EVERETT, WA – August 21, 2024 – The building formerly known as Key Bank Tower at 2707 Colby Avenue in Downtown Everett has been renamed North Sound Tower. The change is not only a nod to the building’s height and location in North Puget Sound, but also a hat tip to top floor tenant North Sound Media – one of the last surviving locally owned and operated media companies in Washington State. Over the years, many independent radio stations and newspapers have either shut down or been absorbed by large multi-national corporations.
"Our family is committed to preserving local broadcasting and journalism in Snohomish County," said Craig Skotdal co-owner of North Sound Media. "Changing the name of our flagship office building is a vote of confidence in North Sound Media and its role in providing music, entertainment, and coverage of news and events. Local media offers a vital public service that we continuously seek to expand and improve." Skotdal leads the family’s real estate and media holdings with his brother, Andrew.
The Everett-based media company serves Snohomish, Skagit, and Island Counties with two full-power radio stations and a hyperlocal news website. Its radio stations include Greatest Hits KRKO and Classic Country KXA. KRKO recently celebrated 100 years of continuous service in Everett. The Everett Post provides local news and information with a special focus on Everett and Snohomish County. North Sound Media’s combined platforms reach an estimated monthly audience of over 200,000 people.
"North Sound Media helps create a sense of community through our platforms and programming," said Chuck Maylin, General Manager of North Sound Media. "Our curated music, entertainment, live sports programming, local news, and creative marketing campaigns bring people together. In many ways, we are cheerleaders for Everett and Snohomish County – a place that we celebrate with pride." Maylin has been instrumental in growing the media company’s base of listeners and advertisers since joining the company in 2013. He previously worked at Viacom overseeing Oldies 97.2 KBSG and 107.7 The End.
North Sound Media’s long-time radio personalities are among the most enthusiastic supporters of the building’s name change. "Broadcasting live from North Sound Tower – that has a nice ring to it," said Stitch Mitchell, the morning show host for Classic Country KXA. Mitchell has been the public face of KXA for 15 years and has served as a host and emcee for hundreds of local events, including Everett’s Fourth of July parade this year. "Not everyone knows that we broadcast from our studios in the heart of Downtown Everett. This change literally puts us on the map in a meaningful way," said Mitchell.
Snohomish County sports broadcasting legend Tom Lafferty also highlighted the significance of the name change. "We regularly invite local athletes to our broadcast studios to recognize and celebrate their achievements," said Lafferty. "Having North Sound Media’s name on the building adds a sense of permanence to all that we do – especially our role in encouraging the development of young leaders in our community." Lafferty has been the in-stadium announcer and music director for the Everett AquaSox for 38 years and provides play-by-play action of select high school games on KRKO.
