New Roles For iHeart’s Conley & Kempton
• iHeartMedia New York announced that Chris Conley, PD of AC WLTW (106.7 Lite FM) and WKTU/New York has signed a new multi-year agreement to take on an advisory role with the company. Conley will continue as iHeartMedia’s AC Brand Manager, and in his new role will now also lead strategy and research implementation for the company’s AC stations, including oversight of WLTW and WKTU/New York and WNIC/Detroit.
It was concurrently announced that Jill Kempton, PD of KOST 103.5/Los Angeles and WASH-FM/Washington will return to New York as the new Program Director of WLTW and WKTU, while retaining her existing programming duties at WASH-FM.
Thea Mitchem, iHeartMedia EVP of Programming, said, “Conley’s journey from broadcaster to a legendary programmer is a testament to his unmatched contributions and passion for the industry. Chris is truly in a class of his own and I’m thrilled that he will continue to contribute and collaborate on the success of our AC brands and New York’s iconic ‘LTW and ‘KTU. Congratulations to Chris on this exciting new chapter!”
Conley joined WLTW in 2008 and has played an integral role in the station’s success. His leadership has led to 106.7 Lite FM being ranked No.1 (persons 25-54) nearly every month for the past decade. “I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with the best in New York for 17 years,” Conley said. “I’m looking forward to continuing with iHeartMedia, and thankful to Thea Mitchem, Tom Poleman and Brad Hardin for valuing my perspective and expertise and developing this new role for me. I’m excited to focus on bringing new insights and opportunities to our stations and brands.”
The move is a radio homecoming for Kempton, who earlier served as APD/MD and Imaging Director for WLTW. She was named PD of WASH-FM in Nov. 2017 and added oversight of KOST/Los Angeles in April 2021. Kempton has also programmed AC WISX (106.1 The Breeze)/Philadelphia, and spent the first eight years of her career at WBEB/Philadelphia. Mitchem added, “I’m very excited to welcome Jill Kempton back to iHeart New York. Jill is a powerhouse who has led KOST/Los Angeles and WASH-FM in DC back to ratings dominance, it’s only fitting to have Jill take the helm of the iconic Lite FM and The Beat of New York, WKTU.”
Kempton remarked, “It’s so great to be back in New York City! I can’t wait to work alongside some of the best and brightest programming minds and talent in the country. The legendary LITE-FM and iconic KTU truly are the heartbeat and soundtrack of this city — and I’m beyond thrilled that I get to be a part of it. Looking forward to continuing to grow these already successful brands to new heights.”
An announcement on the new Program Director for KOST 103.5/Los Angeles will be made in the coming weeks.
