Sacto Radio: iHM Brings Curtiss Johnson Back To Market

Curtiss Johnson

iHeartMedia/Scaramento has announced the return of programming veteran Curtiss Johnson as SVP/Programming its six-station cluster.

Most recently Johnson was PD of Hubbard Broadcasting’s WDRV 97.1 FM The Drive in Chicago. He exited in January 2016 due to internal disagreements with Hubbard upper programming management, according to Chicagoland Radio&Media.

However, he has spent some 20 years in the Sacramento market serving as station manager and program director for KSEG, KRXQ and KWOD.

Johnson was the Brand Manager/Director of Programming and Operations for Entercom in Sacramento, CA. After 18 years with the same company in the same market, his position was eliminated in July 2013.

iHeartMedia market president Sara McClure states, “I’m thrilled to bring Curtiss Johnson back to Sacramento as our SVP of programming.  Curtiss’ experience and relationships in Sacramento are perfectly suited for our programming and client needs.  I look forward to partnering with him to take iHeartMedia Sacramento to new heights.”

"Curtiss is not only an experienced programmer, but his leadership and strategic skillset are a perfect fit for this role," said Steve Geofferies, Executive Vice President, iHeartMedia West Division. "I'm looking forward to working with him and watching his growth at iHeartMedia."

The Sacramento clusts includes Country KBEB B92.5FM, Adult Hits KQJK 93.7 JackFM, Classic Hip Hop/R&B KHYL V101.1 FM,  Talk KSTE 650 AM, N/T KFBK 93.1 FM /1530 AM, and Classic Rock K296GB 107.1 FM The Brew.

"I'm excited and honored by the opportunity to become Senior VP of Programming for iHeartMedia Sacramento," said Johnson. "iHeartMedia has a tremendous portfolio of legendary media brands and talent in the Sacramento market. The iHeartMedia Sacramento team already feels like family. The building is full of people I have immense respect for and consider friends. I can't wait to start working with the entire team."

Johnson began his radio career at KPRI in his hometown of San Diego and served over a decade as Program Director and afternoon personality at KUPD-FM in Phoenix. During his career, Johnson has won a Marconi Radio Award and a Crystal Radio Award for Major Market Station of the Year from the National Association of Broadcasters, as well as multiple Program Director and Station of the Year honors from Billboard, Radio & Records and the Gavin Report.