iHeartCountry Announces Rod Phillips As Its New Leader, Anchored In Nashville Nashville, TN – August 6, 2015 – iHeartMedia, which has the largest reach in the U.S. of any radio and television outlet, announced today that Rod Phillips will lead its Nashvi
Nashville, TN – August 6, 2015 – iHeartMedia, which has the largest reach in the U.S. of any radio and television outlet, announced today that Rod Phillips will lead its Nashville-based iHeartCountry team. 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.
iHeartCountry heavily and uniquely supports country music through major events like the record-setting annual iHeartRadio Country Festival and original programs like Artists On The Verge, Artist Integration Programs, iHeartRadio Album Release Parties, its Country Music Summit and more.
Country artists make up four of iHeartRadio’s top five most listened-to artist stations, and the digital strength of iHeartCountry is also supported by iHeartRadio’s 70 million registered users and iHeartMedia’s 80 million social followers, which enable the creation of unique and interactive experiences for the benefit of Country listeners, Country artists, the Country music companies and advertisers.
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, as well as provide all iHeartCountry stations with unparalleled strategic resources and product leadership -- and connect key advertisers to iHeartMedia's unmatched and growing Country audience. iHeartCountry is built on the strength of its incredible local Country station franchises, which include KEEY in Minneapolis; WMZQ in Washington, DC; BIG 95.5 in Chicago; 94.9 The Bull in Atlanta; WSIX in Nashville; WPOC in Baltimore; KNIX in Phoenix; and more, and personalities and shows including Mason & Remy; Jason & Kristen; Michael J; Ben & Matt; Tige and Daniel; The Chris Carr Show; The Crook and Chase Countdown; The Bobby Bones Show, heard on over 100 stations nationwide and reaching almost 9 million listeners a month; CMT After Midnight With Cody Alan, heard on over 200 stations nationwide and reaching 5 million listeners a month; and many others.
"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. The Bobby Bones Show is also available via iHeartRadio.com and the iHeartRadio mobile app.
“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 Senior Vice President of Programming for the Southeast Region, Program Director and on-air personality for KISS 103.5 in Chicago, and Operations Manager for iHeartMedia’s Miami-Ft. Lauderdale cluster. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky.