iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group has promoted John Ivey to the new position of president of contemporary hits radio programming strategy. iHeartMedia D.C. also announced Rob Kruz has been named program director for WIHT(FM), and Jill Kempton has been named PD for WASH(FM).
Ivey will report to Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman and will oversee iHeartMedia’s CHR and RCHR brand formats and work on its top 40 brands.
He will continue to guide and develop the company’s roster of CHR programmers and on-air talent and book artists for events, and he will remain in his role of program director of for KIIS(FM) in L.A.
Ivey most recently served as SVP of programming, and CHR brand manager for iHeartMedia. He began his radio career as an on-air personality and music director in his hometown of Owensboro, Ky., and later led programming efforts for stations in Rochester, N.Y.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Boston. He joined iHeartMedia Los Angeles in 2001 and has served as VP of programming for the market and PD of KYSR(FM) and KHHT(FM).
As PD, Kruz will work closely with on-air personalities and sales to oversee the station brand’s on-air and digital programming, as well as local events and partnerships. He will report to Jeff Kapugi, senior vice president of programming for iHeartMedia’s D.C. Region.
Kruz returns to the region from WFLZ in Tampa, Fla., where he most recently served as PD. He previously served in the region as program director and afternoon drive host for WZFT in Baltimore, and prior to that, night host for WIHT in D.C. He began his career at WDRQ in Detroit and is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
As PD, Kempton will oversee the station brand’s on-air and digital music programming, as well as the station’s participation in community events and promotions with local businesses. She will report to Kapugi.
Kempton comes to the region from WTLW in New York, where she most recently served as the assistant PD, music director and imaging director. She spent her first eight years in radio at WBEB in Philadelphia and is a graduate of Temple University.
iHeartMedia D.C. owns and operates WIHT, WASH, WBIG(FM), WWDC(FM), WMZQ(FM).
