Elmwood Park trustees approved of the village paying nearly $80,000 next year to be marketed on a local AM sports radio station, looking for the media presence to be a boon to the west suburban town of about 24,000.
The Village Board approved an ordinance at the Dec. 4 board meeting that gives a green light to pay $76,875 to ESPN 1000 radio station for a talent appearance, on-air promotions and in-person events in 2024.
“The marketing is to highlight the benefits of living in Elmwood Park, doing business in Elmwood Park and to encourage people to visit our events and patronize our businesses,” Village Manger Paul Volpe explained in an email to Pioneer Press.
The contract runs from February to September next year, he said, adding that the village has marketed itself on ESPN radio for “a couple years.”
Additionally, Volpe said Elmwood Park did a marketing campaign with WGN in 2022.
The ESPN 1000 “Carmen and Jurko” radio show, a sports roundtable show hosted by on-air personality Carmen DeFalco and former NFL player John Jurkovic, will promote the village throughout 2024 on air and at in-person events, according to the agreement.
Carmen and Jurko’s special segments “McKnight at the Movies” and “Hardwood Hooky” will also feature promotions for Elmwood Park, according to the agreement.
McKnight at the Movies airs on Wednesdays and features White Sox commentator Connor McKnight using a play-by-play style to “call” popular movies. Listeners can call in and guess which movie McKnight is calling.
Hardwood Hooky is a series of live broadcasts and watch parties during the NCAA basketball tournament, or March Madness. Elmwood Park will be a location sponsor for these events and will choose the venue for one live Hardwood Hooky broadcast, the agreement indicates.
The broadcast will be held at Circle Tavern in Elmwood Park, Volpe said. The event will be followed by a watch party with DeFalco and Jukovic.
DeFalco will also endorse the village and make an appearance at the Taste of Elmwood Park festival next August. DeFalco will mention the village in both live and pre-recorded promotions by DeFalco during Carmen and Jurko next year, according to officials.
In passing the ordinance, the Village Board waived a competitive bidding process requirement for purchases over $25,000.
Catherine Odom is a freelancer.
