Cumulus Elevates “KB” To VP/Urban Formats

• Cumulus Media has promoted Kathy “KB” Brown to VP of Urban Formats. In her new role, Brown will serve as a senior programming leader for Cumulus Media, and will be a key resource for the company’s 40 Urban stations across four formats — Mainstream Urban, Urban AC, Classic Hip Hop, and Gospel. She succeeds Kenny Smoov, who left the company last month after 23 years.

Brown will remain based in Charleston, SC and retain her current roles roles as Program Director and On-Air Talent for Urban WWWZ (Z93) and Urban AC WMGL (Magic 107.3).

Brown joined Cumulus in March 2017 after a three-year run as PD of iHeartMedia Urban KMJM (100.3 The Beat) and Gospel KATZ-AM/St. Louis. Before that she was APD/MD of CBS Radio Urban WVEE (V103)/Atlanta, but she’s probably best known for her 14-year run with Radio One Washington-Baltimore as OM/PD of Urban AC WMMJ, Inspirational WPRS (Praise 104.1), WWIN-AM/FM, WERQ (92Q) and WOLB/Baltimore, and later as Regional Program Director overseeing Urban AC stations in DC, Baltimore, Richmond, VA, Augusta, GA, Detroit and Los Angeles.

“By virtue of her veteran major-market leadership skills and perennial high achievement, KB became the clear choice of both our programming leaders and her peers in the Cumulus Urban fleet,” said Brian Philips, Cumulus Chief Programming Officer. “Kathy already wears much programming responsibility gracefully and successfully in her Charleston role and in the region. This confirms our trust in her proven steady guidance and her stellar reputation within Cumulus.”

Brown commented, “I’m excited to join the Cumulus senior content leadership team. I am fortunate to support a stellar group of Urban programmers who oversee legendary stations. We will continue our legacy of excellence.”