Cumulus Media has named Jeff McCartney as Operations Manager/Program Director for Salt Lake City. He will oversee Rock station KBER 101 and CHR outlet Power 94.9/101.9 KENZ-FM.
What We Know: McCartney brings more than 30 years of radio programming experience to the role. He spent over 25 years with iHeartMedia in Salt Lake City, leading multi-station clusters. His background includes talent development, ratings growth, and data-driven content strategy. Building high-performing teams across multiple formats is a strength of McCartney’s.
What They Said
Vice President and Market Manager Joyce Wirthlin expressed confidence in the hire. “He’s a proven programmer with a strong track record of building winning brands and developing talent,” she said. “His passion for the product and his competitive mindset makes him a great fit for KBER and KENZ.” McCartney also noted his deep ties to the market, adding he and Wirthlin have worked together for more than 20 years.
What Remains Unclear: No timeline has been announced for McCartney’s first programming changes at either station. It is also unclear whether additional staffing moves will follow his appointment. The scope of his operational authority beyond programming has not been detailed publicly.
What It Means: Cumulus is making a strategic bet on local market experience in Salt Lake City. McCartney’s long tenure in the market gives him a significant advantage in understanding both listeners and advertisers.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.
