Cumulus Media has named Melissa Forrest as the new Vice President/Market Manager for its Atlanta market. This is a return to the area for Forrest, as she served as the Atlanta Market Manager for iHeartMedia/Clear Channel Radio between 2008 and 2012.
Forrest has extensive major market managerial experience. Most recently, she served as President at iHeartMedia San Diego from 2012 to 2021 until she stepped away to consult. She has also overseen that company’s Riverside, CA region from 2016 to 2018. Before that, she held the position of Vice President/Market Manager for Entercom Communications in Austin, TX, and Seattle, WA, from 2004 to 2008.
Forrest holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a BSBA in Marketing & Management from the University of Missouri. She has received numerous accolades in her career, including being named one of the Best Managers in Radio and one of the Most Influential Women in Radio by Radio Ink.
Cumulus owns and operates four stations in Atlanta: New Country 101.5 (WKHX), 99X (WNNX), Q99.7 (WWWQ), and OG 97.9 (WWWQ).
Cumulus Media President of Operations Dave Milner expressed, “Melissa is a high energy leader, with a track record of transforming business organizations into highly successful operations. We are extremely excited to welcome her as VP/Market Manager of Cumulus Atlanta and have full confidence in her ability to maximize our outstanding assets in this key market.”
Forrest commented, “I have embraced many markets during my career, but I look forward to returning home to Atlanta. The opportunity to work with Dave and the entire Cumulus Atlanta team makes this homecoming even more meaningful.”
