Cumulus Media has made a pair of programming appointments in its Kansas City cluster.
Mike O’Reilly, Program Director/Afternoon Host of CHR “95.7 The Vibe” KCHZ Ottawa KS will add programming duties at Alternative “X105.1” KCJK Garden City. Concurrently, former “105.1 The Bounce” WMGC Detroit Program Director Al Payne will join the company to program Urban AC “Magic 107.3” KMJK Garden City.
Payne fills the opening created by Kenny J’s departure in January for family reasons after just a six month run in the position.
Cumulus Media announces that it has promoted programming veteran Mike O’Reilly to Program Director of Alternative station KCJK/X105.1 in Kansas City, KS. O’Reilly continues in his current roles as Program Director and Afternoon Host for Top 40 station KCHZ-FM/95.1 The Vibe. Cumulus concurrently announced that it has appointed programming professional Al Payne as Program Director for Urban AC station KMJK in Kansas City.
O’Reilly, a Kansas City native, started his radio career at KCHZ-FM in 1997, launched KCJK-FM in 2004, and did a nine-year run in San Diego at KFMB-FM until moving back to Kansas City in 2015 as Program Director of KCHZ.
Payne joins Cumulus from Beasley Broadcasting, where he was Program Director of WMGC 105.1 The Bounce in Detroit. Payne’s 20-year career as a successful Hip Hop/Urban AC/Rhythmic programmer includes positions at: WERQ and WWIN-FM in Baltimore, MD; WKYS in Washington, DC; WGZB and WMJM in Louisville, KY; WDMK and WHTD in Detroit, MI; WCDX and WKJS in Richmond, VA; KRNB in Dallas, TX; WQMG in Greensboro, NC, and WMNX in Wilmington, NC. He holds a B.A. degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Donna Baker, Midwest Regional Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Media-Kansas City, said: “Mike O’Reilly’s exceptional knowledge of these formats, passion to win, and respect as a leader on our team and in our community have earned this well deserved promotion. He is one of the best in the business.”
Baker added: “Al Payne brings proven leadership with a clear vision of winning to the helm of our talented Magic 107.3 team. He is the perfect choice to rekindle KMJK to a new level of success.”
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Doug Hamand, Vice President, Programming Operations, Cumulus Media, said: “Mike is an amazing, smart, lives the lifestyle PD for both Vibe and now X105.1. I am so anxious to see what great things he will do for Kansas City’s Alternative”.Hamand added: “Al made a bunch of successful noise in Detroit! He is so plugged into what the Urban AC community needs. He will definitely wake our sleeping giant at Magic 107.3.”
O’Reilly said: “How often do you get to return to your hometown with the opportunity to run and manage the stations that started it all for you? Thanks to Doug Hamand and Donna Baker for this rare opportunity! I have such a rich history with both of these signals, not to mention, THE hardest working support teams well equipped to take X105-1 and 95-7 The VIBE to entirely new levels in KC.”
Payne said: “I’m ready to help maximize the Magic in KC with this great team Donna has put in place. The vibe of this city is incredible and I’m ready to dig in!”
