After Two Years, Kim Guthrie Resurfaces as Byrd’s Successor

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Until early May 2020, she had served as President/CEO of Cox Media Group. At that time, she “decided to move on from the organization after a 22-plus year career with the company.”


Now, Kim Guthrie has returned to broadcast media by succeeding Linda Byrd, starting July 15, in a key iHeartMedia Sunshine State role.

Guthrie will be taking on the role of the retiring Byrd as Division President for iHeartMedia Florida.

Guthrie will report directly to Hartley Adkins, President of iHeartMedia Markets Group, who comments, “At iHeart we pride ourselves on being a ‘talent first’ company, and this decision reflects that commitment. It’s rewarding to find someone who both understands what our listeners need and how to operate in a multi-platform environment. Kim checks every box and more, we’re thrilled she chose to bring her talents to iHeart. Her CEO experience at Cox Media Group makes her uniquely qualified for this position.”

Guthrie had been associated with Cox Media Group since August 1998, taking the top role at CMG in January 2017. She joined Cox as VP/General Manager for its Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y., radio stations, rising through the ranks to the top position prior to Apollo Global Management’s takeover of Cox Media Group.

Guthrie, who holds a B.A. in Journalism from Iowa State University, began her career in 1987 for All Pro Broadcasting, owned by the late Willie Davisas the General Sales Manager for the Milwaukee-based radio company.

In 1992, she took on similar duties at Heritage Media, before landing at Hubbard Broadcasting in 1995 for GSM duties at its Minneapolis-St. Paul cluster.

Guthrie was awarded the 2020 Leadership Award by the Broadcasters Foundation of America and is a multi-year honoree of Radio Ink’s “Most Powerful People in Radio” and “Most Influential Women in Radio.” She also was named “Woman of Distinction” by the March of Dimes, “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the “Trailblazer Award” by the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio group (MIW) and was awarded the “Women Who Lead” honor by the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM).

“I am very excited to announce my ‘un-retirement!’ iHeart has become a true employment destination and I am thrilled to be part of America’s No. 1 audio company,” Guthrie said. “I greatly admire what Bob and Rich have done to transform and expand the company since they took over a decade ago. iHeart’s leadership has built a culture of respect, transparency and innovation, and the entire team has made me feel like I can make a difference here. iHeart’s leadership team and vision for the future are a great fit for me and where I feel I can bring the most value.”

The iHeartMedia stations in Florida are comprised of properties in Miami-Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Melbourne-Titusville-Cocoa, Orlando, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fort Myers-Naples, Sarasota-Bradenton, Jacksonville, Panama City Beach and Tallahassee.