Ted Rogers
Cleveland native and Cornell University alumnus Edward A. “Ted” Rogers was a broadcast executive for a California ad agency in 1950 when he was hired by Richard Nixon to help with personal appearances and TV interviews. He is credited with saving Nixon’s political career in 1952 by writing the infamous “Checkers” speech that kept him on as Dwight D. Eisenhower’s running mate.
Early in his career, Rogers worked for NBC television as an executive with the network’s “Today” show. His resume also indicates he was once a marketing director for Playboy magazine and an executive with Metromedia’s WNEW in New York.
Rogers moved to Sarasota in 1972 and partnered with Carroll Newton to form Sarasota Broadcast Corporation. Together they bought WSAF-AM 1220 and changed it to the big band/MOR formatted WQSA. The purchase also included a construction permit for an FM on 102.5 which they turned into the highly successful progressive rock Quad 102½ WQSR-FM.
In 1979 the pair sold WQSR to Cosmos Broadcasting but held on to the AM. Ted remained active in Sarasota civic and community affairs for many years and died there following a long illness on March 13, 2003 at the age of 82.
Station History
1972 - 2002 Other Tampa Bay Area Stations (Management)
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