.”