Radio Collaboration Spreads Malta Message

Working with 10 Malta members from five Federal Association regions, Sal D’Itri, KM, of the Northern Virginia Region, with Joseph Schuler of WMET 1160 AM radio, created compelling, 1-minute “Malta Moments” to share the powerful corporal works of the Order, serving prisoners and memory-care residents.

The regions involved were Northern Virginia, Houston, Lancaster, Greensboro, and Washington, D.C.

By year-end, these and other “Moments,” will have aired about 1,200 times—more than 20 hours of air-time—broadcast to 7 million potential listeners.

The work was part of a $31,850 grant the Federal Association awarded to WMET 1160 AM, which is part of the Guadalupe Radio Network (GRN), serving the nation’s capital region. Together with two other grants, the Order funded exponential growth, and more compelling, relatable and frequent content produced by GRN Digital Media over multiple platforms (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook), reaching viewers and listeners worldwide.

In eight months, ending July 31, the GRN Digital Team was able to obtain 15.8 million impressions (+127 percent), 1.5 million interactions (+52 percent) and to publish 51percent more posts/videos, 2,514 in all, while amassing 37,370 total followers.

For the “Malta Moments” and a radio promotion of Northern Viriginia’s Mercy Ride, D’Itri consulted Northern Virginia Hospitaller Kevin Fischer, KM; Doug Sandvig, KM; Diane Oakley, DM; Heather Sullivan, DM; Paul Nasto, KM; Michael Gaffney, KM; and Peter Scudner, GCM. He also interacted with Deacon Michael Stankewicz, Executive Director of the Federal Association; and Charles Cornelio, Secretary General.

Guadalupe Radio Network, EWTN’s largest radio affiliate, operates 48 stations in English and Spanish, with 31 million potential terrestrial radio listeners nationwide. It was founded in Midland, Texas in 2000. It serves under the non-profit La Promesa Foundation, in a covenant of love to our Lord Jesus Christ and to Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is committed to protecting the sanctity of life from conception until natural death, carrying out the mission of evangelization as called for by our baptism, to help build strong holy families, and to promote holy vocations.

The studio for WMET 1160 AM & 103.1 FM (Falls Church, Virginia) is located at 750 1^st St. NE, Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20002; 877-636-1160. (Learn more at GRNonline.com.)