Jeff Sottolano has been named Director, Programming, CBS RADIO, it was announced today by Chris Oliviero, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS radio. The appointment is effective on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014 with the position being based in New York. Sottolano currently serves as Program Director of CBS RADIO’s WIP-AM/FM in Philadelphia.
“Jeff has consistently and successfully answered every challenge he’s faced during his career at CBS RADIO,” said Oliviero. “With such diverse format experience and a respected reputation, both in and outside our company, I have no doubt he is ready to tackle this exciting and critical next chapter. Jeff will be a great complement to our corporate programming team.”
Sottolano will support program directors in 27 major markets to further drive ratings growth at CBS RADIO’s 126 Radio Station s. He will focus on identifying and recruiting on-air talent, both established and up-and-coming, as well as seek out new format opportunities.
Additionally, Sottolano will maintain on-going communications with external industry and charitable organizations, and work closely with the division’s digital media business to ensure a seamless cross-platform product and brand experience.
Sottolano, a 2012 Radio Ink magazine Rising Star, 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 Radio 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 closely with record labels, concert promoters and artists to create one-of-a-kind events and promotions.
Sottolano assumed programming oversight of WIP in 2011 when the AM sports Radio Station premiered a simulcast on WYSP as SportsRadio 94WIP. The two Radio Stations currently broadcast local and national programming with CBS Sports Radio featured on 610AM. WIP’s signature properties include play-by-play coverage of Eagles football and Phillies baseball, as well as “Wing Bowl,” an annual competitive eating contest.
In addition, Sottolano created the programming lineup of Phillies 24/7 on CBS RADIO’s WOGL-HD4, the first ever HD multicast Radio Station dedicated to a MLB team, and works closely with the local Philadelphia Radio Station s’ digital assets.
