One of the smartest radio programmers in the last four decades is arguably former COX MEDIA GROUP VP/Programming STEVE SMITH.
STEVE could easily be the brightest person in any room at any time, yet this self-effacing radio programming legend rarely does interviews and he’s stacked up a track record of winning stations in more than 50 markets over his career and has lead the programming efforts for AM/FM, Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia), CBS (now Audacy) and most recently the last decade at Cox Media Group.
He’s influenced the on-air careers of Ryan Seacrest, Big Boy, Ed Lover, Sinbad, George Lopez, Isaac Hayes, Alice Cooper, Barry White, Roberta Flack , Ashford & Simpson, Wendy Willliams, Frank Ski, Ricky Smiley, Angie Martinez , Funkmaster Flex, and so many more!
Steve's career highlights and his contact information can be found below, and we are honored that Steve is joining us for this All Access Video Power Player Interview, Part #1.
1983-1986: Received Law Degree Pepperdine University School of law
1987-1989: Built Hot 97-7 San Jose; took it to #1 in 3 months
1990-93: VP of Prorgramming KKFR Phx; grew it to #1 in 3 way battle with monster stations KZZP and Y95
1993-2003: VP of Programming Emmis Broadcasting; Created Hiphop format for Hot 97 and turned Kiss in Smooth R&B and Classic Soul; Ran Power 106 LA simultaneously and built them to be the The #1 and 2 stations in NYC and #1 station in Los Angeles at the same time. Also added my consultancy Steve Smith Radio and ratings
2002-2003: VP of Programming for AMFM working top 10 markets with Steve Rivers
2003-2007: SVP of Programming for Clear Channel under Tom Owens, overseeing 400 stations, including all station startups and new formats and overseeing all Urbans with Doc Wynter; Revamped Kiss LA, hiring Ryan Seacrest, signed on Power 105.1 NY
2007-2011: Steve Smith Radio Consultants winner of 3 Billboard awards for consultant of the year
2011-2021: Vice President of Programming for Cox Media Group, growing our stations and brands where we had 75% of our full signal stations top 5 rank power ratio
Dec 2021 through today - Building a Talent Development Company coaching radio talent, AM shows, Podcasters, talkshow hosts and video and TV talent including TikTokers and YouTubers and, of course, returning to consulting radio stations again! Steve@stevesmithtalent.com ... feel free to reach out if interested!