He has three decades of experience in television and film and radio creation. This includes roles as Head of FM Programming in Atlanta and Dallas for the former Susquehanna Radio, as the PD of KDWB in Minneapolis-St. Paul who pushed the Top 40 outlet ahead of WLOL to win the Twin Cities format war, and as the President of cable TV’s CMT Network.
Now, he’s been promoted to Chief Content Officer at Cumulus Media.
Responsible for content across all Cumulus platforms, Brian Philips reports to Mary G. Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer of the company reviewing an unsolicited bid from Connoisseur Media owner Jeffrey Warshaw and a supposed consortium Warshaw has been coy about — even across the NAB Show, where nary a word was said about the bid despite a media report in one industry trade publication on May 2.
Philips rises from the role of EVP/Content and Audience at Cumulus, which he has held since 2019.
Berner said of Philips, “He is an exceptional executive and the perfect choice to lead our programming efforts as we continue to execute our audio-first strategy, which is transforming the Company from a traditional radio broadcaster into a multi-dimensional audio media company.”
Berner added that Philips’ promotion reflects Brian’s tremendous contributions, and I have full confidence in his creative vision, operational expertise, and savvy leadership to guide us through this critical evolution.”
Prior to joining Cumulus Media in May 2019, Philips served as CMT Network President, a role he’d held since 2001. It marked his return to Radio, which he exited to take the job. Until then, he was widely known for his oversight of KPLX/Dallas, WQQQ “Q100” in Atlanta and former Alternative WNNX “99X.”
From August 1989-September 1992, Philips was with Milton Maltz’ Malrite Communications, serving as PD of Philadelphia Top 40 outlet WEGX “Eagle 106” prior to its format change to Smooth Jazz as WJJZ.
He took that job after serving as PD of KDWB, which surged ahead of WLOL thanks to tightened programming, the arrival of Steve Cochran in mornings and being the first U.S. radio station to play Roxette’s first international hit single, “The Look.”
