More than 40 years ago, John Ivey began his radio industry career as an on-air personality and music director at a station in his hometown of Owensboro, Ky.
He’s starting December 2017 with a promotion to the very top programming post for all of iHeartMedia‘s Top 40 radio stations.
Ivey, who has served as SVP/Programming and CHR Brand Manager for iHeart, will now serve in the newly created role of President of Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR).
He reports directly to iHeartMedia Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman.
How has Ivey’s role changed? He will now oversee all of iHeart’s Top 40 stations, and its Premium Choice packaged feeds used at select stations across all of iHeart’s markets.
He’ll still be charged with booking artists for signature seasonal events including the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour and Wango Tango, hosted by KIIS-FM 102.7 in Los Angeles, where Ivey will retain his Program Director duties.
“For over 15 years, John has played a key role in the success of our Los Angeles market brands and CHR stations nationwide,” said iHeart President/COO and CFO Rich Bressler. “We’re thrilled that he’s taking an even larger role within our National Programming Group and helping groom our next generation of extremely talented CHR Program Directors and top on-air personalities. He will be a valuable resource to Greg Ashlock, President of the iHeartMedia Markets Group and to our Division and Region Presidents.”
Poleman called Ivey “one of the foremost talents in media today when it comes to programming Top 40 radio” and a “driving factor” in making KIIS the No. 1 radio station by cume in the nation’s No. 1 revenue market.
Ivey has programmed radio stations in Boston, Nashville, and in Rochester, N.Y.
He joined iHeartMedia’s Los Angeles station group in 2001 and has served as VP/Programming for the market and PD of both KHHT-FM 92.3 and KYSR-FM 98.7.
Ivey said, “Throughout my career I’ve always loved the opportunity to help new artists and young talent and programmers grow. I’m thrilled my new position makes the things I love top priority.”
