Phill Orth – Marketing Consultant

Phill, the fifth generation of his family to be raised in Traverse City has spent over 35 years in radio, newspaper, cable television, marketing, advertising sales and management. He started his career as an on air talent at WIDG, St Ignace, then moved to WMPX Midland, WGRD Grand Rapids, XROK, El Paso and WCCW, Traverse City. He learned about the print industry selling display advertising for the Traverse City Record Eagle and the Traverse City Entertainment guide. He started selling radio in 1978 with WCCW After a few years managing a community foundation in the early 80’s and working as a broker for Thompson McKinnon Securities he gravitated back to radio and managed the sales departments for WCCW, WLXT, and WKHQ. In 1998 he was hired as the regional manager of CableTime Advertising in Northern Michigan and went on to be cited as the company’s top sales manager in 1999. He returned to radio in 2002 as General Manager of a group of 7 radio stations in Northern Michigan for MacDonald Garber Broadcasting. Phill is also a skilled commercial writer and a graduate of the Wizard of Ads Writing Academy in Austin, Texas. In August of 2006 he joined the Michigan Radio Network as their marketing consultant. Phill has also been active in local and state politics. He has managed numerous political campaigns and personally served for nearly 20 years as a City Commissioner in Traverse City. He also was elected and served 3 terms as Mayor of Traverse City and has served on numerous boards and committee’s. He resides in Lansing with his wife Linda.