Cumulus Moves Jeffries To D-C, Gillette To NYC

Jan Jeffries

Cumulus Media announces that Jan Jeffries, Senior Vice President, Programming for Cumulus and Program Director for WLS-FM in Chicago, will move to Washington, D.C. to oversee programming for WRQX 107.3 FM as Program Director.

Jeffries replaces Rick Gillette, who will move to New York City as Program Director for WPLJ 95.5 FM. John Foxx, who previously held the PD position for WPLJ, will remain with the station as Assistant Program Director.

Jeffries will continue in his corporate role as Senior Vice President, Programming for Cumulus, while Gillette will retain his responsibilities as Corporate Program Director/Contemporary for Cumulus.

WPLJ 95.5 FM (6.7 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Cumulus is currently conducting a search for WLS-FM Program Director.

Jeffries has more than 40 years experience in broadcasting, and has programmed stations in Birmingham, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Baltimore/Washington, D.C., Atlanta, San Jose, Dallas and Chicago. He has also operated his own consulting firm and served as president of Stratford Research.

Rick Gillette

Gillette is a veteran programming professional who joined Cumulus in March 2014, after programming NOW-FM for CBS in New York City. He has also programmed stations in Chicago and Detroit and was Vice President of Music Entertainment for DMX Music, a global music services company based in Los Angeles.

Mike McVay, Senior Vice President, Content and Programming for Cumulus said: “These moves maximize the skills of two of the company’s best programmers. They are each perfectly suited for these two specific situations. ”

Jeffries said: "The past four years programming WLS FM have been most rewarding, solidifying its heritage with a legendary air staff and signature sound. Now it is an honor to join WRQX and lead the talented programming team in Washington. My deepest appreciation to John Dickey and Mike McVay."

WRQX 107.3 FM (19.5 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Gillette said: “D.C. is a special place. It’s not often you get to rebuild a brand from the ground up, but that’s exactly what we’ve done in the past year. The cast and crew there are nonpareil, and the ratings growth shows the brand is on the move. 95.5 PLJ is also a special place. John Foxx and I have been working very closely together on this project the past nine months. He’s one of the finest young programmers in the country and we’re blessed to have him on this amazing team. Now, with Chad Lopez firmly ensconced in the corner office, I believe this brand is ready to return to dominance in Gotham.”

Tom's Take: Anyone think Cumulus and Jan Jeffries would flip WRQX to Classic Hits with Jack Diamond returning to D-C?