He was elected by his fellow students as class president all four years he attended Poway High School. Also, around 8 a.m. each weekday, high schooler Rick Savage delivered that day’s Poway High announcements over the school intercom system.
“For about two minutes, I talked about the lunch menu, activities in the quad, the latest sports schedule and anything going on,” Savage told Times of San Diego. “With this latest news, you could say that I’ve gone from hosting the morning announcements at Poway High to hosting the morning show at 91X.”
Beginning March 23, Savage will return to 91X as the weekday morning on-air talent from 6 a.m. to noon, as well as serving in the role of 91X music director.
“I am a Poway kid who was raised listening to 91X,” he said. “Growing up in San Diego, 91X has always been more than just a radio station to me. It opened up a whole new world of music early in my radio journey. It was an ignition point in my career.
“To return home to be part of that history again, and on the same airwaves as so many of my heroes again, it’s literally a dream come true.”
Shortly after his 1998 high school graduation, Savage began his on-air talent radio career. He hosted morning and afternoon drive-time on San Diego alternative rock music station KFSD-FM, followed by one year (2003-2024) at XTRA-FM 91X, a classic alternative rock music station.
Savage said his goal as 91X’s music director is to support the next era of alternative radio in San Diego.
“I want to help expose new San Diego artists to the masses,” he said. “That’s definitely a priority.”
Over the years, Savage has served as VP of content for Fanatics Betting and Gaming (2022-2023), director of content for the National Football League (2019-2022), head of social media for Apple (2014-2018), director of original content for Vevo (2009-2012) and director of community marketing for Warner Brothers Records (2006-2009).
He also spent five years (2005-2010) as an on-air personality and voice talent on legendary modern-alternative rock station KROQ Los Angeles.
Most recently, Savage hosted “Start Static with Rick Savage” on California State University Northridge adult alternative KCSN-FM, the SoCal Sound, and was on-air for South Orange County Community College’s KSBR-FM 88.5.
He also manages Agent 51, a San Diego-based punk rock band that was recently nominated for two San Diego Music awards, including album of the year and alternative album of the year. The awards will be presented May 6 at Humphries by the Bay.
“I’ve tried to learn as much as I can from every job that I’ve had,” Savage said. “When I was much younger, one of my production directors who mentored me said whatever you do off the air is just as important as on the air.”
“Bringing Rick home was a no-brainer,” said Hilary Doneux, 91X brand manager and afternoon host. “He’s genuine, hilarious, great on the air and deeply plugged into the music and local culture. He’s a respected programmer, a strong digital voice, just a perfect fit.
“We’re ridiculously thrilled to have him back.”
Local Media San Diego LLC, a San Diego-based media company, operates three Mexican-licensed FM radio stations in San Diego, including XTRA-FM 91X, XHRM-FM Magic 92.5 and XHTZ-FM Z-90.3. LMSD also operates Local Media Digital Labs, a locally-focused digital solutions provider and Local Media San Diego Events for lifestyle event production.
Crowe PR expands global reach with new partnership
San Diego-based public relations firm Crowe PR reports it has joined United Partners Network, which is a network of independent PR agencies with members across more than 65 markets worldwide.
Crowe said it will serve as UPN’s official U.S. partner, expanding the network’s North American footprint while strengthening Crowe PR’s ability to support clients internationally. Through this partnership, Crowe PR said it will gain access to UPN’s international network of trusted independent agencies, enabling the firm to support more clients beyond the U.S. market.
A statement said Crowe PR will also benefit from client-led, opportunity-based international referrals and integration into a trusted global ecosystem of senior agencies, further strengthening its positioning as a globally minded, growth-focused agency.
“United Partners brings together an exceptional global community of agencies, and we’re thrilled for Crowe PR to be joining that network,” said Anna Crowe, founder and chief executive officer of Crowe PR. “As a globally minded agency, we’re looking forward to creating meaningful work together that delivers impact on a global scale.”
For UPN, the collaboration adds U.S. market expertise and sector strength, reinforcing its ability to support clients with local precision backed by global collaboration.
“The partnership with Crowe PR significantly strengthens our footprint in the United States,” said Maria Gergova-Bengtsson, founder and chief executive officer at UPN. “Crowe PR combines award-winning expertise with a strong entrepreneurial mindset and deep sector knowledge.
“Together, we are expanding our ability to support clients who need trusted, senior teams on the ground in the U.S., while benefiting from seamless international collaboration.”
Crowe PR also operates an office in New York City.
In-car share of AM-FM listening hits new high
What are more Americans doing after getting in their cars? According to Edison Research’s “Share of Ear” report for fourth-quarter 2025, they turn on the radio.
Edison’s quarterly study, which since 2015 has surveyed 4,000 Americans annually to measure daily reach and time spent for all forms of audio, shows that 53% of listening to over-the-air AM/FM radio took place in vehicles in 2025, up from 42% 10 years ago.
Also, if you’re thinking in-car’s share of listening to AM/FM might decline among younger demographics, think again.
Among younger demographics, in-car listening represents the vast majority of over-the-air AM/FM radio time spent. Edison found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of all 18-34 over-the-air AM/FM radio time spent happens in the car.
Across the board, in-car listening claims a larger share of female AM/FM radio listening, compared to men, with significant differences between women and men 18-34 and 25-54.
Meanwhile, AM/FM radio continues to dominate ad-supported audio time spent in cars among persons ages 18 and above with a whopping 83% share vs. 8% for podcasts, 4% for ad-supported SiriusXM, 3% for ad-supported Spotify, 2% for ad-supported Pandora and 1% for ad-supported YouTube Music.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly in Times of San Diego.
