Robservations on the media beat:

• If he were at any other local company, his remarkable rise to the top would be worthy of a cover story in Crain’s Chicago Business. But in David Snyder’s case, his company is Crain’s Chicago Business. Capping a 27-year career that started as a researcher for the weekly publication, Snyder this week was promoted to publisher. Effective Oct. 15, he’ll succeed David Blake, who’s retiring after 29 years with Crain’s to form the New Center for Chicago Business History. Snyder, 48, has been associate publisher since 2004 and previously worked as a reporter, editor and general manager of interactive. “Crain’s has a legacy of valuing publishers who support independent and thoughtful journalism,” he said in a statement. “Making Crain’s even more indispensable to our readers and advertisers —  in print, online and through events —  will be central to everything I do.”
• One day after Mayor Daley dropped the bombshell that he wouldn’t be seeking re-election, here are the topics Cincinnati newcomer Mike McConnell covered on his midday show Wednesday on Tribune Co.-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720): Opportunities for immigrants coming to the United States; Unruly kids in restaurants; Genetically altered salmon; Why there should be a “rich people’s day”; Rapes on college campuses; Raising the retirement age; Taxes Elvis Presley paid on Graceland; Campaign financing; More about taxes; Self-made millionaires; Christmas displays; Education, and more about taxes. He touched on a few other generic topics, too, but if McConnell ever mentioned Daley — or focused on anything related to the biggest story in town —  I must have missed it. By the way, have you noticed that WGN has taken to calling itself‚ “News 720”?
• As she prepares to kick off the final season of her Chicago-based talk show, Oprah Winfrey has been named among the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors for 2010. “For more than 25 years, Oprah Winfrey has established one of the most innovative careers in the entertainment world, with distinctive accomplishments in television and film,” said David M. Rubenstein, chairman of the Kennedy Center. Others to be honored Dec. 5 in Washington are Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard, Bill T. Jones and Jerry Herman. In a statement, Oprah said of the award:

“This feels like an official American citizenship in a very exclusive club of artists and contributors to the nation in a very special way. It feels like an elevated kind of award and there aren’t many in this category. They look at your work, your life work, who you are as a human being and the spirit of who you are as a human being. Not many honors look at that depth.”

• Barbara Prieto, former music director and assistant program director at Clear Channel Radio urban contemporary WGCI-FM (107.5), is the latest Chicago radio veteran to join AccuRadio.com. Prieto will program and market AccuRadio R&B, the Chicago-based company’s new offering of urban and R&B music.
• “Bleeping Golden: Insiders’ Stories of Covering the Blago Trial.” That’s the delightful title of a panel to be co-hosted tonight by the Chicago Headline Club and the Association for Women Journalists. An array of broadcast, print and online reporters who covered the trial of Rod Blagojevich will share their war stories from 6 to 8 p.m. at Columbia College’s Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash. Moderator will be Bill Cameron of Citadel Broadcasting news/talk WLS-AM (890). It’s open to the public — for a price, of course. (Here’s the link for details.)
• I’ll be back Monday. Hope you’ll be here, too.