With Spanish Broadcasting System‘s recently launched “El Nuevo Zol” at WPYO-FM already making an impact in Central Florida, Cox Media Group is doing what it can to protect its Latin Adult Contemporary FM in Orlando against the bold new competitor, in addition to existing challengers including iHeartMedia-owned “Rumba.”
A new Director of Branding and Programming has been named for WOEX-FM “Exitos 96.5.”
Taking the role is former South Florida radio programming veteran Raymond Hernandez.
“Chief” Raymond Hernandez first gained recognition in the mid-1980s at the former “Rhythm 98” in Miami. In August 1987, the late Bill Tanner lured him to fledgling rhythmic Top 40 “Power 96,” where he became a mixer and programming coordinator. There, Hernandez became an institution, joining Phil Jones at a station that revolutionized Contemporary Hit Radio in Miami.
In October 1995, with Tanner at Heftel Broadcasting, Hernandez followed his former boss, becoming Asst. PD of the short-lived “Super Q” at 107.5 MHz. He’d later serve as Asst. PD of “Salsa 98.3” under Univision ownership and in April 2006 joined iHeartMedia as PD and Hispanic Brand Coordinator for WMIA-FM 93.9 and for WMGE “Mega 94.9.” In January 2007, he added similar duties for WRLX “Mia” in West Palm Beach, then at 92.1 MHz.
Hernandez exited iHeartMedia in September 2016. Since then, he’s programmed the “Revolution 935” dance-fueled rhythmic Top 40 offering serving South Florida via FM translators and WHYI-FM HD2 and, from November 2019 through September 2022, was SVP/Programming for the Vic Canales Music Group (VCMG Live) in West Palm Beach.
In Orlando, Hernandez will oversee the day-to-day station programming and will work with the Orlando team to execute the strategic action plan, CMG says.
“Raymond is a strategic, talented and well-respected programmer,” said Chris Eagan, CMG’s VP of Audience and Operations. “Exitos 96.5 is an extremely important station in CMG’s Orlando portfolio, and we are thrilled to bring in a terrific leader to continue to make this a best-in- class radio station.”
Steve Stewart, CMG/Orlando’s Director of Operations, added, “I’m extremely excited to work with Raymond and watch him lead Exitos 96.5 to even more successes. He is the perfect fit for our station and leadership team. Raymond is really going to elevate all of
us!”
Hernandez shared his enthusiasm, stating, “I couldn’t be more excited to join the Cox
Media Group Orlando family and work alongside the highly dedicated and talented team
at Exitos 96.5.”
