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Hall of Fame 1989Todd StorzVideo |
Robert Todd Storz originally became interested in radio as an amateur (HAM) operator. After attending prep school at Choate in Wallingford, Connecticut and college at the University of Nebraska he served in the Signal Corps of the United States Army during World War II. When he returned from military service he worked for a radio station in Hutchinson, Kansas. Later, Todd Storz returned to Omaha to work for Station KBON as an announcer and for Station KFAB as an account executive.
Todd Story and his father Robert H. Storz purchased Omaha radio station KOWH from the Omaha World Herald in 1949. The company acquired WITX, Now Orleans in 1953, WHB in Kansas City in 1954, WDGY Minneapolis and WQAM Miami in 1956, KOMA, Oklahoma City in 1958 and KXOK St. Louis in 1960.
In 1956, a TIME Magazine article referred to Todd Storz as the fastest rising figure in U.S. Radio. He is credited as a developer of the Top 40 Format and successful audience promotion techniques. Storz died from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1964 at the age of 39. Todd Storz also is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
His father, Robert H. Storz, continued to operate the radio company after his son's death. Robert H. Storz also is a member of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.