Former Cox Media Group CEO Kim Guthrie is joining iHeartMedia as Division President for iHeartMedia Florida succeeding the retiring Linda Byrd on July 15.
Guthrie first joined Cox in 1998 as General Manager of WBAB/WBLI Long Island. She later rose to EVP/Radio for the company and then EVP/National Ad Platforms overseeing CoxReps and Gamut. She was promoted to President of the company at the end of 2016 and added the CEO title following the acquisition of the company by Apollo Global Management in 2019. She departed Cox in May 2020.
iHeartMedia announced today that Kim Guthrie has been named Division President for iHeartMedia Florida, replacing Linda Byrd who enters her retirement effective July 15th.
As the Florida Division President for the iHeartMedia Markets Group, Guthrie will oversee the operations of the Florida Division for iHeartMedia. She will report directly to Hartley Adkins, President of iHeartMedia Markets Group.
“At iHeart we pride ourselves on being a ‘talent first’ company, and this decision reflects that commitment. It’s rewarding to find someone who both understands what our listeners need and how to operate in a multi-platform environment. Kim checks every box and more, we’re thrilled she chose to bring her talents to iHeart,” said Adkins. “Her CEO experience at Cox Media Group makes her uniquely qualified for this position.”
Guthrie comes to iHeart with over three decades of experience in the industry. She most recently served as President/Chief Executive Officer of Cox Media Group, a role she ascended to in late 2016. She was instrumental in the evolution and growth of CMG since she first joined the company in 1998 as VP/General Manager for its Long Island, NY radio station group before working her way up through the ranks. Before ascending to CEO, Guthrie further expanded her skills by serving as Executive Vice President of CMG’s National Ad Platforms, where she oversaw the country’s biggest television rep firm. As CEO of CMG, she had complete oversight of the company, including nearly 100 broadcast TV and radio stations, dozens of digital assets and newspapers. She started her career in the midwest, where she worked as a television news reporter and anchor for several ABC affiliates.
Guthrie was awarded the 2020 Leadership Award by the Broadcasters Foundation of America and is a multi-year honoree of Radio Ink Magazine’s “Most Powerful People in Radio” and “Most Influential Women in Radio.” She also was named “Woman of Distinction” by the March of Dimes, “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the “Trailblazer Award” by the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio group (MIW) and was awarded the “Women Who Lead” honor by the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM).
“I am very excited to announce my ‘un-retirement!’ iHeart has become a true employment destination and I am thrilled to be part of America’s #1 audio company,” says Guthrie. “I greatly admire what Bob and Rich have done to transform and expand the company since they took over a decade ago. iHeart’s leadership has built a culture of respect, transparency and innovation, and the entire team has made me feel like I can make a difference here. iHeart’s leadership team and vision for the future are a great fit for me and where I feel I can bring the most value.”
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com