Nikki Thomas to Lead Programming at WIVK, Knoxville. Moving from
Cumulus Media's country KATM, Modesto-Stockton "Kat Country" to the company's country WIVK, Knoxville is programmer
Nikki
Thomas. She's been with the station for the past nine years – the last five as PD. The Knoxville native says, "I am so excited to be joining the incredibly talented team at WIVK. I love my team at KATM, but having a chance to do what I love so close to my family at a station that I grew up listening to is an amazing opportunity that I just couldn't pass up."
The Gene and Julie Show Exits WRAL, Raleigh. Raleigh-Durham adult contemporary outlet WRAL-FM "MIX 101.5" parts company with the husband-and-wife morning show hosted by
Gene and
Julie Gates. The
Capitol Broadcasting Company station brought the duo aboard in July of 2014 to replace
Mike Chase and
Lynda Loveland. The station says it will announce a new AM show in the coming days. It's not clear the reason for the parting. While specific morning drive numbers have not been made public, WRAL tied for first (persons 6+) in the July PPM survey from
Nielsen Audio with a 7.9 share.
Greg Smith Appointed GM of Cumulus' Hot AC WDVD and Country WDRQ in Detroit. Motor City radio sales and management pro
Greg Smith rises from his VP of sales post with the
Cumulus Media Detroit
cluster to vice president and general manager for hot AC WDVD and country WDRQ "NASH FM 93.1." Cumulus SVP of operations
Bob Walker says, "We are excited to elevate Greg to lead the growth strategy for our Detroit FM brands. We are confident that the collaboration of Greg and
Tom O'Brien, who leads [news/talk] WJR and our relationship with the Lions will create new opportunities in Detroit."
More RadioInfo Career Moves. Midday personality Barb Abney exits Northern Lights Broadcasting's alternative KTWN, Minneapolis "GO 96.3."…..In San Jose, Alpha Media and programmer Dana Jang part ways. Jang was PD at hot AC KEZR and PD, music director and afternoon personality at sister AC KBAY.
KRNA, Iowa City Flips to Classic Rock. Gone is the alternative rock and back on
Townsquare Media's KRNA, Iowa City-Cedar Rapids is classic rock. The station flipped on Friday afternoon, playing
Guns N Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" and debuted its new brand, "94.1 KNRA, Classic Rock That Really Rocks." The station personality lineup includes the syndicated "
Free Beer & Hot Wings" show in AM drive,
Bill Hahn in middays,
Chad Cooper hosting PM drive, and
Jon Biegen handling the evening shift.
