More Restructuring Underway At iHeartMedia
• UPDATED 8/13: The list of HeartMedia personnel cuts continues to grow… These are the names of downsized people we have confirmed so far:
• Gina Ferraro (left), PD of WZDA (New Country 103.9)/Dayton, OH. She was also a member of the iHeartRadio Format Center & tracked Country & Classic Rock Formats for Large markets, including WSKF/Asheville, WRVV/Harrisburg, PA, and WNCB/Raleigh, to name a few. Ferraro joined WZDA for middays in May 2022, coming from Cumulus AC WRRM (Warm 98.5)/Cincinnati, but she was already a known quantity in the Dayton market — and in the iHeart building — thanks to two earlier runs in mornings on Hot AC WMMX (Mix 107.7) and as PD of Top 40 WCHD (Channel 99.9) sandwiched in between. Earlier in her career, Ferraro worked in Chicago, co-hosting mornings with Melissa Foreman on WLIT, traffic reporter and afternoon co-host for WUSN (US99) and WIND-AM, and evening traffic anchor for 720 WGN Radio. Reach her at ginahans@gmail.com or on Instagram @ginalolla.
• Paul Fletcher has exited as MD at Hot AC KTCZ (Cities 97.1)/Minneapolis after 12 years. Fletcher is a Minnesota native who joined Cities 97.1 in June 2012. He originally did afternoons before moving to mornings late last year. He also programmed the now former Alternative ALT 93.3 (KQQL-HD2). Fletcher began his career in the Twin Cities at the former KEGE (93.7 The Edge) and went on to work at KAZR/Des Moines and NRG Hot AC KQKQ (Q98.5)/Omaha, where he was the artist formerly known as “Polychronopolis.” Fletcher can be reached at paulpelowski@gmail.com.
• Michael Perez exits his multiple roles as 1) Director of Marketing & Promotions for iHeart Springfield and Worcester; 2) middays on Country WRNX/Springfield, 3) nights on KC101/New Haven, and 4) weekends on WKSC (103.5 Kiss-FM)/Chicago. Perez got his start in 2009, and had been downsized once before — in 2016 for nine-months, before being rehired. Perez earlier worked for iHeartMedia Hartford as Creative Services Director for the cluster and nights on WKSS (Kiss 95.7). Perez can be contacted at justperezplay@gmail.com, and follow him on social at @justPEREZplay.
• “Dr. Darrius” Summers exits as afternoon drive talent at WJLB/Detroit. This had been Summers’ second tour of duty at the station — he notably did nights on WJLB for 14 years until his departure in April 2012. After doing nights and afternoons on Urban rival WGPR (Hot 107.5), Summers returned to WJLB as afternoon talent in 2016. In an Instagram post last Friday, Summers said, “Sadly, today was my last day with iHeartMedia. Detroit Radio has been my life professionally for the last 25 years. Thank you all for listening/sharing some of life’s most precious occasions. One of my most proudest moments was unifying our city with a day-of-our-own to celebrate … #313Day.”
• Doug Kramer exits mornings at Alternative KDJE (100.3 The Edge)/Little Rock, AR after only four months in the position. Kramer shared his feelings in a Facebook post that reads, in part, “Friday was my last day with 100.3 The Edge. This budget cut feels a little different. I really was having a great time with my old roommate Kevin Cruise, and Robyn fit so naturally with us. I looked forward to work every morning.” In closing, Kramer said, “I will be fine, WE will be fine, but this one gutted me. I still have my 9 radio affiliates that carry my show, and I will still DJ events, but man, doing a morning show in my hometown felt right. I will bounce back, I just don’t know what direction I’m headed with my career.” For more info, visit dougkramerlive.com.
• Karla Cantrell, PD/afternoon talent at Country KTGX (106.1 The Twister)/Tulsa after eight years in the chair. Cantrell joined KTGX in July 2016, following a 15-year run across the street at CMG rival KWEN (K95), rising to PD before leaving in 2013. In between her two Tulsa gigs, she programmed Midwest Communications’ Country KVOX (Froggy 99.9)/Fargo, ND. Contact her at karla_cantrell@outlook.com.
• Also out at KTGX (106.1 The Twister)/Tulsa — MD/Digital Lead/afternoon talent “Natalie Cash” Lefler. Cash was hired in August 2021, shortly after her departure from CMG rival KWEN (K95.5) after a decade in mornings. Cash’s previous stops include KHYI/Dallas and iHeartMedia’s KWNR (95.5 The Bull)/Las Vegas. Reach her at natcashradiojob@gmail.com.
• Sarah Quinn exits her dual role as Marketing & Digital Director of iHeartMedia Greensboro and midday talent on Top 40 WMKS (HITS 100.3). She was also a National Custom Talent for iHeart’s Soft AC brand. Quinn had been on the job since late November 2021, coming off a seven-year stint with Alpha Media Canton, OH as Marketing and Promotions Director and on-air talent for Hot AC WHBC (Mix 94.1). Quinn is a graduate of Kent State University and began her career at the campus radio station, WKSU. Contact her at sarahjaypeters@gmail.com.
• “Gossip Greg” Hill has been cut from nights at Top 40 KHFI (96.7 Kiss FM)/Austin. Hill joined the station as morning show producer/co-host alongside Billy The Kidd in March 2019 before moving to solo nights in April 2021. Hill got his radio start as an intern and producer at 97.5 WABD/Mobile, AL, followed by a stint in afternoon drive at iHeart’s WRGV (107.3 Kiss-FM)/Pensacola FL. He can be reached at gossipgregcollabs@gmail.com.
• Louis Kaplan, longtime SVP of Programming for iHeart Ft. Myers is out. Kaplan has been in sunny Ft. Myers since 2006, following a PD stint at WLTM & WMAX/Atlanta. He earlier programmed KLLC (Alice 97.3)/San Francisco, WGTZ/Dayton, and the late WYHY (Y107)/Nashville.
Interestingly, Kaplan had been RIF’d by the company once before — in early 2009, during a major Clear Channel restructuring, but was rehired ten months later. Reach him at Loukaps2@gmail.com.
• John Lund, SVPP of Panama City/Tallahassee, FL is out after 10 years in the job and 20 years with the company, which includes a previous decade with CC/iHeart Macon, GA. He also worked at WARQ/Columbia, SC, WTGZ/Auburn, AL, WWBX/Bangor, ME, and his college years were wisely spent at the mighty WBRU/Providence. Reach him at John.Lund3811@gmail.com or 850-867-0275
• Jeff McCartney, SVP of Programming for iHeart Salt Lake City, who has programmed Top 40 KZHT since early 1998. McCartney’s early career was spent in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, with stops at WKRZ and WGGY (Froggy 101)//Wilkes Barre-Scranton, followed by a two-year run as MD of KC101/New Haven before arriving in SLC in January 1998.
• Rameen Madani, Program Director of Top 40 KZZP (104.7 Kiss FM) and Hot AC KMXP (Mix 96.9)/Phoenix.
Madani was with the company for 16 years — he started in Colorado Springs in 2008 working with KVUU and KIBT, moved to Tucson in 2013 and became PD of Hot AC KMIY and APD of Top 40 KRQQ and Rhythmic KOHT. In April 2018, Madani earned the transfer to Phoenix as APD of KZZP and KMXP, and was elevated to PD shortly thereafter. Madani is interested in starting his next chapter and can be reached at RameenMadani@gmail.com.
• Speaking of KMXP, Joey Bradfisch is out as co-host of the Priscilla & Joey morning show on Mix 96.9. Bradfisch is 14-year veteran of iHeart Phoenix, the first 12 across the hall at KZZP with the syndicated Johnjay & Rich show, rising to Executive Producer. In January 2022 he was tapped to co-host the KMXP morning show alongside Priscilla Ornelas.
In a Facebook post, Bradfisch said, “I’m no longer part of Mix 96.9, & iHeartMedia. I want to thank all of the talented people I worked with the 14 years I was there. I’ve learned so much from everyone l’ve encountered, and I’m so grateful for all of it. I also want to thank all of the people that have listened, and followed my life. I’m excited to see what’s next.”
• Carletta Blake has exited as PD of iHeartMedia Country 99.5 WGAR/Cleveland after a five-year run.
Blake was named PD of WGAR in March 2019, earning the transfer and market upgrade from the PD post at Country sister WNCB (B93.9)/Raleigh. She assumed the midday shift in March following the departure of APD/morning co-host Steve Wazz due to restructuring. Blake previously programmed WRNS/Greenville-New Bern, NC, and she began her career at KTYS & KSCS/Dallas. Looking ahead, Blake can be contacted at carlettablake@gmail.com.
• Elsewhere in the iHeart Cleveland building, market mainstay Jimmy Malone, host of The Jimmy Malone Show on WTAM 1100, was also let go in the layoffs. Malone broke his news on Twitter with this post: “I’ll have more to say later, but after decades of loyalty to my company, they fired me after my show today and didn’t give me a chance to say goodbye to my listeners. I’m grateful for all of the support I’ve received for so long.”
Malone began his radio career in 1985, doing his signature “Knuckleheads in the News” segment in weekly appearances on the Lanigan & Webster Morning Show on WMJI/Cleveland. In 1991, he was upped to a full-time co-host on the show, where he remained until 2021 when he launched The Jimmy Malone Show on WARF (1350 The Gambler)/Akron. He debuted The Jimmy Malone Show on WTAM in April 2022.
• The Dog & Joe Show has been cancelled at Classic Rock KYRV (93.7 The River)/Sacramento. Craig “Dog” Stalians and Joe Maumee joined the station to do mornings in March 2017 when Adult Hits KQJK (93.7 Jack FM) flipped to Classic Rock. The guys previously did afternoons across the street on Audacy Active Rock KRXQ (98 Rock). Over the weekend the show posted a lengthy statement to Facebook.
• Jeff “JR” Ramsey has been cut from afternoon drive after three years at iHeart Top 40 KDHT (Hits 95.7)/Denver — his first time being fired, according to the video he posted to social about 30 minutes after it happened.
JR’s other in-market responsibilities included sister KWBL (The Bull)/Denver. Out-of-market responsibilities included WZFT/Baltimore, KJYO/Oklahoma City, and WRVW/Nashville. Prior to Denver, JR spent four years with Midwest Communications’ WNFN/Nashville, and he started his career at WJBQ/Portland, ME. Attention future employers: JR can be contacted at 207-400-7345 or YaFavoriteHomieJR@gmail.com.
• Andy Woods, APD/MD/afternoon talent at Country WCOS/Columbia, SC exits after 25 years with the company, the last 19 years with the station. Woods joined WKSF/Asheville, NC in early 1999, when it was owned by AMFM, shortly before it merged with Clear Channel. He left there in late 2004, and joined WCOS in early 2005. Reach him at Andrewwoods@icloud.com.
• Trey Poston exits as SVP of Programming for iHeart Beaumont, TX. In a Facebook post, Poston noted, “Well, after more than three decades combined for this company I was informed today that I would no longer be employed by iHeartMedia. I want to thank everyone that has listened through the decades, the clients who entrusted me to endorse their businesses and the amazingly talented people I have worked with through the years.”
Poston has spent most of his career In Southeast Texas, working at KYKR, KKMY, KCOL and KIOC/Beaumont, and in Austin. He added, “I don’t know if I still want to work in the media business, so this might be it for me, but what a ride!” Going forward, Poston can be contacted at treyposton@yahoo.com.
• KAJA (KJ97)/San Antonio midday host Jamie Martin exits after 19 years with the station and 22 years with the cluster. She can be reached at jamieshreve@att.net.
• Kevin “K Cheeba” Hopkins is out as PD/afternoon talent at KIBT (96.1 The Beat)/Colorado Springs. Cheeba joined KIBT in 2010 after previously spending a decade with Citadel Colorado Springs.
• Mojo McKay, a fixture in Erie, PA radio for more than three decades, exits mornings at Classic Rock WRKT (Rocket 105)/Erie, PA. McKay has been with WRKT since shortly after it launched in 1989. The Eric Times-News covered the story of his departure.
• Jena Emmert exits her dual role of Production Director for the company’s Madison, WI cluster and evening personality on Top 40 WZEE (Z104). Emmert said, “I’ve accomplished so much at iHeart over the past 5 years, and leave knowing that my name is now embedded in history book of Z104 and my other six stations. I came into this industry believing that radio is a dying art, and come out of it knowing how important it is for creating fans. I am constantly reminded of the 9yo version of me that listened to radio every morning on the bus, and how those were the moments that led me to having a deep love of music.”
• We will continue to update this list as we receive more confirmed departures. If you or a colleague have been similarly affected by these cuts and would like your information shared with the industry, please email me at Kevin@RAMP247.com.
