CBS Radio has named Jeff Sottolano as Vice President of Programming.
Sottolano has been with CBS Radio since 2001 as an intern at WZNE Rochester. Eventually moving up to Program Director, he transferred to Philadelphia in 2006 to program Rock 94.1 WYSP and stayed on when the station flipped to Sports WIP-FM. He has served as a national Director of Programming since January 2014.
Jeff Sottolano has been named Vice President, Programming, CBS RADIO, it was announced today by Chris Oliviero, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS RADIO. Sottolano has served as Director, Programming since January 2014. The appointment is effective immediately.
“Jeff has made significant contributions to our content platform, not just over the air, but also to our strong digital and live event assets,” said Oliviero. “With today’s announcement, he will now be better positioned to take a leadership role as we continue to craft our growth strategy, one which is squarely founded on CBS RADIO’s best in class brands.”
In this new role, Sottolano will work closely with CBS RADIO’s local market leadership to identify programming opportunities and develop strategies to improve station ratings performance. He will contribute to the division’s research efforts, including acting as a liaison with Nielsen and other key research and data partners, to ensure effectiveness across programming and sales. Sottolano will also work with Michael Martin, Senior Vice President, Programming and Music Initiatives, and Chad Fitzsimmons, Director, Music Initiatives on the execution of the division’s live events, including developing CBS RADIO’s national concerts and other brand extensions.
Additionally, Sottolano will collaborate with CBS Local Digital Media to grow audience engagement and further enhance CBS RADIO’s over the air content and brands online and via mobile platforms.
Prior to his current position, Sottolano was Program Director of CBS RADIO’s WIP-FM in Philadelphia, a position he was named to in 2011. A 2012 Radio Ink magazine Rising Star, Sottolano began working with CBS RADIO in 2001 when he joined WZNE-FM in Rochester, N.Y. as an intern. He was named Promotions Director in 2002, and two years later was promoted to Program Director/On-Air Personality where he helped lead the station through significant programming updates that resulted in ratings increases.
In 2006, Sottolano transferred to WYSP-FM in Philadelphia where he assumed a variety of programming and marketing roles during his tenure, including Program Director beginning in 2008. He was instrumental in launching the Danny Bonaduce Show that same year, and worked to create one-of-a-kind events and promotions. At WIP-FM, he aided in the station’s transition to the FM dial and helped manage the station’s relationships with the local professional sports teams.
