Media company finds success by giving back to community

Finding, and then capturing, a growing audience in the rapidly changing broadcast radio business can be tricky. One enterprising couple has found a way.

By Amanda Postma
| 4:30 a.m. February 11, 2022
| 0 Free Articles Remaining!

Mercedes Soler says that owning a media company with her husband is their American dream. (Photo by Mark Wemple)

Strategies

The radio station industry, with podcasts coming in every direction and satellite and internet radio eating into terrestrial radio's market share, isn't for everyone.

But a nimble entrepreneur who's had a diverse career in journalism and broadcasting is having a broadcast radio moment, finding success growing a radio station business on the west coast of Florida. That company is Sarasota-based Solmart Media, a partnership with Mercedes Soler and her husband, Tomás Martínez. Since founding the company in 2014, the business duo has expanded their reach to now nine counties in Florida across three stations — WTMY-AM, WTMY-FM and WZSP-FM.