LESLIE FRAM JOINS CMT AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MUSIC STRATEGY
08/16/11
Fram to Relocate From NYC to CMT’s Headquarters in Nashville
NASHVILLE – August 16, 2011 – Music industry veteran Leslie Fram, most recently program director and morning show co-host of New York’s WRXP, has joined CMT as Senior Vice President, Music Strategy, it was announced today by Brian Philips, President, CMT. Fram will lead the music strategy division at the channel, overseeing all music integration within the CMT brand, including original programming, CMT.com, CMT Radio and music video airplay across all media platforms. Fram will report to Philips, effective September 1.
“Leslie Fram is beloved throughout the entire industry," said Philips. "Everyone knows of her hard-driving passion for music, her unyielding integrity and her relentless work ethic. I have always believed that Leslie, in her soul, ‘belonged’ at MTV Networks, and she’s finally here! Rolling Stone just named Nashville as the town with America’s ‘Best Music Scene’, and Leslie can single-handedly help us retain the title. She will lead the team, embrace the CMT culture, discover new stars and provide all of our artists with imaginative opportunities.”
Fram adds: “This move just feels right for me on so many levels. CMT is on a creative hot streak, and I’m honored to join Brian Philips and his all-star team at the network. CMT is a big stage -- 93 million homes! I am excited about the creative freedom I've been given to invent and innovate with music across all CMT’s platforms. I’m anxious to get to Nashville, reconnect with old friends, make new ones and blaze a new trail with CMT.”
Exiting the network is former Senior Vice President of Music Strategy, Jay Frank, who recently announced his own plans to begin a digital music endeavor. Philips remarked: “Jay has helped CMT make great strides, leaving in place a strong music infrastructure. He's a futurist and successful author with an entrepreneurial spirit, and we wish him huge success with his new venture.”
Fram joins CMT at a time of unprecedented growth across several divisions: CMT Radio Network now has 160+ affiliates across the country; CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan, the network’s nightly syndicated radio show, is heard in over 100 markets; CMT Pure, the network’s 24-hour music video channel is now in 25 million homes; CMT just surpassed its one millionth fan via Facebook and Twitter; and music video hours on CMT are up 10% over the last year. Fram first worked with Philips in the early 90s, transforming Atlanta pop radio station Power 99 into the now legendary 99X, the trendsetting, alternative rock station that quickly became an iconic market leader.
As a true rock innovator and brand builder, Leslie Fram’s career includes wild rides in Top 40 radio in Mobile, Ala., alternative rock at WNNX (99X)-Atlanta, and most recently, at New York rocker 1019RXP as Program Director and Morning Show co-host (with Matt Pinfield). While at WRXP, she was responsible for booking all talent for RXP shows and major events, and conducting exclusive interviews with the world’s biggest bands and emerging artists. Previously, Fram spent a decade at 99X both on-air and as Assistant Program Director and Program Director, racking up numerous awards and honors, and building her massive interpersonal network.
Known as a hit-maker, trendsetter and trailblazer throughout her career, Fram is the first woman to receive the TJ Martell Award in recognition of outstanding performance in the music industry in 2000, and was presented with the NARAS-Atlanta Chapter Heroes Award for her outstanding contributions to music and the music community. In 2009, she was honored as a Lifetime Achievement Inductee in the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame. She has also served as Associate Member of NARAS, and on its Board of Governors in both Atlanta and New York. Fram is an avid philanthropist and spokesperson, using her voice to support numerous non-profits and causes.
www.cmtpress.com
CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 93 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Lisa Chader 615-335-8405 lisa.chader@cmt.com
