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Emmis, Colts hire ex-Q95 jock 'Mad Dog' Matis

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Jimmy “Mad Dog” Matis, the popular radio disc jockey who was fired in January after 23 years at WFBQ-FM 94.7, has a new gig—or two.

Emmis Communications Corp. on Thursday announced that Matis will be taking a job as a sales executive starting Aug. 2. And in a separate announcement, the Indianapolis Colts said Matis will co-host the team’s post-game show this season; the radio show airs on 47 stations across Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

At Emmis, Matis will be working sales for Emmis sports talk station WFNI-AM 1070 and news/talk station WIBC-FM 93.1.

For the Colts’ radio network, Matis will be paired with former Colts player Barry Krauss. The 11-year NFL linebacker will enter his fourth season on the post-game show, which airs locally on Emmis' WFNI, also known as The Fan, and WLHK-FM 97.1, also known as Hank.

Matis, 52, hosted his own afternoon show on Clear Channel-owned WFBQ-FM and made regular guest appearances on "The Bob and Tom Show," a nationally syndicated morning show produced in Indianapolis. Matis also did guest stints on Clear Channel’s local sports-talk station, WNDE-AM 1260.

Clear Channel did not renew his contract when it expired Dec. 31. Local market manager Rick Green called it a business decision.

Matis, who has five children ranging from a senior in college to a pair of fifth-graders, said he had no desire to leave the Indianapolis market.

Emmis officials said they had no hesitancy about hiring Matis in sales despite his lack of experience in that area.

“Jim’s high energy and passion for radio and sports will be a great asset to our sales efforts on WFNI,” said Eric Wunnenberg, general sales manager for WIBC and WFNI.

Matis thinks the array of corporate contacts he’s made during his on-air career will assist him in sales. He said it’s also possible that he could do some voice work for Emmis advertisers.

“People always said I’d be great at sales,” Matis said. “Now I get to find out. I’ve been around a long time, and I know a lot of people. And because of my on-air work, a lot of people know me. I think that was part of the attraction by Emmis, and I’m really excited to begin this new phase of my career.”

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  • Congrats
    One Hoosier is now off of the unemployment line, go Mad Dog!
  • 1070the fan 9 till noon
    Clealy, Big Joe is in way over his head trying to do this show. Bring him back during Colts season as a a guest. Jimmy would be so much more engaging and entertaining as the M-F 9-Noon talent. Otherwise, its Dan Patrick on WNDE 1260 hands down.
  • Congratulations
    Great News! I'm a Boiler fan and I know of Jimmy's contempt for all things not IU, but he is a great on air personality and a great Hoosier. Good choice Emmis!
  • Fantastic news
    Great to hear your back Now we have to find you a dailey radio on air gig
  • SMART move
    Well done, Emmis. He's a great personality.
  • beautiful DOG
    This is BEAUTIFUL.. Jimmi is one of the BEST HOOSIERS out there. Filled with positive energy and always able to put a BIG SMILE on everyones face. GOOD MOVE COLTS and EMMIS. He is a GREAT ADDITION to a powerful team. BRAVO JIMMI BRAVO! GOOD for our people, GOOD for our state.
  • The Dog is BACK!
    Love the Dog -- send our best to him.
  • Outstanding!
    This will be a great addition for our city and will hopefully add great long term value for both Jimmy and Emmis.
  • Congratulations!
    Congratulations to Dog! It's about time he was back on the radio!

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