Radio Mankato
Radio Mankato operates seven AM/FM radio stations serving Southern Minnesota under Subarctic Media, LLC, selling local advertising across broadcast, Linder Digital (geofencing/CTV/display), sponsorships, events, and the Linder Farm Network ag radio footprint.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1938
- HeadquartersMankato, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Radio Mankato does
Radio Mankato is a regional media company operating seven AM/FM radio stations across Southern Minnesota under licensee Subarctic Media, LLC, headquartered at 59346 Madison Ave, Mankato. Its portfolio spans KTOE (news/information), KDOG Hot 96.7 (top 40), KXAC Minnesota 100 (country), KXLP 94.1 (classic rock), KATO 93.1 (adult hits), KFSP The Fan (sports talk), and KRRW North Star Country (country classics), with broadcast roots tracing to station KYSM in 1938. The company is supported by an affiliated agricultural network, Linder Farm Network, which delivers farm news across 23 stations covering 89 Minnesota counties.
The company monetizes primarily through advertising across multiple surfaces: traditional on-air spot sales, on-air sponsorships of programs and live broadcasts, recruitment advertising, and the Linder Digital suite (geofencing on mobile apps, targeted display on ComScore 1000 publisher websites, and Connected TV streaming impressions). Ancillary revenue streams include event marketing (Mankato Home Show, Job Fair, Summer Ride Polaris Ranger Giveaway, MN Twins Bus Trips), branding services delivered through the Brandsformation methodology, and the Kato Big Deals e-commerce/text-club platform. Distribution combines over-the-air broadcasting, digital streaming across desktop/mobile/tablet, and podcast content (Surrounded by History, Talk of the Town, The Morning Blend, The BBQ Show).
Radio Mankato employs 51-100 staff organized around direct sales (nine account/sales executives) targeting local Southern Minnesota businesses and agricultural advertisers, with a hybrid geographic and vertical segmentation approach. Management is led by Managing Partner David Legault and General Manager Jordan Yess. FCC license renewals were filed by Subarctic Media, LLC in December 2020, confirming ongoing operating control. No venture or private-equity backing is indicated in the source material.
Radio Mankato firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Radio Mankato
- Legal name
- Subarctic Media, LLC
- Website
- https://radiomankato.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1938
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Radio Mankato operates seven AM/FM radio stations serving Southern Minnesota under Subarctic Media, LLC, selling local advertising across broadcast, Linder Digital (geofencing/CTV/display), sponsorships, events, and the Linder Farm Network ag radio footprint.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Radio Mankato industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Radio Broadcasting and Advertising
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Radio Network Advertising Sales & Representation (MPABABAK), Commercial Radio Networks (National/Regional) (MPABABAA), Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ), Radio Network Distribution & Programming Services (Syndicators, Format Providers) (MPAIAEAH)
Keywords
Where Radio Mankato is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mankato
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Radio Mankato business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Radio Advertising: Traditional AM/FM radio advertising sales to local businesses. Advertisers purchase airtime spots across the seven-station portfolio to reach Southern Minnesota audiences. The company offers integrated advertising packages that combine on-air spots with digital marketing services.
- On-Air Sponsorships: Sponsorship of on-air contests, programs, and live broadcasts. Sponsors receive brand exposure aligned with specific content categories, causes, and audience segments.
- Recruitment Advertising: Radio-based job posting and recruitment advertising services targeting local and regional job seekers across Southern Minnesota.
- Digital Advertising (Linder Digital): Geofencing and targeted display advertising delivered through mobile apps and websites. Revenue generated from CPM (cost per thousand impressions) pricing with retargeting capabilities and detailed campaign analytics including impressions, clicks, engagements, and view-throughs.
- Event Marketing: Event organization and sponsorship including the Mankato Home Show, MN Twins Bus Trips, Mankato Job Fair, and Summer Ride Polaris Ranger Giveaway. Revenue from vendor fees, booth rentals, title sponsorships, and event marketing services.
- Brandsformation Services: Marketing strategy and branding consulting services focused on storytelling-based brand development. Services tied to measurable client results.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Radio advertising packages - customized quotes |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Radio Mankato product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Radio Mankato operates seven AM/FM radio stations in Southern Minnesota, broadcasting news, talk, country, classic rock, top 40, sports, and adult hits formats, with all stations simulcast via digital streaming. The company sells on-air advertising airtime, sponsorships, recruitment advertising, digital advertising (geofencing, targeted display, connected TV) through Linder Digital, and event sponsorship opportunities to local businesses and advertisers in the Mankato region. It also produces original podcasts (e.g., Talk of the Town, The Morning Blend) and operates the Linder Farm Network serving 89 Minnesota counties with agricultural content.
Product overview
Radio Mankato operates as a regional radio broadcasting company consisting of seven radio stations serving Southern Minnesota. The portfolio includes KTOE (information/news), KXAC Minnesota 100 (country), KDOG Hot 96.7 (Top 40), KXLP 94.1 (classic rock), KATO 93.1 (80s/90s hits), KFSP The Fan (sports talk), and KRRW North Star Country (country classics). Supporting the broadcast operations, the company offers digital marketing services through Linder Digital (geofencing, targeted display, connected TV), branding services via Brandsformation, and an e-commerce platform called Kato Big Deals. Additional offerings include on-air sponsorships, live broadcasts, and community events such as the Mankato Home Show and Job Fair. The company also operates the Linder Farm Network, extending agricultural radio content across 23 stations in Minnesota.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KTOE: AM 1420 & FM 98.7 - focused on local news and information, weather, sports, and agriculture news
- Kato Hits 93.1
- Hot 96.7 KDOG
- KXLP 94.1
- Minnesota 100 KXAC
- The Fan KFSP
- North Star Country KRRW
- Linder Digital
- Linder Farm Network
- Brandsformation
Quantifiable outcome
- 45% increase in brand awareness when combining radio ads with Linder Digital
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Radio Mankato
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Radio Mankato technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Radio Mankato partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BrandsformationcoreBrandsformation is a marketing strategy partner that provides storytelling-based brand development services. Radio Mankato references Brandsformation as their approach to marketing services, emphasizing brand storytelling and tying pay to client results. Brandsformation content is referenced as a source for marketing methodology.
- Linder Farm NetworkcoreNetwork of 23 radio stations across Minnesota covering 89 counties, providing local farmers the latest agricultural news. Affiliated through common ownership with Radio Mankato. Radio Mankato airs LFN Farm News on KTOE.
- Blue Earth County Historical SocietyminorPartnership to produce the 'Surrounded by History' podcast, a podcast in partnership with KTOE that explores people and events that shaped Blue Earth County history.
- Minnesota TwinsminorRadio Mankato organizes bus trips to Minnesota Twins baseball games, providing entertainment content for listeners and marketing exposure through ticket sales and on-air promotions.
- Compeer FinancialminorSponsor of the Drive & Thrive agricultural safety program featured in radio content about farm machinery operation training.
- YWCAminorNon-profit organization featured on the Non-Profit Update program aired across all seven Radio Mankato stations, helping connect community members with local causes.
- Junior AchievementminorNon-profit organization featured on the Non-Profit Update program aired across all seven Radio Mankato stations, helping connect community members with local causes.
- Mankato Area FoundationminorNon-profit foundation featured on the Non-Profit Update program aired across all seven Radio Mankato stations.
- United WayminorNon-profit organization featured on the Non-Profit Update program aired across all seven Radio Mankato stations for community campaign coverage.
- Habitat For HumanityminorNon-profit organization featured on the Non-Profit Update program aired across all seven Radio Mankato stations, helping connect community members with local causes.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Radio Mankato competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Townsquare Media: Mid-market-focused US radio operator running clusters of local AM/FM stations plus digital and live event properties. Highly comparable in business model (local radio ad sales, regional clusters, integrated digital) and most directly comparable in scale and go-to-market motion.
- Alpha Media: US radio broadcaster operating multi-station clusters in small and mid-sized markets with integrated digital and event businesses. Directly comparable in cluster-driven local ad sales model and mid-market footprint.
- Midwest Communications: Private, family-owned operator of radio station clusters concentrated in the Upper Midwest. Comparable in regional Midwest footprint, multi-station portfolio, and locally managed operating model.
- Saga Communications: Operator of mid-market radio clusters across smaller US markets with similar sales-led local ad model. Closely comparable in cluster size, format diversity, and SMB advertiser focus.
- Salem Communications: US radio broadcaster focused on smaller markets and specific formats (news/talk, faith, ag). Comparable in mid-market local radio operations, though more specialized in faith/talk formats than Radio Mankato's mixed format approach.
- Hall Communications: Private, family-owned operator of radio station clusters across smaller US markets. Similar size, similar locally embedded operating model, similar multi-format approach.
- Bonneville International: Private, family-owned US radio broadcaster with clusters in mid-sized Western and Midwestern markets. Comparable in local-market station clusters, community orientation, and integrated digital offerings.
Broad incumbents
- iHeartMedia: Largest US radio operator with overlapping capabilities across broadcast, streaming (iHeartRadio), digital advertising, and live events. Much larger and national but defines the competitive ceiling for integrated local/regional radio operators.
- Audacy: Major US radio broadcaster combining AM/FM clusters with the Audacy streaming/podcast platform. Represents the national-scale integrated radio + digital model Radio Mankato competes against for advertiser mind share.
- Cumulus Media: Large US radio broadcaster operating hundreds of stations including rural and small-market clusters. A broad incumbent serving similar advertisers at larger scale with shared format and digital ad trends.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Radio Mankato social profiles
Digital presenceRadio Mankato financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Radio Mankato leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Radio Mankato subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Radio Mankato funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Radio Mankato M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Radio Mankato
What does Radio Mankato do?
Radio Mankato operates seven AM/FM radio stations in Southern Minnesota, broadcasting news, talk, country, classic rock, top 40, sports, and adult hits formats, with all stations simulcast via digital streaming. The company sells on-air advertising airtime, sponsorships, recruitment advertising, digital advertising (geofencing, targeted display, connected TV) through Linder Digital, and event sponsorship opportunities to local businesses and advertisers in the Mankato region. It also produces original podcasts (e.g., Talk of the Town, The Morning Blend) and operates the Linder Farm Network serving 89 Minnesota counties with agricultural content.
Is Radio Mankato a public or private company?
Radio Mankato is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Radio Mankato founded?
Radio Mankato was founded in 1938. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Radio Mankato based?
Radio Mankato is headquartered in Mankato, United States, in the North America region.
How does Radio Mankato make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Radio Advertising is the primary driver. The others are on-Air Sponsorships, recruitment Advertising, digital Advertising (Linder Digital), event Marketing and brandsformation Services.
Who are Radio Mankato's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Townsquare Media, Alpha Media, Midwest Communications, Saga Communications, Salem Communications, Hall Communications and Bonneville International. Broad incumbents are iHeartMedia, Audacy and Cumulus Media.
Does Radio Mankato have an API?
No public API is recorded for Radio Mankato.
What industry is Radio Mankato in?
Radio Mankato's product category is Radio Broadcasting and Advertising. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAEAA, Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM), with a secondary code of MPABABAK, Radio Network Advertising Sales & Representation. Its NAICS code is 51611 and its SIC code is 4832.