Harpo Radio has named Laurie Parsons Cantillo as the PD for Oprah & Friends, the lifestyle talk radio channel that will join the XM Satellite Radio lineup in September. Her appointment is effective immediately and she will report to Harpo Radio GM John Gehron. As PD, Cantillo will oversee the programming and direction for Oprah & Friends, which will feature daily programming on a variety of topics such as nutrition, fitness, health, self improvement, home and current events.

"Laurie has a passion for bringing quality news and high-impact human interest stories to radio," commented Gehron. "She is uniquely qualified to oversee programming for the Oprah & Friends channel on XM." 

Cantillo has a career that spans more than 20 years in broadcast journalism and programming. She has served as PD for News/Talk KFYI and XTRA Sports 910 in Phoenix. Prior to that, Cantillo was PD for Newsradio 620 KTAR in Phoenix; Executive Producer and co-host for Colorado's Morning News on KOA in Denver; and writer and voice talent for Health Notes, a daily radio feature dedicated to medical news on KOA.