iHM Names Rod Phillips To Head Country Radio Team

Rod Phillips

iHeartMedia has announced that Rod Phillips will lead its Nashville-based iHeartCountry team.

He replaces Clay Hunnicutt who departed at the end of July.

The iHeartCountry team, which includes Brand Coordinators Doug Montgomery, Steve Geoffries, Gregg Swedberg and Chad Heritage, support the recent launch of iHeartCountry stations in key markets including Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh and more.

iHeartCountry has more than 140 Country broadcast radio stations across the U.S. reaching more than 97 million Country music listeners per month, making it the largest Country broadcast radio group in America.

"iHeartMedia has more Country stations than any other format and reaches more Country listeners in America than anyone else across multiple platforms -- broadcast, digital, social and events.  And because Country is also one of the closest-knit music and radio communities, it's important that iHeartCountry has a leader like Rod who knows both the people behind the music and the nuances of the format,” said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms, iHeartMedia.

“Given his programming experience with more than 40 Country stations, Rod is the right person to lead the iHeartCountry team and continue to build our Country platform for the benefit of our listeners, advertisers and the Country music community."

In 2011 Phillips helped develop The Bobby Bones Show, the top-rated nationally-syndicated Country music morning show, working closely with Bobby to expand the show’s original format and moving The Bobby Bones Show from Austin to Nashville for its successful transition into Country radio in February 2013.

“iHeartCountry is the leading Country music platform in the U.S. and we have the ability to connect our listeners to unique content, the newest tracks and exclusive album debuts from today’s top Country artists,” said Phillips. "I’m thrilled to have this amazing opportunity; Country music is truly my passion and being able to collaborate with all of our incredible Country brands, and the Country music community directly, will be a privilege."

Phillips is a respected radio veteran who has more than 20 years’ experience in programming. He previously served as iHeartMedia’s SVP/Programming for the Southeast Region, PD and on-air personality for Top40 WKSC Kiss 103.5  in Chicago, and OM for iHeartMedia’s Miami-Ft. Lauderdale cluster.