iHeartMedia CHR “Hot 99.5” WIHT Washington DC has appointed Rob Kruz as Program Director.
Kruz, who has programmed 93.3 WFLZ Tampa since October 2016, previously hosted nights at WIHT and programmed CHR “Z104.3” WZFT Baltimore. His appointment follows Monday’s promotion of James Howard to Vice President of Programming for the Washington DC market.
Kruz replaces Tommy Chuck, who just made the reverse move from Washington back to Tampa as SVP/Programming for that market.
iHeartMedia Washington, D.C. announced today that Rob Kruz has been named Program Director for HOT 99.5, D.C.’s No. 1 Hit Music Station, effective December 18. iHeartMedia Washington, D.C. has a strong cross-platform presence and includes a number of iconic brands and franchises — both broadcast and digital — including HOT 99.5, 97.1 WASH-FM, DC101, 98.7 WMZQ, BIG 100 and 104.7 – and produces legendary marquee events including the iHeartRadio HOT 99.5 Jingle Ball, WMZQ Fest and DC101’s Kerfuffle.
iHeartMedia has the leading consumer reach and influence across multiple platforms and delivers more live programming than any other media company. As Program Director, Kruz will work closely with on-air personalities and sales to oversee the station brand’s on-air and digital programming, as well as local events and partnerships. He will report to Jeff Kapugi, Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia’s Washington, D.C. Region.
“Rob Kruz was the best and natural choice to lead the team at HOT 99.5,” said Kapugi. “We are excited to have Kruz back in Washington.”
Kruz returns to the Washington, D.C. Region from WFLZ in Tampa, FL, where he most recently served as Program Director. He previously served in the Washington D.C. Region as Program Director and Afternoon Drive Host for WZFT in Baltimore, MD and prior to that, Night Host for WIHT in Washington, D.C. He began his career at WDRQ in Detroit, MI and is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
“I’m honored and thrilled to be heading back to iHeartMedia D.C. to lead the incredibly talented team at HOT 99.5,” said Kruz. “I’m grateful this next step in my career is one that allows me to expand my relationship with The Kane Show, and return to HOT, a brand that personally means so much to me. It feels like coming home!”
iHeartMedia is the leading media outlet in the Washington, D.C. market with multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; live events; data; and its digital businesses and platforms, including mobile, social and its own iHeartRadio, the leading all-in-one streaming music and live radio service – with more than 1.4 billion app downloads and 100 million registered users.
