105.7 WAPL
105.7 WAPL is a privately-held, employee-owned classic rock FM radio station in Appleton, Wisconsin, serving Wisconsin listeners since 1952 through over-the-air broadcasting, mobile apps, web streaming, and podcasts, monetized primarily via local and regional advertising sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1952
- HeadquartersAppleton, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What 105.7 WAPL does
105.7 WAPL is a privately-held, employee-owned classic rock FM radio station broadcasting at 100,000 watts from Appleton, Wisconsin, founded in 1952 and operating under the brand 'The Rockin' Apple'. The station serves Wisconsin listeners, primarily in the Appleton-Green Bay market, with classic rock music programming anchored by the weekday morning show 'WAPL Mornings with Laura Lee & Cutter' and signature segments including 'Weenie of the Week', 'Small Town Crime Wave', and 'Laura Lee's Sin Bin'. It is one of six radio stations operated by Woodward Community Media, a division of Woodward Communications, Inc., with shared sales management and cross-station advertising bundling.
The station distributes content across a multi-platform footprint: over-the-air FM broadcast, web streaming via SoCast, native iOS and Android mobile apps, an Amazon Alexa skill, podcasts distributed through Spreaker, and active social media presence on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Revenue is generated primarily through on-air and digital advertising (radio mentions, stream pre-roll, banner ads, geofencing, OTT/CTV, email marketing, SEM, social ads), with secondary streams from branded merchandise sales via a Threadless-powered online store and free All Access Email and Text Club subscriber services used for audience engagement and concert/event promotion. Technical operations are led by a Chief Engineer, with a Digital Director, Brand Manager, and Market Manager overseeing programming, digital strategy, and the overall market presence.
The go-to-market model is sales-led, with local sales representatives and a General Sales Manager (Nicole Ehlers) creating customized advertising packages for local and regional Wisconsin businesses across radio and digital platforms. Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed, with no disclosed advertising rate cards. Major technology partnerships include SoCast (streaming), Spreaker (podcasts), Threadless (merchandise), iContact (email), and Google/Apple (app distribution and advertising).
105.7 WAPL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 105.7 WAPL
- Legal name
- Woodward Community Media, a Division of Woodward Communications, Inc.
- Website
- https://wapl.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1952
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- 105.7 WAPL is a privately-held, employee-owned classic rock FM radio station in Appleton, Wisconsin, serving Wisconsin listeners since 1952 through over-the-air broadcasting, mobile apps, web streaming, and podcasts, monetized primarily via local and regional advertising sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
105.7 WAPL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Music Radio Networks (Format-Based) (MPABABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains) (MPABACAC), Network-Affiliated Local Radio Stations (News/Talk/Sports Syndication Affiliates) (MPABACAF), Radio Program Syndication (Talk, Music, Sports) (MPABAMAE)
Keywords
Where 105.7 WAPL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Appleton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
105.7 WAPL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Radio Advertising: Traditional on-air advertising including mention sponsorships, streaming sponsors, phone line sponsors, and live sports coverage sponsorships. Advertisers can reach a loyal and engaged listener base spanning generations.
- Digital Advertising: Website digital ads (full page, leaderboard, sidebar), stream player pre-roll and banner ads, email marketing, social media advertising (Meta, LinkedIn, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok), search engine marketing, and targeted advertising products.
- Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise sold through the WAPL merch store (powered by Threadless platform).
- Email Marketing Services: All Access Email Club subscription service providing weekly concert announcements, contest details, presale information, and exclusive updates to subscribers.
- Text Message Marketing Services: All Access Text Club subscription service delivering concert announcements, exclusive prizes, and ticket opportunities via SMS to members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Text Club membership is free to join |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels9 records
105.7 WAPL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
105.7 WAPL is a 100,000-watt Classic Rock FM radio station based in Appleton, Wisconsin, broadcasting music, news, and local programming across the Appleton/Green Bay market and beyond via digital extensions. It also sells multi-platform advertising solutions (on-air, digital display, streaming pre-roll, geofencing, OTT/CTV, email, social, SEM) to local and regional businesses, leveraging the broader Woodward Community Media network. Direct audience engagement and ancillary revenue come from a mobile app, web stream, podcast network, branded merchandise, concert/event calendar, and free email/SMS subscription clubs.
Product overview
105.7 WAPL operates as a Classic Rock radio station with a multi-platform content distribution strategy. The core product is the broadcast radio station (105.7 FM), complemented by digital touchpoints including a mobile app for iOS/Android, a web-based SoCast streaming player for live and on-demand audio, and a Spreaker-hosted podcast network for archived show segments. Audience engagement features include the All Access Email Club and All Access Text Club for direct communications, a Threadless-powered merch store, and a concert/events calendar. The station also offers digital advertising products for businesses seeking to reach its listener base. The morning show 'WAPL Mornings with Laura Lee & Cutter' serves as the primary weekday programming anchor, featuring signature segments like 'Weenie of the Week,' 'Small Town Crime Wave,' and 'Laura Lee's Sin Bin.'
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 105.7 WAPL (The Rockin' Apple) Radio Station 100,000-watt Classic Rock FM radio station serving the Appleton/Green Bay/Wisconsin market with music programming, morning shows, news, weather, traffic, contests, and community content — the station's flagship audience offering, free and ad-supported.
- WAPL Web Stream Player Web-based live audio streaming player accessible at wapl.com/player, allowing listeners worldwide to tune in from any desktop or mobile browser with embedded pre-roll and banner ad serving.
- WAPL Mobile App Native iOS and Android applications that let listeners stream 105.7 WAPL live, catch up on missed shows, and stay connected with station content on the go.
- WAPL Mornings with Laura Lee & Cutter Weekday morning radio show airing 5AM-9AM on 105.7 WAPL, hosted by Laura Lee and Cutter, including signature segments such as Weenie of the Week, Small Town Crime Wave, and Laura Lee's Sin Bin, also available as on-demand audio via Spreaker.
- WAPL On-Demand Audio (Podcast Network) Podcast-style on-demand access to recorded WAPL show segments and audio content, distributed through the Spreaker podcast platform as part of the Woodward Podcast Network.
- WAPL All Access Email Club Free opt-in email newsletter service delivering weekly concert announcements, contest details, presale information, and exclusive station updates to subscribers.
- WAPL All Access Text Club Free-to-join SMS/text message marketing service delivering concert announcements, exclusive prize opportunities, and ticket updates to enrolled members (standard message and data rates apply).
- WAPL Merch Store Online merchandise store selling 105.7 WAPL-branded clothing and memorabilia to listeners and fans, operated on the Threadless e-commerce platform.
- WAPL Concert & Events Calendar Online event calendar showcasing local concerts, charity rides, and community events in the Wisconsin area, serving as a hub for event discovery and listener engagement.
- WAPL Digital Advertising Solutions Customized multi-channel advertising packages for local and regional businesses, combining on-air radio spots with digital products such as website display ads (Full Page, Leaderboard, Sidebar), stream pre-roll and banner ads, email marketing, geofencing, OTT/CTV, social display (Meta, LinkedIn, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok), SEM, mobile messaging, and retargeting.
Companies that use 105.7 WAPL
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
105.7 WAPL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature3 records
105.7 WAPL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Wisconsin Building SupplyminorWisconsin Building Supply sponsors the WAPL studios as seen in the studio sponsor bar on the website. The partnership provides brand visibility to the station's engaged listener base.
- Hupy and AbrahamminorPersonal injury law firm sponsoring the Wisco Rides program, a charity motorcycle event initiative that promotes safe riding and supports Wisconsin motorcycle enthusiasts.
- Woodward Community MediacoreWAPL is operated by Woodward Community Media, a division of Woodward Communications, Inc. WCM also operates five other stations: WKSZ, WFZZ, WZOR, WHBY, and WSCO, providing a network of media channels for advertising and content distribution.
- ThreadlessminorE-commerce platform powering the WAPL Merch Store for branded merchandise sales at wapl.threadless.com.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights4 records
105.7 WAPL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Cumulus Media / Westwood One: Cumulus Media is a national radio operator with Wisconsin signals and a syndicated content network (Westwood One). Comparable as a multi-station group competitor pursuing similar digital/OTT advertising extensions as WAPL.
- Townsquare Media: Townsquare Media is a mid-market U.S. radio operator running classic rock, country, and talk formats in similar-sized regional markets. Comparable as a multi-station group targeting local advertisers with bundled digital offerings.
- Audacy (formerly Entercom): Audacy is a major U.S. radio broadcaster operating news, talk, sports, and music stations in Wisconsin (e.g., WSSP, WMYX). It directly competes for regional ad budgets and listener share with WAPL.
- Saga Communications: Saga Communications is a regional U.S. radio broadcaster with stations in mid-sized markets. Comparable as a multi-format operator pursuing similar local advertiser relationships and digital ad extensions to WAPL.
- iHeartMedia Wisconsin (WISN, WMIL, WKSS): iHeartMedia is the largest U.S. radio broadcaster and operates multiple Wisconsin stations including music formats. It competes directly for Wisconsin ad dollars and offers a much broader digital ad platform (iHeartRadio) that overlaps with WAPL's digital offering.
Emerging players
- iHeartRadio (streaming/app competitor): iHeartRadio is the streaming companion to iHeartMedia stations and competes for the same digital listening minutes WAPL captures via its app and web player. It represents the streaming-channel pressure on WAPL's digital audience growth.
Direct peers
- Midwest Communications: Midwest Communications is a family-owned regional radio group based in Wisconsin with multiple stations across the state. It competes directly with Woodward Community Media for Wisconsin listeners and advertisers in similar classic rock / news-talk formats.
- Good Karma Brands (ESPN Wisconsin / 97.3 NOW): Good Karma Brands is a Milwaukee/Wisconsin-based radio operator whose portfolio overlaps directly with WAPL's Wisconsin geography and sales motion. It competes for the same local advertisers and listener attention in adjacent Wisconsin metros.
- WHBY (sister station under Woodward Community Media): WHBY is a sister news/talk radio station operated by Woodward Community Media in the same Wisconsin market. It shares the same parent, sales management, and digital ad suite as WAPL, making it the most directly comparable peer in portfolio, geography, and business model.
Regional players
- Hubbard Broadcasting (STRIB / KSTP): Hubbard Broadcasting operates radio stations (including classic rock formats) primarily in the Upper Midwest and other regions. Comparable as a multi-station broadcast group pursuing similar digital ad monetization, though with overlapping rather than identical geographic footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
105.7 WAPL social profiles
Digital presence105.7 WAPL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
105.7 WAPL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
105.7 WAPL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
105.7 WAPL 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 105.7 WAPL
What does 105.7 WAPL do?
105.7 WAPL is a 100,000-watt Classic Rock FM radio station based in Appleton, Wisconsin, broadcasting music, news, and local programming across the Appleton/Green Bay market and beyond via digital extensions. It also sells multi-platform advertising solutions (on-air, digital display, streaming pre-roll, geofencing, OTT/CTV, email, social, SEM) to local and regional businesses, leveraging the broader Woodward Community Media network. Direct audience engagement and ancillary revenue come from a mobile app, web stream, podcast network, branded merchandise, concert/event calendar, and free email/SMS subscription clubs.
Is 105.7 WAPL a public or private company?
105.7 WAPL is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was 105.7 WAPL founded?
105.7 WAPL was founded in 1952.
Where is 105.7 WAPL based?
105.7 WAPL is headquartered in Appleton, United States, in the North America region.
How does 105.7 WAPL make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Radio Advertising is the primary driver. The others are digital Advertising, merchandise Sales, email Marketing Services and text Message Marketing Services.
Who are 105.7 WAPL's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Cumulus Media / Westwood One, Townsquare Media, Audacy (formerly Entercom), Saga Communications and iHeartMedia Wisconsin (WISN, WMIL, WKSS). iHeartRadio (streaming/app competitor) is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Midwest Communications, Good Karma Brands (ESPN Wisconsin / 97.3 NOW) and WHBY (sister station under Woodward Community Media). Hubbard Broadcasting (STRIB / KSTP) is listed as a regional player.
Does 105.7 WAPL have an API?
No public API is recorded for 105.7 WAPL.
What industry is 105.7 WAPL in?
105.7 WAPL's product category is Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABABAF, Music Radio Networks (Format-Based), with a secondary code of MPABACAC, Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains). Its NAICS code is 51611 and its SIC code is 4832.