David Safar Named Managing Director of The Current

Aug 29, 2019

ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 29, 2019 – After an extensive national search, The Current has appointed David Safar to lead the station as Managing Director, a new role that will oversee the long-term strategy, product development, and planning of The Current.

As Managing Director, Safar will lead The Current, and will work closely with Program Director Jim McGuinn and Brett Baldwin, Managing Digital Producer, to align the station’s on-air service with the development of new products, partnerships, and content across The Current’s different platforms, while leading the overall direction of the station.

“In this new leadership role, David will focus on the future and develop new ways to serve our audiences, without taking our sights off of being the best possible music source for our local audiences,” said Nick Kereakos, Senior Vice President and General Manager of MPR’s regional services. “We’ve received such strong support from our audiences throughout the past 15 years and we owe it to them to continue exploring new and better ways to serve them. David’s experience and skills in our industry are a big part of The Current’s success, and we are confident that his leadership will help us continue to grow and serve more audiences.”

A three-time recipient of the Non-Comm AAA Music Director of the Year award, Safar was promoted to the station’s new role of Head of Music, Artist and Label Relations in January 2019 after serving as Music Director for seven years. He previously served as co-Music Director and Assistant Music Director. Safar joined The Current in 2006 after leading University of Minnesota’s Radio K as program director and music director. Safar earned his juris doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law and graduated from University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

“The Current has set itself apart by bringing people closer to music and performances they may not otherwise be able to access,” said Safar. “We often hear the question ‘Why doesn’t something like The Current exist in my community?’ and my goal is to reach those communities with our handcrafted approach to music, more often and in new ways.”

Approaching its 15th birthday this winter, The Current has been recognized nationally for its programming. The station has been named Non-Comm AAA Station of the Year 11 of the past 12 years, taking home its most recent award this past month.

About The Current
The Current® is a non-commercial, listener-supported radio station from Minnesota Public Radio® that brings listeners the best authentic new music alongside the music that inspired it. Presenting local to legendary, indie to influential, new to nostalgic, The Current® has helped launch and support more than 600 Minnesota artists during its 14-year history. The Current Sessions® host live performances of emerging and well-established artists recorded in MPR’s Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio. The Current® online is also home to four additional streams: Local Current (all-Minnesota music); Radio Heartland (acoustic, Americana and roots music); Rock the Cradle (music for kids and their grownups); and Purple Current, a stream introduced in 2018 exploring the music of Prince’s legacy. Visit thecurrent.org to learn more and find a complete list of stations.