Kampmeier Retiring, Everett Gets The Call
iHeartMedia Orlando made two significant announcements on Friday — first, longtime broadcasting pro Chris Kampmeier, currently the Orlando-based Region VP of Programming for iHeartMedia’s North Florida Region will be retiring, effective December 31, and secondly, the company has named 19-year cluster vet Rick Everett as Kampmeier’s successor and will oversee 41 radio brands across eight markets in the North Florida Region, effective January 1, 2017.
“iHeartMedia’s North Florida station brands are recognized as industry leaders in ratings, digital, revenue, profit and innovation,” said Kampmeier (left), who notably served as SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia Orlando for 20 years. His extensive radio resume includes earlier programming stops at WYNY/New York City, WDAE-AM/Tampa, WPLR/New Haven, KESZ/Phoenix, and KMGR/Salt Lake City and he was also VP of Programming for Transtar/Unistar in Los Angeles. Kampmeier added, “Going out on my own terms and on top is a good thing! My partnership with our amazing executive team has been deeply satisfying and I am grateful for their support over the years. My biggest honor has been to serve alongside the programmers and air talent, and the wondrous creativity they bring every day. I’m proud to have been a radio man for the last 47 years and am excited for the long term future of our industry.”
Linda Byrd, President of iHeartMedia’s North Florida Region remarked, “We’re going to miss Chris deeply. He’s been my work husband for over 17 years. By most accounts, we have the top five stations in both ratings and revenue in the Orlando market, which is an accomplishment that wouldn’t have happened without Chris.”
Everett (left) has worked for iHeartMedia Orlando for the past 19 years, most recently as PD of WJRR and WYGM (96.9 The Game) and as Director of Marketing and Promotions for the Orlando market. He also held programming and promotions positions in Jacksonville. “I’m grateful to the amazing team at iHeartMedia Orlando and I’m excited we will continue working together,” said Everett. “I want to thank Linda Byrd and Gene Romano for this incredible opportunity, and I’m especially grateful to Chris for his mentorship over the last 19 years, which helped make this opportunity possible. I look forward to working with the North Florida Region to continue its track record of success, and bring our radio station brands to new heights!”
Byrd continued, “With change comes opportunity. Rick has been in training for this job a long time. He’s a natural, having worked side by side with me, and the Orlando team for over 19 years. He’s trusted and respected by everyone in our building. I’m lucky to have him on the bench and can’t wait to see how he embraces this new position.”
