Cumulus Media has officially announced the promotions of two longtime Birmingham employees to Program Director.
While confirming the promotion of Valerie Vining to Program Director at Conservative Talk “Talk 99.5” WZRR that was first reported in early December, Cumulus has also announced that Tasha Simone has risen to Program Director of Adult R&B “Hot 107.7” WUHT Birmingham.
Simone has hosted middays at WUHT since 2005 and will continue in that daypart. She worked for Cox’s Birmingham cluster earlier in her career and served as a contributor to WERC-TV from 2006 to 2011.
CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has promoted two Birmingham radio veterans to Program Director roles for its Birmingham radio stations Hot 107.7 (WUHT-FM), Birmingham’s Best Mix of R&B, and Talk 99.5 (WZRR-FM). Cumulus has named Tasha Simone as Program Director of Hot 107.7. Simone has been a popular Birmingham on-air personality for over 20 years and will continue as On-Air Host of “The Midday Groove” on Hot 107.7 from Monday through Friday from 10am-2pm. Simone has been honored as a “Female Powerhouse” by Who’s Who in Black Birmingham and is known for her service to the community for her work on behalf of non-profit organizations including Young Women’s Empowerment Conference and the Birmingham Urban League. She holds a B.A. degree in Mass Communications/Journalism and a Master of Education degree from Ashford University.
Concurrently, CUMULUS MEDIA promotes Valerie Vining as Program Director of Talk 99.5. Vining has been a Birmingham radio fixture for more than 30 years. She will continue to be heard on Talk 99.5 WZRR-FM weekday mornings from 6am-10am as co-host of the “Dixon & Vining” morning show from 6am-10am. Vining was previously News Director for Cumulus Birmingham stations WAPI, WJOX, WJQZ, WUHT, WZRR, a position she has held for almost 14 years. She was formerly On-Air Host, Middays, on WAPI-FM for 20 years and was also Music Director and Assistant Program Director for the station. She holds a B.S. degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Alabama.
James Robinson, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Birmingham, said: “We are excited to promote two Program Directors from within our local Cumulus Birmingham family. Tasha Simone’s commitment to the city and ideas for our client partners made her the right choice to lead our iconic Urban AC, Hot 107.7. Likewise, after an extensive search for a dynamic Program Director for Talk 99.5, the market leader in spoken word programming, it became clear that our own Valerie Vining was the perfect fit. Tasha and Valerie both embody Cumulus Birmingham’s commitment to the community, and we are confident that they will take Hot 107.7 and Talk 99.5 to even greater heights.”
Tasha Simone, Program Director, Hot 107.7, commented: “At this point in my career my time as talent on WUHT/Hot 107.7, almost 17 years, is longer than my time on any other station. Those years are filled with experiences and knowledge about our brand that few hold. As the first woman to be named Program Director for Hot 107.7, I will now be able to use that bedrock of knowledge and skills to propel us to higher heights in the community and industry. Thank you to CUMULUS MEDIA, our VP/Market Manager, James Robinson, and our Operations Manager, Ryan Haney for this historic opportunity.”
Valerie Vining, Program Director, Talk 99.5, commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to take on the role of Program Director for WZRR-Talk 99.5 Birmingham. My radio career, which spans over 30 years, has prepared me for this moment and challenge and I look forward to taking my team to the next level. Thank you to James Robinson and Ryan Haney for believing in me and my abilities. I’m so proud to work for CUMULUS MEDIA.”
