Ben Marcotte Named PD for KIOZ & KGB-FM | San Diego Radio News

Leadership Changes in San Diego Radio

iHeartMedia has appointed Ben Marcotte as the new Program Director for KIOZ (Rock 105.3 FM) and KGB-FM (101.5) in San Diego. The move takes effect immediately. Marcotte assumes responsibility for the programming direction of both stations while also leading their digital and social media strategies. He will report directly to Gene Romano, who serves as the Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia.

This appointment marks a significant shift in the operational oversight of these two stations. KIOZ is a prominent rock brand in the Southern California market. KGB-FM remains a heritage station with a long history in the region. Marcotte replaces previous leadership, bringing a background focused on rock formats to these specific signals.

Experience and Strategic Background

Ben Marcotte has spent more than 14 years within the iHeartMedia organization. Before this move, he served as the Senior Vice President of Programming for the company’s St. Louis and Indianapolis markets. His career path includes roles as a programmer and on-air personality. In Indianapolis, he managed classic rock station Q95 and Indy 103.3 WOLT. His resume also highlights tenure as a programmer in Seattle, where he oversaw 96.5 Jack-FM and Alt 102.9 KKRZ-HD2. This experience indicates a focus on rock and alternative music formats across multiple major markets.

Gene Romano commented on the selection of Marcotte for the San Diego posts. He stated that Marcotte’s broad background in rock makes him a good fit for the local stations. Romano noted that Marcotte remains curious and creative in his approach to changing listener habits. The transition is part of an ongoing effort to align station management with evolving audience preferences in the San Diego region.

Industry Context and Future Direction

Radio groups often move personnel between markets to refresh content or apply successful strategies to new territories. San Diego is a competitive radio market, requiring precise programming to maintain audience share. By tasking Marcotte with both stations, iHeartMedia aims to consolidate its rock strategy in the city. The integration of digital and social tactics is a standard objective for radio leadership in 2026, as stations attempt to reach listeners outside of traditional broadcast hours.

Ben Marcotte expressed enthusiasm about the new assignment. He stated that the opportunity to lead two legendary stations in San Diego was not a decision that required overthinking. Marcotte emphasized that he is ready to get to work with the existing teams. The industry will watch how he adjusts the programming at KIOZ and KGB-FM to retain long-term listeners while attracting new demographics. His success will depend on his ability to blend traditional rock radio sensibilities with current digital consumption habits.