Director's Cut Blog with Frank Macek: Get to Know Your Blogger Frank Macek

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Get to Know Your Blogger Frank Macek

If you're new to the Director's Cut Blog, welcome—I'm glad you're here! I'm Frank Macek, and if you've spent any time in Cleveland broadcasting, there's a good chance my name or voice rings a bell. Whether you've caught it in the credits or over the airwaves, I've been part of the Cleveland and northeast Ohio TV and radio scene since 1988. But truthfully, the spark was lit long before that—ever since I was a kid captivated by the magic of radio dials and television screens.

Frank Macek at WKYC Studios

Right after graduating at the top of my class from James A. Garfield High School in Garrettsville, Ohio, I landed my first job at WLND-AM/830 in Cortland. It was a tiny country station with just 1,000 watts, but it gave me my first taste of live broadcasting as the morning news anchor. Not long after, I handled my first on-air shifts and hosted a Saturday morning favorite called “The Treasure Chest of Bargains.” It was local radio at its best.

That fall, I started college at Cleveland State University, where I earned my B.A. in Communications. During school, I jumped into the Cleveland radio scene, working weekends at WDOK-FM and WWWE-AM thanks to PD Sue Wilson and Marketing Director Sandy Kish Jordan.

Pretty soon, I was promoted to Programming/Promotions Coordinator. When WWWE was swapped with WRMR-AM/850 in 1990, I moved into the role of Assistant Program/Music Director for WRMR and launched a bunch of original shows like "Music Showcase" and "Frank Macek Presents." I also got the surreal experience of filling in for some of Cleveland’s radio greats—Carl Reese, Ronnie Barrett, Jim Davis and the legendary Bill Randle. For quite a while, I became the regular fill-in host of Ronnie Barrett's "Saturday Night Swing" show featuring the classic pop music of the 20th century.

Frank Macek (left) at WRMR-AM/850 with the staff

By May 1994, I left WDOK & WRMR and made the leap to television, joining WKYC-TV in Cleveland. I started behind the scenes as a studio tech running audio, cameras, master control—you name it. By 1995, I was directing weekend newscasts and by 1997, became a full-time member of WKYC’s award-winning production team. Over the years, I’ve directed our evening newscasts, helped launch special programming, and pitched in as a graphics op, technical director, digital producer, and blogger.

Along with directing at WKYC, I returned to radio part-time at Smooth Jazz 107.3 WNWV from 1995 to 20024, programming the format both locally on the Wave and nationally with Jones Radio Network out of Denver, Colorado, under the mentoring of national programmer Steve Hibbard.

In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I was diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer—a moment that truly changed my life and shifted my outlook. Today, I’m grateful to be a cancer survivor and passionate about encouraging men to prioritize regular prostate screenings. I also proudly support initiatives by the Cleveland Clinic that focus on advancing cancer research and guiding others through their own paths to healing.

By 2022, I took on the role of Production Manager at WKYC after the retirement of longtime Director Allen Wohl. In that role, I oversaw the daily operations of our Production Department and worked alongside an incredible team of Directors and Production Assistants. But my passion has always been in the control room, so I eventually made the decision to return full-time to what I love most—directing the weeknight editions of "3News at 6" and "What’s Next" at 11 p.m., where I stay focused on delivering smooth, high-quality broadcasts each night currently.

Outside the newsroom, I’ve had the pleasure of working on specials like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's grand opening weekend for WKYC in September 1995, Travel Ohio, Tis the Season and The Great Lakes Auto Show. I’ve also done a fair share of sports programming too with shows like Browns Tonight, Friday Night Fever, and Indians Live for SportsTime Ohio when they shared studio space with WKYC at 1333 Lakeside Avenue.

Frank Macek at Smooth Jazz, 107.3 The Wave

I’ve been lucky enough to earn some recognition along the way, including local Emmy Awards, a WKYC Employee of the Month nod, and several Marconi Awards while at WNWV. One project I’m especially proud of is a special for the American Cancer Society called "When There’s Cancer in the Family, Kids Count Too" while working with the legendary Queen of radio community affairs, Rena Blumberg.

These days, I live on Cleveland's westside and love to travel—especially to Hawaii and Puerto Rico with my long-time husband—and I’m always geeking out over the weather, vintage broadcasting history, or adding to my music collection. I also enjoy a good crossword, exploring new places, and digging into weather data just for fun.

Thanks for stopping by the blog—I’m excited to share more of my journey with you!

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