More than a year after being dismissed by iHeartMedia as part of a wide-ranging job reduction initiative, the company’s former Market Manager and GM of heritage News/Talk WLW-AM in Cincinnati has just joined Cumulus Media.
In his new role, he will oversee the company’s stations in Indianapolis.
Chuck Fredrick has been named GM of Classic Hits WJJK-FM 104.5, CHR/Pop WYRG-FM 93.9 and Country WFMS-FM 95.5 in Indianapolis.
He replaces Tom Stemlar, who joined Cumulus in 2016 after working as SVP/Sales for the Randy Bongarten-led Bonten Media Group, which in April 2017 sold its stations to Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Mr. Fredrick worked for 18 years for iHeartMedia, and as an RVP/Market Manager for its Cincinnati stations since 2011.
Before that, Fredrick served for many years as GM of News/Talk WLW-AM and Rocker WEBN-FM. He was also Director of Sales for predecessor owner Jacor Communications and LSM and GSM under Citicasters ownership.
Matthews was dismissed on May 2, 2017, along with iHeart/Cincinnati SVP/Programming and WEBN-FM & WKFS-FM Program Director Bo Matthews; New Orleans SVP Marlon George; and air talent across several markets.
“Chuck is the ultimate player’s coach, and Cumulus is thrilled to bring his passion and experience for building brands, successful sales organizations and strong marketing results for clients to the company,” Cumulus EVP/Operations Dave Milner said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Stemlar told the Indianapolis Business Journal that he was fired and surprised by the move.
“When I departed Cumulus Indianapolis on August 27, it had the No. 1 and No. 2 rated stations in Indianapolis, was a powerhouse on the Indy Media landscape, was stocked with talent both on and off-air, and was positioned and poised for even further growth,” Stemlar told IBJ via e-mail. “Those were some of the objectives we had when I started at Cumulus three years ago, and I’m very proud of what we accomplished and where Cumulus Indianapolis stands today.”
Sources in the local industry told the business newspaper that “lagging advertising sales likely contributed to Stemlar’s firing.”
