103FM General Manager Avi Cohen Departs After One Tumultuous Year

Avi Cohen, the General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Israeli radio station 103FM, is leaving his position after just one year. Cohen announced his departure on social media, describing his tenure as "special but also stormy" and "full of unique events."

In his post, Cohen expressed his enjoyment of his time at the station, calling it a "unique communication platform in Israel" where "morning after morning, people who can only meet at 103 broadcast together." He reflected on his personal experience, stating, "I personally experienced quite a year, on all fronts." Cohen also praised the station's talented and sometimes controversial broadcasters, noting that they provided him with "exactly what I needed, even if there were difficulties here and there along the way."

Cohen extended his gratitude to the station's controlling owner, Eli Azur, for his "endless backing" and "listening ear 24/7," calling Azur "a school for communication and, above all, for life itself." He also thanked various station personnel, including producer Saar Plesner, content deputy general manager Yaniv Moruzovsky, digital manager Ofri Glickman Cohen, technology deputy general manager Erick Ben David, his "right-hand woman" Carmit Ventura, Shai Ben Maor, chairman of Radio Tzafon, and all the employees, producers, editors, desk staff, technicians, administrative personnel, and broadcasters, urging them to "continue to make the best radio in Israel."

Cohen's departure comes exactly one year after he took over the role from Itamar Drukman. Cohen previously served as the editor for the program "Moriah and Berko" on Reshet 13. His appointment at 103FM followed a period of significant changes initiated by owner Eli Azur, which included the departures of morning show host Udi Segal from his program with Anat Davidov and the surprising exit of Eyal Berkovich just months after joining the station. Drukman, Cohen's predecessor, had overseen consistent growth in TGI surveys during his two years, establishing the station as a leader in regional and national radio. Now, 103FM faces another leadership change at its senior management level.