Philips Named EVP/Content & Audience
CUMULUS MEDIA has appointed BRIAN PHILIPS as EVP/Content and Audience, effective TODAY (5/6). PHILIPS will report to Pres./CEO MARY G. BERNER. He succeeds MIKE MCVAY, who is returning to full-time consulting, with CUMULUS as his first client.
PHILIPS brings more than 30 years of leadership and programming experience across a range of media. He previously served as Pres. of VIACOM/MTV NETWORK’s CMT channel. He also developed CMT’s national radio network. Before his work in television and film production, PHILIPS enjoyed a long radio career, with more than 15 years leading radio programming at a number of major market stations, including CUMULUS stations WNNX and WWWQ/ATLANTA and KPLX/DALLAS.
BERNER said, “We are excited that BRIAN is joining our leadership team. A highly accomplished executive, leader, and innovator with substantial experience across today’s media landscape, he comes to us with an impressive and successful track record of growing ratings and expanding audiences. We look forward to benefiting from the skills and expertise he brings to his new role.”
BERNER added, “I would also like to thank MIKE for his significant contributions to CUMULUS and for being such a great partner to me. Under his leadership, we saw years of ratings share growth and we are currently posting the best ratings since 2011 on some of our biggest and most important stations.”
PHILIPS said, “I have long respected CUMULUS as a leader in the radio broadcasting industry with high-quality local programming and iconic, nationally syndicated brands. I’m eager to join this company and this culture, and to work alongside MARY BERNER and the leadership and programming teams to continue driving performance and improving ratings.”
Berner Praises McVay On HIs Choice To Return To Consulting
In a memo to staffers, BERNER saluted MCVAY, writing, "MIKE’s accomplishments since his appointment as EVP/Content and Programming in 2015 are too numerous to count. To name just a few, under MIKE’s leadership of the Office of Programming, we reversed four years of ratings share declines, and saw years of ratings share growth. We are currently posting the best ratings since 2011 on some of our biggest and most important stations. MIKE has helped to expand WESTWOOD ONE’s programming, participating in the launch of several new shows, including the very successful THE BEN SHAPIRO SHOW. MIKE has also led us in increasing our reach beyond over the air listening to include smart speakers and all online listening. The 'collective contests' he initiated have greatly benefitted our markets from small to large. And perhaps most importantly, his commitment to our FORCE values has driven a significant improvement in our programming culture. A reboot, indeed.
"Last SUMMER, MIKE told me he wanted to return to the flexibility of his highly successful consulting career. I asked, and he agreed to stay on to ensure a smooth transition and to lead the search for his replacement."
McVay In Transition Period With Philips
McVAY told ALL ACCESS, "I have absolutely enjoyed the time I've spent working with MARY BERNER. I'm excited to continue to be involved with CUMULUS as a consultant, starting in JULY. I can continue to be reached at mike.mcvay@cumulus.com.
"And, BRIAN PHILIPS is stellar programmer who brings great skill to the company. We are in a transition period now and I look forward to working with him in the future."
0 Comments